As the weather changes, Arkansas gears up for fall foliage bonanza
Posted on Sunday, October 5, 2008
MICHAEL WOODS Arkansas Democrat-Gazette The leaves are already starting to show their fall colors, as seen in this photo taken in Wilson Park. The state tourism bureau is now providing weekly updates about where to see fall foliage.
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Want to know the latest about Arkansas’s fall color ? How about some scenic routes for the best viewing ? You’ll find all this information — and more — on www. arkansas. com. Just click on the rotating icon entitled “ Fall Color. ” Updated fall color reports are being posted each Thursday by 5 p. m. A network of “ spotters” keeps the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism apprised of the fall foliage status around the state. These reports are then compiled and posted on the Web site. They are also available by calling (800 ) NATURAL or (501 ) 682-7777 from 8 a. m. to 5 p. m. In addition to the leaf report, you’ll find information on various scenic drives around the state, fall festivals and events and the opportunity to view the department’s latest fall video footage.
Some of the state’s more popular scenic drives are nationally designated routes. These include the Talimena National Scenic Byway, which traverses the top of Rich Mountain in western Arkansas; Crowley’s Ridge Parkway National Scenic Byway and the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, both which cut through the colorful hardwoods of the St. Francis National Forest in eastern Arkansas. There are also U. S. Forest Service Scenic Byways with impressive natural vistas. Five of these are in the Ozark National Forest: Mount Magazine (Arkansas 309 from Paris across Mount Magazine to Havana ), the “ Pig Trail” (Arkansas 23 north of Ozark to its junction with Arkansas 16 ), Ozark Highlands (Arkansas 21 north out of Clarksville to the Buffalo National River ), Highway 7 (Arkansas 7 from Hot Springs National Park in the Ouachita National Forest north through the Ozark National Forest ), and Sylamore (Arkansas 5 and 14 from Calico Rock and Allison, which provides a peaceful and beautiful approach to Blanchard Springs Caverns ).
Other U. S. Forest Service Scenic Byways are: Talimena (Arkansas 88 from Mena to the top of Rich Mountain and Queen Wilhelmina State Park ), and St. Francis (Arkansas 44 and Forest Road 1900 between Marianna and Helena / West Helena, offering a drive through magnificent eastern Arkansas hardwood forests as it cuts across the lower end of the unusual geologic formation known as Crowley’s Ridge ).
For a free Arkansas Vacation Planning Trip, visit www. arkansas. com or call (800 ) NATURAL or (501 ) 682-7777.
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