Jeff Rose
As summer’s searing heat begins to fade, the mountains of northern Arkansas beckon. There’s so much beauty, from winding hikes and hidden waterfalls to the majestic Buffalo River (the first to be designated a national river, one of just five in the nation). The Buffalo Outdoor Center, in Ponca, serves as river HQ and will give you the skinny on the best river floats for your comfort level. Nearby hiking includes the 2.2-mile Lost Valley Trail, ideal for beginners, families with kids, and anyone who wants to walk a short distance for a big payoff. (Caves! Bats! Waterfalls! Flowers!) Also near Ponca, don’t miss your chance to survey the most photographed location in the state, Whitaker Point (a.k.a. Hawksbill Crag). It’s featured prominently in the opening scenes of the film Tuck Everlasting—and about a billion engagement photos. The 3-mile round trip is awash in seasonal wildflowers and fiery fall foliage. Climb to the top of the state’s highest peak at Mount Magazine State Park, near Paris. There are two campgrounds, cabins, and a lodge that can serve as a comfy home base after a day spent mountain biking, technical rock climbing, or hang-gliding. On the trip back to St. Louis, stop at Ozark Folk Center State Park, in Mountain View, Arkansas. The Craft Village features dozens of artisans, working in everything from woodcarving to metalsmithing to leather tooling. September 13–15, three nights of live music and dances—clogging, jigging, and contra—will fill the stage at the Music Theater during Folk Dance Days.
