Two-week road trip from FL to AL, AR, OK (possibly MS and TN?)
Jun 2nd, 2014, 05:30 AM
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Two-week road trip from FL to AL, AR, OK (possibly MS and TN?)
Hello fellow Fodorites!
I'm planning a two week road trip from Florida to Oklahoma (I have to be there for a conference in mid-July) and back, with my girlfriend. While I know this email is very vague and I usually do a lot more research before posting, I thought I might just let you know some initial ideas I had about stops and possible sightseeing...and you can help me fill in the days with other ideas that I might not have considered, particularly if you know the states of Alabama, Arkansas, and Oklahoma well.
The route I was looking at is the one that takes me through Tallahassee, Montgomery, then taking a few day detour to hang out with a friend at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa (and go kayaking and hiking?), through Memphis, through Little Rock, and then Westward to OKC.
I am mostly interested in scenic views, hikes, waterfalls, camping (we will have our camping gear but will also stay in hotels as often as necessary), wildlife, bike trails (if we can rent bikes), kayaking, etc. I'm good with staying in lodges too, in the middle of wildnerness... I would also love to do random things like fruit picking, or something like that. Yes, I know it will be the middle of July, but maybe ??? I don't know.
I really don't need to even go through those major cities (except for a definite few days in Tuscaloosa). I'm pretty flexible about routes and stops and can even go past Oklahoma or head North a bit if there is something amazing I should check out.
I was thinking about also exploring this state park in AR:
http://www.petitjeanstatepark.com/
...and it was recommended to me that while I am in OKC, I can't miss the National Cowboy Museum! I know nothing about cowboys, but maybe it will blow my mind. I am not sure.
http://www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/...g/default.aspx
Thank you so much for your time and input. I am grateful.
I'm planning a two week road trip from Florida to Oklahoma (I have to be there for a conference in mid-July) and back, with my girlfriend. While I know this email is very vague and I usually do a lot more research before posting, I thought I might just let you know some initial ideas I had about stops and possible sightseeing...and you can help me fill in the days with other ideas that I might not have considered, particularly if you know the states of Alabama, Arkansas, and Oklahoma well.
The route I was looking at is the one that takes me through Tallahassee, Montgomery, then taking a few day detour to hang out with a friend at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa (and go kayaking and hiking?), through Memphis, through Little Rock, and then Westward to OKC.
I am mostly interested in scenic views, hikes, waterfalls, camping (we will have our camping gear but will also stay in hotels as often as necessary), wildlife, bike trails (if we can rent bikes), kayaking, etc. I'm good with staying in lodges too, in the middle of wildnerness... I would also love to do random things like fruit picking, or something like that. Yes, I know it will be the middle of July, but maybe ??? I don't know.
I really don't need to even go through those major cities (except for a definite few days in Tuscaloosa). I'm pretty flexible about routes and stops and can even go past Oklahoma or head North a bit if there is something amazing I should check out.
I was thinking about also exploring this state park in AR:
http://www.petitjeanstatepark.com/
...and it was recommended to me that while I am in OKC, I can't miss the National Cowboy Museum! I know nothing about cowboys, but maybe it will blow my mind. I am not sure.
http://www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/...g/default.aspx
Thank you so much for your time and input. I am grateful.
Jun 2nd, 2014, 06:00 AM
#2
For kayaking/canoeing, try Lake Ouachita west of Hot Springs Arkansas. http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/lakeouachita/
Any thought of visiting Graceland or anything else in Memphis?
Any thought of visiting Graceland or anything else in Memphis?
Jun 2nd, 2014, 10:49 AM
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I live in Oklahoma(47 years now) right near Fort Smith Arkansas.
Petit Jean is one of the better State Parks in America
Mount Nebo and Mount Magazine are also two nice State Parks.
The very best thing in Arkansas is The Upper Area of The Buffalo National River--Totally amazing and pretty much undiscovered!
The bad news is that waterfalls and river may or may not be going in July. So far, we have had a fairly wet last couple of weeks and they are going nicely. If we do have rain then you wouldn't want to miss that area. There is camping there with no showers. Or check out www.buffaloriver.com for cabins. Bill Clinton has stayed in one of the cabins a few times. This is also the website for kayak rentals and good info.
