Heart Healthy: Spring Lake Trail and Oakridge Mountain Bike Trail

My Thursday blogs are all about being Heart Healthy. It’s a new year, after all, and I’m sure many of us have made a resolution to get fit – to make a change.

Jill M. Rohrbach

jillsjourneys@gmail.com

The nice thing about taking advantage of our Arkansas State Parks is that not only do they have great trails systems to help us get fit while enjoying nature, they also have other attractions that add to the visit. Mammoth Spring State Park in Mammoth Spring and Bull Shoals-White River State Park in Bull Shoals are great examples. I’m featuring trails in these two parks this week to provide an easy trail for those just getting started, and a moderate trail for those that want to sweat a bit – hiking or biking. Here’s how the state parks division profiles them:

Mammoth Spring State Park
Spring Lake Trail
Length: 2/3 mile
Time: 1/2 – 3/4 hour
Difficulty: Easy

This loop trail is accessible from most of the park’s facilities. The park’s feature attraction is Mammoth Spring, the largest spring in Arkansas and a National Natural Landmark. Other attractions include a train depot museum, a walkway across the dam and an out-of-service hydroelectric station.
Location: East off U.S. 63 at the intersection of Hwy. 9 within the city limits of Mammoth Spring
For Information: Park Superintendent, P.O. Box 36, Mammoth Spring, AR, 72554, (870) 625-7364
mammothspring@arkansas.com

Bull Shoals-White River State Park

Oakridge Mountain Bike

TrailLength: 3 miles
Time: 1-2 Hours
Difficulty: Moderate

Constructed by the Bull Shoals-Lakeview Rotary Club, this multi-use tril offers both hikers and mountain bikers access to remote areas of te park. Trh trail traverses the oak-hickory upland forest for a unique walking or riding experience. Along the trail are creek crossings, dirt roads, open meadows, long downhills and taxing uphills. Depending on the direction of travel, the loop trail allows users to choose from two levels of difficulty: Clockwise (marked with blue blazes) – moderately difficult with strenuous uphill slopes. Counter-clockwise (marked with green blazes) – moderately easy. Note: Rental bikes are available at the Camper Registration Center in the park. Bicycle helmets are strongly recommended.

Location: From Mountain Home, travel six miles north on Ark. 5, then go eight miles west on Ark. 178. Or, from U.S. 62 at Flippin, travel 10 miles on State Highway 178E to the park. Bull Shoals-White River State Park, 153 Dam Overlook Lane, Bull Shoals, AR 72619

For Information: Park Superintendent, 129 Bull Shoals Park, Lakeview, AR, 72642, (870) 431-5521
bullshoalswhiteriver@arkansas.com