Ozark Mountain Region by Ozark Mountain Region

2016 find your adventure

BUFFALO RIVER | NORFORK LAKE | BULL SHOALS | WHITE RIVER

Ozark Mountain region arkansas’

the

ozarks

Trout Fishing Paradise

Underground

and discover the Ozarks’ hidden beauty

Water’s edge hundreds of arkansas waterfalls

+ CAN’T-MISS

are yours to discover

EATERIES ozarkmountainregion.com

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A F i r s t -C l A s s t i m e ... e v e ry t i m e . America’s #1 Trout Fishing Resort is Gaston’s. Our White River float trips for lunker trout are legendary from coast to coast. We do the work. All you do is fish – in style and comfort. Then there are the extras that make “resort” our last name. First-class lodging. One of the South’s finest restaurants featuring a spectacular view. A private club. Tennis and a pool. Nature trails for mountain biking and hiking. A conference lodge for your group meetings or parties. Even a private landing strip for fly-in guests.

1777 River Road, Lakeview, AR 72642 870-431-5202 • Email gastons@gastons.com Lat 36 20’ 55” N Long 92 33’ 25” W

www.gastons.com

THINK TROUT... Think Stetson’s! • Guided Trout Fishing and Rental Boats • Beautiful Cabins • Large Pool • Corporate & Large Groups/Meals • Open Year-Round • Winter Discounts

All That’s Missing is

YOU!

870-453-8066 • Stetsons-Resort.com Located on the White River • Flippin, Arkansas

Find Your Adventure (888) 669-6717 March - Nov 7 days/wk, 10am-5pm

TROUT HEAVEN

OZARK HAMLETS ARE HOME TO A FLY FISHING PARADISE

Ozark Folk Center State Park Mountain View, Arkansas

locoropes.com

BELOW GROUND

Booll Family Adven k N ture ow !

THE OZARKS OFFER A WEALTH OF CAVES AND CAVERNS TO EXPLORE

water’s edge

HUNDREDS OF ARKANSAS WATERFALLS ARE YOURS TO DISCOVER

OZARK EATERIES

Some restaurants are known only around where they are located; the better ones come to represent the area itself

Copy by Dwain Hebda. Photos courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

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On the cover: Fly fishing at Gaston’s is but one adventure in the Ozarks. 4 OMR

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welcome

To the ozarkS

Rugged beauty, stunning vistas, secluded cabins, sparkling rivers and waterfalls, fish-filled lakes, hiking and biking trails, aweinspiring caverns...the Arkansas Ozark Mountain Region offers exciting, rejuvenating and inspiring year-round outdoor adventures for travelers of all ages. The Arkansas Ozarks provide a stunning backdrop for a long vacation or weekend getaway fun. In mountain towns and villages, you’ll get a unique look into Arkansas’ rich history and an opportunity to experience the Ozarks’ relaxed lifestyle and friendly people. Enjoy world-class trout and lake fishing, wake boarding and skiing, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, zip-lining, canoeing on America’s First National River and golfing on pristine courses. Find your adventure on the pages ahead. ozarkmountainregion.com

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Find your adventure in the

Ozark Mountain Region! YOU’LL FIND:

~ Cabins ~ Golfing ~ Swimming ~ Boating ~ Canoe and Kayaking ~ Fishing ~ Zip Lines ~ Horseback Rides ~ Rock Climbing ~ Hiking and Biking ~ Guided Adventure Tours ~ & More! The Arkansas Ozark Mountain Region comprises Baxter, Marion, Boone, Searcy and Newton counties in north central Arkansas and includes some of the state’s most well-known and popular lakes, rivers and natural attractions.

