This truly might be one of my favorite places we stumbled upon during our travel days! Waterfalls, cliffs, hiking trails, bugling elk, crystal clean rivers…it had it all! We had no idea it would have ALL of this. Good ole Jasper Arkansas- population 742. We expected some as it is in the Ozark National Forest but it exceeded our expectations by a long shot.
We visited Jasper for about a week on our way here for the manager job. We missed the peak fall colors by about a week being there the 3rd week of October. But we did get to witness elk during the rut doing some bugling and it was amazing.
We had NO idea there would be a wild herd of 500ish elk in the national forest. I thought those guys were only out west in the Rockies. But no sir-ee we saw them! The boys were thrilled, Chase and I loved it. The best time to see them was dawn and dusk so we went out twice and tried to find them and man on man it was just amazing!
I was surprised at the quality and quantity to trails in the area. We tackled The King’s Bluff trail (home of Arkansas’s tallest waterfall), the Goat lick trail (amazing views!), Round top trail (mediocre) and Lost Valley (great for all ages and abilities!) and wandered around by the widest waterfall (could have spent all day!). We went spelunking (for about 70 yards…until one child wasn’t enjoying himself) and hung out at the river (clean, clear and beautiful!) and had a picnic lunch in a cliff cave. So many memories!!! And there was still a ton more we didn’t do.
We hear the area is heavily populated in the late spring and summer with people floating the Buffalo River, the first nationally protected river in America. I’d love to see down there in every season. The dogwoods in the early spring, the waterfalls during high river season, the trees during the peak of color, a snowy winter walk in the woods. Jasper and its surrounding areas were just a little treasure to find and explore! And who would have thought it is only a little over 4 hours from KC!
Campground Review:
Dogwood Spring Campground
Nice smaller campground, had weekly rates. $335.61
Laundry facility and play ground. Very close to grocery store.
Was a good middle ground spot getting to all the pretty places we got to see!