I'll list some awesome hikes:
Glory Hole Falls-Only a 20 foot waterfall, but is one of my all time favorite waterfalls. I've been to Yosemite, Niagra, Columbia River Gorge, and Mount Rainier(I almost put this unique little waterfall right in there with those, when it is going)3 mile hike-No Signage at Trailhead
Hemmed In Hollow Falls--Tallest waterfall between Appalachains and Rocky's. You can hike to this one or better yet-canoe or kayak the river and hike it from the river. Fairly strenuous tough hike. If you hike from the River in a boat then it is an easy 1/2 mile hike.
Big Bluff/Goat Trail--Great Bluff View 6 miles moderate
You can connect this one to Hemmed In Hollow for a longer tougher hike. If you do it a longer hike, it is nice to backpack it and sleep by the river.
Hawksbill Crag (AKA Whitaker Point)--3 mile Bluff View easy
Lost Valley-Pass 2 nice waterfalls. Hike ends in a cave and at the back of about 150 foot cave is a waterfall in the cave. You will need a flashlight(bring 2, just in case). 3 miles easy
Double Falls AKA Triple Falls--Pretty rough road, but doable. It's a short 300 yard walk to one of the prettiest waterfalls around.
Cedar Falls at Petit Jean is nice(if its flowing in July)
If there hasn't been any rain, then your best bets are Mount Nebo Rim Trail, Big Bluff Trail and Hawksbill Crag trail.
It would take 2-3 days to do all I mentioned above.
Personally, there is nothing in Oklahoma I would go out of my way for. OKC Bombing Memorial is worth doing. I would suggest eating at Big Truck Taco in OKC. It is no longer in a truck but in building now. Cattlemen's Steakhouse is also a good option. I would suggest Lamb Fries there(aka rocky mountain oysters).
Memphis, I would suggest Blues City Cafe and Gus's Fried Chicken for dining options. Don't miss the Ducks at Peabody Hotel. The Hotel does have a great Sunday Brunch but very pricey. Duck Show is Free.
Since you mentioned Fruit Picking--About 4 miles from where I live is Riggs Family Orchard. They should have peaches in July(this is usually the height of their season) and theirs are FANTASTIC!. I think he grows 15 varities and he should have about 4 or 5 at that time. He has several white flesh varities usually in mid-July and those are my favorites. They may have blackberries at that time, but I prefer the wild blackberries over theirs. This is in Spiro, Oklahoma. You would actually only be out of your way from I-40 about 15 minutes. While you are in Spiro, check out The Spiro Mounds. They have odd hours, so call to make sure they are open.
If you are into Art at all consider Crystal Bridges Museum in NW Arkansas. You might enjoy Clinton Library in Little Rock too. I would suggest Dam Good Pie in Little Rock for Pizza.
Finally, since your usuer name is Papsicle
In Nashville get Hot Chicken somewhere. And then, you guessed it--Popsicles at Las Paletas(many flavor--we even tried the avacado which tasted somewhat like banana to me).
Petit Jean is one of the better State Parks in America
Mount Nebo and Mount Magazine are also two nice State Parks.
The very best thing in Arkansas is The Upper Area of The Buffalo National River--Totally amazing and pretty much undiscovered!
The bad news is that waterfalls and river may or may not be going in July. So far, we have had a fairly wet last couple of weeks and they are going nicely. If we do have rain then you wouldn't want to miss that area. There is camping there with no showers. Or check out www.buffaloriver.com for cabins. Bill Clinton has stayed in one of the cabins a few times. This is also the website for kayak rentals and good info.
I'll list some awesome hikes:
Glory Hole Falls-Only a 20 foot waterfall, but is one of my all time favorite waterfalls. I've been to Yosemite, Niagra, Columbia River Gorge, and Mount Rainier(I almost put this unique little waterfall right in there with those, when it is going)3 mile hike-No Signage at Trailhead
Hemmed In Hollow Falls--Tallest waterfall between Appalachains and Rocky's. You can hike to this one or better yet-canoe or kayak the river and hike it from the river. Fairly strenuous tough hike. If you hike from the River in a boat then it is an easy 1/2 mile hike.
Big Bluff/Goat Trail--Great Bluff View 6 miles moderate
You can connect this one to Hemmed In Hollow for a longer tougher hike. If you do it a longer hike, it is nice to backpack it and sleep by the river.
Hawksbill Crag (AKA Whitaker Point)--3 mile Bluff View easy
Lost Valley-Pass 2 nice waterfalls. Hike ends in a cave and at the back of about 150 foot cave is a waterfall in the cave. You will need a flashlight(bring 2, just in case). 3 miles easy
Double Falls AKA Triple Falls--Pretty rough road, but doable. It's a short 300 yard walk to one of the prettiest waterfalls around.
