Three great events to enjoy at Arkansas State Parks in our area in January

Three great events to enjoy at Arkansas State Parks in our area in January

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season quickly receding in the rearview mirror, we’ve all got to find ways to occupy ourselves between now and the first budding flowers of spring. Luckily for us here in Northwest Arkansas, January weather is fairly mild compared to many other areas of the country. Even better for us, we have an abundance of excellent Arkansas State Parks nearby where you can experience the unique natural splendor of deep winter in this beautiful place we call home.

Getting out to events at our Arkansas State Parks is one of our favorite things to do here at McLarty Daniel Chevrolet. There’s always something going on at the State Parks in our area, and the events are always informative and usually low-cost or free. Seen below, check out three standout events coming up at Arkansas State Parks in our area. And if you need a great new or quality pre-owned vehicle to get you there, stop in today at McLarty Daniel Chevrolet in Springdale, or check out our full selection on our website right now! From everybody here at McLarty Daniel Chevrolet, have a safe and happy January!

JANUARY SPIRIT WALK

Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park Amphitheater
Saturday, January 18, 2020, 7-8 p.m.
Admission: $5.00

Spooky stories aren’t just fun in October! Following up on Prairie Grove Battlefield’s popular and well-attended October “Spirit Walk” program is this event, which will take visitors on a chilly nighttime tour of some of the places where things are purported to go bump in the night at one of the most important Civil War battlefields in the state. Attendees will meet with historians at the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park Amphitheater before a 1/2-mile, lantern-lit tour. At the conclusion of the walk, park interpreters will share their most memorable experiences with purported paranormal activity at the park around a campfire over warm cider. Due to some mature themes, this event is best suited to ages 12 and up, though smaller children can attend story and craft time at the Latta Barn while their parents are on the walk. Tickets must be purchased in advance by stopping by the battlefield’s Hindman Hall Museum and Visitor’s Center during operating hours. The event is
limited to only 15 participants, so hurry and snap up a few before this in-demand event vanishes. Participants are encouraged to dress very warmly. For more information about the Spirit Walk, call the park at: (479)846-2990.

EAGLE WATCHING CRUISE ON BEAVER LAKE

3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, January 18
Rocky Branch Marina
8872 Rocky Branch Marina Road, Rogers
Adults: $10.00
Children ages 6-12: $5.00

Few birds in North America are more beautiful than the Bald Eagle, and one of the best places in Arkansas to watch them in the wintertime is Beaver Lake, which hosts over 200 of the majestic birds. In this event, Hobbs State Park in Rogers hosts an eagle watching cruise to get you up close with these incredible creatures. Binoculars will be provided. The cruise leaves promptly at 3 p.m. from Rocky Branch Marina, so don’t be late Beaver Lake hosts, on average, over 200 bald eagles during the winter. Join this interpretive tour as we try to find eagles and other wildlife along the shoreline. Binoculars are provided. The cruise leaves promptly at the stated departure time from Rocky Branch Marina, and no tickets will be sold at the dock. For more information or to register, call (479)789-5000.

A DOLLAR A DAY: THE CCC AT DEVIL’S DEN

Devil’s Den State Park Visitor’s Center
11333 West Arkansas Highway 74 in West Fork
Friday, January 17, 4-5 p.m.

The Great Depression of the 1930s, which saw over 35 percent of American workers jobless and millions of others homeless or underemployed, changed the United States in ways big and small. The Works Progress Administration, spearheaded by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, sought to ease the suffering of out-of-work Americans through a variety of programs that gave hardworking people homes, food, jobs and a sense of purpose. In Arkansas, one of the most important WPA programs was the Civilian Conservation Corps, which recruited young men to live and work on public projects. The CCC carved many of the Arkansas State Parks we still enjoy today out of the trackless wilderness, building roads, dams, bridges, cabins, lakes and shelters. That includes many of the structures still in use at Devil’s Den State Park, which was built by the CCC in 1932. In this event, join park interpreters for a special discussion of the construction of Devil’s Den State Park, including a video that
explains the creation of the CCC and program’s work all over America. The event is free. For more information, call the park at: (479)761-3325