omr@ozarkmountainregion.com 6 OMR

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e n v a e H ut

Tro mlets are Home

a h ar a dis P g k Ozar n i h e s i F to a Fly

t’s often said it’s not the size of the dog in the fight that matters it’s the size of the fight in the dog, and the same can be said for world-class fly fishing. Sure, there are areas with better name recognition, but ask someone who knows and they’ll point to the quaint hamlets that dot the Ozark landscape in north Arkansas as ground zero for some of the best trout fishing in America. Sister communities Cotter and Gassville, Arkansas, located roughly halfway between Mountain Home and Yellville, are prime examples of this. Though diminutive–Gassville around 2,000 residents, Cotter less than 1,000–the two towns are destination fishing spots thanks to being situated on one of the most highly regarded trout fishing rivers in the continental United States, the White River. Over the years, dams that were constructed to control flooding also provided cold water habitat for trout. Three trout fisheries are located on the White River, below Beaver and Bull Shoals dams in Arkansas and Table Rock Dam in Missouri. These “tailwaters,” as they are known, are fed by two tributaries, the Little Red River at Greers Ferry and North Fork River at Norfolk, and are unique for three reasons.

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Go with the flow The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is in charge of stocking the White River and does so to the tune of nearly 1.5 million rainbow trout every year, in addition to fingerling stocking of brown, cutthroat and brook trout. It is this teeming ribbon of water that runs right through Cotter and Gassville. In fact, in Cotter’s case it forms a horseshoe bend about 18 miles downstream of Bull Shoals Lake Dam providing four miles of riverfront access that’s the very plum of trout fishing in Arkansas. Little wonder, then, that Cotter calls itself Trout Capital USA, and no less than Field & Stream and Sporting Life magazines have named the hamlet one of the top fishing and retirement destinations in the country. But it’s not just the luck of the draw that makes fishing so robust in this part of the world. A confluence of factors occur here as few other places on earth. For one, as a tailwater the White River’s levels are controlled by dams, not Mother Nature, ensuring consistent flow year round. Since trout have to constantly contend with current, they are more often in eating mode and thus more often looking for something tasty to strike, such as an angler’s fly.

Year-round fishing Second, trout here are less affected by seasonal changes, time of day or weather than in other waterways, providing consistently good conditions. The river stays a remarkably constant 48 to 52 degrees and air temps are also fairly mild all year, especially compared to fishing in northern states.

Gaston’s White River Resort, Lakeview.

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gearing up for each season

EXPERIENCE

Finally, even with some narrow spawning windows in the winter, White River trout season remains perpetually open, meaning ideal fishing is available any time of the year. Exactly when to take a bucket-list excursion to these waters boils down to personal preference. Some sportsmen prefer winter when the traffic is much lighter. Late winter sees another phenomenon called “shad kill,” where threadfin shad in Bull Shoals Lake seek warmer water at greater depths only to be sucked through the Bull Shoals Dam turbines and spit out into the White River where trout await to gorge themselves. Those who advocate spring fishing also enjoy smaller crowds with the added advantage of nicer weather. Spring is also when stocking is going on providing ample fish to be caught. Summer is the peak season, of course, as many families take this opportunity to bond in the stream. Naturally, lodges and guide services are also taxed by the additional numbers. Fall fishermen enjoy smaller crowds, comfortable air temps and the mountain foliage bursting into color. Besides season, another element of angler preference is gear–whether to use a spinner rod or practice the art of fly fishing. Trout can be caught using either method, it more or less boils down to water level at a given location and personal penchant. But for many people, a trout fishing excursion just isn’t the same without the romance and skill of fly fishing, either from a boat or while wading.

the Beauty of the Buffalo National River with Buffalo Camping & Canoe

Nightly Lodging Canoes, Kayaks, Rafts & More! Call for Reservations st St #1 Fro t, AR Gilber 888

9-2 870-43 386 9-2 3 -4 0 87

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RESTAURANT AND TROUT FARM STRAIGHT FROM THE FARM TROUT • STEAKS • ITALIAN

TROUT FISHING AVAILABLE CALL FOR APPOINTMENT 350 Devito’s Loop | Harrison, AR 4 miles north of Harrison at Bear Creek Springs

870-741-8832

Mon-Sat 5-9pm Fri Lunch 11:00am-1:30pm Sun 11:30am-2:00pm

www.devitosrestaurant.com Fly fishing on the White River.

