Chapter 19 - Lake Catherine State Park - Arkansas

Chapter 19

LAKE CATHERINE STATE PARK OF THE GREAT STATE OF ARKANSAS 

So through the last few chapters of this great journey through the states people don't believe are great to travel to, we've covered the state parks of Kansas and even Iowa.

And apparently Arkansas didn't want to be left out.

Earlier this week I received a HUGE package of booklets of such things as state parks, things to do, as well as a state map of the great state of Arkansas.

Tonight as I sit here contemplating life in a general sense of dread, I decided to dive into researching the state parks of the Arkansas!!!

Tonight's park was randomly picked from the map (actually, I just liked the name!!) and lets begin where we usually begin.

"Stealing information and pictures from Google?"

You know me too well!!

STOLEN FROM: https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/lake-catherine-state-park

This peaceful park is located on Lake Catherine, one of five lakes in the beautiful Ouachita Mountain region. The only full-service marina on the lake is here at the park and open in the summertime for bait, snacks/drinks, and fuel. Boat rentals are available year-round. The park also includes a launch ramp, pavilion, picnic sites, playgrounds, and a well-marked trail that leads to a waterfall.

The park has 20 fully equipped cabins, including one two-bedroom cabin with a patio overlooking the water and private access to the lake from its own fishing pier.
There are also many native stone and wood buildings on-site. The history of these structures dates back to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s.
The park offers 70 campsites (47 Class AAA and 23 Class B), six primitive tent sites, one Rent-A-Camp, and one Rent-A-Yurt. Many of these sites are on the lakeshore.
Park interpreters offer hikes, lake tours, and programs year-round. Guided horseback rides are offered seasonally.

Note to the reader - on the above site, you can reserve said cabins, which would make for a fun family getaway or a retreat from the wife and kids, whichever floats the boat.

STRAIGHT FROM THE GOOGLE ----

2,240-acre lake park offering fishing, boating & hiking, plus waterfront cabins built in the 1930s.
Address: 1200 Catherine Park Rd, Hot Springs, AR 71913

THE TOP THINGS TO DO NEAR LAKE CATHERINE STATE PARK ---- Thanks Trip Adviser!!!

From zip lines to beautiful gardens and chapels, everything is within a short distance of Lake Catherine State Park, so grab the kids, the spouse, the dog, the cat and what the hell, the pigeon and come on down.

Till next time, I'll see you on the road!

Chapter 18 - Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - Iowa State Parks

Chapter 18

 - Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - Iowa State Parks

We decided in a rush of a judgement to move away from Kansas state parks to the great state of Iowa.

"Why???"

Why not I say!!! Where else you want to go? Cleveland?

"Maybe!!"

Maybe next time, but for now, we're in the land of Brushy Creek State Recreation Area!!!

INFORMATION STOLEN FROM: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/ParkDetails/ParkID/610108

Brushy Creek State Recreation Area 2802 Brushy Creek Road Lehigh, IA 50557 ph. 515-543-8298 fax: 515-843-8395 Brushy_Creek@dnr.iowa.gov

Above leads to a site with great information about the area along with information about trail closures, facilities and closures of such(winter time closures include the rest rooms and such! Big surprise!!!)

So go check them out for more information that will be vital in your travels into the area (Iowa actually has a lot of state parks that we will explore in due time!!!)

INFORMATION STOLEN FROM: https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/brushy-creek-state-recreation-area/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=IA&parkId=610108

Brushy Creek is one of Iowa's premier outdoor recreation destinations. At 6,500 acres, it has the largest tracts of public recreation land with a mosaic of native prairie, grassland, timber, riparian and lake habitats. The 690-acre lake is the deepest artificial permanent pool lake in Iowa and has an extensive network of trails. Join our interpreter in the summer for nature-related programs and hikes. Each spring, the park hosts a geo-caching event and fishing derby for kids. Program event details are posted at the campground kiosks.

Recreation: 

Lake ActivitiesFishing is a popular activity at Brushy Creek. The lake has 21 miles of shoreline with four boat ramps and eight fishing jetties. A universally accessible fishing pier is located on the west side of the lake. Anglers can try their luck fishing for bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye or muskellunge. The creek and the Des Moines River have always provided not only scenic beauty, but also a challenge to the angler with smallmouth bass and panfish as favorite catches. Brushy Creek is a "no-wake" lake. There is no restriction on motor size. A large sandy beach is located on the west side of the lake. Swimming is allowed at the designated beach area only. 

