Anyone been to Eureka Spring, AR

[fcardoze]

Planning a route from Illinois to Eureka Springs, AR.

Where did you ride once you got to Eureka Springs?

How about camp grounds that are motorcycle friendly?


Frank

[glinm]

Try this for a start.
http://www.harrisonarkansas.org/motorcycling.htm

[RTRandy]

Eureka Springs is a popular destination from Dallas as well as other directions from there since it's a one day ride away way making it a great spot for a long weekend. Many of the local clubs here in Texas hold rallies up that way especially in the fall when the foliage is turning color. There's a real good BMW dealer due west in Bentonville (Home to Wal Mart) if you're in need of service. During many of the rallies, they go all out to welcome riders with an open house and free food.

The roads up that way are excellent in fact there are really no bad roads so feel free to explore in any direction including eastern Oklahoma and Missouri.

I would recommend 23 north out of Eureka Springs to 86 going east along the Missouri Arkansas border. Take 86 east to Hwy 65. Take 65 south to Omaha, AR and pick up 14 east until you get to 125. Take 125 north and the road will dead end at Bull Shoals Lake. Take the free ferry across the lake (fun fun fun) and continue north on 125.

Continue on 125 crossing Hwy 160 at Rueter and here's the good part: This road is very twisty and you'll swear it was designed by a committee motorcycle owners. The surface is great and all the turns are banked !!! It's a blast. From there I just tried to make it back and believe I went through Hollister due south to Hwy 62 to hook it back to Eureka Springs. It's also not uncommon for many riders to simply turn around and ride 125 south since it's so good.

As for camping, I only stayed in the local hotels so I can't help on that one though there should be plenty of good camping.

Watch out for animals especially these little wild pigs in that area. (Sorry I'm not a hunter so I don't know the real name for these) Also on many roads in Arkansas with lots of forests and shade , the falling leaves can stay damp after rain making for a slippery situation in tight turns.

[BuddingGeezer]

There are great Corps of Engineers campgrounds on Beaver and Table Rock lakes. Probably less expensive and on the water.

Ralph Sims

[GSTom]

As for places to ride, just head out in any direction, the roads in every direction are all good.

A nice side trip about a half hour north of Eureka Springs, not far into Missouri, there is a very pleasant state park called "Roaring River" where they stock the stream with trout. It is just off the state highway and you can ride through or park and watch the trout fishermen, visit the trout hatchery, the spring, or wander around on the nature trails.
Go north out of Eureka Springs on 23 into Missouri. At Highway 86 you will come to a stop sign. Take a left and go around 5 or 6 miles through Eagle Rock. Not far past the town take a left on Highway "F" for another 5 miles or so until you enter the park.

From the park, take 112 to Seligman, then south on 37 to Gateway, Ar. At Gateway turn east on Highway 62 for 18 miles of twisties to get back to Eureka Springs.

Total Time -- around 1.5 to 2 hours.


Eureka Springs is an extremely popular motorcyling destination, so most places are motorcycle friendly. If you have never been there, you will find it is a very "come as you are" type of place, and tolerant of a variety of lifestyles.

Check out this site for a complete listing of accomodations of all types.

http://www.eurekasprings.org/places-to-stay/

[drharveys]

Eureka Springs is an extremely popular motorcyling destination, so most places are motorcycle friendly. If you have never been there, you will find it is a very "come as you are" type of place, and tolerant of a variety of lifestyles.
http://www.eurekasprings.org/places-to-stay/

Which is the nice way of saying the place is overrun with hippies, yuppies, bikers and gays -- must be something about the attractive powers of old Victorian houses!

And there's at least one of the town's leading citizens who, if he were alive today, would be spinning in his grave over what's happened to the place!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_L._K._Smith

[Ksrob]

Planning a route from Illinois to Eureka Springs, AR.

Where did you ride once you got to Eureka Springs?

How about camp grounds that are motorcycle friendly?


Frank


The Pig Trail starts or ends in Eureka Springs, Ar 23 south to I-40 is a very nice ride. Course like anything else, on the weekend it's busy.

Or go over to Harrisonville and take 7 south.

Any of the three numbered roads in the area are fun also.

There will be a group of BMW riders in ES the weekend of Sept 14th/16th. Got plans to visit CycleGadgets and Bentonville BMW. A local will lead a group ride and would give suggestions for single rides.

Ground Zero for the activities is the Swiss Holiday Resort right at the beginning of the Pig Trail.

For more info, if interested, ping rob.lessen@gmail.com

Best,

[fcardoze]

Thank you! This is great info.

I am planning to be in the area 9/6 - 9/9.

Cycle Gadgets is on my list to visit.

I also found this site : http://www.cruisetheozarks.com./index.html

Frank

[charleshickman]

The Pig Trail starts or ends in Eureka Springs, Ar 23 south to I-40 is a very nice ride. Course like anything else, on the weekend it's busy.

Or go over to Harrisonville and take 7 south.

Any of the three numbered roads in the area are fun also.

There will be a group of BMW riders in ES the weekend of Sept 14th/16th. Got plans to visit CycleGadgets and Bentonville BMW. A local will lead a group ride and would give suggestions for single rides.

