the kid wants to do a bike camp trip Friday night..... how can ya argue with that???

But where? Anyone know about a great place to camp...hilltop with view would be spectacular or whatever? Thinking Nebo or wilemena. Magazine maybe?

 

Magazine has a pretty good view at the top. and if you are going in the near future, it will be cool up there. will make it much better for camping at this time of year. Not for sure what camping the have available though. Petit Jean State Park has some pretty good camping areas and is a pretty cool place. Wilhelmena is not far from me and I ride through there several times a year. So it doesn't jump at me as good as the others. but you may like it.

 

Magazine has a tremendous view but can get crowded at times.
Petit Jean would be my choice for more things to see and do.

 

How old are the kids you are talking about? If they are younger, then wing foot is correct. Petit Jean would be the choice. Because it has more stuff to do for sure. Don't really figure Magazine has much to do at all.

 

kid is 12. PJ is "backyard" yet an excellent suggest. We were there a few weeks ago but have never camped...only day trips to do different hikes. Wilhelmena is intriguing but may be too far. May go camp on Nebo then ride over to Magazine Sat.... And we are looking at this weekend.

plans for a 2 night trip fell through twice over the summer

Thanks for the feedback!!

 

Have you looked at Devils Den state Park near Fayettville?

http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/devilsden/

I have not camped there but drove past it on my way to Shady Lake Forest Service Camp ground south of Mena. I remember the drive through the Boston Mountains being pretty scenic, it was Fall and the colors were nice.

I would recommend Shady Lake, I am an occasional camper there, but it is known more for peace and quiet than things to do. Fishing is good. Also have to negotiate some gravel roads to get there, something you might not want to do with a 12 year old on back. And it is even further from you than Wilemena.

Talimena Scenic Drive is a very pleasant ride over the Winding Stair mountains into Oklahoma if you make it to Wilemena. Ouachita Mountains are fault block mountains, a little different from the erosional plateau mountains of the Ozarks that most people are familiar with in Arkansas.

 

Magazine and Petit Jean are both awesome. I've taken my daughter there several times and she loves it.