Present this ad for 15% off all food and non-alcoholic bev. Not valid with any other offer. Not valid in December. Offer expires Nov. 30 2016

continued on page 10 ozarkmountainregion.com

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act info app at bi

ve contact info mobile app at tag.mobi

Fly Fishing Tips & Techniques

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission offers the following recommendations when fly fishing Arkansas tailwaters:

Your Watersports Headquarters & Marine Engine Sales and Service Center

All Types of Boat Rentals • Wake & Knee Boards, • Skis & Tubes • Tackle & Live Bait Guide Service • Souvenirs • Snacks

Hwy. 5 South, by Norfork Dam on Hwy. 177 GPS: Lat: 36.260992 Long: -92.241819 Hwy. 5 South, by Norfork Dam on Hwy. 177 GPS: Lat: 36.260992 Long: -92.241819

870.499.5388 800.664.5640

Scan tag to save contact info Get the free mobile app at http://gettag.mobi

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870.499.5388 • 800.664.5640 QuarryMarina.com

QuarryMarina.com

QUMA133E BaxBul Ad 3 col. (4.938”) x 8” 9/13 DVD324

x Choose a 3- to 6-pound rod spooled with a weight-forward, floating line. x Nine-foot tapered leaders in 3X to 6X are usually adequate, depending on water current and clarity. x Tipping the leader with a few feet of appropriately sized tippet will save wear and tear on your leader. In the event of low, clear water and heavy fishing presure, fluorocarbon tippets are helpful. x Common flies include sowbugs, scuds, nymphs and soft hackles in sizes 12 to 20, drifted under a strike indicator. x In shoals, let the soft hackles swing with the current at the end of the drift. x Streamer flies such as woolly buggers, fiftysixers, clousers and sculpins are effective when cast across current, allowed to sink and then stripped back with an erratic retrieve.

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White River Record Brown Trout Caught Here!

Whether or not that all sounds foreign to you, know there’s plenty of expertise available at one of the many fishing lodges and guide services in the area. Most guide outfits help get the angler where they need to be to have the best chance to catch fish. A reputable guide will know the waterways intimately and be able to give experienced and beginner fishermen alike valuable pointers. Lodges also offer guides, as well as gear and accommodations that range from primitive to luxurious. The more elaborate of these offer additional activities besides fishing such as wildlife tours, swimming and playground facilities, canoeing and kayaking. Like most places in the state, a fishing license is required to land trout, available online from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (www.agfc.com). Several categories of permits are available, varying by the age of the applicant or the type and frequency of fishing one does or other special circumstances. For example, the White River Border Lakes License ($10 annual fee) allows holders of a valid resident license from either Arkansas or Missouri to fish all waters of Bull Shoals, Norfork and Table Rock lakes without a fishing license from the other state. Fly fishing in this part of the state is a relaxing and rewarding way to take in the region’s unique blend of scenery, hospitality and wholesome family fun. Arkansas’ expert management of this natural resource, combined with perfect natural elements, makes a trip to the Arkansas Ozarks a must-do experience for any angler. ozarkmountainregion.com

38 lb. 11 oz.

Rainbow Drive Resort

Outstanding Trout Corporate Packages Riverfront Cabins Guides -Fly & Spin (Including Lodging, & Lodges (Exceptional (Catching Guaranteed!) Fishing, Meals, etc.) Accommodations) Screened River View Porches Fireplaces & Jacuzzi Tubs RV Sites & Camper Cabins Catered Meals Jon Boat & Canoe Rentals

Vacation Packages perfect for Families or Romantic Escapes (Can Include Golf, Massage & More) Wi-Fi

RainbowDriveResort.com 669 Rainbow Landing Dr. Cotter, AR 72626

(870) 430-5217 OMR 11

Below Ground

Photos courtesy Mystic Caverns.

