During this time of year, the Ozarks are still filled with many fall colors thanks to the dense forests filled with leaves that have changed. It’s a great place to take a road trip and see the mountains nearby, the beautiful streams and abundant wildlife. When driving through the Ozarks it’s best to go in a counterclockwise direction that goes from Eureka Springs, to the Buffalo River, to Mountain View, Blanchard Springs Caverns and then looping back to Eureka Springs.
Eureka Springs
This funky little town has an eclectic feel. It features old Victorian architecture that includes everything from wrought-iron balconies to houses that look like they came straight out of a magazine. This is a popular place for musicians and artists to visit. Impressive sights include the Thorncrown Chapel that is made out of glass and wood and the 1886 Crescent Hotel that is perched on the mountaintop.
Buffalo National River
After visiting Eureka Springs it’s best to head over to Buffalo National River. Located just past the village of Kingston, this area encompasses 94,293 acres which are protected by the National Park Service. It consists of hundreds of miles of trails to hike, large bluffs and thick woods. Nearby is Lost Valley that has a mile-long trail that leads to a cave where Native American were once sheltered.
Jasper
Jasper is a small little town beyond Buffalo National River that features a quaint little eatery. The Ozark Café is around 100 years old and southern favorites like pecan pie and chicken fried steak. Visitors generally like to stop at the Triple Oak Craft Shop as well to see a basket made out of strips of oak. What’s interesting isn’t really the actual basket, but the speed at which it’s made.
Mountain View
This town’s name is quite fitting with views of the nearby mountain. Don’t let this sleepy town fool you as it can get quite lively on a Saturday evening with a variety of musical performances on the courthouse square. Even storefronts and the porches of houses become stages to accommodate the many musicians. In the evening there is a giant fire lit and banjo and fiddle music playing in the background.
Blanchard Springs Caverns
Before looping back to Eureka Springs, you must stop at Blanchard Springs Caverns. It features an impressive cave system and the U.S. Forest Service gives three different types of tours that are very educational and popular among visitors. These tours include the Dripstone Trail, the Wild Cave Tour and the Discovery Tour. Of the three tours the most adventurous one is the Wild Cave Tour where participants get to visit some undeveloped sections of the caverns which means that they will have to get down and crawl through it at some points.
If you are thinking about visiting the Ozarks, the best time to see it is from April through the beginning of November. Throughout the winter months the area usually gets a lot of snow and whether conditions aren’t always favorable to drive through the area and stop at some of the sites listed above.
