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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

~~ Outdoor Wednesday - Visiting Campgrounds ~~



Susan at A Southern Daydreamer is our wonderful host for "Outdoor Wednesday". If you are interested in this event head on over to Susan's place....There is a link on the logo picture....go visit more Outdoor Wednesdays and learn what it is all about. Join in the fun.....
Thank you very much Susan




We love where we are camping right now but at the Corp of Engineer parks they only let you stay for 2 weeks and then you must go out of the park for a month. You can sometimes get extensions and stay an extra week with approval of the park ranger. That is what we did so we will be here for 3 weeks... We went out today to visit a couple of the state parks that we heard were really nice trying to find alternate places to stay but still be close to the kids...




The first park we visited was Lake Fort Smith State Park:


Nestled in a scenic valley of the Boston Mountain Range of the Ozark Mountains, this state park offers camping, fishing, kayaking, swimming, mountain biking, hiking, and nature study. Backpackers can enter the 165-mile Ozark Highlands National Recreation Trail from here. Located on the western side of 1,400-acre Lake Fort Smith, this state park features all new facilities including campsites, a group lodge, picnic sites, a pavilion, 2,660-square-foot swimming pool with adjacent wading pool and a splash pad, marina with boat rentals, boat launch ramp, hiking trails, playground, and an 8,000-square-foot visitor center with exhibits, and an outdoor patio featuring a native stone, wood-burning fireplace and a view towards the lake. The exhibit gallery tells the story of how, through time, good water made this valley a place of hope, faith and sacrifice. In the gallery there is a log cabin, covered wagon, recreated Shepherd Spring, and a diorama of the lake. Also there is a 16-minute video further connects the water resources of this valley with man's presence here. Interpretive programs are offered in the park throughout the year by the park staff. We fell in love with this park right away and made reservation for the 2 weeks following our visit to Sring Hill - COE. It is only about 25 minutes from Jennifer and the grandkids.






The second park we visited was Devil's Den State Park:


Devil's Den is located in the Lee Creek Valley, in northwest Arkansas's Ozarks Mountains--mountains renowned for their natural beauty and lush oak-hickory forest. The Civilian Conservation Corps used native materials to craft the park’s CCC/Rustic style wood and stone structures including an impressive native stone dam that spans Lee Creek in the heart of the park forming peaceful 8-acre Lake Devil. Rental canoes, tandem kayaks, pedal boats and water bikes are available at the park. Hiking, backpacking, and mountain bike trails lead to back country areas of Devil's Den State Park and the surrounding Ozark National Forest. A park cafe and swimming pool overlook the lake. About 200 campsites are spaced along the valley, some with full hook-ups and some rustic. The park includes a group camp, standard pavilion and mountain bike trails. Caves, crevices and bluff overlooks can be explored here. Most of the park's caves are crevices associated with a unique sandstone crevice area, the largest such area in the U.S. The longest of these is Devil's Den Cave (550 feet). You can visit on your own, or participate in a strenuous guided cave exploration hike offered once a week. Others may wish to explore Farmer's Cave, a relatively small, gated limestone cave located at the west end of the park. The presence of both sandstone and limestone caves at one park is quite rare and makes for a unique caving opportunity at Devil's Den State Park. We also enjoyed this park and picked out several great campsites that will accommodate our Miss Tassie.




Hope you enjoyed the slide shows of these two beautiful parks!


Until Later



Hugs And Kisses




RV

20 comments:

Ebie said...

A great and very informative post. I love visiting State Parks, too! Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

imjacobsmom said...

This was a great post. I love to visit the state parks and these sound like they have a lot to offer. I also love your interactive map on your sidebar. But, I don't see a blue pin in Minnesota. I think that you would really enjoy our state and national parks and forests that we have to offer. I love traveling along with you. ~ Robyn

Hootin Anni said...

I did....I did!! so enjoy the slideshow, Donna!! You do know how I envy you with your Tassie adventures!!!

My Outdoor Wednesday is photos of surfers/the Gulf Waters...come on over test the water temperatures!! I'd love to have your company today.

The Muse said...

Wistfully...I am waltzing about blogland today, I have no new posts yet...but, I am stopping in to say hello. There are many wonderfully pleasing places to visit today...(I am trying to see as many friends as I can)...fingers crossed!

The slide show was super cool! Wow, will you be out and about in the woodland as the leaves begin to turn this fall?

Rick said...

Thanks for the tour of the Ozarks. The slideshow was great!

Speedy said...

We stay in State Parks and COE too. We love them and they are priced right for our budget.

Ginger said...

Beautiful parts of the US...so glad you found a couple of other places to stay, and that they are close to your daughter.

Carole Burant said...

That's it...I want to be over there camping with you, you're having way too much fun without me!!!! hehe I so enjoyed your slideshow, beautiful pictures of such wonderful parks. I would love to explore the caves! Travelling with Tassie is such a delightful way of seeing so much of what your beautiful country has to offer:-) Love ya! xoxo

SmilingSally said...

I'm glad you were able to get the extension. It'd be so inconvenient to pack up again for just one week.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Hey Donna...I am doing Great my friend...Have been having pproblems with blogger locking out out and then I lost my whole blog list...emailed Google about this and still have not heard back from them...Looks like you are having a great time with Tassie right now...wished I could be with you girl...do you have a guest room ha ha!! when will you be going back to florida...Hope you have a great trip my Dear friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Angie said...

State park are wonderful! Never been there before, but sure would love to go someday.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Thank you for sharing the parks with us. They both have the cleanest camp sites I've seen in a very long time. I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Love Bears All Things said...

I wondered about the price of the campsites. Can anyone stay in the Corp campgrounds? Honey Bear was looking at KOAs and he said we can stay cheaper in extended stay hotels. He was looking at possibly buying a camper for traveling when he retires.
Luckily, striking camp isn't too difficult with Tassie.
Mama Bear.

Diana said...

They are both beautiful parks. Will have to visit next time I'm in Arkansas, which seems to be every year lately.
Enjoy your stay,
Diana

Margie M. said...

I really enjoyed your information on the state parks you investigated. They sound great. I'll make a note of those for future planning. Thanks!

Margie, a fellow fulltimer

Anonymous said...

Oh, Donna, what places you get to see and visit. I love you sharing them with us.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Anonymous said...

Oh, Donna, what places you get to see and visit. I love you sharing them with us.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Donna, I just love seeing what you are doing. And where you have been. It gives me ideas of things I'd like to see. I am so glad you are having a good time. Love the viedos. Hugs Terrie

Tootsie said...

Great post today!!! It is nice to see all the places you visit!

Anonymous said...

Hey Donna, finally I checked in to see your post and you are so right, I would love this park. Love the paved sites. Maybe we'll be there together someday.

Love Ya,
Chris

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