Ozark Ecotours

by the Newton County Resource Council

Ozark Ecotours is a job creation program of the Newton County Resource Council (NCRC), a nonprofit membership based community development corporation. Since 1987, NCRC has worked to improve the quality of life in Newton County while preserving and enhancing the county’s traditions, values and natural resources.

The 822 square miles of Newton County are beautiful and remote, with 7,666 residents and a history of long-term economic depression. Fifty-nine per cent of the county is federally managed as the Buffalo National River and the Ozark National Forest. The county’s 52,000 acres of wilderness constitutes over one-third of all of Arkansas wilderness. Department of Commerce 1990 figures shows the county’s per capita income adjusted for inflation is $7,483, less than 60% of the national average.

NCRC performed studies and surveys to pinpoint barriers to economic development and to determine what resources could be developed to create jobs for local people. In early 1993, NCRC committed itself to establishing the ecotourism industry in Newton County. Ecotourism is defined by The Ecotourism Society as “responsible travel to natural areas that preserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.”

Ozark Ecotours is NCRC’s nature tour company which assists Newton County residents to develop a quality tour based on the knowledge residents have of the county’s natural resources and cultural heritage. Ozark Ecotours provides liability insurance, land use permits with the Forest Service and Park Service, transportation, marketing and booking, and guide services. Ecotour sites are monitored for the accumulated impact of tourism and misuse of resources. A yearly contribution is made to the country for infrastructure support.

Ozark Ecotours offers scheduled day tours limited to 12 visitors, custom tours created around scheduled tour interests, Ozark Discoveries an education/enrichment program for youth, and Women In Nature a week-end of outdoor skills workshops. Scheduled tours begin in Jasper at 9 a.m., return around 5 p.m., and the $40.00 cost includes morning coffee and snack, a buffet lunch and an afternoon snack.

The following is a description of the Fall 1995 Ecotour Season which begins September 16th and goes through November 18th.

9/16 — Introduction to Caving: A strenuous exploration of a wild cave to learn the various aspects of speleology — geology, biology, archaeology, history, surveying, mapping, and exploring techniques. Kevin Middleton leads this tour and caving equipment is provided.

9/23 — Outlaw Gangs in Legend and Facts: An easy hike with Lou Kilgore who has been researching local outlaw lore, especially Frank James legends, for three decades. Lou merges history with mystery while traveling remote routes.

9/30 — Native American Sites: A moderately strenuous hike visiting some of the most spectacular bluff shelters of the Ozarks to learn of the cultures of the Native Americans. Guide Gene Waters has been an avid amateur archaeologist in this area for 35 years.

10/1 — Buffalo River Past & Present: An easy hike which recreates settlers heritage by visiting the Buffalo River’s oldest existing homestead, the last resting place of early pioneers, hiking to Goat Bluff, and visiting the Erbie Church. Guide Lou Kilgore traces her ancestry directly back to the county’s first settlers.

10/7 — Power Walk Along the Buffalo River: Bill Lord leads a very strenuous walk traversing one of the most scenic trails along the Buffalo River. Hikers will learn about the flora and fauna along the trail and will walk for one hour before resting at a serene or scenic sight.

10/8 — Walk on the Wild Side: A strenuous hike along the bluffs overlooking the Buffalo River guided by Marti Olesen. Before the tour participants will receive selections from American nature writers and during the tour they will discuss the value of wilderness in the American experience.

10/9 — Exploring Lost Valley: A moderate hike featuring waterfalls, a huge Indian bluff shelter, “Jigsaw Blocks” a natural bridge, and a cave with an underground waterfall. The tour is guided by Steve and Tara Keltner and ends at the towering bluffs of Steel Creek.

10/13 — Buffalo Hike with a Master Storyteller: A strenuous hike led by Jim Frey who captures the exploits of the settlers of the Ponca Wilderness area and the Upper Buffalo River Valley in his yarns. This hike is climaxed by Goat Trail to Big Bluff, where sheer cliffs tower 500 feet over the winding Buffalo River.

10/14 — Mules, Crosscut Saws, Corn & Sorghum: A strenuous hike with Lester Villines who was born at Steel Creek. “I’ve walked this part of the river before, but never saw it ‘til I went with Lester!,” said one ecotourist. Hike down Beech Creek, up the Buffalo to view Big Bluff, then visit his uncle’s cabin to view Steel Creek flowing into the Buffalo.

