Cooler Temps, Sense of Community Set Mt. Nebo Apart

Jill M. Rohrbach, travel writer
Arkansas Tourism

DARDANELLE – "Mt. Nebo. A resort above the clouds," reads an old postcard that Interpreter Brandy Ballard keeps in her office.

"It's a very special and magical place for a lot of people," Ballard said. "It's our own little community up here and that goes back to the history of the park and it being a town at one point."

The mountain has been attracting travelers and settlers for over 100 years when a resort hostelry was operated on the mountaintop for steamboat travelers. In 1933, a portion of the mountain was chosen as a park site, and logs and stones from Mount Nebo were used by the Civilian Conservation Corps to construct many of the park's bridges, trails, cabins and pavilions.

Today, the mixture of the park setting and privately owned homes on top of the 1,350-foot mountain invoke a small-town experience. The roads on top of the mountain loop back on each other. They beckon visitors to take leisurely walks and slow drives.

The setting dictates a feeling of community and belonging. Even the ubiquitous deer seem to feel it. In the safe habitat of the park, they make themselves at home, grazing in backyards and along the roadside as well as in the more dense woods penetrated by the 14 miles of park hiking trails. The deer stare at drivers and pedestrians passing by, who in turn often stop to stare back.

"[The deer] are very populated up here so we see them quite a bit," Ballard said. "If they're not on top, they're usually on the Bench Trail eating acorns or drinking from springs."

While deer can be seen herding in the forest, visitors often congregate at Sunrise and Sunset points for an inspiring start or tranquil end to their day. And those staying overnight at the at the park can enjoy expansive views of the Arkansas River Valley from one of 10 cozy, rustic cabins constructed of native stone and logs by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. (Mount Nebo State Park also has three three-bedroom A-frame cabins and one two-bedroom A-frame cabin.)

While the atmosphere is a sedative for the hectic pace of day-to-day life, Mount Nebo is also a beehive of recreational activity. Located near Dardanelle in Yell County, the 2,984-acre park contains a park visitor center, a campground offering 34 campsites and bathhouse, picnic sites, a large group pavilion, standard group pavilions, a swimming pool, playgrounds, tennis courts and ball field.

"We have campsites right on the bluff," Ballard added.

Popular activities on Mount Nebo include hiking, hayrides and hang gliding. Hayrides are given on the mountaintop roads as well as on the Bench Trail, which affords views of spring flowers or autumn colors and remnants of old homes from the 1800s.

"A lot of people really like to watch the hang gliders," Ballard explained. "And, of course, hiking is one of the most popular things to do." The mountain's Rim Trail takes visitors around the edge of the summit, and the Bench Trail, which is popular among mountain bikers, parallels the Rim Trail about 300 feet below.

Seasonal interpretive programs take place Thursday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Programs for all ages include guided hikes, demonstrations, evening slide shows, nature games and arts and crafts. "I do an animal track program for the kids," Ballard said. "We make a map of tracks and then go on a hike the next morning and try to learn which animals have been out the night before."

Ballard also schedules guided bike rides, stargazing parties and Dutch oven programs. "We have a lot of kids throughout the summer. We get together around the campfire and cook some pizza," she explained. "It's usually a pretty informal, small crowd, and we have a good time."

Many of the special events planned by the park staff carry on the tradition of what has historically taken place on the mountain. Every year, the park staff coordinates dances, a Victorian Christmas Open House, Easter Sunrise Service and ice cream socials. But the most popular events are the Mount Nebo Chicken Fry (Sept. 20) and the spring and summer hang gliding fly-ins (April 12-13 and Aug. 23-24).

"It's always about 10 degrees cooler up here, so that's a big attraction during the summer," Ballard said, adding that warmer months on the mountain create a social atmosphere that sets the park apart from others. "You can go off on your own or you can walk down to other cabins or to the pool or to watch the hang gliders. It's all pretty accessible and close-knit."

Mount Nebo, the second oldest state park, is located seven miles west of Dardanelle on Ark. 155. Contact the park staff by phone at (479) 229-3655 or by email at mountnebo@arkansas.com. Find out more about Mount Nebo and other state parks at www.ArkansasStateParks.com. [NOTE: Ark. 155 zigzags up the mountain and includes hairpin curves. Trailers over 24 feet should not attempt the climb.]

Spring and Summer Events at Mount Nebo

April 12-13, 4th annual C.A.M.P. Spring Fling Fly In.
Join the Central Arkansas Mountain Pilots (C.A.M.P.) at Sunrise Point to watch and learn as they hang glide throughout the weekend. Pilots will participate in competitions including duration, cross-country, and bulls-eye spot landing. Due to the sport's high dependence on weather and wind, no set times will be announced for the events however, weather and wind permitting, the pilots fly from mid morning until dusk on Saturday and on Sunday until late afternoon.

April 19, April Astronomy Party
Whether you're an amateur or an expert, you'll enjoy this evening of gazing at the moon, constellations and other heavenly objects. Dr. Jeff Robertson, astrophysicist and observatory director at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, will be the guest speaker. The event begins at 8 p.m. or dusk at Sunset Point. Program is weather dependent.