Cedar Falls at Petit Jean is nice(if its flowing in July)
If there hasn't been any rain, then your best bets are Mount Nebo Rim Trail, Big Bluff Trail and Hawksbill Crag trail.
It would take 2-3 days to do all I mentioned above.
Personally, there is nothing in Oklahoma I would go out of my way for. OKC Bombing Memorial is worth doing. I would suggest eating at Big Truck Taco in OKC. It is no longer in a truck but in building now. Cattlemen's Steakhouse is also a good option. I would suggest Lamb Fries there(aka rocky mountain oysters).
Memphis, I would suggest Blues City Cafe and Gus's Fried Chicken for dining options. Don't miss the Ducks at Peabody Hotel. The Hotel does have a great Sunday Brunch but very pricey. Duck Show is Free.
Since you mentioned Fruit Picking--About 4 miles from where I live is Riggs Family Orchard. They should have peaches in July(this is usually the height of their season) and theirs are FANTASTIC!. I think he grows 15 varities and he should have about 4 or 5 at that time. He has several white flesh varities usually in mid-July and those are my favorites. They may have blackberries at that time, but I prefer the wild blackberries over theirs. This is in Spiro, Oklahoma. You would actually only be out of your way from I-40 about 15 minutes. While you are in Spiro, check out The Spiro Mounds. They have odd hours, so call to make sure they are open.
If you are into Art at all consider Crystal Bridges Museum in NW Arkansas. You might enjoy Clinton Library in Little Rock too. I would suggest Dam Good Pie in Little Rock for Pizza.
Finally, since your usuer name is Papsicle
In Nashville get Hot Chicken somewhere. And then, you guessed it--Popsicles at Las Paletas(many flavor--we even tried the avacado which tasted somewhat like banana to me).
Jun 5th, 2014, 08:55 AM
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Thanks so much for your input. My girlfriend has been to Crater of Diamonds and instead recommends Coleman's for quartz rock hunting. Wherever that is. For your hikes, Spiro, is there a centralized location where we can stay, either camping or in a hotel, for a few days while we tackle each hike? I do not know if they are all over AR and OK, or somewhat close together. All of your suggested hikes may be at the Upper Area of Buffalo River and the cabin you recommended may be the best idea - I just wanted to make sure I understand all you said. I'm excited - thanks again everyone!
Jun 5th, 2014, 10:16 AM
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Lost Valley(Eden Falls), Triple Falls(double falls), Hemmed In Hollow, Goat/Big Bluff Trail, Hawksbill Crag are all at Upper Buffalo River Area. Glory Hole is about 30-40 minutes nearby. Fallsville, AR. (probably need 2 days if you did all of the hikes--WHICH YOU SHOULD DO!). I would suggest boating the river one day. www.buffaloriver.com provides shuttle service for you car. There is another outfitter that provides service to, but I'm blank on their name. I think they have cabins and maybe a campground too.
Mount Nebo, Mount Magazine, Petit Jean are all State Parks that are a bit south of Buffalo River(not far from I-40. While those are all excellent, I like Buffalo River better(if you were picking)
Upper Buffalo River would be perfect. You might want to check out Cedar Falls at Petit Jean.Petit Jean also has a nice lake. You might want to check out Mt. Nebo. I might skip Mt. Magazine, although the lodge there is good. The buffaloriver.com has cabins or just stay at Campground. I don't think the campgrounds have showers. All the state parks in AR have hookups and showers, but not the National Park System which operates the Buffalo. There are private campgrounds, but I'm not familiar with them. They would have showers, I would imagine.
Buffalo River and Mt. Nebo have no food service, so you would need your own food. Buffaloriver.com has a store that does really good sandwiches, but that is it. You can eat in Jasper or Ponca(very small towns-but they do have a couple of interesting spots to eat at). Mt. Magazine and Petit Jean have restaurants in the park. Some of their items are good, while some are just so so.