TrailsWith approximately 35 miles of multi-use trails, there are trail activities for everyone including horseback riding, hiking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and mountain biking. There is a 12 mile gravel trail around Brushy Creek Lake that is open in all weather conditions. A map of these multi-use trails is on display at the information kiosk located in all campground kiosks, the south day-use area, and at the park office. 

HuntingHunting is one of the most popular activities at Brushy Creek. Every year, hunters pursue a variety of game species ranging from pheasants, quail, rabbits and squirrels to white-tailed deer and wild turkeys. A number of designated parking areas are located throughout Brushy Creek to provide convenient access for the hunter.

Facilities:

Picnicking/SheltersBrushy Creek is a great place for picnics and large gatherings. Picnic areas are located throughout the park and offer tables and fire grills. There are three open shelters and four beach cabanas that can be reserved online.

Equestrian CampingEquestrian users can enjoy one of the most modern camp facilities in the Midwest. The north equestrian campground has a modern shower and restroom, electric and non-electric sites, horse wash area, shade is available at some campsites, a substantial hitch rail at every site (users are required to tie animals to rails) and a 100 ft by 200 ft arena. Water hydrants with potable water are available, as are picnic tables, grills, and a playground.
The south equestrian campground has a modern shower and restroom, electric and non-electric sites along with some full hookup sites (water and sewer), a playground, horse wash area, ample shade, and a hitch rail at every site. 

Non-Equestrian CampingThe non-equestrian campground has electric, non-electric, and full hookup sites (water and sewer).  

Day Use AreasThere are two large day-use areas, one located adjacent to the north equestrian campground and one just west of the south equestrian campground. Day users, including equestrians, are encouraged to use these areas at no charge for the day. Facilities include year round pit latrines.  

Shooting RangeTwo gun ranges are located at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area. The target range (paper targets only) is south of the park office on Brushy Creek Road approximately 1/4 mile north of County Rd D46. The clay target range is located off of Taylor Ave. just south of Hwy 20 and west of County Road P73. 

And a video for good luck!!!

Till next time, see you on the road!!!!

Chapter 17 - Tuttle Creek State Park - Kansas State Park Again??

CHAPTER 17

TUTTLE CREEK STATE PARK - KANSAS STATE PARK AGAIN?

Another Kansas State Park and why not I say, it's a good time to plan your summer vacation and what says VACATION like a trip to a state park?

"But Kansas?"

Kansas is for lovers!! 

Lets dive in.

"You're just going to steal information from Google searches aren't?"

You've been with me for awhile in this endeavor, what do you think?

"Lets begin shall we?"

From the Google site itself!

Reservoir park offering everything from golf, horse trails, archery, swimming & fishing to camping.
Address: 5800 River Pond Rd A, Manhattan, KS 66502

 STOLEN FROM ----- https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations/Tuttle-Creek

Four units (River Pond, Cedar Ridge, Fancy Creek and Randolph) make up the 1,200 - acre park. Electric and water hookups, a swimming beach, boat ramps, courtesy docks, and dump stations are available. Campgrounds contain 159 water/electric campsites, 8 electric/water/sewer campsites, 24 electric-only campsites, 20 electric sites with community water at the Randolph Area horse campground and 500 primitive campsites.

Eleven cabins are offered at Tuttle Creek State Park. Each cabin offers a full kitchen with basic pots and pans, table service for six, a full bathroom, heating, A/C, picnic tables, grill and fire-ring. Reservations can be made by contacting the park office or online.

Numerous nature trails, a mountain biking trail, and a scenic equestrian trail offer explorers a variety of routes to experience the aesthetic Flint Hills environment. Scenic picnic areas, an 18-hole disc golf course, volleyball courts, horse shoe pits, and conveniently placed restroom and shower facilities accommodate park visitors. The state-of-the-art Fancy Creek Shooting Range is open the first and third full weekends of each month. The Luke Nihart archery range is at River Pond Area and open daylight hours. Archers provide their own equipment. The River Pond Area has a swimming beach.

