A few of us snow bound flat landers are heading down to the Ozarks for an early September week long ride. It's all new to us and we are looking for recommendations for lodging and riding routes/sites. We would like to book our lodging early and were wondering if there is a central location that would work well as a home base? Or would it be better to try several different lodging locations?

 

We always stay at the Best Western in Eureka Springs (ES): You can walk from here to downtown ES. And, Branson, MS is right up the road from the Ozarks..
http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwest...ertyCode=04085

Do a search here on Eureka Springs and there's a ton of info on routes suggested places to stay and eat in the area.

http://rideeurekasprings.com/maps-info-request/

http://www.motorcycles.eurekasprings.com/

http://www.eurekaspringsmotorcyclerides.com/

http://www.arkansas.com/!userfiles/Lets_Ride_08.pdf

The Pig Trail HD store in ES has a rack of all kinds of rides in the area for FREE: http://www.pigtrailhd.com/default.asp?page=eureka-info
Right next door is the Rockin Pig Saloon for great eats and beverages..

http://www.rockinpigsaloon.com/

 

Buffalo River National Park south of Harrison, Ark is beautiful and close to Eureka Springs just watch out for the elk roaming around. Link for the motorcycle rides http://buffaloriver.org/buffalo-river-motorcycle-rides/ .

 

If you go to Eureka Springs, check out the Riders Rest Motel. Bikers only, and really nice people. Only cars allowed on the property belongs to the managers. Check it out at http://ridersrestmotel.com/

We would get up early, walk down and enjoy the fire pit and watch the deer meander thru the property.

 

We went to the 3 day poker run last year at Lake of Ozarks. Don't mess with the poker run. It is a waste of time. You spend so much time going to stops for stamps that you never get to ride the Ozarks. There are tons of nice roads and places to ride in that area. Almost any highway is nice to ride. If you decide to stay around Osage, there are plenty of lake houses to rent for 5-7 days. Google LofO rentals. Just another options for you to think about.

 

Just remember... HWY 123. Arkansastan's tail of the dragon.

 

A butler map is a must.
http://www.butlermaps.com/Motorcycle.../45/Ozarks-Map

 

Eureka Springs is a great location to stay, as mentioned. We stay at the Land O Nod. Not too expensive and clean. Outdoor pool. Rossn2's links should give you plenty of info for riding the area. Another possibility would be to do a day ride down to Hot Springs and spend a night there. It's not as nice as Eureka Springs, but the roads in between are great and it's a nice change of pace. Mt Magazine is a nice ride. You could choose just about any highway in that region and have a blast.

 

Between ES and Berryville there was a place called Iron Horse Lodge. Not within city limits of either. May not be open any longer.

 

We ride the Ozarks every year. I love it up there. In my option you need to vary your stay. Definitely ride highways 123 the pig trail 5 7 and 9 spend the night in hot springs and eat at the Blue Monkey. If you partake you should try a monkey Rita. Bad part of this is it may become an annual thing.