Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area
History
The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission contacted the Weyerhaeuser Corporation, the land's owner, about developing a park from the wilderness along the Cossatot River in 1975. Although receptive of the offer, Weyerhaeuser was concerned that the commission would not properly manage the dangerous rapids. It wasn't until 1984 when the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism offered to join the Commission in a joint venture to acquire the land in an attempt to allay the fears of Weyerhaeuser. After a joint meeting, The Nature Conservancy held the land in trust until state funds were allocated for the park. The duality of the park-natural area's management is still represented.
The park was expanded after Arkla Gas Company donated 160 acres (65 ha) in exchange for crossing the Cossatot River with a 36 inches (910 mm) gas pipeline.
Recreation
The Cossatot River features Class III, IV, and dangerous Class V rapids making it one of the more challenging float rivers in the central United States. Brushy Creek Recreation Area offers restrooms, picnic tables, and access to the river via the Highway 246 bridge access point. Campsites are available at the Cossatot Falls Area (7 sites, no hookups), Sandbar Area (14 sites, no hookups), and the Ed Banks Area (one site, no hookups).
The park is also home to dozens of rare flora and fauna native only to the Ouachita Mountains and surrounding Ouachita National Forest. The terrain of the park is a rugged rocky canyon with old growth hardwoods and juniper glades. Hiking is available on the River Corridor Trail (14 miles (23 km)) and Harris Creek Trail (3.5 miles (5.6 km)). A visitor's center, built in 2004, offers a wildlife observation room, a water education laboratory, and a gift shop.
See also
References
- ^ Staff of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism (May 26, 2011). "Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. The Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
- ^ "Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area". Arkansas State Parks Guide, 2011. Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. p. 16. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
- ^ Flanary, Shelley. "A Wild and Scenic River". America's State Parks. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
- ^ "Cossatot State Park-Natural Area" (PDF). Arkansas State Parks and Tourism, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
- ^ "Harris Creek Trail" (PDF). Arkansas State Parks and Tourism, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2012.