Arkansas is the natural state, you will certainly see nature with these excursions: Jean State Park, Nimrod Dam, Ouachita National Forest and Hollis CCC.
Petit Jean State Park
This breathtaking park was Arkansas first park. According to their website you can explore “more than 20 miles of hiking trails in Arkansas that will lead you through Petit Jean’s natural and historic resources. Walk to the spectacular 95 foot Cedar Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Arkansas, meander through ancient geology on the Seven Hollows Trail, or enter Rock House Cave and view ancient pictographs.”
We enjoyed a short hike to Rock House Cave in the Jean State Park, Arkansas’s first state park. “Rock House Cave is not a true cave, but a large rock shelter. It is also the premier spot in the state for viewing Native American rock art- created over 500 years ago. This trail also includes some of the most interesting geological formations in the park; Turtle Rocks.”
Then Mather Lodge’s main dining room, where we enjoyed a nice relaxing lunch. The large windows frame the view of rugged Cedar Creek Canyon.
Like many parks this park was part of FDR’s CCC projects. “The CCC worked at Petit Jean from 1933 to 1938. The first project was living quarters for the camp. Soon after, construction of Mather Lodge and the cabins began.”
This park was one of our favorites in Arkansas so far!
Then Mather Lodge’s main dining room, where we enjoyed a nice relaxing lunch. The large windows frame the view of rugged Cedar Creek Canyon.
Like many parks this park was part of FDR’s CCC projects. “The CCC worked at Petit Jean from 1933 to 1938. The first project was living quarters for the camp. Soon after, construction of Mather Lodge and the cabins began.”
This park was one of our favorites in Arkansas so far!
Nimrod Dam & Ouachita National Forest
Nimrod Dam which was a CCC project that took approximately 3 years (1939-42). It is an impressive structure. We enjoyed the surroundings, much different than the Hoover Dam in the desert.
“The Ouachita National Forest covers 1.8 million wooded and wild acres in central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma.”
Along the Scenic Highway # 7 we stopped at the Hollis CCC Camp. Sadly only ruins exist, but there are signs and maps that share the rich history. The CCC responsible for some of the parks we have enjoyed in the US. We liked seeing the CCC camp after seeing Nimrod Dam & Petit Jean Park which were projects completed by CCC workers.
Happy Travels