The Ozarks Offer a Wealth of Caves and Caverns to Explore

Mystic Caverns

rkansas earns its nickname honestly: “The Natural State” boasts lush forests, sparkling clear lakes, and streams and wetlands teeming with wildlife and natural beauty. But did you ever stop to consider all of the natural wonders the state has to offer that’s out of sight? Where there are mountains there are caves, and the Arkansas Ozarks are no exception. In fact, the maze of caves and caverns in the state is so vast that if you haven’t seen these subterranean ecosystems, you’re only getting half of the picture. According to the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism, there are more than 2,000 documented caves in the state. Nine of the caves are known as “tour caves,” eight of which are privately owned and operated as tourist attractions. The other is operated by the U.S. Forest Service.

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The rest of the caves occur naturally throughout the mountainous northern edge of the state. Some, like those that occur on state or national park lands may be gated to allow for wildlife habitat or for public safety. All of the caves in Arkansas are known as “living caves,” which means they are continuing to create rock formations and therefore changing shape at all times. A living cave creates a variety of formations, collectively called speleothem, as minerals are carried with dripping water. Over time, shapes form, including the familiar stalagmites, which are pointed formations rising up from the floor, and stalactites, which are icicle-shaped rocks pointed down from the ceiling. Soda straws are hollow, early formation stalactites and when stalactites and stalagmites join, they form a column. Other formations visible in caves include draperies which are thin, translucent sheets of calcite mineral deposit, hanging in delicate folds from an inclined ceiling. A flowstone is formed by considerable amounts of water flowing over another natural structure creating calcite sheets resembling icing on a cake. The many color variations one sees in a cave’s formations hint at the particular mineral from which it was formed. Brown, yellow and red indicate iron oxides while manganese produce shades of blue, black and grey; cavers even call dark orange or brown bands that appear in draperies a bacon formation. Seen in groups or in unusual patterns, these formations can take on other appearances, typically reflected in their nicknames. One cave in Arkansas calls the collection of straws, stalactites and stalagmites the Pipe Organ, for instance. Another named an underground lake “Coral Pond” due to the lacy calcified structures that form there. A few particular caves of note in the central Ozarks are Bull Shoals Caverns in Bull Shoals and Mystic Caverns, located eight miles south of Harrison. Both provide an up-close look at these natural wonders in a surprisingly comfortable environment. continued on page 14 ozarkmountainregion.com

Living caves create a collection of formations know as speleothems.

Drapery formations, Mystic Caverns OMR 13

Mystic Caverns

Internal temperature for Arkansas caves is generally between upper 50s and low 60s, which is very comfortable in an Arkansas summer and relatively warm in the winter. Visitors should wear appropriate shoes–as already described, caves are wet and frequently muddy. Encounters with bats, salamanders and various other creepy crawlers are also to be expected. The Marble Falls area, called Wilcockson at the time, was settled in the 1830s, and it is likely that the settlers explored Mystic Caverns before 1850, entering through one sinkhole, which led to a ten-foot drop into the cave itself. Mystic Caverns bears the mark of the first known visitor to the cave, who carved this on one of the formations: Adam Kolbe Wilcockson April 16, 1919 The cave has operated commercially since the late 1920s, but only relatively recently, its twin cavern, Crystal Dome, was discovered during the mid-1960s and is only about 400 feet away from Mystic Caverns. Crystal Dome received its name for its 70-foot-high dome in unspoiled condition. Per square foot, these two caves contain more formations than any others in Arkansas. Bull Shoals Caverns were created approximately 350 million years ago during the Ordovician period. Like the majority of caves in the Ozarks, Bull Shoals is a limestone cave. Carved out by eons of water erosion, the cave still features an underground river. The caverns here have been thrilling visitors for more than a century. Tom Shiras, a regional writer of the first half of the 1900s, once wrote, “to appreciate the most wondrous sites the Ozarks have to offer, one had to, ‘turn the 14 OMR

