Beaver Lake ~ Photo Courtesy Arkansas Dept of Parks and Tourism
Why do outdoor enthusiasts love Rogers Arkansas?
The stunningly beautiful countryside and abundant lakes around the Rogers-Lowell area are filled with terrific opportunities for everyone to have fun, regardless of his or her age. Located in the spectacular Ozark Mountains, it’s an ideal place to get up close and personal to nature.
Whether you just want to kick back and relax around a crackling campfire, angle for some of the biggest bass in the region, or go water skiing, you can find it all and so much more in the Rogers area on and around Beaver Lake.
Beautiful Beaver Lake, only a few short minutes from Rogers, with its 28,200 surface acres of water is renowned for its varied fishing opportunities. You can find Blue, Channel and Flathead Catfish; Bluegill; Bream; Redear Sunfish; Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, Striped, Hybrid and White Bass; Warmouth; and Trout. If you are a competitive fisherman or fisherwoman, the lake is also home to several different amateur and professional fishing tournaments. Guides are available, such as E & C Striper Guide at (479) 631-3858 / StriperGuides.net. Cabela’s at 2300 Promenade Blvd in Rogers can fix you up with any equipment you need. Yes, this NWA area does have its own Cabela’s and the number is (479) 616-1925.
In addition to fishing, the lake’s sparkling blue water is an ideal place to enjoy boating, water skiing, scuba diving, swimming, kayaking, sailing, and wakeboarding. There are many boat launch ramps around the lake and many of the marinas are open year-round.
The U. S Army Corps of Engineers is a good place to find a spectacular Beaver Lake campsite. It manages 11 parks and operates 650 campsites with electrical hookups around the 450 miles of gorgeous lake shoreline. Booking a camping site is easy, contact the Corps of Engineers at (479) 636-1210, or go online to Recreation.gov to check for campsite availability.
There are also several private campgrounds in the area, which can be contacted by calling the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce at (479) 636-1240 or by going online at RogersLowell.com to check for private campsite availability.
Other outdoor activities include NWA’s hiking and biking trails. The newly created Railyard Bike Park in Rogers located close to Lake Atalana Park and is great for all levels of riders. The Razorback Greenway is a picturesque 36-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail that stretches from Bentonville in the North to Fayettteville in the South, connecting communities and points of interest along the way. Also near Rogers, is the popular, scenic Pigeon Roost Trail, an 8.4-mile loop trail, which is located within the 12,056-acre Hobbs State Park.
For a shorter, less strenuous trail, try the Shaddox Hollow Trail, a 1.5-mile jaunt overlooking Beaver Lake and going through narrow hollows, up along ridges, and through stands of hardwoods, pines and typical Ozark vegetation. In winter, you may be lucky enough to see one of the many Bald Eagles that make the Beaver Lake area home. For a shorter handicapped accessible trail, take the Van Winkle Hollow trail.
Before using any of the trails, make a visit to the Hobbs State Park Conservation Area Visitor’s Center located just off Hwy 12. At the center, you can view an introductory film and play with interactive kiosks that explain the park’s history, geology, caves and wildlife. Call (479) 789-5000 or go online to the Hobbs State Park Conservation Area Visitors Center website.
If spelunking is the outdoor activity that excites you, head on over to War Eagle Cavern off scenic Hwy 12 and take the 60-minute guided tour. You can access the cave via car, boat or R.V. Storytelling guides take you straight into the mountain through its large natural entrance. The cave features wide walkways with no tight places or stairs. Call (479) 789-2909 for detailed directions and information.
Traveling with children? Rogers has many city parks offering a variety of outdoor activities. Of particular note are the Rogers Skate Park and the Rogers Aquatics Center located at 1707 S 26th Street in Rogers. Call (479) 631-3350 or feel free to email the Parks Department at parks@rogersarkansas.com for more detailed information. Generally speaking, however, children 3 and under can splash away in smaller pools, and older children can enjoy swimming, the racing slides, bowl slide, lazy river and rock climbing. Passes are available for both residents and non-residents.
For more information regarding Rogers, be sure to check out Visit Rogers located at 317 W. Walnut Street.
