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outdoors
THE COLORS OF
ARKANSAS words Scott Faldon images courtesy Arkansas Department of Tourism, Ashley Hout, and Holly Morgan
and
for a while. Up north (near the Missouri border) and in higher
temperatures are finally dropping. Add in the start of leaves
elevations change first. But you can move around the state to
changing across the Ozarks and Ouachitas and that means it’s
find the colors.”
We’ve
made
it
through
the
sweltering
summer
the perfect time to explore The Natural State. A major factor in the turning of the leaves is water. If drought Devil’s Den State Park, Mount Magazine State Park, White
conditions persist, Jacobs suggests visiting locations along
Rock Mountain Recreation Area and Lake Fort Smith State
waterways. Perhaps even from a kayak.
Park are great jumping off points for leaf-peeping hikers. Yellow Rock Trail at Devil’s Den is listed as a moderate 3-mile
“If we don’t get a lot of rain early, then the colors aren’t as
hike which gains 300 feet in elevation, but the payoff is an
pretty,” Jacobs said. “Places with regular water like lakes or
unmatched view of the Lee Creek Valley. The 3.5-mile Rim
rivers usually have a good leaf turn even when it’s dry. The
Trail at Mount Nebo State Park provides a view of 100 miles of
great thing about paddling around the shore of a lake is the
the Arkansas River Valley along with Lake Dardanelle. Lovers’
color reflects off the water and really looks good.”
Leap Trail at Queen Wilhelmina State Park is just 1.5 miles long, but it leads to a rock bluff that offers a sweeping view
While temperatures average seventy-five degrees for a high
of the Ouachitas. And, of course, the Buffalo River Valley and
and fifty-one for a low in October, hikers need to be prepared.
Whittaker’s Point are iconic locations beloved by generations
Check the local forecast and plan accordingly. Start with a
of leaf peepers.
wicking base layer from Free Fly Apparel. Layer on hiking pants from Kuhl, The North Face or Outdoor Research. A
“There are plenty of places, almost too many, to list,” Joe
light fleece from Patagonia or Columbia and a rain shell from
Jacobs, manager of marketing and revenue for Arkansas State
Arc’teryx will have you ready for any unexpected temperature
Parks, said. “The good thing about it is leaf changing can last
drops or downpours.
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