**To keep up to date with any park changes, alerts and to plan your ARKANSAS STATE PARK GETAWAY go to the official Arkansas State Park website by clicking HERE. This is an advertisement only. **
This park-natural area stretches for 12 miles along the wild and scenic Cossatot River. Long recognized as Arkansas’s premier whitewater experience, the Cossatot is renowned as the best whitewater float stream in mid-America. Located in southwest Arkansas south of Mena, the Cossatot forms Cossatot Falls. This is a rugged and rocky canyon that challenges the most experienced canoeists and kayakers with its Class IV and V rapids.
HIGH WATER
When the water is high, the paddlers are here. This National Wild and Scenic River is a watershed basin, therefore flow levels are dependent on rainfall. After significant precipitation, the river level rises, therefore, allowing experienced paddlers the opportunity to test their skills in challenging whitewater. In the river’s Cossatot Falls area with its distinct ledges, the river drops 33 feet in elevation within 1/3 of a mile. Floatable river levels are usually limited to late-fall, winter and spring. Late winter to early spring is peak whitewater paddling season here. Class III-V whitewater is for experts only. For river stage information (in feet) from the Ark. 246 access, call 870-387-3141.You can also visit the U.S. Geological Survey website for Cossatot River real time data at: waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07340300.
Since flow levels are dependent upon rainfall, no floater services are provided on the Cossatot River. When the water level is normal, the river’s rapids are usually considered Class II-III whitewater. Outdoor enthusiasts can swim, fish and float through riffles and small rapids, from pool to pool, as they relax and enjoy the Cossatot.
The park’s Brushy Creek Recreation Area at the Highway 246 bridge offers day-use facilities. These include picnic sites, a nature trail, restrooms, as well as, river access. A walkway high above the river provides barrier-free access on the west side.
Seven tent sites with no hookups are available at the Cossatot Falls Area. The Sandbar Area has 14 sites, and the Ed Banks Area has one site. Undeveloped camping space is available at the U.S. 278 Area. Primitive group camping (tents only) is also available at the park’s River Ridge Group Camp.
HIKING
For hiking enthusiasts, the park features the 14-mile River Corridor Trail and the 3.5-mile Harris Creek Trail.
The park includes a 15,000-square-foot visitor information and education center on U.S. 278 east of Wickes where the highway crosses the Cossatot. The $2.7 million facility was funded by Amendment 75, Arkansas’s Conservation Amendment. The center features a large exhibit gallery, two classroom/lab rooms, a wildlife viewing area, gift shop, as well as, park administrative offices. Explore the interpretive exhibits that share the story of “The Cossatot. A River for All Seasons”, the focus is on the river’s ecology. Three information kiosks also provide information about the Cossatot River and the park-natural area, as well as, other parks and museums in Arkansas’s state park system.
Interpretive programs and workshops are offered in the park throughout the year. These tell of the geology, flora, and fauna here in this remote and protected river corridor. Special interpretive programs include guided kayak tours, as well as, snorkeling tours.
Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area is 5,401 acres. The emphasis is on outdoor recreation, river preservation, along with environmental education. The park is managed by Arkansas State Parks along with the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.
GETTING THERE
Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area is south of Mena. The northern route to the park is via Ark. 246 between Vandervoort and Athens. The southern route is via U.S. 278 between Wickes and Umpire. Weyerhaeuser Company roads provide river access.
The U.S. Geological Survey offers river flow and level information at their Cossatot River site.
Free stream maps and information are available by calling 501-682-7777 or visiting www.Arkansas.com.
PARK HOURS & FEES
Contact Park
PARK PHONE
870-385-2201
PARK ADDRESS
1980 Highway 278 West
Wickes, AR 71973
cossatotriver@arkansas.com
GPS: 34.294231, -94.17741
For more information about this state park click HERE.
Have you visited this state park? If so, please leave a comment. Thanks.
BREATHE LIFE!
Leave a Reply