Excellent channel cat and flathead fishing is available in the lake and in the river above and below the lake. Fair numbers of bass are caught near standing timber and brush piles, and saugeye can be taken off the face of the dam as well as in the river below. During the Spring there is ample opportunity to catch master angler white bass and crappie. Trout are stocked in Willow Lake during the Fall and Winter. The 12,000-acre wildlife area adjacent to the park offers excellent hunting and wildlife watching opportunities.

Tuttle Creek Lake is situated in the beautiful Flint Hills region of Kansas. The lake is the second largest in the state offering 12,000 acres of water and 100 miles of irregular wooded shoreline. Tuttle Creek Lake, being the key unit of flood control projects within the Kansas River Basin, may swell to 54,000 acres. KDWPT also manages 12,200 acres of land on the north end of the lake for wildlife benefit. In addition to permanent habitat enhancement, KDWPT provides 3,220 acres of cropland for winter food. Because of the flooding, area management will focus on enhancing wetland habitat. 480 acres of constructed wetlands provide food and shelter to migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. Other species managed for include white-tailed deer, turkey, quail, pheasants, squirrels and doves.

Construction by the Army Corps of Engineers began in the late 1950's and the reservoir was completed and filled in 1963. License to manage 11,800 acres for wildlife management was granted in 1964. The license was amended in 1965 to include a total of 12,030 acres. KDWPT has obtained fee title to 170 acres of land not contiguous with the reservoir property. That makes the total license property 12,200 acres of land.

A short video from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Park and Tourism talking about Tuttle Creek State Park ----

Doesn't that sound like fun? 

"It kinda does!!!"

So we'll see you there!! And have a nice trip!! Till next time, see you out on the road to the unexpected!!!!!!

Phone: (785) 539-7941

Chapter 16 - Another Kansas State Park - Lovewell State Park

Chapter 16

Another Kansas State Park - Lovewell State Park

Another state park in Kansas?

I say why not as we dive into another randomly picked state park from the travel guides I received a few weeks ago.

WELCOME TO LOVEWELL STATE PARK!!!

We hit the Google Search for facts, figures and some pics so you, my 12 readers, don't have to.

Ain't I nice?

I am, I really am!!

AS STOLEN FROM:https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations/Lovewell


Lovewell State Park in northcentral Kansas is a haven for outdoor lovers who look for variety in their vacations. Just 18 miles northeast of Mankato on US Hwy. 14, Lovewell offers a blend of camping, fishing, wildlife watching, and special events. You’ll discover plenty of variety in the day-use areas. A historic limestone schoolhouse hosts summer church services every Sunday. A seven-station, 14-target archery range is located north of the Cottonwood shower building. Pioneer Day-use area activities include a playground, sand volleyball, disc golf course, and horseshoes. Two basketball goals are located west of the marina, The Southwinds swimming beach offers both sun and shade. Picnic facilities are available throughout the day-use areas, as well as two large group shelters that can be reserved.

Lovewell is popular with campers. The area offers excellent shade and provides utility hookup sites including freeze-proof water and sewer hookups at designated sites, long-term sites, improved primitive sites, primitive camping area, and five rustic and four deluxe Camping Cabins. Designated electrical sites may be reserved; Buffalo and Walleye Point primitive camp areas are reservable for camping groups. Four shower-toilet buildings, two vault toilets, and two trailer dump stations are centrally located in the park. A year-round unisex shower and restroom facility is also available at the park maintenance building.

Lovewell is for people who love water. The south shore’s high bluffs block the summer winds and help calm the waters. You’ll find a full-service marina with double-lane boat ramp and daily or season boat slip rental. Lovewell Marina serves a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu from April to September, and boasts the best barbecue around!! Also available is a double lane boat ramp at Cedar Point, with floating breakwater structures to calm the water for loading and unloading ease. This boat ramp can also be used at any water level. Two lighted fish cleaning stations (with outlets for your electric fillet knives) are also available.

Course, what would a chapter be without the Google snap shot and review clip!!!

"A shorter blog?"

Shaddup!!!

Lovewell State Park is a state park in Jewell County, Kansas, United States. It is located near the city of Webber. Established in 1967, the 1,160-acre state park features utility camping, cabins and a beach. The park has access to Lovewell Reservoir. WikipediaAddress: 2446 250 Rd, Webber, KS 66970
Established: 1967
Phone: (785) 753-4971
Management: Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

And here's a video from the folks at the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

Looks like a great place to hang out, maybe hide a body or ten, and just relax.

