Staying in the Ozarks, Roaring River State Park

Located in southwest Ozark hills, Roaring River is picturesque state park.  The river is stocked with rainbow trout right from the hatchery near Roaring Springs, the highlight of the park.  There are trails with great views.  Just strolling around the hatchery which is at the head of the river right where the springs start is very pleasant.  Trout are released into the river every day for anglers to enjoy!

The weather has been all over the place but for the most part very nice for hiking!  

overcast skies and wind does not keep the fishermen from fishing!

beautiful spring flowers everywhere

this trail took us up and overlooking the river for a hike

looking down on the hatchery

just above the little waterfall are the holding tanks for the trout

they are beautiful!

the spring has been explored down to 240+ feet but may go much further down in the ground

under this rock shelf is where the spring originates

another section of hike in the area

view of the hatchery from up on the rock shelf above the spring

 we saw a few snakes hanging out near the river in dead leaves under the trees

we had to drive a few miles for this hike and the roads here are so curvy and hilly that I find I must take motion sick medication..small
price to pay

black butterflies puddling on
some animal feces

on a drive home, colorful cows and an old barn

Central High, Breweries, Petit Jean, Arkansas

We really enjoyed our 2 weeks at Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas.  Spacious campsites, a lovely scenic area and trails you can get to by walking from your campsite.  The hiking trails range from 1/2 mile to 14 miles. The weather was all over the place but we had enough gorgeous days to really enjoy our stay.

We also took a day trip into Little Rock. Checked out a couple of breweries and spent some time at Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. This site is where the Little Rock Nine, a group of 9 black students, attempted to attend the recently desegregated Central High School in 1957 and were initially barred by the locals and local police.  It drew national attention to the issue.  Those were some brave kids.  While at the Visitor Center, one of the Nine, Thelma Mothershed Wair , was there signing a book she had a part in writing about the incident so we bought one and asked her sign it.  We will give it to our grandchildren.

7 Hollows Trail at Petit Jean State Park

7 Hollows Trail

The Grotto on the 7 Hollows Trail

colorful Darter fish protecting his mate underneath him

Me sitting at the base of a large natural bridge on the 7 Hollows Trail

a camp regular

Rock House Trail

pictographs in overhang include this one of a paddle fish, in the center,  and other drawings

from inside Rock House Cave

canyon rim picture on the BSA Trail at Petit Jean SP

"turtle rocks"

these pics are from the Bear Cave Trail area at Petit Jean SP

fun area to explore!

Cedar Falls Creek

bright blue belly on this lizard

Checked out Stone's Throw and
Lost Forty Brewing in Little
Rock

Little Rock Central High School, still in use....

Thelma Mothershed Wair signing her book at the
visitors center

Cedar Creek Trail at Petit Jean SP

Above we are looking down on the Arkansas River.
Petit Jean S P is a couple miles down the road on this mountain.

On right "may" be the grave of the legendary
Petit Jean on the Arkansas River overlook.

Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas

We are staying at Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas right now.  It was Arkansas's first state park and it is not hard to see why.  It is a beautiful place up on a mesa with a large lake, beautiful waterfalls and several scenic hiking trails. This is our 4th and longest visit to Arkansas and I imagine we will be back some day!:

Cedar Falls overlook

a smaller falls in the canyon

Mather Lodge

view from Mather Lodge

these guys are everywhere after a rain!

trail to Cedar Falls

Cedar Falls, 90 feet