mountain inside out or penetrate to the inside.’ ” “Forests of gigantic stalactites and stalagmites of every color in a rainbow; draperies so cannily made by the hand of nature that one expects to see them move in the breeze, bits of beautiful lace done in onyx with the edges frilled,” Shiras wrote. “Pyramids, faces in stone, half-completed bodies, grotesque images that resemble idols, totem poles, stalactite harps that one might play with drumsticks, delicate grillwork, old castles, and most parts of the human body from toenails to brains.” Today, tours take between 45 to 50 minutes. The season runs from March through Thanksgiving. A very different sort of caving experience awaits at some of the state’s tour caves and all of the others in Arkansas. “Wild caving” is a physically taxing experience that goes off the familiar path to explore the less accessible portions of caverns. Hurricane River, offers three such “extreme” wild caving adventures and doesn’t pull any punches describing what visitors can expect: Three to five hours of “vertical climbs, sliding, stumbling, contortionist positions, sticky gooey clay, irregular terrain, tight squeezes, short swims and disconcerting ravine crossings....These extreme cave tours will undoubtedly test your courage and endurance and are not for the faint of heart or the claustrophobic.” FOR MORE INFORMATION: Consult these websites for information on the attractions mentioned above and Arkansas caving in general. www.bullshoalscaverns.com www.mysticcaverns.com www.arkansas.com/outdoors/unique/caves-caverns ozarkmountainregion.com

Floating Adventures & Buffalo National River Great Escapes Country Cabin Comforts Johnboats • Hiking • Scenic Ozark Mountains Camping • Motel • Lodge • Guided Trips Cabins with Fireplaces & Jacuzzis Canoes • Kayaks • Rafts

Packages & Gift Certificates Available AUTHORIZED CANOE CONCESSIONAIRE BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

23 Highway 268 E. #1 Yellville, AR 72687-7855

1-800-554-8657 www.ozark-float.com

The Boaters Choice… located on a point of land surrounded by Bull Shoals lake

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2 Swimming Pools • Great Lake Views Rental Boats • 20 Modern Units 3 Boat Docks • Playground

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We have a lodging solution for you anytime of year! Family friendly, reunions, individuals, couples, fishing partners. 800-336-8113 • In Arkansas: 870-431-5372 In the Ozark Mountains 10 minutes from Mountain Home, Arkansas 327 Westview Rd • Midway AR 72651 www.bullshoalslakeresort.com ozarkmountainregion.com

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water’s edge hundreds of arkansas waterfalls are yours to discover

ost people, even lifelong Arkansas natives, probably don’t appreciate just how many waterfalls can be seen in the state, scattered throughout state parks and in the wild areas of the Ozark and Ouachita mountains. Arkansas wilderness photographer Tim Ernst, in his 2010 book Arkansas Waterfalls, featured 200 falls in the state. The World Waterfall Database lists 454 waterfalls in Arkansas that drop at least 15 vertical feet for continuous streams and 50 vertical feet for streams that dry up for part of the year. Seasonality plays a role in Arkansas’ waterfalls, particularly if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate. If the state is experiencing particularly dry conditions, falls aren’t as visually impressive and in some cases, aren’t there at all. Spring and winter months generally give the best viewing, particularly if the goal is to get really good photographs of the falls. But perhaps the most important consideration when selecting a waterfall is assessing what it takes to get there. Many of the state’s most impressive falls are located in remote areas, including designated wilderness areas the point of which are to maintain the country as untouched by man as possible. This often means hiking along primitive trails, sometimes for considerable distances and without clear trail markings or signage. Happily, not every waterfall in the state requires such drastic measures. In fact, some are easily accessible to the point of practically being able to drive right up to them. These are great “starter” adventures or are good outing for families with young children.