Mount Nebo, Mount Magazine, Petit Jean are all State Parks that are a bit south of Buffalo River(not far from I-40. While those are all excellent, I like Buffalo River better(if you were picking)
Upper Buffalo River would be perfect. You might want to check out Cedar Falls at Petit Jean.Petit Jean also has a nice lake. You might want to check out Mt. Nebo. I might skip Mt. Magazine, although the lodge there is good. The buffaloriver.com has cabins or just stay at Campground. I don't think the campgrounds have showers. All the state parks in AR have hookups and showers, but not the National Park System which operates the Buffalo. There are private campgrounds, but I'm not familiar with them. They would have showers, I would imagine.
Buffalo River and Mt. Nebo have no food service, so you would need your own food. Buffaloriver.com has a store that does really good sandwiches, but that is it. You can eat in Jasper or Ponca(very small towns-but they do have a couple of interesting spots to eat at). Mt. Magazine and Petit Jean have restaurants in the park. Some of their items are good, while some are just so so.
Jun 5th, 2014, 02:25 PM
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Just south of OKC is Norman, OK, where the Sam Noble Museum of Nat'l history is located if you like that kind of thing.
Bricktown, albeit touristy, is fun to walk through and/or eat in OKC. Near there, there used to be botanical garden called (I think) the crystal bridge).
Last time I was in OKC (a few years back), downtown outside of Bricktown was a little suspect. I had a guy (homeless?) follow me.
The cowboy museum is pretty impressive. Do go.
Finally, the Paseo (sp?) arts district can be fun. They have events and fairs there.
Bricktown, albeit touristy, is fun to walk through and/or eat in OKC. Near there, there used to be botanical garden called (I think) the crystal bridge).
Last time I was in OKC (a few years back), downtown outside of Bricktown was a little suspect. I had a guy (homeless?) follow me.
The cowboy museum is pretty impressive. Do go.
Finally, the Paseo (sp?) arts district can be fun. They have events and fairs there.
Jun 7th, 2014, 03:34 PM
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Coleman's mine is at Jessieville [Arkansas], about 20 miles north of Hot Springs. Look for Ron's information, not Jim Coleman. Both have rock shops but Ron has the mine.
http://www.colemanquartz.com/default.html
I would recommend camping at Lake Ouachita State Park near Hot Springs, hiking in the state park and through the Ouachita National Forest (the state park is actually in the forest)and maybe renting a boat or going on a ranger-led boat tour of the lake. It drains the national forest so has no urban or industrial runoff, which makes it a gorgeous clean lake. There are some beautiful campsites at the park. We keep a boat there and, after 12 years, still haven't seen all of the lake--it's 40 miles long.
Then drive up Highway 7 north (a superb scenic drive) to get to I-40 and Oklahoma. You can take a short detour off of 7 to go to Petit Jean State Park for hiking.
I love Petit Jean (pronounced "petty jean") but I think Lake Ouachita SP is a better location for doing a variety of activities. You also have access to restaurants and activities in Hot Springs. The central part of downtown HS is Hot Springs National Park, which encompasses the old bathhouses that made the town famous.
http://www.nps.gov/hosp/index.htm
http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/lakeouachita/
http://www.petitjeanstatepark.com/
http://www.colemanquartz.com/default.html
I would recommend camping at Lake Ouachita State Park near Hot Springs, hiking in the state park and through the Ouachita National Forest (the state park is actually in the forest)and maybe renting a boat or going on a ranger-led boat tour of the lake. It drains the national forest so has no urban or industrial runoff, which makes it a gorgeous clean lake. There are some beautiful campsites at the park. We keep a boat there and, after 12 years, still haven't seen all of the lake--it's 40 miles long.
Then drive up Highway 7 north (a superb scenic drive) to get to I-40 and Oklahoma. You can take a short detour off of 7 to go to Petit Jean State Park for hiking.
I love Petit Jean (pronounced "petty jean") but I think Lake Ouachita SP is a better location for doing a variety of activities. You also have access to restaurants and activities in Hot Springs. The central part of downtown HS is Hot Springs National Park, which encompasses the old bathhouses that made the town famous.
http://www.nps.gov/hosp/index.htm
http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/lakeouachita/
http://www.petitjeanstatepark.com/
Jun 19th, 2014, 11:25 AM
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I agree with everything that SpiroBulldog said. I might add that if you head to the northwest part of ARkansas (which I highly recommend), you might want to stop in Eureka Springs. Funky little town with lots of history, houses built on the sides of the mountains and some very romantic cabins/cottages just outside of town on Beaver Lake. Our favorite lake is Bull Shoals in north central Arkansas. It is very clear, lots of scuba diving there and not a lot of homes built right on the water.
