Immediately following my hike to the Louisiana highpoint, I turned north and drove directly to Mount Magazine State Park, home of the Arkansas highpoint. On a whim I decided to see if the summit lodge happened to have any same-day reservations, and much to my surprise, they did! I had just spent $230 on a “normal” hotel room, so when it was actually the same rate for a summit lodge room facing the bluff, I secured my bed!
Let the smart-ass shenanigans begin! Growing up in Missouri, I’ve been to Arkansas many times and still have family that lives there.
Only 5 hours / 250 miles between high points; nothing for this seasoned road warrior!
About two hours north of Driskill Mountain, I ran across a junk/thrift store in Willisville, Arkansas – my kind of place with nothing priced and junk everywhere. The owner was a “good ‘ole boy,” likely not much older than me. We chatted for at least 30 minutes about everything under the sun, including the fact that he was in a “dry country” (no alcohol sales), and how dumb it was because everyone just drives to the county line liquor store. He was on a mission to collect a license plate from all 50 states, and had them on the eaves around the front of the store. He also had a stack of Charley Pride vinyl LPs and I couldn’t help to buy the oldest ones, originals from the 1960s! I noticed his *stamped* Alaska “Fish On” license plate, and he told me that a couple from Alaska had given it to him after they saw his collection. I would’ve bought more if I had any room as I was already maxed at a 49-pound carry on!
This is a *stamped* plate! FISH ON!!!
As I drove north, I began crossing east/west ridges and spotted a classic midwest lookout tower ahead, so I made a pit stop, but unfortunately even the base of this one was surrounded by a fence. Growing up, we used to climb the stairs to the top of these, but were never able to get in as they were always locked up.
Kirby Lookout tower, Kirby, Arkansas
North of Kirby, I entered Ouachita National Forest and a severe thunderstorm, such that I couldn’t see to drive even at 30mph so I made the wise move to pull over – storms like these move quickly, and I only had to wait about 10 minutes for the rain to abate. I miss midwest T-storms!
Midwest thunderstorms don’t F around!
Mount Magazine, Ouachita Mountains, from Danville Municipal Airport (32A)Mount Magazine State Park, looking south. The valley is 2300 feet below! These are real mountains!
The Lodge At Mount Magazine
Looking out the entrance of the The Lodge at Mount Magazine at my sweet new rental Tacoma! The lobby of The Lodge At Mount MagazineSkycrest Dining room at The Lodge at Magazine Mountain, ArkansasThe Lodge at Mount Magazine, ArkansasThe view from my room at The Lodge at Mount Magazine. Blue lake is over 2000 feet below!! ALL rooms at the lodge face the bluff!! Mount Magazine Lodge sits overlooking a 2000-foot tall ridge line.This photo is at the front desk – if you want a room during the peak foliage, you have to book one year in advance! Surf and turf dinner, smoked brisket and fried catfish (of course!). A whopping $21! The wait staff is actually employed by the State of Arkansas (bennies!!) which is very unusual in our world these days as most places like this have been contracted to concessionaires, like you find in National Parks; so cool! Yell county, where the park sits, is a “dry county,” so if you want a drink, you have to fill out this application and become part of this “exclusive” club. Happy camper! I really like this photo! My server took it; she’s from Lake Sammamish, Washington! The only thing missing was my beautiful wife!! Found sunscreen in the gift shop!! literally the only bottle I saw in over 600 miles of driving through LA and AR!! Who doesn’t love a pocket knife for a souvenir! Didn’t have my name but they did have Bubba, Cooter, and Cleetus! Top sellers! Hmmm, something seems out of place… oh right, there’s no Grizzly bears in Arkansas!! (The large hump and ear profile) I asked the cashier if she knew what was odd about this sticker and she said “yeah, it’s a Griz” hahaha. Katt pointed out that it has a Montana phone number, lol The poolshenanigans! I took advantage of the hot tub and had the whole place to myself and got a bonus 30-minute soak until security very cordially told me time was up and we had a great convo about working there. Grits as a breakfast side? Obviously! How much wood do you think this guy could “chuck”? 😉PARK PUPPERS!!
Postcards
Needless to say, the Lodge was a highlight of my highpoint trip! I’d love to go back! The next morning, I hiked up to the highpoint, which you can read about here: Mount Magazine (Signal Hill), AR Highpoint
3 thoughts on “Mount Magazine State Park, AR – July 2023”
I love that the pad at the summit (I assume) is in the shape of Arkansas!
I also miss thunderstorms!
Love you!