Kings River Nature Trail Dedication Set for Nov. 3

First posted on 10-20-2010

One of the state’s newest nature trails will be dedicated on Nov. 3. The Kings River Overlook Nature Trail offers a birds-eye view of the beautiful, clear mountain stream. The trail is located on McIlroy Madison County Wildlife Management Area in northwestern Arkansas. The dedication will take place at 1 p.m.

The area is home to canyons, bluffs and waterfalls. Fall is a wonderful time to take in the changing colors of the area’s leaves. The one-mile, out-and-back hike along the bluff is a level, moderate hike. However, as with any excursions in the rugged Ozark Mountains, exercise caution when traveling along these high bluffs.

The Kings River is a wintering habitat for bald eagles, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Watchable Wildlife Coordinator Kirsten Bartow says. “The spring of the year offers opportunity to view flowering dogwoods and azaleas as well as migrating songbirds,” Bartlow said. “The Kings is an exceptional smallmouth bass fishery so be sure to wet your line while in the area and check in with a local outfitters who can set you up for some family, friendly floating on the mountain stream,” she added.

McIlroy Madison County Wildlife Management Area covers more than 14,000 acres of steep Ozark Mountain terrain. The AGFC manages the area, including streams that flow into the Kings River along the WMA’s eastern border. The river winds its way north about 90 miles to the White River, which flows into Missouri’s Table Rock Lake. The upper part of the Kings carves through sandstone, shale and limestone, and provides seasonal whitewater excitement for paddlers. The lower stretches provide year-round floating with deep pools, occasional rapids and several large bluffs.

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