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OZARK NATIONAL FOREST 35.2750° N, 94.4756° W

MARBLE FALLS

36° 6´ 24.41˝ N, 93° 7´ 55.96˝ W

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These wide, shallow falls drop five to six feet from a rock ledge near the campground, meaning you can practically park your car at water’s edge. Take the Scenic Highway 7 Byway to Pelsor, which is located 35 to 40 miles north of Russellville, and turn west on Arkansas Highway 123. The falls are found adjacent to a small U.S. Forest Service campground of the same name, just a little beyond the Big Piney Creek Bridge. The campground is located 14 miles north of Hagarville on Ark. 123, or 12 miles west of Pelsor on Ark. 123, and is marked with a sign. Those wanting a little bit more adventure should consider a side hike to Pack Rat Falls, located up a hidden canyon adjacent to the Ozark Highlands Trail that runs right along the Haw Creek Campground. From the back of the campground, follow the little creek upstream and to the right, just off the Ozark Highlands Trail. You will find the waterfall after about a quarter mile. Take care among the sometimes-slippery rocks as you take in the silvery water splashing among wildflowers and moss-covered rocks.

Another “drive by” waterfall is Marble Falls, located south of the town by the same name on the Scenic Highway 7 Byway. A pull-off, located about two miles south of Mystic Caverns outside of Harrison and approximately three miles north of the Buffalo National River Pruitt access, allows for a beautiful, unobstructed view of the year-round flow of spring-fed water. The flow is substantial enough to have once powered a flour mill, a cotton gin and a saw mill, the original of these, the grist mill, having been built around 1840.

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TWIN FALLS & RICHLAND FALLS 35 48.349 N, 92 57.844 W

HEMMED-IN HOLLOW FALLS 36-03´ 51˝ N, 093-18’ 27˝ W

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Two of the state’s most beautiful waterfalls are also the most difficult to access. Twin Falls and Richland Falls are nestled into the Ozark National Forest and require a nearly three-mile hike from the trailhead, one way. Once there, particularly when the water is up, hikers are treated to a spectacular sight: Twin Falls is where Big Devil’s Fork Creek meets Richland Creek and side by side, these two create a visually stunning sight. In season, there are several other smaller waterfalls and cascades to be found in the area. From I-40 at Russellville, drive north 36 miles on Scenic 7 Byway to Pelsor. Turn east on Arkansas Highway 16 and drive about 10 miles to Forest Service Road 1205, then north about eight miles to Richland Creek Campground. After parking at the lower campground, head west on foot immediately crossing Falling Water Creek. Hike the Richland Creek Trail for about two miles to the confluence of Devil’s Fork Creek. Richland Falls is another quarter-mile up Richland Creek. Again, these are some the most difficult to reach waterfalls in Arkansas, a long hike that includes wading through streams and following a very poorly marked trail. Be sure to do some advance planning before tackling this one.

The ultimate in risk-reward is Hemmed-In Hollow Falls, a 225-foot waterfall on the Buffalo National River that holds the distinction of being the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and Appalachia. There are three routes people take to get to the falls, the easiest being from the river itself where after pulling ashore, it’s just a short hike. But neither of the two land routes are short or particularly easy. The Compton Trailhead route is five miles round trip. At Compton, take County Road 19 off Arkansas Highway 43 for almost a mile. Entrance to the trailhead is marked with a sign. From there, choose one of two trails: To the left is a quick, steep descent to the falls, but an arduous test hiking back out. The trail on the right is longer and more forgiving. The Center Point Trailhead is located 3.5 miles north of Ponca on Arkansas Highway 43 and follows an old road all the way to the Buffalo River. From there starts your 5.5 mile hike to the falls–one way–during which you’ll pass other trails and spots such as Chimney Rock and Granny Henderson’s Cabin. Shortcuts off the main trail are not recommended as some lead to areas only for very experienced hikers. Finding yourself on the Goat Bluff Trail to Big Bluff is not good news with its narrow footpaths and sheer 300-foot-drops. Be wise to heed the posted warning signs.

ozarkmountainregion.com

WATERFALLS OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW

HAW CREEK FALLS, HAW CREEK CAMPGROUND

FREE-FLOWING ADVENTURE

On the other end of the spectrum are waterfalls located deep in the heart of some of the state’s most unspoiled areas. The more remote falls are stunning to see (partially due to the effort it takes to get there), but hikers should assess their level of fitness before setting out into the forest to find them. And, as always, they should observe the cardinal safety rules of hiking: • Let someone know where you’re going, what route you plan to take and when you expect to return. Always carry a first-aid kit. • Dress accordingly for the season and the terrain, including hiking boots that have been properly broken in. • Pay attention to the weather and time of day when planning out a trip. If storms are forecast, don’t risk getting caught without shelter. • Don’t hike alone and don’t take unnecessary chances out on the trail. Help may be long in coming.

