Rugged beauty and fascinating natural wonders

The Ozarks are mountains in the central United States spanning much of northern Arkansas, southern Missouri, and northeastern Oklahoma. The Ozarks are very old mountains, being the remains of ancient ranges exposed hundreds of millions of years ago, and they contain limestone bluffs towering high above the crisscrossing trails and streams.

We caught our flight on Southwest Airlines and flew into Tulsa, Oklahoma from where we ventured to explore Northwest Arkansas and Southern Missouri. The Buffalo National River, the first National River in the United States, gets its start here in the Ozarks, offering plenty of fishing, floating and other recreational fun. A true gem far from the beaten path is Ponca, Arkansas. Tucked into the mountainous upper Buffalo National River wilderness, this tiny town is surrounded by great hiking trails and river-floating scenery.  From the pristine river that flows through it to the craggy, towering cliffs that rise above it, Ponca is a basecamp for splendid national park adventure.  

We continued our outdoor adventures driving to Southern Missouri to Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, an outdoor paradise located in Lampe, Missouri. Featuring 10,000 acres of natural beauty and rugged scenery, we spent the day here enjoying the grounds of this private park founded by Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops. Dogwood Canyon offers hiking, biking, wildlife tours, horseback riding and trout fishing amongst towering bluffs, waterfalls, and caves. The park promotes natural conservation and protects the natural environment.

Our journey next took us to the town of Bentonville, Arkansas, the birthplace and world headquarters for the world’s largest retailer, Walmart. Here you will find the world renowned Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art nestled around ponds and forest trails on 120 acres. Founded by Alice Walton and designed by architect Moshe Safdie, the museum is a treasure for visitors and residents. The museum features a permanent collection of American art from the colonial era to the contemporary era. 

Open skies, sparkling lakes and rivers, timeless landscapes, dense forests, dining and outdoor adventure make the Ozarks a perfect ESCAPADITA.