Till next time, I'll see you ON THE ROAD!!!

Chapter 15 - Prairie Dog State Park

CHAPTER 15 - Prairie Dog State Park

The other day I recieved a travel package from the great state of Kansas, so it sparked my interest in continuing to write once more in the traveler's guide.

I opened up the State Parks Guide (there's quite a few guides included in this travel pack, so expect some runs into Kansas in the next few chapters!) and hit some random page, that page --- Prairie Dog State Park!!Th

As with most of these guides, I cruise the Net and steal the information, in the true American way of publishing (but I nice, I give the source, cause I nice that way!)

I sit here drinking my coffee and cruise the Net, looking at all the cool details of this park; couple of primitive camp sites, some modern cabins for those of you who like to pretend you're roughing it by bringing generic toilet paper and not the Macy's toilet paper! ;)

There's wild life to see ---owls, coyotes, turkey, water fowl, bald eagles, golden eagles, and of course the prairie dog. 

Some of these are seasonal.

There's fish to catch from the large mouth bass to channel cat fish.

Location: GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
39.81278, -99.96389
39°48'46"N, 99°57'50"W

From Norton, Kansas, the park is located four miles west on Highway 36 and one mile south on Highway 261.

Mailing Address:

Prairie Dog State Park
13037 State Highway 261 P.O. Box 431
Norton  KS  67654

Phone Number:

Information:  (785)877-2953

Stolen from ---- https://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/prairie-dog-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=KS&parkId=519130

Description: 

A prime place to experience the shortgrass prairies of western Kansas, Prairie Dog State Park occupies 1,150 acres on the shores of Keith Sebelius Reservoir in Norton County. The park is home to a thriving prairie dog colony and is the site of the last remaining adobe house in Kansas. The renovated adobe house was built on the site in the early 1890's.

Campsites at Prairie Dog include 4 reservable cabins (two modern and two primitive), 67 electric/water sites, 12 electric-only sites, and more than 130 primitive sites. Shower and restroom facilities are conveniently located, as are two RV dump stations. A 1.4- mile nature trail complete with interpretive signage is a great way to explore the park and observe wildlife.

Historical interpretation is a hallmark of this park. Two vintage 19th century buildings are preserved here, including a one room school and renovated adobe house. Sebelius Reservoir is well known for its excellent fishing opportunities. In recent years, anglers have found productive fishing for black bass, walleye, wiper, crappie, catfish and saugeye.

---More information!!!!  Go to http://www.naturalkansas.org/prairie.htm 

Prairie Dog State Park and Norton Wildlife Area are located around Keith Sebelius Reservoir. The lake is an impoundment of Prairie Dog Creek, which flows through the rolling mixed grass prairie of the High Plains. Drive south of the park office and over the railroad gorge to reach the sizable prairie dog town. The black-tailed prairie dog, named for its black-tipped tail and dog-like bark, uses mounds as sentinel stations from which to watch for predators such as coyotes, prairie falcons, golden eagles, and badgers. When the burrows are no longer used by the prairie dogs they are taken over by other animals including black widow spiders, ornate box turtles, gopher snakes, and the comical burrowing owl. If you drive along the lake roads during migrations you can expect to see a great variety of waterfowl and shorebirds. On occasion, a migrant osprey can be spotted fishing the waters. Ring-necked pheasants are abundant in the surrounding wildlife area, as are deer and wild turkeys. In early summer, reptiles, including six-lined racerunners, western hognose snakes, and plains garter snakes, can be found around the rocky ridges and open grasslands of the range management area. Lots more information found here ---- https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations/Prairie-Dog

From the Wikipedia entry --- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prairie_Dog_State_Park

Prairie Dog State Park is a state park located southwest of Norton, Kansas, United

States. Located in western Kansas, the Prairie Dog State Park had no prairie dog populations living there when it was established. After multiple failed attempts at introducing the species to the park, a pair of prairie dogs entered by themselves and since then the park has been populated with over 300 prairie dogs.

Prairie Dog State Park is a 1,150-acre (470 ha) park that is located around Keith Sebelius Lake in Norton County. The last remaining adobe house is located at the Prairie Dog State Park. The renovated house was built sometime in the 1890s.