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Name
& Zone:
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Hobbs State Park - Conservation Area
WMA Zone 320
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County:
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Benton,
Carroll, Madison
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Location:
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It lies in Benton, Madison and Carroll counties. The property lies 12 miles east of Rogers, 25 miles
southwest of Eureka Springs and 30 miles northwest of Huntsville.
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Phone:
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1-479-789-2380 - Parks and Tourism
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1
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About
the
Name:
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It is named after Roscoe C. Hobbs, former owner.
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Ownership:
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Arkansas Department of Parks
and Tourism owns the area.
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Website
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Click here to view the Friends of Hobbs State
Park website.
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Age:
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It was purchased in 1979.
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Purpose:
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The area was acquired by the state to protect, manage and make available to public use an essentially
undeveloped tract of land located near a rapidly growing population
center. Goals for the property are not to duplicate existing facilities
and services but to provide a broad spectrum of recreational
opportunity. Three state agencies, Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Game
and Fish Commission and Natural Heritage Commission are responsible for
managing the natural resources under a multiple use concept. Initially
each agency had a zone of management responsibility within the area but
direction has changed in recent years to a more cooperative
multidisciplinary approach to managing the entire area.
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Description:
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The area is 11,744 acres in size and is typical Ozark Mountain terrain. The area is predominantly
woodland consisting of stands of upland hardwoods and shortleaf pine/hardwood forest. Beaver lake
lies on the northern boundary of the area and War Eagle Creek on the southern boundary.
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Access:
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State highway 12 bisects the area and connects with US highways 62 and 71 to the west in Rogers and
with state highway 23 to the east between Huntsville and Eureka Springs. Highway directional signs are
located at these intersections.
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Hunting
Opportunities:
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The area is open to hunting in season game, although at this time a portion of it is open only for the use
of archery equipment for deer hunting. The area offers fair to good hunting for white-tailed deer,
squirrels, wild turkeys and raccoons. There is very limited waterfowl hunting opportunity on nearby
Beaver Lake. Hunters should always check the wildlife management area section of the current edition
of Arkansas Hunting Regulations pamphlet for specific area seasons, bag limits, and regulations before
hunting on the area.
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Management
Practices:
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Wildlife management activities on the area to date have been limited to law enforcement, conservative
hunting season frameworks and some biological data collection. Insufficient personnel and funding have
prevented the implementation of an active habitat management program on the area.
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Recreation
Other Than
Hunting:
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Fishing, boating, swimming, hiking and camping are available on Beaver Lake. Observing Bald Eagles
and other migratory and resident birds and wildlife is also a popular winter activity. Contact the U.S.
Army, Corps of Engineers Resident Office at (501) 636-1210 for more information about water
conditions and facilities on Beaver Lake.
Natural areas and interesting geological features, including sinkholes, caves, springs, and seeps
abound on the Hobbs area. Some areas of special interest include Van Winkle Hollow, Shaddox Hollow
Blackburn Creek, Kirk Hollow, Devils Gap and Hurricane Hollow.
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Other
Points
of Interest:
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The Beaver Lake Nursery Pond, a supplemental fish rearing facility operated by the Arkansas Game
and Fish Commission, is near the western boundary of the area on
Blackburn Creek. A public shooting range is available, Tuesdays through
Sundays, for practice and sighting in firearms. A pre civil war
historic site, containing an important industrial site and slave
quarters, is located in Van Winkle Hollow. The cultural and historical
significance of this site ranks highly both in northwest Arkansas and
statewide.
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Camping:
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Camping is generally not allowed on the Hobbs area, however primitive camping sites for backpackers
are located on the Pigeon Roost Trail. Public toilet facilities are available at the Pigeon Roost trailhead
and at the public firing range. Numerous developed camping and picnic areas are available on nearby
Beaver Lake.
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Restaurants
and Other
Facilities:
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The Bean Palace Restaurant, closed during the winter months, is located at War Eagle Mill just off the
southern boundary of the area. Several eating establishments are located around Beaver Lake and in
the nearby communities of Rogers and Eureka Springs. Lookout Grocery and B & E Kountry mart on
highway 12 offer commonly needed supplies. Rogers and Eureka Springs offer full service
accommodations. Boats and sailing vessels may be rented at numerous marinas located around
Beaver Lake.
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Special
Facts:
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Recreational opportunities are very broad in scope due to area features and nearby services.
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Safety:
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Hunters and hikers should be especially careful when they venture off established trails as the many
sinkholes and bluffs are potential pitfalls. Visitors to the area who are not familiar with winding roads in
NW Arkansas should remain especially alert when driving through the area. Anyone walking in the
woods during the warmer months should carry and use effective insect repellents to ward off disease
carrying ticks and chiggers.
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