Anybody have a favorite spot for Fall Foliage in Arkansas?

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

I know that it can vary all over the place across the state but wondered if anyone had a favorite haunt in the SW corner of the state, don't feal like driving all the way to Missouri.

[jeffro20]

Have not been there but would love to try this place in Arkansas.

Petit Jean State Park – Petit Jean Mountain – Arkansas State Park

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

That looks pretty good Jeff, I was thinking of hitting the Hot Springs area and then going a bit north to this place would work out well-also would treck around the backroads in the area to see what I can come up with.

Couldn't really find anything on the state parks site as to what stage the color is right now, may be a bit early but with the morning temp in the 40's it should be enough to kick start things.

Noticed on some of the pics and another park near Hot springs that there are a lot of oak trees so maybe red oaks?

Been down to Lost Maples in central Texas already and just not enough trees to really get some wow shots- now if your wanting to shoot individual trees it ain't too bad but for forest shots just didn't see it.

[cfortner]

The cameron bluff lookout here: Mount Magazine - Arkansas State Park - Arkansas State Parks

[cfortner]

I'm headed that way next weekend, going across the west half of the talimena drive, and up to Magazine, Nebo, and Petit Jeane. The colors this time of year are usually awesome!

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

I'm in Hot Springs-heading N from here- and the color is just starting to pop so hopefully a bit further north it will be worth shooting.

[mgphotos]

Paul - I've been to Petit Jean in the summer and its was real nice. Could only imagine what it would be like with fall colors. Here's a link to another location. I've not been there but would like to and hear its really nice during the fall. Arkansas Missouri Railroad - Special Events

Mark

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

well the black gum are just starting to turn at Petit Jean but since they have been in a drought since mid August everything is dry and looks lackluster. Heading up to the Buffalo River to see if things are not a bit better. It is better here vs Hot Springs but still a week or better too early this year. Looks like it won't be a good year anyway.

BTW the waterfall is so skimpy, lake down over 4 ft, I decided not to do the waterfall base hike and just went to the overlook which has a nice view of the bowl (not really a valley) off the mountain where you can see the top of the waterfall.

So no striking golds yet just the black gum turning bright red at the outer tips of the branches and the tops of the trees, would love to come across a tight grove of them with 50+ trees.

Highway 7 is a neat drive btw.

magazine mountain in the distance isn't real colorful either right now.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Well along the Buffalo all the way from Jasper to almost Van Buren and no striking color of any size, there are small patches and single trees but no hillside that would make you really work to find a spot to shoot from. Roads are NARROW-TWISTY-UP AND DOWN like crazy which makes it very hard to find a place to stop-also almost no shoulder in many cases which makes it hard to just grab a shot. PEOPLE for some reason thinks a 55mph means 70 since they drive the roads everyday and no speed limit sings are posted over most of the area-just an occasional 55 and all the yellow signs with curves that say 40 or 35 or 30 or 25 and even 20 on a couple occasions of real corkscrewers-even 18 wheelers semi-ignore them.

Some cool little towns and every so often one that is way cooler.

Well looks like 2010 is not going to be a great year for color since some trees are already dropping their non-bright leaves.

Oh yeah saw a herd of ELK with 7 Bucks, 2 Spikes and about 50 cows with sub-yearlings in a several hundred acre meadow. Shot for about 45 minutes till the light was just dropping too low. Only saw one Bull fight and it was just a single head bang and they were pretty far away. Some of the cows were under 100 ft away from the fence line, bulls tended to stay a bit farther away.

[slallen]

Why not try out the Talimena Trial. We did it last weekend and the leaves are just starting to turn. By the end of the month they should be pretty well in full fall colors.

The trail is about 60 miles (one way) with about 25 vista stops along the way. There is some great views.

Talimena Scenic Drive in Oklahoma and Arkansas

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Actually went by/through the Talimena Trail in the eastern edge of Ok and west edge of Ark and the colors were no better there than along the Buffalo River. In the past 5 days I've seen what looks to be no real change while in a normal year there should be something noticeable. Did discover a cool camping place in southern Arkansas with a nice lake that is an easy 1/2 day drive from Dallas.

So looks like this year won't be a good year for color in that part of the country because of the drought conditions.

Dallas will be it's usual drab self since we don't have any large hardwood stands that turn brilliant colors.

BTW there are a LOT of CHICKEN Farms in Southwestern Ark!