Exploring Arkansas

What happens when you motorize a glider chute, and add a couple seats and wheels to it ? It becomes one of the fastest growing forms of sport flying around. If you've enjoyed the Kings River by floating it… another way to take in the beauty of this river in northwest Arkansas is by hiking the Kings River Overlook Nature Trail Another worthwhile view to experience is the one that overlooks Roark Bluff in the upper portion of the Buffalo National River Hickson Lake located in the Dagmar Wildlife Management Area near Brinkley, is one of those neat hidden lakes perfect for canoeing, kayaking and fishing.

The Cossatot River in southwest Arkansas has always been popular with whitewater kayakers, but it's also a river for all seasons..for everyone. The War Eagle Trail north of Huntsville offers spectacular vistas of War Eagle Creek. The Shaddox Hollow Nature Trail at Arkansas' largest state park-Hobbs, is an excellent trail for school children and beginning hikers. Frog Bayou Wildlife Management Area near Ft. Smith is a prime example of wetland restoration, attracting a variety of waterfowl.

Unmatched anywhere in the world, the National Wildlife Refuge system is one of America's greatest conservation success stories. This extensive network of land and water is managed especially for wildlife, but its habitat is also for people to enjoy-thus it is commonly referred to as "America's Best Kept Secret." Arkansas' nine National Wildlife Reserve's which are open to the public are presented in this one hour special .

The White and Little Red rivers in Arkansas are well known for trout fishing… but there's also the Ouachita at Carpenter Dam near Hot Springs. Mountain biking can now be enjoyed along a couple of new trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, just west of Little Rock. Arkansas' ever changing wildlife scene now includes white pelicans during the winter The state's oldest continuous business happens to be the Oark General Store and Café northwest of Clarksville in the Ozark National Forest.

Bridal Veil Falls just outside of Heber Springs is one of those "local" gems not too many folks know exists-even has its own observation platform ! Loco Ropes at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View offers a challenging treetop adventure thrill with more than thirty challenges ranging from ziplining to a "parachute drop" without a chute! Choctaw Island Wildlife Management Area near Arkansas City is a deer research area that also offers four unique hiking trails not to mention fishing at Rocky Hole Lake and great views of the mighty Misssissip ! Episode concludes with a special course in survival techniques.

The longest hiking trail in the state is the 223 mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail which extends from Pinnacle Mt. State Park west of Little Rock..across the Ouachita National Forest and ends at Talihinia, Oklahoma.It's called the Ouartz Crystal Capital of the world-Mt. Ida in west Arkansas. The only other two places in the world containing quartz crystals are Madagascar and Brazil Other than by boat, the other adventurous way to enjoy Lake Ouachita is by taking a trail ride on horseback along the scenic vista shoreline. The Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park Marks the initial spot in a swamp in east Arkansas where land surveys began in 1815 for the Louisiana Purchase Territory.

Little Missouri Falls is located in one of the most scenic areas of the Ouachita National Forest in western Arkansas-in fact, it's a special area that almost became a national park. The Lorance Creek Natural Area between Little Rock and Pine Bluff is a dense swamp with a boardwalk which makes it quite ideal to explore without any difficulty. The Roth Prairie Natural Area in the heart of the Grand Prairie is a great example of what was once the vast tallgrass prairie. Hiking to one of the premier waterfalls in the state, Cedar Falls at Petit Jean Mountain State Park is a must do activity for anyone living in The Natural State.

Snorkeling at DeGray Lake near Arkadelphia isn't quite like the coral reefs of the Caribbean, but you do have a wonderful opportunity to explore "rock reefs" and walls underwater The sport of kayak fishing is coming of age with new kayak designs that are tailor made for the kayak angler in getting to those secluded "honey holes." The other Sugarloaf mountain in the Heber Springs area is the one along the Little Red River Hiking to the summit is a challenge in itself-especially the final few feet. The Grand Cypress Natural Area located in the Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area near Stuttgart is a sterling example of the wetland habitat that once covered a vast area of the southern region.

Moro Bay is a not too well known park near El Dorado with some fantastic floating and fishing opportunities. The Ozark Mountain Bicycle Trail is a picturesque route that follows a series of county and forest service roads. The water trail at Arkansas Post National Memorial offers a "Jurassic" type environment with huge lily pads and blossoms. A unique snorkeling experience can be enjoyed during the summer months along the Cossatot River.

The world championship of cardboard boat races takes place on Greers Ferry Lake at Heber Springs every year We'll talk with a few of the contestants along with their cardboard boat building skills. Utilizing the same "voyageur" type canoes French explorers used, the Quapaw Canoe Company in Helena offers canoe excursions on the "Mighty Mississipp." Helena's River Park is also a wildlife sanctuary with a boardwalk that leads visitors to a front and center view of the Mississippi River.

The world championship of bass fishing returned to Lake Ouachita in 2011 with the Forrest Lake Wood Cup and more than 100 top bass anglers competing. It's not exactly the Delta Queen, but it is the Arkansas Queen-and if you've never experienced a riverboat paddlewheel excursion, then this is a must trip. Two Rivers Park in west Little Rock is a hiking, biking and paddling mecca-featuring paved and unpaved trails and water trails.

Cave Point Cave near Mountain View deep in the Ozarks is full of cave life - including salamanders, cave spiders and crickets that don't chirp. We tag along on this venture with Dr Dave Thomas "Cave Doctor" from Lyon College. Richardson Bottoms is a rare marsh habitat in the Ouachita National Forest north of Lake Ouachita. The "healing" springs of Eureka Springs are what created the town and brought thousands of visitors during the heyday of the late 1800's. They are still a popular attraction in the 21st Century.