Arkansas

Lost Valley, in the Upper Buffalo Valley, is very scenic with drop-dead gorgeous sights, Like Eden Falls. A couple of miles out of the Ponca on AR 43, look for the sign for Lost Valley. It's a short drive down a well-maintained road to the park, part of the Buffalo National River. There are 15 tent sites, with camping fees. Otherwise, entrance is free. You'll enjoy the hiking back up the valley... slight elevation rises... but otherwise the walk 1 1/2 miles back to Cobb Cave is pretty easy to manage. www.nps.gov/buff/

If opera was good enough for Buggs Bunny in "What's Opera Doc?", then a little culture can't hurt us riders either. Forbes Magazine has called Opera in the Ozarks one of the Top 10 Opera Workshops in the country. For over 56 years, from mid-June to mid-July, some of the best singers and musicians from across the country take part in this summer workshop for young performers. A wide variety of Operas, from comedies to tragedies, are performed in evening event. Dress is VERY casual... shorts, jeans, t-shirt, ok. If you want to hear the next Placido Domingo, check out Opera in the Ozarks. For a schedule and the current operas, go to www.opera.org

Saunders Memorial Museum - 113 E Madison; Berryville, Ark. - 870-423-2563. One block off the square in Berryville sits one of the best collections in the U.S. of firearms and unique, personal antiques. Bequeathed to the city by a benefactor in 1952. Modest admission charge. www.ozarkconnections.com/museum/saunders.htm

Ft. Smith National Historical Site/Judge Parker' s Courtroom - 301 Parker Ave., Ft. Smith, Ark. - 479-783-3961. This National Park site is where the West once began. "Hell on the Border" was once its nickname, until "Hanging" Judge Parker brought law to the area. Open every day. www.nps.gov/fosm/

Devils Den State Park - Hwy 74 ( near Winslow, Ark.) - 479-761-3325. Beautiful 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps-built park nestled in the Ozarks south of Fayetteville, west of Winslow. Hiking trails, caves, restaurant, cabins and camping. Spectacular riding into and out of park, but especially on the hairpen curves on AR 74 east out of the park towards Winslow. www.arkansasstateparks.com

Water has been the central element in carving out the Ozark Mountains, so it's only natural that fishing would be a very important element in the recreational life of residents and visitors alike. In every corner of the Ozarks there are fishing opportunities, whether in private locations, like above left, at Rockbridge Mill in Missouri, or state licensed fishing at places like War Eagle river, above, right, where this nice bass was caught. Either way, bring your own compact gear, guy some inexpensive tackle, or rent equipment at a lake-side dock or bait shop. Lakes, streams, rivers... there are plenty of places to catch your limit.

Turpentine Creek - 239 Turpentine Creek Lane Eureka Springs, Arkansas 72632 (479) 253-5841 Our mission is to provide a lifetime refuge for abandoned, abused, and neglected “Big Cats” with emphasis on Tigers, Lions, Leopards, and Cougars. Llocated seven miles south of Eureka Springs on Scenic Highway 23. Open From 9:00 AM To 7:00 PM (5:00 PM During Daylight Savings Time) every day except Christmas. www.turpentinecreek.org

Mammoth Spring State Park - Mammoth Spring, Ark. - 870-625-7364. Mammoth Spring is the 10th largest spring in the world with an output of 9.75 million gallons an hour (not day). Picnicking, museum, lodging and restaurants nearby. www.arkansasstateparks.com

War Eagle is a regional, if not national, treasure. The steel trestle bridge is a landmark in the area... the spring and fall arts and crafts festival is legendary... and the mill a wonderful 1972 rebuild of the historical structure that played an important part of life in a bygone era. The privately owned mill has a gift shop, restaurant, and is open just for soaking up a bit of pure Ozarkiana. War Eagle River is a great fishing stream, too (see the picture on the section above on fishing). Check it out at www.wareaglemill.com

Ozark Mountain Folk Center - Mtn View, Ark. This Ark. state park celebrates the music and culture from the Ozark hills. Craftsmen demonstrate how things were done in years gone by. Musicians entertain with traditional music. Site of annual Ozark Folk Festival, as well as other events throughout the year. www.arkansasstateparks.com

Trade your iron horse their iron horse... for a while, at least. Take a ride through the Ozarks outside of Eureka Springs on the Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railway. It operates out of the historic Eureka Springs depot, at the edge of town on AR 23 North. Daily excursions and dinner trains offer a scenic view of the Ozarks. Check them out at www.esnarailway.com

Blanchard Springs Cavern - Operated by the U.S. Forest Service, Blanchard Springs Caverns is a huge, developed cave and spring surrounded by hiking trails, camping and picnicking, and outdoor recreation. Outside of Mtn. View on Arkansas Highway 14. www.fs.fed.us/oonf/ozark/recreation/caverns

Buffalo National River - The first National River set aside by the National Park Service, this national treasure is widely known for its scenic beauty and easy to float water (except the upper river after heavy rains). Floating, camping, hiking and horseback riding are available. For riders, canoe rental services offer put-in and take-out services. www.nps.gov/buff/

Float Streams

Want to make a splash? Then try one of the region's renown activities... a float trip down a scenic waterway. The Buffalo River (see above) isn't the only great float stream. Only the best known. Try the Kings River near Berryville and Eureka Springs; the Mulberry River, down on the Pig Trail (but beware, it can often be very fast white water), or Big Piney, west of AR 7 toward Russellville. In Missouri, you can float the North Fork of the White River (above the Old Dawt Mill); or the Eleven Point River (northeast of West Plains). There are lots of other great float streams in the Ozarks. These are just a few of the better known ones. Check out Ozarks canoe/kayak websites for others.

Music Shows

Want to take in a music show? Obviously, there are several - no, make that a fantastic number - of music and entertainment shows in Branson, Missouri. But there are also other shows. In Eureka Springs, there's the original Pine Mountain Jamboree,and also the Ozark Mountain Hoedown, both on U.S. 62. In Mountain View, there's the Jimmy Driftwood Theatre, and of course, the weekend music around the square; also music at the Ozark Folk Center.

Branson Vacations... Riding in the Ozarks? Let us help you with lodging options, show or attraction tickets, and full vacation packages. We make planning easy. Ride during the day, enjoy top-flight entertainment at night, and stay in great accommodations. www.bransonshows.com

Roaring River State Park - Near Cassville, Mo. - Another of the Ozark's numerous, large springs. This beautiful spring lazily flows out of the side of an Ozark mountain cave, forming a large trout pond. Site of a Missouri trout hatchery. Restaurant, cabins, camping, hiking, trout fishing. www.mostateparks.com/roaringriver