Hikers visit
Dogwood Canyon
Hill ‘N Dale Hiking Club will hike Wednesday at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park near Lampe, Mo. The hike is three to five miles rated easy to moderate.
The park is privately owned and there is a $20 fee per person to enter the park and hike. Meet at the Harp’s store upper parking lot at 8 a.m., to car pool. All hikers are welcome.
To register, contact George Riggin, 913-669-4967 or geo1rig@aol.com.
Bass challenge
coming to lake
Soldier’s Wish Big Bass Challenge is from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Beaver Lake out of Prairie Creek park.
Entry fee is $75 per angler. First prize is a Lowrance depth finder and $1,000. Second place receives $1,000. Prize money is paid through 10th place.
Register at www.bigbass challenge.net. For more information call 918-925-0136.
Mountain bike festival
offers guided rides
The 29th annual Ozark Mountain Bike Festival is Friday through Sunday at Devil’s Den State Park. The event features guided rides, paddle boat races and a cookout.
The festival kicks off at 2:30 p.m. Friday with a guided ride on the Fossil Flats Trail, about six miles. A night ride is set for 7:30 p.m.
Saturday events include a guided family ride, an intermediate ride and a six-mile ride for ladies only is planned. A skills clinic for kids is at 2 p.m., and an intermediate ride is at 2:30 p.m. Paddle boat races are at 6 p.m., and the cookout is at 7 p.m.
Sunday’s event is the Eric Williams Memorial Ride at 10:30 a.m.
For more information call the visitor center, 479-761-3325.
River camping topic
of program
A program on river camping and taking multiday float trips on Ozark streams is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area visitor center.
Tips include where to float, how to pack, essential gear and how to get a good night’s sleep on a gravel bar.
The 60-minute program focuses on canoe camping, but information is useful for all types of camping, from backpacking to car camping.
Flip Putthoff, outdoors reporter at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and an experienced long-distance paddler, is the presenter. He will show photos from river camping trips and bring some of the equipment he uses.
For more information call the visitor center, 479-789-5000,
Johnsons win
at Beaver Lake
Brothers Chris Johnson and Chad Johnson won the Everett Team Trail bass tournament held March 25 at Beaver Lake. They had five bass that weighed 20.7 pounds.
James Whittle and Danny Hill placed second with five bass at 17.91 pounds. They had the tournament’s big bass at 6.28 pound. In third was Grant Hanby and Clay Cox with five bass at 17.49 pounds.
Fourth through 10th, all with five bass, were: fourth, Robbie Sikes, Aubry Sikes, 17.33; fifth, James Wellesley, Kevin Burkett, 17.2; sixth, Daniel Nesbitt, Dalton Nesbitt, 16.93; seventh, Thomas Robertson, Michael Robinsion, 16.82; eighth, Jim Sikes, Cole Sikes, 16.66; ninth, Robbie Dodson, Wes Ply, 16.22; 10th, David Louks, Collin Cheatham, 15.7
Author touts
edible plants
Join Steven Foster, an author, photographer and herbalist, for a free photographic presentation on wild edible and useful plants at 8 p.m. April 11 at Devil’s Den State Park amphitheater.
Learn what Ozark native plant had a profound effect on Abraham Lincoln’s childhood. Discover what is surprisingly the most important tea plant in Arkansas, once the beverage tea of choice in the South.
For more information call the park office, 479-761-3325.
Big bass event
to benefit charity
Everett Big Bass Tournament Benefiting Pagnozzi Charities is from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 22 at Beaver Lake out of Prairie Creek park.
Entry fee is $60 per angler. Hourly prizes are awarded. Weighin locations are Prairie Creek and Hickory Creek parks.
Entry forms are at fishing stores around the area. Register online at pagnozzicharities.org or call 479-443-2550.
Corps hiring
park attendants
The Army Corps of Engineers is hiring park attendants at Beaver Lake for the 2017 visitor season.
Positions include a salary and free campsite to park a camping trailer or motor home for the season. Duties include assisting visitors, collecting fees and general cleanup chores in the campgrounds and day use areas. Park attendants are the primary point of contact for most visitors at Beaver Lake.
Several positions are available. Contact James Bloxham, 479-636-1210 extension 1719 or email James.M.Bloxham@usace. army.mil.
NWA Outdoors listings are for any news or upcoming events in or about the outdoors recreation except competitive ball sports. Send submissions to news@nwadg.com.
