Mount Magazine State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Magazine State Park |
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Looking west from Mount Magazine's Cameron Bluff (spring 2013)
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 Mount Magazine State Park
Location in Arkansas
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| Location | Logan County, Arkansas River Valley, Arkansas, United States |
| Area | 2,234 acres (9.04 km2) |
| Established | 1998 |
| Named for | Mount Magazine |
| Website | Mount Magazine State Park |
Mount Magazine State Park is a huge park in Logan County, Arkansas. It covers about 2,234 acres of land. This park is special because it's the highest point in all of Arkansas. It's home to a peak called Signal Hill, which is part of Mossback Ridge.
People have lived on Mount Magazine since the 1850s. It became a state park in 1998 after a long process. Before that, it was part of the Ouachita National Forest and later the Ozark National Forest. Today, the park has a lodge, cabins, hiking trails, and even a place for hang gliding.
History of Mount Magazine
Native Americans used to live on Mount Magazine during certain seasons. They often settled permanently in the Arkansas River Valley nearby. In the late 1800s, the Homestead Acts allowed new settlers to move onto the mountain. A school called Summer Home School opened there. The nearby town of Magazine was officially mapped out in 1900.
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, many settlers had to leave the mountain. The government bought all the private land there in 1934. In 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave the land to the U.S. Forest Service.
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) started building a large 27-room lodge in 1939. In 1941, the area became part of the Ozark National Forest. The WPA and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) also built a road to the mountain. This road is now known as the Mount Magazine Scenic Byway. They also created trails, two dams for Cove Lake and Spring Lake, and an outdoor theater.
Sadly, the Mount Magazine Lodge burned down completely in 1971. After the lodge was gone, fewer tourists visited the mountain. But in the 1980s, new plans began to create a state park. In 1983, a law allowed Arkansas State Parks to start this process. Finally, in 1998, Mount Magazine officially opened as a state park.
Fun Activities at the Park
Mount Magazine State Park offers many exciting things to do. When you arrive, you can visit the visitors center. It has cool exhibits and a gift shop.
If you like camping, there are two great campsites for RVs. There are also 16 campsites just for tents. You can rent a large picnic area for groups or use the free picnic tables and grills.
- Hiking and Horseback Riding*
The park has many trails for hiking and horseback riding. These trails wind through the beautiful wooded areas.
- Biking*
Cycling is allowed all over the park. All the paved roads have special lanes for bikes. There are also bike trails like the Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail and the Will Apple's Road Trail.
- Fishing and Swimming*
You can go fishing in Blue Mountain Lake, Cove Lake, and Spring Lake. These lakes have fish like bream, catfish, and largemouth bass. You can also swim for free in these lakes. Cedar Piney Lake is also good for fishing, but swimming is not allowed there.
- Adventure Sports*
For those who love adventure, the park offers more! You can go ATV riding, backpacking, hang gliding, mountain biking, rappelling, and rock climbing.
- Butterflies and Wildlife*
Mount Magazine is a special place for butterflies. The park hosts an annual Mount Magazine International Butterfly Festival. Many rare butterfly species live here because of the unique altitude and temperature. The state butterfly, the Diana fritillary, is found mostly in this area.
The mountain is also home to many animals. You might see black bears, whitetail deer, bobcats, and coyotes.
The Lodge at Mount Magazine
In 2006, a beautiful new lodge and 13 cabins opened at Mount Magazine. The Lodge at Mount Magazine is very large, about 66,617 square feet. It has a rustic style, meaning it looks natural and cozy.
The lodge has 60 guest rooms, a big lobby, and a conference center. There's also a business center, an indoor swimming pool, and a fitness center. Every guest room has amazing panoramic views of the scenery. The Skycrest Restaurant inside the lodge serves traditional Southern food. It has a two-story fireplace and offers views of the Petit Jean River Valley and Blue Mountain Lake.