April 20, 10th Annual Easter Sunrise Service
Join the Wesley Foundation of Arkansas Tech University and Mount Nebo staff for this popular non-denominational Easter morning service. Enjoy music, speakers, and, of course, the scenery from the large CCC pavilion overlooking the Arkansas River Valley.

April 19, Spring Historic Hayride
Enjoy a guided tour of the four-mile Bench Road Trail and its numerous historic sites and springs. About 300 feet below the top of the mountain rests a sandstone "bench" on which a hotel and 30 to 50 houses were located in the mountain's heyday as a great resort in the 1890s and early 1900s. The hay wagon will depart from the campground area at 2 p.m., with the tour lasting about two hours. Reservations are suggested due to limited space and can be made by calling (479) 229-3655.

May 24-26, Memorial Day Weekend "Picnic in the Park"
This weekend will include guided trail hikes, nature programs, children's games, and a hayride along the top of the mountain. The weekend will conclude with the finish of the Tri-Peaks Challenge Bike Race to the top of Mount Nebo on Memorial Day.

May 24-26, Tri-Peaks Challenge Bike Race
Russellville Chamber of Commerce will host a three-day race encompassing Arkansas' three river valley peaks. The race will begin at Arkansas Tech University on the May 24 and will pass over Petit Jean Mountain the second day. On the third day, participants will ride from Dardanelle into Havannah passing over Mount Magazine into Paris. The final stretch will be Ark. 155 up Mount Nebo. Contact the Russellville Chamber of Commerce for registration information at (479) 968-2530.

May 31, Mount Nebo 5K Run
Mount Nebo celebrates the opening of its new swimming pool and the beginning of the summer season with the first ever Mount Nebo 5K Run. For details check out www.arkansasrunner.com or call the park at (479) 229-3655.

July 4, 4th of July Fun
Guided hikes and children's crafts will be offered through the morning. In the afternoon, children and adults will enjoy competing for prizes in the three-legged race, water balloon stomp, toe sack race, and other fun games. A community softball game will be at 3 p.m. at the ball field.

July 3-5, 52nd Annual Mount Nebo Square Dance
Square Dancers from across the Southwest celebrate Independence Day at Mount Nebo. The public is welcome to join in on the heel-stompin', toe-tappin' fun in the large pavilion in the campground each evening.

July 12, Mount Nebo Remembers Day
Mount Nebo Remembers Day is a tradition where friends of the mountain gather to honor and remember days past and help the park record information about the history of the mountain before and after it became a state park. Information about the days of the Summit Park Hotel (1890-1918), structures built along the bench, and CCC history, is of special interest. Old photographs, documents, newspaper articles or other items that might be of interest in recording history are welcome. If you are unable to attend but would like to share items or memories of the mountain, call the park at (479) 229-3655 or e-mail mountnebo@arkansas.com.

August 9, 4th Annual Critters in the Campground
Join park staff at the large pavilion in the campground for this unique opportunity to see and learn about Arkansas wildlife. Children's activities and games will also be scheduled through the day. Call the park at (479) 229-3655 for times of special presentations.

August 23-24, 10th Annual Mount Nebo End of Summer Fly In
Hang gliding enthusiasts from across the country will demonstrate this exciting sport. Soaring and spot landing contests will take place all weekend. Pilots will launch from Sunrise Point. Because the nature of the sport depends so highly on weather and wind conditions, no set times are scheduled for events of the day however, weather and wind permitting, pilots will fly from mid morning Saturday until dusk and on Sunday until late afternoon.

August 23-24, Civil War Days
Experience a Civil War encampment, drills and marches, and see living history presentations. Visit with re-enactors and learn about their uniforms, weapons, equipment and hardships of everyday life. The camp will be in the field near Sunset Point.

September 13, 3rd Annual Falling Pieces Quilt Show
While quilting continues to be a practical art, it has also been a source of inspiration giving Depression Era women a creative outlet that cost very little. Speakers at this year's quilt show will tell the stories of various quilts that were made many years ago and share creative ideas on quilting as an art. See the beautiful and historic quilts made in Arkansas from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hands-on demonstrations, door prizes, and awards will all be a part of this unique event. Anyone interested in showing or selling quilts or quilted items may contact the park interpreter at (479) 229-3655.

September 20, 55th Annual Mount Nebo Chicken Fry
Looking for some good chicken, pickin' and politickin'? Craft booths, children activities, musical entertainment, beauty pageants, chicken-calling contests, basketball tournaments and races are just a few of the day's many exciting events. Of course the highlight of the day will be the famous fried chicken dinner served all afternoon. For more information or to register for the pageants, contact the Dardanelle Chamber of Commerce at (479) 229-3328.

September 27, September Star Party
Mount Nebo is the place to be to view the wonders of the night sky. Dr. Jeff Robertson of Arkansas Tech University in Russellville returns to point out many of the sky's amazing sights. Telescopes will be provided or you may bring your own. Bring your blankets and meet the Star Party at 8:30 p.m. at Sunset Point. Program is weather dependent.