10/16 — Pedestal Rocks: Best Kept Secret in Arkansas: A moderate hike with views of deep crevices and spectacular vistas of the headwaters of the Illinois Bayou. Come with Vernon Rosamond to where he played as a child and then visit his home and watch him make a traditional split-oak basket.

10/21 — Forest Ecology and a Champion White Cedar: A strenuous hike with George Imrie. Visit the largest White Cedar in Arkansas as well as towering beech, climax/oak hickory and other hardwoods as you learn tree identification and the complexity of forest ecology. There is a marvelous waterfall and spectacular fall colors.

10/22 — Photography in Nature: An easy hike to the favorite photo spots of Charles Ellis who has 30 years of photography experience. Visit King’s Bluff, a spacious bluff featuring a 100 foot waterfall, Richland Creek basin and the beautiful Falling Water Falls.

10/23 — Buffalo River Wilderness Heritage Hike: A very strenuous hike with by Newton County Judge Eugene Villines. Plunge 1,400 feet into Hemmed-in-Hollow, the secluded site of the highest waterfall between the Rockies, and the Appalachians, climb upward to Goat Trail atop Big Bluff, and visit Granny Henderson’s cabin.

10/27,28,29 — Women in Nature: This trip offers three days of camping, knowledge, and the skills to feel safe and comfortable in the woods. Camp at Camp Orr with extensive trails, towering river bluffs, deer, elk, a breathtaking waterfall. Sleep in a cabin or tent and eat food cooked over a campfire. Some equipment and all food provided, price $100.

10/30 — Guided Canoe Trip On the Buffalo: Experience the Upper Buffalo Wilderness in a strenuous full day of canoeing with Larry and Marti Oleson. Learn basic safety and maneuvers for whitewater canoeing. Stop on a beach below the bluffs to listen to stories and poems about the surrounding natural beauty.

11/4 A King’s Bluff and Richland Adventure: An easy hike led by Vernon Rosamond. King’s Bluff features a 100 foot waterfall and a walk along the unique bluff line highlighted by towering pedestals and panoramic views of the Upper Illinois Bayou. Lunch at Falling Water Falls then follow Falling Water Creek until its joins Richland Creek.

11/5 — The Glories of the Forest and River is a moderate hike with by Tara and Steve Keltner. Visit seldom seen Home Bluff and view Limestone Valley from its “tea table” rocks. Follow a beautiful forest trail to the Glory Hole, a waterfall and bluff shelter with an unexpected twist. End the tour with a visit to Steel Creek.

11/6 — River Trails and Boxley Valley Historic Sites: A moderately strenuous hike guided by Lolly Tindol. Learn patterns of early settlement, hike from Ponca to Steel Creek, visit the Beaver Jim Villines cabin, go on an excursion through Boxley Valley, visit a one-room school and a hike to a special place near the headwaters of the Buffalo.

11/11 — The Wonders of Cecil Cove: A very strenuous hike with Bill Nuckols to little known Hide Out Hollow with scenic waterfalls, bluff shelters, and other surprises. Trek across county to a mysterious cave; then on to a bottomless sink hole. Broadwater Falls, Cecil Creek and bluff top views are highlights.

11/18 — Hike the Buffalo River Trail Above Boxley Valley: Lolly Tindol leads a strenuous hike on a newly completed trail. This journey offers a natural spring, views of Clark Creek and Lost Valley from spectacular bluffs, a cedar glade, a sinkhole, all within one of the first rural historic districts designated as a “cultural landscape.”

We at Ozark Ecotours believe that through understanding comes appreciation and a desire to become advocates for resource protection for the future. Ozark Ecotour visitors who share our natural and cultural resources become part of an ecological ethic which promotes an increased sense of stewardship and conservation instead of short term profits reaped through depletion and pollution of the environment.

If you would like to receive the Ozark Ecotour Schedule as well as future schedules, please write or call. We hope that you will have an opportunity to experience what is an unique experience in this very special part of The Natural State.

Ozark Ecotours can be reached by mail at P.O. Box 513, Jasper, Arkansas 72641, or by phone at 501-446-5898.