Eureka Springs is surrounded by numerous state and local parks. In this article, we describe a few parks we think you'll enjoy. Each is just a short drive from All Seasons Luxury Properties. Feel free to give us a call if you need more information.
Onyx Cave Park
Location: 338 Onyx Cave Lane, Eureka Springs, AR
Distance from us: 6.7 miles
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Discovered in 1893, Onyx Cave is the oldest show cave in Arkansas. The cave is named after cave onyx, a natural flowstone that makes up its underground formations. A trip to Onyx Cave Park is something the whole family will enjoy, especially kids.
The trip through Onyx Cave Park is a self-guided audio tour. You wear radio headphones that help you wander through the cave's stalactites and stalagmites and various chambers. During the tour, you're provided with a wealth of information about the history and geology of the cave. The cave's entrance and exit is the same place, so it's impossible to get lost.
Tours last about a half hour. The temperature in the cave is 57 degrees, so you might want to bring a jacket. Onyx Cave Park also has a gift shop and an axe throwing area. Costs are minimal. Currently it's $7.50 for adults, and $3.50 for kids. Free for kids under three.
Black Bass Lake City Park is a 200-acre that's a great place to go hiking, mountain biking, fishing, swimming, boating, and picnicking. Park amenities include a boat launch for non-motorized boats, a handful of trails , and a picnic area. Besides scenic 85-acre Black Bass Lake, the park features a historic stone-cut dam, unusual rock formations, and small caves.
One of the nicest things about Black Bass Lake City Park is that it's often overlooked. You're likely to encounter few visitors, and you might even have the park to yourself occasionally.
Hours: Daily from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (Friday and Saturday until 8:00 p.m.)
Lake Leatherwood Park is one of Eureka Springs premier attractions. The park covers around 1,600 acres and features beautiful Lake Leatherwood. Lake Leatherwood covers 85 acres and has more than three miles of shoreline. At the park, you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, swimming, fishing, and boating. The park has 25 miles of hiking/biking trails, a marina and boat dock, and full-size baseball and soccer fields. The park is also a great place to observe a variety of wildlife. Over 120 species of birds are found in the area, including bald eagles, turkeys, and heron. And, it's not unusual to come across deer, snakes, racoons, and other species of wildlife.
Just a couple of reminders. Trails in Lake Leatherwood Park are mainly for hiking and biking, and all trails are closed to motorized vehicles. Also, fishing at Lake Leatherwood Park requires a valid Arkansas fishing license for visitors 16 years old and older.
Blue Spring Heritage Center is a privately owned 33-acre park, made up of scenic woodlands, gardens, and meadows. The center features Blue Spring, a natural spring that feeds 38-million gallons of water a day into the center's lagoon. You can tour this beautiful area along its handicapped-accessible, one-mile trail.
The center has historical significance in that it was originally a trading post for the Osage tribe. Later, it was part of the Trail of Tears. Blue Spring Heritage Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can learn all about the center's history at the Blue Spring Visitor Center. There, you'll be able to view a film and check out a small museum filled with historical artifacts.
Note that a small fee is required to tour the Blue Spring Heritage Center. Check the website for details.
Basin Spring Park is located in the heart of downtown Eureka Springs, serving as what amounts to a town square. Basin Spring flows under the park and feeds a fountain in the center of the park.
Basin Spring Park is family-friendly and a great place to relax and take a break or to enjoy live music when a band's performing. If the band shell is empty, try sitting quietly and just listening. Apparently, its acoustics are such that you can hear the folks in the park just below the shell.
