One Tank Trip for Arkansas Camping

Hiding between the Midwest and the Deep South is one of America's best kept secrets. From the worn slopes of the Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains, where little known lakes lie almost untouched except by the well informed travelers and locals, to sweeping vistas, dense forests and rolling pastures, The "Natural State" of Arkansas is bursting with beauty. The abundance of rivers, lakes, and miles and miles of forest draw outdoor enthusiasts every year, but one of the most unique treasures in the state includes the world's only public diamond mine where over 75,000 diamonds have been discovered by lucky treasure seekers. Tucked within the Ozark Mountains, and surrounded by Norfolk and Bull Shoals Lakes lies beautiful Mountain Home, and the perfect place to start our Arkansas RV camping journey. The area surrounding Mountain Home is a nature lover’s paradise. Voted one of the top fishing towns, thousands of anglers flock to this area for its endless fishing possibilities, and for the never ending supply of record trout pulled from the lakes every year. For all of Mountain Home's small town feel, charm, and the natural beauty that lures visitors in, it also has several historic attractions, golf, world-class dining and shopping that even the most discriminating travelers will appreciate. Take US-412 E/ US-62 E out of Mountain Home, and after several miles, turn onto N/US-167, which brings us to our next one tank trip stop, Batesville. The oldest existing city in Arkansas, it is also known as the “Gateway to the Ozarks”. There is always something interesting going on in Batesville, from the Ozark Scottish Festival held every spring, to the Batesville Air Festival held each autumn, featuring thirty hot-air balloons, along with unique and rare aircraft. Visitors should stop at the Independence Regional Museum, a 12,500 square-foot building made of stone and built in 1931, which is a genealogist's dream. Representing a twelve county area, the collection contains an archival vault which houses some rare and fragile documents, as well as a large gallery house for major exhibits. If you're lucky enough to be in Batesville at the end of March, you cannot miss the Ozark Hawg BBQ Championship featuring the best BBQ champs from Arkansas as well as the Mid-South. Don't let the small town feel fool you; underneath the warm inviting exterior lies the Batesville Motor Speedway. If you have the need for speed, and love the sound of street stock motors burning through your ears, consider Batesville heaven! From March to October there are races with top dollar prizes, and something you won't want to miss. Our next Arizona RV camping stop is a little further down US-167 S, with a merge onto US-67 S, which takes us to Searcy. Searcy is just northeast of Little Rock, and the perfect place for those seeking quieter surroundings. Nestled between the Ozark Mountains, Searcy offers more than enough outdoor activities to keep you occupied, and is the perfect place for a quiet weekend getaway, or an extended family vacation with all the peace and quiet to help you relax and unwind. From Searcy, get back on US-167 S and after several miles, merge onto US-64 W to find your way to our last stop on this one tank trip, Conway. Conway is home to not one, but three colleges, which means there is always something going on in this town worth seeing and experiencing, from the Conway Symphony Orchestra to theatrical productions. But the one thing Conway is most known for (and any traveler to this area can't miss) is the Toad Suck Daze Festival held every May. The largest and most popular in the state, it derives its name from the captains and crew of steamboats who would dock their boats where the Toad Suck Lock and Dam now spans the river and wait for the water to rise. Meanwhile, the crew would carouse the local tavern to the great displeasure of the locals who would complain, “They suck on the bottle 'til they swell up like toads.” The tavern is long gone, but the legend remains. It's true what they say: Arkansas is for lovers, but it's fair to say that the beauty and allure brings a whole host of travelers seeking a taste of history, some outdoor adventures, and a dose of culture which is just a small portion of what the Natural State has to offer. Back to One Tank Trips for 2011 Woodall's Recommended Arkansas RV Campgrounds