Summer in the Ozarks - It's Not What you Think
Beaver Lake in Northwest Arkansas is a haven for fishing, swimming, and camping and a destination spot for anyone wanting to relax in the lush, green Ozark Mountains.
My summer tour continues to Beaver Lake in Northwest Arkansas. A dear friend is an Ar-KAN-san and wanted the chance to show us her slice of paradise. As most natives are, she is a diehard Razorback and took us to a famed summer destination just 20 miles from the stadium t deep in the Ozark Mountains. Needing to dispel the myth of this region from the Netflix series, I learned that the Ozarks cover nearly 47,000 square miles, which makes it the most extensive highland area between the Appalachians and Rockies. It is a place to get away and rejuvenate but also a spot to release your youthful soul.
The Beaver Lake Project
was finished in 1966 when the reservoir filled and the dam's powerhouse began. Vacationeers followed.
Beaver Lake is technically a reservoir created by an artificial dam to store water. Fed by the White River, it has developed into a destination spot for anyone wanting to enjoy its pristine waters nestled deep in the abundant Ozark Highlands.
Approximately seventy-three miles long and two miles wide, the lake reaches from Eureka Springs to Fayetteville and expands into three counties. The proposals to build the dam and create the lake started in 1929, but it wasn't until 1960 that construction began. About 450 miles of shoreline are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who keep the areas protected and control overbuilding.
Antics on the Lake
Include rafting, fishing, swimming, paddle boarding, and of course, “sippin and floatin”
What to do
Once on the lake, you'll not want to leave. The water in the summer is in the high 70's to 80s which is the perfect temp for what natives call "sippin and floatin." This is an exercise for all to enjoy: plop down in an inner tube with a glass of rose (or your favorite beverage) and languish. The lake is calm and clear, which makes conditions for most water sports and fishing ideal.
Other must-do activities include a visit to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in nearby Bentonville. Named after the nearby Crystal Springs and the bridge that crosses over it, it is a beautiful museum set in a lush forest and generously funded by Alice Walton, a Walmart heiress. It houses American artwork throughout America's history, including modern art and paintings from the Colonial era. There are also temporary exhibits, and an actual Frank Lloyd Wright house relocated from New Jersey to save it from ruin.
Visit the nearby towns of Bentonville, Fayetteville, and Rogers. These cities offer a local flavor with town squares that take you back to simpler times. Each spot offers great architecture, excellent restaurants, famed sites such as Razorback Stadium at the University of Arkansas. But, remember, you are still in the verdant mountains of the Ozarks so you are steps away from a forest playground.
Hungry?
There is little dining on the lake, but by venturing to one of the larger towns, you will have your choice of delicious local fare. In Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas, Doe’s Eat Place serves up giant grilled-to-order steaks and all the fixings - perfect for after-game celebrating! In Eureka Springs, just 15 minutes from Beaver Lake, take a day to explore the quaint town. The streets are hilly with shops selling handmade treasures and yummy eateries like Local Flavor with steaks to pasta to melt-in-your-mouth desserts to signature cocktails and an extensive wine list. Emilio’s Italian Home Kitchen in Eureka Springs does not take reservations, but there’s fun in the waiting. Go upstairs to the bar, where you will find lots of seating and tons of board games. Order a drink and let the competition begin. The menu includes all your favorite Italian comfort foods and a pan-roasted bone-in pork chop smothered in a porcini mushrooms demi-glace that you will talk about for a long time.
I hope you and your family get to visit or revisit this crazy fun spot smack in the middle of our country.
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Photos by author, Crystal Bridges, restaurants own websites, visitor websites.