Tucker Hollow Park And Big Springs Restaurant
Tucker Hollow On Bull Shoals Lake
It has warmed up a bit since my last update, but the days have not been overly oppressive in heat and humidity. This seems about to change as we enter our seasonal hot period. Temps can routinely get into the mid to high 90's. We still have had some decent rains and the rivers are beginning to return to normal. I am looking forward to some blue skies and perhaps a dip in the ole swimmin hole.
We usually head south on our adventures, the Buffalo River Park, the various wilderness areas and National Forests are all south of Harrison. To the north are the lakes created by dams on the various Rivers. Bull Shoals is the most popular of the lakes. It was Sunday morning, July 28th and I thought I would drive up to Tucker Hollow, check out that area, and see how high the water was. Flooding across the Ozarks this spring has pushed Bull Shoals lake well into flood pool, and it could take months for the water level to get back to normal. Tucker Hollow Park is a small 28-campsite park that sits near the upper part of Bull Shoals Lake. Run by the Corps of Engineers, this little gem provides all the amenities that you will need for a fun filled day or week!
We usually head south on our adventures, the Buffalo River Park, the various wilderness areas and National Forests are all south of Harrison. To the north are the lakes created by dams on the various Rivers. Bull Shoals is the most popular of the lakes. It was Sunday morning, July 28th and I thought I would drive up to Tucker Hollow, check out that area, and see how high the water was. Flooding across the Ozarks this spring has pushed Bull Shoals lake well into flood pool, and it could take months for the water level to get back to normal. Tucker Hollow Park is a small 28-campsite park that sits near the upper part of Bull Shoals Lake. Run by the Corps of Engineers, this little gem provides all the amenities that you will need for a fun filled day or week!
I arrived and could immediately see that the lake was indeed above flood levels. A check showed that it was at 685 ft. which was 26.5 feet above flood pool levels of 659 feet. Some areas were under water but there was still plenty of campsites above water. I did a walk around of the area. It was a beautiful morning. There were a few boats on the lake and some of the campers were making breakfast. I could smell the bacon from a close by site and went up to talk with the people. They were a young group of four from Harrison. They said they had camped out for the weekend, did some fishing and also some swimming. While one of them was making breakfast the others were beginning to take down their campsite. They were quite sunburned, a sign of a fun weekend.
I noticed a structure floating on the lake and realized it was an actual house, well a house boat but not your traditional style. It was a house and had twin engines hanging off the back. I did a tour of the boat docks. The staff had made excellent adjustments to accommodate the higher water levels, and I watched two boats launch and one pontoon boat come back in. After leaving the park I followed my Gazetteer to a secondary road that lead all the way out to a point on Bull Shoals Lake. Unfortunately I could not drive all the way out due to the road being blocked by flood debris. I was a bit disappointed but took some pictures, then headed back to Harrison.
It was August 1st and I had promised some friends to take them to one of my favorite restaurants and smokehouses in the area. It is the Big Springs Restaurant located in St. Joe, Arkansas. At 25 miles away it was just over a half hour drive to get there and my friends were not disappointed.
It was August 1st and I had promised some friends to take them to one of my favorite restaurants and smokehouses in the area. It is the Big Springs Restaurant located in St. Joe, Arkansas. At 25 miles away it was just over a half hour drive to get there and my friends were not disappointed.
We arrived shortly after they opened for lunch (11 am) and browsed the offerings of local honey and the different smoked meats. We took our seats and ordered. Of course they had their smoked meat specialties and we each chose something different. We all agreed that it was scrumptious. After lunch we ordered some smoked bacon and smoked venison jalapeno cheese sausage and headed back to Harrison for a week of delicious BLT's.
The Ozarks of Northwest Arkansas offer some of the most delightful opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Our area has many different lakes and public campgrounds that offer the visitor a window into life in the Natural State. I sure hope you get the chance to enjoy one.
The Ozarks of Northwest Arkansas offer some of the most delightful opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Our area has many different lakes and public campgrounds that offer the visitor a window into life in the Natural State. I sure hope you get the chance to enjoy one.