Page 2 - TR Life on Greers Ferry Lake June 2017

2 • Sunday, June 11, 2017 • Life on Greers Ferry Lake
River Valley & Ozark and Three Rivers Editions of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Advertising Supplement
Table of contents 2469
1. SWIM AT THE SHORE
One of the easiest ways to enjoy the lake is by jumping in.The shoreline offers several spots to splash, such as Sandy Beach and the Dam Site Recreation Area and Campground, but boaters can also find islands and coves where they can take a private dip.The shores are also ideal for skipping stones and watching wildlife. If one day is not enough, bring a tent and spend the night at one of the campsites.
2. SKIM THE SURFACE
Encompassing about 40,000 acres, Greers Ferry Lake offers plenty of room to make waves. Lake lovers can head to the lake’s deeper areas to boat, water ski, ride inner tubes, pilot a personal watercraft and even go sailing. Various marinas around the lake provide places to rent many kinds of boats.
3. DIVE DEEP
The lake’s crystal-clear waters also offer excellent opportunities for scuba divers to explore the hidden world below the surface, where divers can find forests, rocky bluffs and even wrecked vessels. Anglers can take their spor t underwater by spearfishing. Regulations concerning spearfishing are available from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
4. HEAD TO THE HATCHERY
Those who are curious to know why Greers Ferry Lake offers such a bountiful supply of fish can visit the Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery to learn about how the lake is stocked. Established in 1965, the hatchery offers a self-guided tour of its facilities, as well as a visitors center with an aquarium that young guests are sure to enjoy.
5. RUMBLE THROUGH THE HILLS
Motorcycle enthusiasts can enjoy some of the prettiest roads in the country amid the Ozark Mountains north of the lake. The Spring River/ Greers Ferry Lake Ride runs from Fairfield Bay to CherokeeVillage,passingthroughpointsofinterest such as Mammoth Spring State Park and offering
Top8WAYSTO ENJOY
A DAY AT THE LAKE
By Sarah DeClerk / SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
Greers Ferry Lake holds promises of both relaxation and excitement.Visitors can spend an afternoon building sandcastles on the beach, rushing over the water on skis or viewing the blue waters from attractions on dry land. Here
are some of the most popular ways to play at Greers Ferry Lake.
Top 8 ways
to enjoy a day at the lake
Anglers ahoy
Lake provides excellent fishing
Take a hike
Greers Ferry Lake offers myriad of hiking options
Q&A with Jimmy Clark
Get to know
the mayor of Heber Springs
SARAH DECLERK/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK AND THREE RIVERS EDITION
Located in Fairfield Bay, the Indian Rock House Cave and Trail offers a scenic hike to an ancient landmark decorated with prehistoric rock carvings.
easy access to Mountain View.The Ozark National Forest Ride takes bikers from Drasco to Big Flat, with picturesque places such as Calico Rock and the Leatherwood Wilderness Area in between.
6. SOAK UP SOME CULTURE
The cities surrounding Greers Ferry Lake offer an array of galleries where visitors can view art and pick up unique gifts. A visit to the Heber Springs Downtown District will yield several art galleries, as well as other shops. Fairfield Bay also offers a number of interesting galleries filled with work by local artists.
7.TAKE A STROLL THROUGH HISTORY
History buffs can learn about the people who inhabited the area about 4,000 years ago at Fairfield Bay’s Indian Rock House Cave and Trail. Native Americans once used the distinct cave formation as a rendezvous point, and explorer Hernando de Soto visited the landmark in 1542. A 3/4-mile trail allows visitors to explore the for- mation, which features prehistoric rock carvings.
8. GET INTO GOLF
Visitors whose ideal day includes a round of golf can tee up at several courses near the lake, including three courses featured on the Natural State GolfTrail: the Red Apple Inn’s course in Heber Springs, the TannenbaumGolfClubinDrascoandtheMountain Ranch Golf Club in Fairfield Bay.
PHOTO PAGES:
Around the area...7 • Local scene...12 Life around the lake...14
FEATURED BUSINESSES:
Allen Furniture.................................................................5
Arkansas Duct Doctors............................................8
Arkansas State University-Beebe
at Heber Springs......................................................6
Greers Ferry Lake Marine & Auto................13 City of Greers Ferry................................................15
Greers Ferry Florist
& Gifts.............................................................................5
Fairfield Bay......................................................................10 Fairfield Bay Conference Center.....................12 Sherwood Tractor.......................................................13 Sulphur Creek Outfitters.........................................8
ON THE COVER
Top photo: Scenic sunset on Greers Ferry Lake from atop Sugarloaf Mountain,Arkansas Department of Parks andTourism. Bottom series, from left: David Mitchell, left, and Lowell Myers fish from a boat on the Little Red River outside Heber Springs, Three Rivers Edition file photo; Cleburne County Courthouse in Heber Springs, Cody Graves/River Valley & Ozark Edition and Three Rivers Edition; Cyan Williams, 10, jumps rope during an Earth Day celebration in Heber Springs, Three Rivers Edition file photo; A young swimmer enjoys the lake during last year’s World Championship Cardboard Boat Races at Sandy Beach in Heber Springs, Joe Goble/CaptureArkansas.
— Information courtesy of the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
ADVERTISING S
UPPLEMENT / RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION
/ THREE RIVERS EDITION /
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2017