AUTUMN SIGHTS
Cooler weather invites outdoor fun
During the fall months, mild temperatures and fiery foliage add even more appeal to outdoor locations near Russellville. Crisp air beckons hikers and bikers to local parks and trails, where colorful foliage enlivens the scenery. Here are a few ways to spend autumn days around Russellville.
MOUNT NEBO STATE PARK
Soaring more than 1,000 feet above Russellville, Mount Nebo offers an ideal place to watch fall flicker across the Arkansas River Valley. In addition to its natural majesty, Mount Nebo State Park provides various amenities to hikers, campers and other visitors.
“We have really nice fall colors if the conditions are right, and our mountain isn’t very big on top, as far as acreage goes, so you’re never really too far from a nice view,” said Jackie Rupp, park interpreter. “I always encourage people to bring their cameras because there’s some really, really pretty stuff up here.”
She added that the trees usually begin changing colors during the last two weeks of October and maintain their fall foliage through the first two weeks of November. Sunrise Point and Sunset Point provide two great views from different sides of the mountain.
One of the park’s most popular trails is the Rim Trail, a 3.5-mile loop around the mountaintop, she said, adding that the 4-mile Bench Road Trail is open to pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians. In July, the park opened the 7-mile Chickalah Valley Loop Monument Trail for mountain bikers, she said.
The park also offers a variety of interpretive programs. Rupp said she conducts lots of guided hikes geared toward autumn-leaf peepers. She added that she also conducts a yearly program about traditional ways of predicting weather for the upcoming winter, with this fall’s program set for Oct. 19.
LAKE DARDANELLE STATE PARK
Lake Dardanelle is not just a watery retreat from the summer heat; it is a scenic destination throughout the year. According to the Arkansas State Parks website, guests can pitch a tent or park a camper at the park’s two campgrounds.
Visitors can enjoy the beauty of nature at the Meadowbrook Self-Guided Trail, the native plant garden at the visitor center and designated watchable wildlife areas.
The lake’s largemouth-bass fishery offers lots of promise to anglers, and closer views of local fish can be found at the visitor center’s aquariums.
In addition, the park offers interpretive programs that range from nature talks to lake tours, as well as evening presentations at the outdoor amphitheater. More information about Lake Dardanelle State Park and Mount Nebo State Park — including a calendar of events — is available at arkansasstateparks.com.
OUITA COAL COMPANY MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL
With a trail head in Illinois Bayou Park, the Ouita Coal Company Mountain Bike Trail is a boon for rugged cyclists. Terry Thomas, director of the Russellville Parks and Recreation Department, said the trail system offers 10 to 15 miles of mountain bike trails, as well as a paved, 1-mile wildlife observation trail. The park also offers a boat-launch area that includes a competition rowboat dock, he added.
CITY PARKS
Russellville is also home to an abundance of parks maintained by the city’s parks and recreation department. According to the department’s website, City Park offers sports facilities, a play structure and a Born Learning trail with exercise activity stations.
Skaters can get their kicks (and kickflips) at Harmon Park, which is home to the Russellville Skate Park.
In addition, the Russellville Disc Golf & Radio Control Park features a 16-hole disc golf course on the edge of Lake Dardanelle, as well as a pavilion and landing strip for radiocontrolled aircraft. The facility also boasts a slalom ski course and the trail head for Orbit Lane Trail, Thomas said.
Some new park facilities are also on the horizon, he said, adding that the department hopes to install a dog park at Pleasant View Park by the end of the year. He added that the department also plans to install an accessible fishing pier at the park’s community fishing pond next year, and an accessible playground is in the works at City Park.
“Most of our parks are right along the lake’s edge,” he said. “There’s always beautiful sights out there, and all the fall colors will be coming out pretty soon here, too, at all our parks, even City Park. We have a whole lot of oak trees and maple trees. You’ll be able to see the fall colors.”