Discover Hobbs State Park – Arkansas’ Largest State Park!

Beaver Lake at Hobbs State Park

Nestled just outside Eureka Springs, Sugar Ridge Resort offers the perfect home base for exploring all the area’s attractions. In fact Hobbs State Park, Arkansas’ largest state park, is just a short drive away!

The cozy cabins and suites of our Eureka Springs Resort overlook the serene beauty of Beaver Lake. This scenic location provides our guests with lush, panoramic lake and forest views. Imagine starting your morning with coffee on a private deck, watching the sunrise over the lake. Later, the tranquil atmosphere and luxurious accommodations make a great place to unwind after a day’s exploring.

Hobbs State Park is a nature lover’s paradise. The largest state park in Arkansas at over 12,000 acres, you can easily immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural world.

The park is known for its diverse landscapes, including oak-hickory forests, limestone bluffs, and the pristine waters of Beaver Lake.  From hiking and biking trails to lake activities and historical landmarks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area

Hobbs State Park spans the southern shore of Beaver Lake at 20201 AR-12, Rogers, AR 72756. A scenic drive of less than an hour from Sugar Ridge Resort.

Activities to Enjoy

  • Hiking Trails: Hobbs State Park boasts trails for every skill level. The 1.5-mile Historic Van Winkle Trail offers an easy walk through a scenic valley and highlights the remnants of a Civil War-era sawmill. For those seeking more adventure, the 16-mile Hidden Diversity Multi-Use Trail is perfect for hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding.
  • Paddling on Beaver Lake: Bring your kayak or rent one locally to explore the calm waters of Beaver Lake. Paddle through serene coves, taking in the peaceful surroundings and watching for wildlife like bald eagles and great blue herons.
  • Wildlife Watching: Hobbs State Park is a haven for birdwatching and nature enthusiasts. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, wild turkeys, and the occasional fox as you explore the park’s trails.
an autumn waterfall

Hobbs State Park is open year-round, offering a different experience with each season. Spring and summer bring vibrant wildflowers and lush greenery, while fall paints the landscape with warm hues of red, orange, and yellow. Winter offers a peaceful retreat, perfect for crisp hikes and quiet reflection.

Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure or a peaceful escape, Hobbs State Park in Rogers, AR, delivers a perfect blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Pack your gear, grab your camera, and get ready to create unforgettable memories in the heart of the Ozarks.

Visit arkansasstateparks.com for more information.

Then Home Again to Sugar Ridge Resort

After a day of adventure, retreat to the comfort of Sugar Ridge Resort. Unwind in a luxurious hot tub or relax on your private deck while soaking in the spectacular sunset over Beaver Lake. The combination of outdoor fun and resort comfort ensures a perfect balance of excitement and relaxation.

Whether you’re looking to reconnect with nature, enjoy a romantic escape, or embark on an outdoor adventure, staying at Sugar Ridge Resort and exploring Hobbs State Park offers the best of both worlds. Start planning your Ozarks getaway today!

Pivot Rock Park and Natural Bridge

Pivot Rock at Pivot Rock Park

If you enjoy unique rock formations, you’ll want to make time to visit Eureka Springs’ Pivot Rock Park and Natural Bridge, less than a half hour’s drive from our Beaver Lake.

Arkansas is full of fascinating natural wonders. Caves, natural springs, lakes, mountains, and parks that can amaze, baffle, and even inspire you. Of course, guests of our Beaver Lake cabins and suites will not need to go far for that. You can easily fill your days with good ol’ mother nature right here on the lake. Hiking, fishing, paddling, swimming, and so much more.

That being said, sometimes even the best places can get stale and a simple change of scenery can do wonders. Luckily, the surrounding area is loaded with things to see and do, no matter which way you turn. Eureka Springs is right next door, after all. Home to shopping, dining, museums, live entertainment and, yes, plenty of natural attractions, too. Things like Pivot Rock Park and Natural Bridge!

Pivot Rock Park & Natural Bridge

Pivot Rock Park is located a few miles north of Eureka Springs, just off of Highway 62 West, at 1708 Pivot Rock Road. This is, as I mentioned above, just a short and scenic drive from Sugar Ridge Resort.

The park, a small and historic roadside attraction, is full of small caves, deep gullies, and strange, stacked rock formations. In fact, the area is so unique that it was once featured in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. Legend has it the area also once served as hideout for Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang. That’s such a common claim around these parts, however, that you can very much take the claim with a grain of salt.

Visitors to the park pay a small fee to enter and explore at their own pace. Pivot Rock and the Natural Bridge formations are reached via a short hike on a paved trail, through a nicely wooded area.

Natural Bridge at Pivot Rock Park

Natural Bridge is the first big attraction along the trail, found jutting up from the rugged hillside. The trail allows you to view this curious and weathered stone arch from all sides. It really does look like just a bridge, albeit from some fantasy illustration.

Pivot Rock is next along the trail and impossible to miss. The naturally formed, 12 foot tall, upside down, pyramid-shaped rock looks to be balancing on its tip. The top is about ten feet wide, yet the base only around a foot thick! Ripley’s billed it as the largest freestanding rock formation with a base ten times smaller than its top. You’d think it would fall right over but it’s really very stable and the perfect subject for fun photos.

Pivot Rock Park is open March to October, 10am to 5pm, everyday but Thursday. Learn more about the park by visiting it on Facebook.

Those looking to spend a little more time in the area should consider a stop by the stunningly beautiful Thorncrown Chapel, just 10 minutes from Pivot Rock at 12968 US-62, Eureka Springs, AR.

Then it’s just a short hop back to your digs at Sugar Ridge Resort. Perfect!

Categories

Archives