[title subtitle=”words: Paul and Sarah Heer, Arkie Travels
Images: courtesy Arkie Travels”][/title]
I grew up in The Natural State, but even after spending thirty plus years of my life here, I still hadn’t seen more than the basic “springs” such as Blanchard, Hot and Eureka. And then I met my husband, Paul. He introduced me to the book, Waterfalls of Arkansas, by Tim Ernst (it’s a must have) and every weekend became an adventure to explore more of this beautiful piece of the south.
One of our favorite places is the little mountain town of Jasper. It’s just over an hour north of Russellville via our state’s first national scenic byway, Hwy 7, and it is absolutely charming. From the courthouse square to the adorable shops and eateries, there’s a lot to love about Jasper. It is home to our nation’s first national river, the Buffalo, and to numerous outdoor activities like rock climbing, caving and horseback riding. Join us for a bit of fun as we hit the trail from Jasper to Ponca and explore everything in between!
If you’re coming up scenic byway 7 from Russellville, you’ll enjoy some beautiful views of the Ozarks on your way. Stop in town and pull up a chair at the Ozark Cafe for lunch! Established in 1909, there’s a reason people have been flocking here for over 100 years to get their chocolate gravy fix. They’re also known for their burgers and shakes, including the notorious “Excaliburger,” a half-pound burger sandwiched between two grilled cheese sandwiches – seriously.
If you need to walk it off after chowing down, check out the quaint shops on the courthouse square. We’re especially fond of Emma’s Museum of Junk. It’s exactly what the name suggests, but you never know when you might spot that diamond in the rough!
Take Hwy 74 out of town headed to Ponca and turn right on Camp Orr Road. Triple Falls Trailhead is a short hike away but getting to it is a little more difficult. The road you’ll take goes down (and we mean dooooowwwnnnn) to a Boy Scout camp. Watch out for ruts and areas where the gravel road is washed out. When you reach the bottom, you’ll park in a grassy area on the right and the trailhead is directly across on the left. It’s an easy out and back trail, only about a quarter mile, leading to a beautiful forty-eight-foot waterfall.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous and looking for a thrill, check out the zip lining at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch on your way to Ponca. If you want to start on something a little smaller, they offer the 600 ft. “Pony Express,” but their claim to fame is a zip line they’ve dubbed the “Iron Horse.” It’s the longest (2,300 feet), tallest (a vertical drop of 277 feet), fastest (top speeds of over 50 mph) zip line in Arkansas and one of the top zip lines in North America. At one point you will be over 300 feet above the valley floor! Horseshoe Canyon Ranch is an authentic, family-owned dude ranch. They also offer activities like horseback riding, skeet shooting and even a petting zoo!
One of the coolest parts of our beautiful state is the herd of 600 Rocky Mountain Elk living in the Ponca/ Boxley Valley. Stop by the Ponca Elk Education Center and learn more about the elk and other wildlife you may see in the area. It’s run by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and they’re always happy to answer questions and point you in the right direction for elk viewing. Best of all, it’s FREE and they also offer fun classes throughout the year. The elk usually make an appearance around dawn and dusk. Note: They are not always out, but when they are it’s a sight to see!
The last stop on our journey is the 2.1-mile Lost Valley Trailhead. This is a fun out and back hike that will make you feel like you’re stepping back in time to the Jurassic age! The first half of the trail is ADA accessible, but it does get more strenuous as you go along. This family-friendly trail has everything from caves to a natural bridge and ends in a beautiful waterfall. If you want to explore the more difficult caves, make sure you bring headlamps or flashlights and knee protection.
If you want to extend your stay in Ponca, visit the Buffalo Outdoor Center for cabin options, canoe and kayak rental for floating the Buffalo and camping essentials. They post the water levels on their website, but make sure you call ahead of time to reserve equipment and cabins. Do a little local shopping and pick up a picnic lunch (we highly recommend the chicken salad sandwich) and don’t forget your cold drink! They also have the best potties in the area – just sayin’.
For more information about Sarah & Paul’s travels and routes they’ve designed all over our home state, follow them on social media @ArkieTravels or visit their website at arkietravels.com.
