Arkansas Fall Foliage Day Trip – Mountain View Edition
Mountain View, AR
Looking for the perfect Arkansas fall foliage day trip? Mountain View is a wonderful small town that offers big bang for your buck. It tops our list because you can turn this day trip into an entire weekend. Also, it has something for everyone! Let’s dig in:
OK Trading
Post
11595
Hwy 14, Mountain View, Arkansas
This should be your first stop! They’re a horseback riding company. What better way to see the leaves than by horseback as you criss-cross the Sylamore Creek with a picturesque mountainscape?!
They’re located just outside of Mountain View. They are reasonably priced with very tame horses. They have expert trail guides and are very accustomed to kids and seniors. Even better, they offer overnight camping. Also, they have a very cool gift shop with all kinds of Ozark goodness. OH, and if you don’t want to ride, that’s cool. They have petting zoo as well.
This place screams weekend date material, as well. Put it on your list, folks!
Get in touch
here: https://www.oktradingpost.com
Next on our list is…
Blanchard
Springs Caverns
704
Blanchard Springs Road, Fifty-Six, AR 72533
I know, I know. This isn’t exactly looking at foliage. But here’s the deal, you’re already there and it only takes about an hour to go through THE GREATEST cave find of the 21st Century… As a matter ‘o fact, the caves are so amazing that the federal government came in and said, “Nah, y’all can’t have this, it’s ours. Pay us to see it.” But, without the National Park system stepping in, we wouldn’t have something so wonderful to see. I’m also betting that you’ve never heard of it.
I really don’t want to go into how amazing this actually is, you just need to go there and see for yourself. Take a date, family, whatever. Anyone with walking issues shouldn’t go. There are quite a few steps but it’s absolutely worth it. We’ll probably include this in our day date adventure post.
PRO TIP: Bring a light jacket. This cave has a constant temperature in the mid 50’s.
Once you get done with the cave tour, take the half mile trip to…
Mirror Lake Falls
(It’s inside the park with Blanchard Springs, use the same address above and follow the signs)
Now just look at this:
That my friends is Mirror Lake Falls. It is fed from Mirror Lake, which is fed by the water that comes from Blanchard Springs Caverns. The CCC dammed the lake years ago and made this amazing waterfall.
PRO TIP: Bring your camera. There’s the ruins of a CCC old mill just below the falls. You could do a whole photo shoot from there! You’ll thank me later.
Mirror Lake
Since you’re there by the falls, you’ve probably noticed Mirror Lake:
The water is beautiful and very typical of Arkansas streams. You can also fish from the dock. Take a walk to where the cave empties into the lake. Too cool.
Another great way to see all the colors is by boat. Yes, by boat. The White River offers tall bluffs and calm water to canoe, raft, or flat bottom boat down. Our pick for doing so is…
Anglers White River Resort
23080 AR-5, Allison, AR 72050
Anglers is no secret. They offer everything from lodging, dining, RV/camping, and more. Not only can you rent boats from them, but fishing guides as well if you’d like to take in some of the best trout fishing in the world, all while catching the Fall colors.
When you’re done, grab your jacket and have a great meal on the deck that overlooks the river. Excellent views! OH, and they have a bar. WIN WIN!
Here’s all the details on what Anglers has to offer: http://anglerswhiteriver.com/
Well folks, that wraps our day trip in Mountain View to take in the Autumn switch over. We’ll be focusing on other areas in Arkansas next. So, look for those on our website soon.
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Y’all have at it!
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