OUTDOOR SCENE
10 great activities to explore in White County .................
Arkansas is known as The Natural State, and White County helps it live up to that nickname. With great fishing, lots of parks and much more, there’s plenty to explore in the area.
If you’ve had a case of cabin fever this year, the following are some great places in White County to get some fresh air.
SEARCY SWIM CENTER
Make a splash this summer at the Searcy Swim Center, the city’s premier water park. It has a large outdoor pool with a variety of slides, a play structure, water guns, sprinklers and much more. This pool is also a zero-depth-entry pool, so it’s easy for kids of all ages to get into it. The Searcy Swim Center also has two indoor pools. One is a multipurpose pool for lap-swimming, water-aerobics classes and swimming lessons. The other is a therapy pool designed to be a relaxing experience for those with arthritis.
For information, call (501) 279-1035.
LITTLE RED RIVER
For great fishing, the Little Red River offers many popular species for anglers to catch. Created from the tailwaters of the Greers Ferry Lake dam, the Little Red River is home to species such as the brown, rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout. One world-record-breaking brown trout has even been caught in the river.
PANGBURN CITY PARK
For outdoor fun in Pangburn, the Pangburn City Park has a great selection of activities. The park has a big play structure for the kids, a walking trail, pavilions and three ball fields.
BEEBE CITY PARK
A hub of activity for the city of Beebe, the Beebe City Park offers seven ball fields, a pool, six pavilions, a stage, playground equipment, basketball courts and much more. For more information, visit beebeark.org.
DOWNTOWN SEARCY
The thriving area of downtown Searcy has become a must-see destination in Arkansas. Visitors can view the White County Courthouse, the oldest functional courthouse in the state, and a plethora of beautiful murals, as well as check out many businesses in the area. Searcy’s Spring Park, which has playgrounds and sports fields, is also nearby.
ROSE BUD CITY PARK
The city of Rose Bud has a small city park with a playground, benches, a walking trail and the Jim Burkett Memorial Sports Complex.
HENRY GRAY HURRICANE LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Located near Bald Knob, the Henry Gray Hurricane Lake Wildlife Management Area is maintained by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. This area is open to the public, and hunters can find a large range of wildlife, including quail, rabbit, squirrel, waterfowl, turkey and deer. Hunters are required to have a hunting license and to follow all hunting regulations and site-specific rules. For more information, visit www.agfc.org.
BALD KNOB LAKE
As the main reservoir for the city of Bald Knob, Bald Knob Lake is also popular for fishing. Anglers can expect to find bass, crappie, bream and catfish in the lake. A boat launch is available, and boats are restricted to having motors that are under 10 hp.
HISTORIC PIONEER VILLAGE
Offering a glimpse into the past, the Historic Pioneer Village in Searcy has a variety of exhibits to explore to learn how early settlers of the area lived. The village displays farm equipment, buildings and other artifacts that are accurate to the 19th century, and staff members dress in time-appropriate attire to show how the people lived. For more information, call 501-580-6633.
SEARCY SPORTS COMPLEX
Take the family out to a ballgame at the Searcy Sports Complex. This park has lots of fields for baseball, softball and soccer. The Searcy Dog Park is also here, along with a disc-golf course.