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Hiking consists of walking often on hiking trails in the great outdoors. Hiking is a low cost way to get out and discover the great outdoors for everyone regardless of age or ability. Posted hiking times tell you the time required to complete a gentle round trip hike on the trail. Trails in state parks lead to lakes and vistas teaming with wild life and uncountable adventures. You should always packpack with someone else. Be sure to take precautions should you decide to ever hike alone. Hiking gives exhilaration both from the physical benefits and being out in the great outdoors. A state park may be only a few miles from home.

Hikers who prefer longer trails will find them in the Arkansas Ozark Highlands and the Ouachita National Recreation areas. During winter, the absence of deciduous leaves opens new vistas along trails and reveals stone walls, chimneys, foundations, and other reminders of past residents. Arkansas boasts over 1500 miles of hiking trails, and Eureka Springs, Arkansas has two great hiking trails.

Two miles west of the city limits of Eureka Springs is Lake Leathewood Park with 1600 acres including an 85 acre spring-fed lake. It is a place of natural beauty. Lake Leathewood was formed by the largest hand-cut native limestone dam in Carroll County. The dam and some of the buildings at the park were built during the depression by the WPA.Lake Leatherwood Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lake Leatherwood Park has about 15 miles of trails around the lake. Trails are closed to motorized vehicles. Hikers can enjoy the beauty of nature, solitude, cool springs, a creek and historic stone walls. The hiking trail circles the lake and is about 4 miles long. The lake is small (you can explore all of it in an afternoon) and sheltered, great for beginners or kids, and you will probably be the only one on it. One end of the lake is shallow and has lily pads and moss growing here. You may see deer, squirrels, beavers and birds. The water at the other end of the lake is deep and clear. Fishing is good here because few people use the lake.

The second place to hike in Eureka Springs is at Black Bass Lake. Black Bass Lake was formerly the water supply reservoir for Eureka Springs on U.S. Highway 62 including the Inn of the Ozarks and Community First Bank. In the heart of Eureka Springs is a new 1/2 mile hiking and biking trail around the lake. Black Bass Lake is a 13 acre spring-fed lake great for cork fishing which as a 115 year old limestone dam. The trail was designed for fishing, hiking and biking. “This is truly undiscovered country,” remarked Jeff Feldman, Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce President. Most locals in Eureka Springs do not know that it’s here. This area shows how the Ozarks would have looked to the first white men; except for the existence of the dam. Hiking in the winter with snow on the hills around the lake is a great treat.”

Future plans will connect the trails at Black Bass Lake and Lake Leatherwood to the small town of Beaver on Table Rock Lake. Come to Eureka Springs soon to enjoy the hiking trails. Whether you camp out or stay in a cabin, you can find great hiking trails close by.

Technorati Tags: Arkansas, Black Bass Lake, cabins, Eureka Springs, hiking, hiking trails, Lake Leatherwood Park, Ozark Mountains

The Civil War battle of Pea Ridge was fought in 1862 in Northwest Arkansas. The Pea Ridge National Military Park allows visitors the opportunity to see how the Battle of Pea Ridge was fought and won. The battle of Pea Ridge had great influence upon later events in the Civil War as it saved Missouri for the Union.

During this bitter two day battle the Federal army defeated the Confederate army. The victory put a stop to serious resistance to Union control of Missouri and Northern Arkansas. The Union winning at Pea Ridge allowed Grant to leave his Frederal troops in the east rather than diverting them to the Trans-Mississippi area.

Control of Missouri was the key to winning the war in the West.  Military strategists, both North and South, were fully aware of this.Missouri was key to both the north and south during the civil war due to its location of the Missouri, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.  It had abundant natural resources, especially lead and iron ore, a large military-aged population and was the home of  a stockpile of over 60,000 muskets in the Saint Louis Arsenal.

The Park controls almost all of the land where the battle was fought in 1862. Pea Ridge National Military Park is located in the beautiful Ozarks of Arkansas. The park covers 4300 acres. One of the newest Civial War Battlefield’s in the National Park System is located in Northwest Arkansas.

Today, the park features a reconstructed Elkhorn Tavern; Visitor’s center, museum, self-guided tours and a 2.the battlefeild is located on a 5 mile piece of the “.Control of “The Elkhorn Tavern” turned over between the Confederate and Union armies. Both used the tavern for hospital and headquarter duties. Located in the northwestern corner of Arkansas is the Pea Ridge National Military Park. Pea Ridge is about 30 minutes from Historic Eureka Springs, Arkansas. General Curtis’s headquarters is the first stop of the tour at the battlefield. Visitors can enjoy the battle terrain as well as the Arkansas scenery from two overlooks in the Battlefield’s tour.

After visiting the Pea Ridge National Military Park; drive 30 minutes east on highway 62 to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. A historic town located in the northwest corner of Arkansas is Eureka Springs. Stay in our family cabin in Eureka Springs, Arkansas while you explore this unique town.

Technorati Tags: Arkansas, Civil War Battlefield, Eureka Springs, Pea Ridge