The Nature Conservancy office in Fayetteville just announced that they have purchased 4,557 acres of land along seven miles of the Kings River in Carroll County in Arkansas and will maintain it not only to protect the important wildlife species within, but also as a protected scenic corridor and public access - and they stress for DAY USE only. This has always been a great floating/fishing stream, but since it was all private property there were many issues and threats. Water pollution from runoff will remain a big concern, but at least the river corridor itself is now protected - AND public access will be allowed.
FYI - the famous Kings River Falls Natural Area (owned by the state of Arkansas) is located in the headwaters/southern section of this river - this new nature preserve is on the northern/downstream end of the river and the two areas are not connected.
That's great news, I think. I hope the day use only part does not apply to boaters camping on gravel bars! Is this between Marshall Ford and Rockhouse?
NO camping inside the preserve, including on the gravel bars. Looks like it begins just downstream/north of the Rockhouse access. Looks like Hwy. 221 splits the area, with about half being upstream and half downstream of that.
By the way, they are putting gravel on the entrance road into Smith Creek - getting ready for all of the photographers I guess!
What, no camping on the gravel bars? While I usually don't go below Rockhouse, I know there are many people that do. There are going to be lots of unhappy campers!
Once again this makes it tough for some of us who like to camp overnight to be close to a scenic spot in the early morning light. Maybe I will get some of that new gravel in my truck tires this weekend. I think I may be able to sneak away for a mornings shoot.
I don't think this is anything new - the river has ALWAYS been private property and it has always been illegal to camp unless you have the permission of the property owner, correct?
I think you're right Tim. But since much the area is so remote and sparsely populated, I don't think anyone ever really enforced it. There are a couple of exceptions I know of, but for the most part, nobody has ever seemed to care much. The owners would probably appreciate the courtesy of folks asking.
Speaking of landowners, I noticed your honeymoon place on Cave Mountain Rd. has a census packet hanging on the door. How many raccoons, possums, and squirrels do you think live there?
Someone must have been at home at her place since it was removed - I would like to know how many of those critters live there too! I saw census packets hanging on fence posts all over the county - even when there was no building of any kind in sight! Our government is spending 300 MILLION tax dollars for ADVERTISING just to tell people to fill out the damn things - is it possible to have a more absurd government in place?
Wait, there's more. If you don't mail the form in, they're gonna come knocking on your door. Wonder how many fence posts are going to be checked, and how much THAT will cost us!
I got the letter telling me I was going to receive my census form, and I got the letter telling me that I should have received my census form. But I never got the actual census form. It must be up on Cave Mountain somewhere. I guess I better find one to fill out out so they don't come knockin on my door. I agree the government spending is way out of control.
Discussion
9 repliesFYI - the famous Kings River Falls Natural Area (owned by the state of Arkansas) is located in the headwaters/southern section of this river - this new nature preserve is on the northern/downstream end of the river and the two areas are not connected.
By the way, they are putting gravel on the entrance road into Smith Creek - getting ready for all of the photographers I guess!
Speaking of landowners, I noticed your honeymoon place on Cave Mountain Rd. has a census packet hanging on the door. How many raccoons, possums, and squirrels do you think live there?