Ozark Mountains Road Trip

Around this time last year we made a road trip to Northern Arkansas to experience the Ozark Mountains for the first time. According to Wikipedia, the Ozark Highlands span nearly 47,000 square miles and is the most extensive mountainous regions between the Appalachians and the Rocky Mountains. Located in Central and Southern Missouri, Northern Arkansas, Eastern Oklahoma, and a small corner of Southeastern Kansas, our destination was the small community of Horseshoe Bend in the heart of the Salem Plateau.

Crown Lake, Horseshoe Bend, Missouri

Crown Point ResortWe rented a two bedroom family condominium at Crown Point Resort and enjoyed expansive views of Crown Lake, the largest of three lakes in Horseshoe Bend. For a small free, we purchased a recreational pass that allowed us access to the resort’s indoor pool and equipment rental, including canoes and kayaks. The lake was cold, but not frozen, so we donned coats and life jackets and enjoyed our first ever open water adventure in the month of December.

Kayaking Crown Lake

Grand Gulf State Park, Thayer, Missouri

The Ozarks are a recreational paradise for people to love the outdoors. We took advantage of the region’s temperate winter weather and drove to Grand Gulf State Park located just across the Missouri border near the town of Thayer (about a one hour drive from Horseshoe Bend). Earning the nickname the “Little Grand Canyon,” the park features a grand gulf that stretches along a 130-foot deep mile long ravine. We enjoyed views of the ravine from the main parking lot (as you can imagine, the terrain would be even more spectacular with seasonal foliage).

Grand Gulf State ParkWe walked along a short network of trails and climbed down to the base of the canyon and the kids loved exploring the remains of a collapsed cave system. If you have toddlers, keep a close eye on their whereabouts near the edge of the ravine walls. We enjoyed the natural bridge, a geological formation spanning 250 feet and a 75-foot high opening. Mammoth Springs Park Exploration

Mammoth Spring State Park, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas

If you visit Grand Gulf State Park, you might as well stop at Mammoth Spring State Park in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas (you’ll pass through Mammoth Spring on your way to/from Horseshoe Bend if you take County Road 9). Forming a scenic 10-acre lake, Mammoth Spring is Arkansas’s largest spring and the second largest spring in the Ozark Mountains. A National Natural Landmark, the spring flows nine million gallons of water hourly. The lake flows over a scenic dam (you can walk across the bridge in the photo below) and forms Spring River, a popular Ozark trout and float stream.

Mammoth SpringsAlso located at Mammoth Springs State Park is a 1886 Frisco Depot museum and caboose (if the museum is closed you can still explore the caboose); the Arkansas Welcome Center with gift shop and clean restrooms; and a picnic area and a network of trails, ball fields, and playground equipment our kids absolutely loved. We even found a sign instructing us to keep an eye out for the Ozark Hellbender, a two-foot long near endangered species of salamander that lives in the streams and rivers of Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri. Look! We found one!

Ozark Hellbender

All in all, we had a lovely stay in Horseshoe Bend and the surrounding region. The scenery is beautiful, the people are friendly, and there’s no shortage of ways to get out and explore the natural splendor of the Ozark Mountains.

If you liked this story, check out our adventure at the Missouri State Capitol Building in Jefferson City. It’s our favorite state capital in the US: http://www.roadtripsforfamilies.com/2015/01/touring-the-missouri-state-capitol-building/

Crown Lake Feature

About the Author

Julie Henning
Julie Henning is a freelance writer and journalist based out of Eugene, Oregon. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and owner of the family-travel website RoadTripsForFamilies.com. She is a recent past member of the Midwest Travel Writers Association and the Association for Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. In March 2018 Julie Henning published the book "100 Things to Do in Eugene Before You Die" (Reedy Press). She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and recent past member of the Midwest Travel Writers Association and the Association for Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. She has been published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Wisconsin State Journal, Travel Wisconsin, Travel Oregon, Hometown News Group, The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Illinois), the Rochester Post Bulletin, Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine (DNR publication), Experience Michigan Magazine, the Official Oregon Wine Touring Guide, Metro Parent Milwaukee Magazine, Eugene Cascades & Coast Official Visitors Guide, Trivago, Intercom Magazine, Roadtrippers.com, Amtrak.com, Eugene Magazine, and FTF Geocacher Magazine. Julie has appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio, Ohio Public Radio, and KCBX FM Central Coast Radio. She has produced episodes for Journey of Discovery with Tom Wilmer, a National Public Radio travel podcast. Julie has also produced travel apps with Sutro Media and Bindu Media. She works full time in marketing. Julie has appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio, Ohio Public Radio, and KCBX FM Central Coast Radio and is an affiliate producer with the Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer, a National Public Radio travel podcast. She has blogged for TravelWisconsin.com, Travel Oregon, and VISIT Milwaukee. Julie travels with her three kids and black lab as much as possible and lives by the motto, "Not all who wander are lost." Check out some of her best work at www.juliehenning.com.