Ground Zero for the activities is the Swiss Holiday Resort right at the beginning of the Pig Trail.

For more info, if interested, ping rob.lessen@gmail.com

Best,

I second. In fact it is a fairly long day, but ride down 23 to I-40, or cut east at 16. Both are very nice and from 16 to I-40 is probably the best section of 23. Then make your way to 7, which gets national write ups as a motorcycle road. On 7 north cut west at 74 and go through Ponca, then north on 21 to Berryville.

If you head east, make a point to eat at the Front Porch in Yellville. A country style buffet. I was riding towards Arkansas a few years back and passed a rider on an RT. We both pulled off and talked for a minute. He was from KC and said he stopped there whenever he was riding in Ark. I now do so also.

If you have the time and inclination, the ride on 7 down to Hot Springs is nice also.

[RandyB]

I second. In fact it is a fairly long day, but ride down 23 to I-40, or cut east at 16. Both are very nice and from 16 to I-40 is probably the best section of 23. Then make your way to 7, which gets national write ups as a motorcycle road. On 7 north cut west at 74 and go through Ponca, then north on 21 to Berryville.

If you head east, make a point to eat at the Front Porch in Yellville. A country style buffet. I was riding towards Arkansas a few years back and passed a rider on an RT. We both pulled off and talked for a minute. He was from KC and said he stopped there whenever he was riding in Ark. I now do so also.

If you have the time and inclination, the ride on 7 down to Hot Springs is nice also.

+1

The German Restaurant just west of town on 62 is superb, as is the little pub at the bottom of the hill on the right. Get the Irish Coddle and a pint of Boddingtons.

Take a camera: It's a great little town. Can't swing a dead cat without hitting hippies, yuppies, bikers and gays.:stick

[barryg]

If U go to Eureka Springs at least have breakfast or lunch at Pancakes. U will enjoy it. Meet the owners Otto Ising and Gale Linsing. Long time BMW riders and members of the Naturally Beemers of Ar.. Great way to start Ur day of riding from E.Springs. :thumb

[fcardoze]

I was playing with the map source routing and one of the routes was via 55 (IL) to 72 and then from 72 via 54 to Springfield, MO.

Seem to be shorther and faster than going via St. Louis to Spring field via 55/44.

Has anyone gone the route 54 way?

Frank

[GSTom]

I was playing with the map source routing and one of the routes was via 55 (IL) to 72 and then from 72 via 54 to Springfield, MO.

Seem to be shorther and faster than going via St. Louis to Spring field via 55/44.

Has anyone gone the route 54 way?

Frank
I'm mildly confused. Highway 54 doesn't go through (or near) Springfield,Mo. You would need to turn south off US 54 0n US 65 north of Springfield.

The quickest way to Eureka Springs from South Elgin is through the St. Louis area on I-55 then on I-44 to US 65 south at Springfield, south on 65 to US 62 west a few miles north of Harrison, Arkansas. US 62 will take you right into Eureka Springs.

This is a pleasant enough route, but there are other more scenic routes if you aren't in a rush to get there, including the route you described. I have ridden on 54 all the way across Missouri and in Illinois to 72 then to Jacksonville, Illinois. It is a nice ride.

[fcardoze]

GSTOM - you're right. I was typing in a hurry and forgot to add the section from 54 to Springfield,MO.


thanks for your post.

probably take the 55/44 route to get there and then day rides around Eu.

Frank

[johnty288]

Frank,
When I go to Arkansas I follow the Illinois River down (either side) through Peoria down to Hannibal, MO. Route 79 south of Hannibal is very good (for the midwest) into Louisiana, MO. It is not as quick as the interstate but at least some scenery through Illinois.

[fcardoze]

plan is set for thu (9/6) - mon (9/10)... i am so ready. However, looks like rain every day. not very good for camping. I'm hitting the refresh button on weather.com many times a day.

starting to create plan B. Any ideas on other good rides that are not beyond a day's ride from illinois. I have been to the smokies last year. excellent ride.

I know, I know.... I should be out riding today. got home friday and was doing some basic checks and found a large dry wall screw in my new Z6 rear tire. plugged the tire and drove it to the dealer for a new tire, but they cannot get to it until Tues. I am beside myself. So I am creating a plan B.

Any suggestions would be great.

Frank

[GSTom]

Looks like they are talking "scattered" and "isolated" T-storms. These are usually of short duration and limited area affected. Come on down and enjoy yourself! You can probably avoid getting wet!

[LTOwner]

Have been to Eureka Springs the last four years, and just returned last Friday from three days there. I usually stay at the Basin Park Hotel, a 100+ yr old hotel in downtown, very rustic, but with amenities and at a reasonable price. I noticed on the way in to town on 62 the Rider's Rest Motel has campsites available, and the place looks nice. They have a website. No shortage of good roads in the area, I road 16, 23, 160, and 125 among others. As someone mentioned, showers are usually fleeting, ie ten minutes or less if you are riding. If you are in the downtown area, stop for breakfast at the Mud Street Cafe, you won't regret it, great food.