The Natural State of Arkansas:

Mountain View, AR...

Mountain View is the heart of the Ozark Folk Arts.  Bluegrass, gospel, traditional hill music, and folk music ring throughout the town almost every weekend evening from the impromptu musical groups that forms at the courthouse.  It is home to the Ozark Folk Center, Crafts Village, and the Ozark Folk Festival.  Tourism is seasonal in Mountain View, running from April through October, and it is desirable to visit during this time because so are many of the attractions.

Hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities, however, are outstanding without all the distractions of the high tourism season.  The White River, Sylamore National Forest, and Blanchard Springs are all nearby, and have all the greenspace that a person desires

This packet is broken down into activities in Mountain View and other surrounding towns, and outdoor activities.  Remember most activities and attractions in the towns will be seasonal, so check before you go.

Two resources that are helpful for this area are, The Ozark Gateway Tourist Council, contact at (800) 264-0316 and www.gateway@ozarkgateway.com. The Mountain View Chamber of Commerce website is www.mtnviewcc.org.

Folk Arts

Ozark Folk Center is the only park in America dedicated to preserving Southern mountain folkways and music.  Learn of traditional pioneer skills, blacksmithing, quilting, and other crafts.  Live music in season, and there are lodging facilities available.  Located off Hwy 5-9-14.  Contact them at (870)269-3851, or at www.ozarkfolkcenter.com.

Stone County Courthouse Square is a gathering place for folk musicians to gather weekend nights throughout the tourist season.  Bring a blanket and listen or participate in the music.  It is very informal and the best contact would be the City of Mountain View.

Shopping

Mountain View has numerous antique stores, craft, and gift shops.  Mountain View is also a great place to shop for furniture.  The shopping district is centered around the county courthouse.  The Chamber of Commerce website is the best contact, www.mntviewcc.org.

Shows

Cash's White River Hoedown is a country music show that is family-friendly.  It is located on Hwy 5-9-14.  For information and tickets call (800) 759-6474.  No website is available.

Brickshy's Backstreet Theater is a country variety show with family comedy every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from April through early December.  Contact them at (870) 269-3354, or www.mntviewar-riverratband.com.

Jimmy Driftwood's Barn plays bluegrass music Friday and Sunday.  Contact them at (870) 269-4578.

Lodging

Dry Creek Lodge is located at the Ozark Folk Center State Park.  Information is available at www.ozarkfolkcenter.com, and (800)264-3655.

Jack's Fishing Resort is just north of town and is located on the White River.  Contact them at (870) 585-2211, or at www.jacksresort.com.

Redbud Inn is in Mountain View has cable TV, swimming pool, and is walking distance of most of the attractions.  Contact them at (870) 269-4375.

Calico Rock

Calico Rock is a small town north of Mountain View, and the scenery on the drive alone is worth the investment of time.  Calico was a railroad town that is now famous for its trout fishing on the White River.  Main Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in America.  There is a train that runs along the White River that you can take a sight seeing on, and in the fall the foliage is incredible.

The are shops along Main Street and Don Quixote's Gourmet Restaurant is outstanding.  An afternoon trip to Calico for shopping, then dinner at Quixotes, and a watching a sunset off the calico bluff will not disappoint.

Outdoor Recreation

There is no way to list all you can do in this area in the outdoors, but White River trout fishing is the definite highlight.  There are numerous trails in the Sylamore Forest for hiking and horseback riding.  There is quite a bit of public land in the area for hunting, also.  You can explore caves, see caverns, and shoot photographs for days on end and never see the same scenery twice. 

White River

Trout Fishing

Trout fishing on the White River is incredible.  On low water you can wade, on high water you need a boat.  There are rentals available in the area at all the Trout Docks and Lodges.  Fly-fishing is very good on low water, and can be too easy.  On high water a spinning rig is needed.  Worms, eggs, jerkbaits and spoons all work well.  All of the docks are free with information about what is the hot bait/fly at various times.

  For fly-fishing try the Optimus access.  Miles of riverside access and low pressure most of the year.  Buggers and nymphs (really, any nymph size 12-18) will produce fish on low water.  When wading you must watch the water levels.  Generation from upstream dams will cause the river to rise feet within minutes.  Several people drown each year because they forget to watch the water level. 

Horseback Riding

The Sylamore Horse Trail has the most scenic riding in the Ozarks.  There are 89.3 miles of trials available.  Trails are posted and maps are available by contacting (870) 269-3228.

Holiday Mountain Resort offers 1-4 rides on the Sylamore trails.  Contact the at (870) 585-2273.

Caving

Blanchard Springs Caverns

Blanchard Springs Caverns is the only developed cave system operated by the U.S. Forest Service.  It is truly an awesome sight, a visit to this area requires that you see Blanchard Springs.  There are three trails, on easy, and two that are strenuous.  Located 15 miles northwest of Mountain View.  It is open all year, and for more information call (888) 757-2246, or their website at www.fs.fed.us/oonf/ozark/recreation/bsc.ml.

Hiking

Sylamore Creek Trail

The Sylamore Creek Trail is very scenic, 14 miles long, and travels along a free-flowing stream that has waterfalls, natural springs, and limestone bluffs.  Located off Ark 14, north of Mountain View.  For information call (888) 757-2246.

Web updated:  July 2004; 

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