CLASSIC LOG CABINS

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1-800-582-2244 (870) 439-2244 9664 Highway 65 N. St. Joe, Arkansas Authorized Concessioner

Buffalo River Outfitters is authorized to provide canoe rentals and transportation services within the Buffalo National River.

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a e t e k r r ie s a z Some restaurants are known only around where they are located; the better ones come to represent the area itself.

Dining at Gastonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s White River Resort.

he north Arkansas Ozarks is fortunate to feature several eateries that have become an inseparable part of living in or visiting the region. Built from the ground up and run by the people whose names are over the door, the pride and tradition of these restaurants can be seen in every detail, felt in every memorable meal and tasted in every bite.

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DEVITO’S RESTAURANT

Photos courtesy of Devitos

350 Devito’s Loop Harrison, AR 72601 870-741-8832 www.devitosrestaurant.com

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Ever since the legendary Harrison restaurant DeVito’s opened its doors in 1986, there has been at least one member of the family on duty cooking or greeting and serving guests. In fact, between co-owners Joe, Steve and Chris DeVito, two have been in the kitchen for every shift for almost 30 years. “The secret to staying open so long is partly answered by the three of us doing almost everything so we are very consistent,” Joe DeVito said of the three brothers. “We love what we do even though some weeks we work over 100 hours each.” The eatery was the dream of their father, Jim DeVito, which he opened after his sons graduated from college, moved back to Harrison and built it with their collective bare hands. Twice, actually, considering the restaurant burned to the ground in 2000. (A fourth son, James DeVito, started in the family business and now is a restauranteur in nearby Eureka Springs.) It’s often said not to go into business with family, especially something with the long hours and close quarters of the restaurant business, but the DeVito boys learned how to work together at an early age. Their dad ran an antiques business for years and in 1970 was also given a trout farm. The boys, ages 10 and under, suddenly had jobs. In fact, the trout farm is the only job experience they have that goes back farther than the restaurant business. Bear Creek Springs Trout Farm is still part of the family holdings today. In addition to its regular commercial clients, the brothers have turned the trout farm into a tourist attraction. Patrons drop a line and pay only for what they catch, no license required, no limit. Staff clean and pack the fish free of charge, but more than a few hike over to the restaurant where for $8 a meal the DeVitos turn the quarry into dinner including potato, bread, hush puppies and salad. Not a fisherman? No problem, there’s plenty of trout on the menu. Not a fish person at all? Take advantage of the array of authentic Italian dishes, handed down through the DeVito family and prepared according to the company motto, “Quality comes first at DeVito’s.”

“We don’t cut corners; we always try to put the best food on the table for the customer to enjoy,” Joe said. “Dad taught us all his family’s Italian recipes, which we still go by today. Most of the other entrees we created with lots of hard work in the kitchen. All seven or eight homemade desserts are our mom and dad’s recipes.” Customer favorites include the charbroiled trout, chicken parmesan, chicken almandine and fettuccine. Recommended meal toppers include scratch-made coconut creme pie, chocolate bourbon pecan pie and Grandma Steve’s Chocolate Cake. But everyone here seems to have their personal favorites. “We have people who have fallen in love and eaten the same dish for decades,” Joe said. “One couple dined with us for years, seven days a week, and always ate eggplant parmesan, apple pie and coffee. One of our weaknesses is that we haven’t changed the menu too much over the years but our loyal regular customers and the firsttime eaters all seem to enjoy what we have to offer.” The restaurant’s reputation extends well beyond this neck of the woods, and reviewers always come away wowed by what they experienced. One such reviewer, blogger Kat Robinson, wrote this in 2011: “In 1986, DeVito’s became an overnight success. People would drive in for miles around to come eat fresh trout and fabulous Italian dishes in the little restaurant over the antique store and rock shop. Some would come and fish at the farm and have their catches cooked up fresh, but far more came just to eat and experience a fabulous Italian experience in the Ozarks. And the popularity was well earned. The men held court in the kitchen– cooking fish and making sides, bread and dessert from scratch. Their rich tomato-strong sauce became famous, as did their overstuffed ravioli.... In 2000, when DeVito’s original restaurant at Bear Creek Springs was destroyed by fire...Brothers Steve, Chris and Joe made the decision–they had to rebuild. Fourteen months later they were open once again, in a beautiful new facility twice as large as the old one. It thrived from the moment it opened its doors.” continued on page 22 OMR 21

Canoeing Rafting Kayaking

GASTON’S RESTAURANT Gaston’s White River Resort 1777 River Road Lakeview, AR 72642 870-431-5202 www.gastons.com

Whether you’re in the mood for a quick sandwich, wrap or burger before hitting the water or a fabulous Sunday brunch to polish off a family vacation, Gaston’s has you covered. A fixture on the water since 1958, there’s much about the resort that’s changed over the years. Happily, the quality of food and friendliness of the staff aren’t among them. Open seven days a week–Valentine’s Day to Thanksgiving–and limited hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the off-season, Gaston’s specializes in seafood, headlined by boneless rainbow trout. Great steaks, chicken and Italian dishes round out the entrees. Save room for the dessert menu–a selection of cakes, pies, cobbler, cheesecake and the namesake Gaston’s Brownie Delight.

Located in the Arkansas Ozarks, at the heart of the scenic Buffalo National River, between Little Rock and Branson, an easy drive on HWY 65 next to Tyler Bend.

9826 US-65 ST JOE, AR 72675

870-439-2372 silverhillfloat service.com

AUTHORIZED CONCESSIONER

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178 CLUB

2109 Central Boulevard Bull Shoals, AR 72619 870-445-4949 www.178club.com

Since 1980, 178 Club has been satisfying locals and visitors alike with an extensive menu of lunch and dinner favorites. Elegant and welcoming, the restaurant offers sandwiches and salads for lunch, featuring such favorites as the crab cake sandwich, New Orleans po’boys made with shrimp, crawfish or catfish, and seven gourmet burgers. For dinner, try the stuffed chicken breast Florentine or one of the Italian or Cajun-inspired pasta dishes. Steaks include prime rib on Saturdays or choose from salmon, grouper, catfish, tilapia or the highly recommended walleye dinner. The restaurant is just one entertainment option: The Fish Sports Bar serves up beer, wine and cocktails as you catch the game. Or, treat the family to bowling and pizza at the on-premises bowling alley.

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89 Chamberlain Ln. | Cotter, AR 866-435-6535

HisPlaceResort.net

Come Visit Us In The Ozarks! HOME COOKED MEALS WITH A FLAVOR OF THE PAST.

• Hardy breakfast with biscuits and gravy • Cinnamon Rolls fresh daily • Lunch specials • Homemade Fruit Cobblers YOU WON’T LEAVE HUNGRY! Largest Gift Shop on the Buffalo National River Heirloom Quality Solid Cherry and Oak Furniture 121 E Hwy 333 • St. Joe, Arkansas 870-439-2234 buffalorivertradingco.com One Mile North of the Buffalo National River - on Hwy 65

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OMR 23

Authentic Ozark Adventures Happen Here.

Plan your adventure today! Go to www.theozarkmountains.com or call (870) 446-2455 Be sure to visit during the award-winning

19th Annual Buffalo River Elk Festival June 24-25, 2016 On the Historic Courthouse Square - Jasper, Arkansas ELK CALLING CONTEST - ELK PERMIT DRAWINGS ARTS & CRAFTS - MUSIC - FOOD - FIREWORKS KIDS ACTIVITIES - DUTCH OVEN COOK-OFF 24 OMR

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