I got the opportunity to go to Beavers Bend this past weekend to look the area over and get in a few riding miles.
I stayed at the Lakeview Lodge which is located off of the northern loop section of highway 259A. The Lodge was very nice and located on a hill next to the lake. At the lower end of the property there was a very nice boat ramp/boat trailer parking area.
My room was $ 80.00/night plus tax (winter season rate) with a Continental breakfast (no cooked food). The room was clean, comfortable, had a balcony overlooking the lake, cable TV and nice hot water. There was a high speed Internet connect upstairs in the main building meeting room. No connections are available in the rooms. A park ranger stays at the Lodge and the area was well lighted and felt secure.
The view was beautiful and it was quiet. Only 12 rooms were occupied that weekend. It will be a busy place in June. Parking will be tight. I was told that many of the boaters using this ramp, launch their boats and then have to go park several miles away. Parking appears to be on a first come first serve basis.
There are a few nice restaurants in Hochatown, which is the town at the entrance to the park area. "Pure Country" night club is located at the North entrance of 259A and US 259 as well as "Girls Gone Wine" winery. There is gas right at the park entrances. Some touristy businesses are also located out along US 259.
Broken Bow is about 6 to 9 miles south down US 259 and has everything you would expect in a medium size town including a WalMart and fast food, groceries, etc.
Trip Routes and area roads:
Saturday, I rode north up US 259, turned east on Hwy 63 into Mena AK, followed US 59 south to DeQueen, back west on US 70 to Broken Bow and then north again on US 259 back up to Beavers Bend.
Sunday, I rode up US 259 to Hwy 4 east and over to US 59 (AK), north back up to Mena, AK, west on Hwy 88 (Talihina Scenic drive) up into the Queen Wilhelmina Park area in the mountains, back over to US 259 south down to Beavers Bend.
US 259 is the main drag heading north from our base at Beavers Bend. It is well paved with a 4'-0" asphalt shoulder, some fast long stretches (70+ MPH), lots of ups and downs, smooth curves and one really wicked switchback on the side of a mountain (20 MPH Dead Man's Turn with a concrete barrier wall). Posted average speed limit 65 MPH. The further north you go, the more challenging the riding becomes. Not a lot of gas stops here.
Hwy 63 east from US 259. Okay state highway. No shoulders. Few straight fast sections, winds, whoop dee doo action, curves anywhere from 45 MPH to 20MPH. Nice and leisurely ride.
US 59 in Arkansas is well developed like US 259, plenty of gas along this one. Good 'ol Arkansas little towns. Mena is nice looking with lots of gas and places to eat. The same goes for DeQueen down on the south side of the ride. Fast straights and gentle curves.
US 70 west of DeQueen coming back to Broken Bow is a freakin' washboard until you cross into Oklahoma. The road has stress cracks in it that have been tarred. It's like riding a horse on a fast trot. Uncomfortable. I'd rather have it on the front end of a ride than the tail end. Nasty.
Hwy 88 west of Mena Arkansas (Talihina Scenic Drive) over to US 259 in Oklahoma. This is the closest to God that we will probably get on this trip. State highway at its best. Winds up the side of the mountains slowly. Steep grades up and down. The middle section up at Queen Wilhelmina park follows the ridgeline of the mountains for several miles. It was cloudy the day I was up there and it still was awe inspiring. The park looks absolutely incredible. Someone hauled a full size steam locomotive and cars up there for a display. There is a large restaurant in the park. Coming back down the other side was 3rd gear with no throttle and lots of brakes on Ms Vee. You don't take a nap on this ride. This will be the sugary treat of the trip, don't miss it.
This MOOTMag adventure will appeal to both seasoned riders and the rest of us rookies. Don't think about this one gang. Get the money and make the time to be there.
Make sure you are tuned up & you have a good seat on your cicle, you'll need it. Have a shaded face shield or prepare to wear sun block. I only took my clear shield and wore sunglasses. Rode out a white man, came back a red man.
The temperature in June is typically 90+ according to the locals. Last year they were cooler in the 80's. It can rain anytime. I was also told that it can get quite cool in the evenings as well (jackets).
I hope we can get some people interested in bunking together in some of the nice vacation homes/cabins up there. I would like to go back one more weekend when it is in the 70's to ride routes farther north and check out cabins. If anyone is interested, contact me so we can plan this out.
Pictures:
1) Broken Bow Lake spillway and tailwaters.
2) Trout fishing in state park tailwaters
3) God's Country, Lake Wilhelmina Overlook (ridgeback) on Talihina Scenic Drive
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Great report, thanks for the write up and pics.
Here are some PICs when the Queen and I went up couple weeks ago.
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And a couple more.
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It's good to see the water level up. I was there several years ago and the lake was about thirty feet low! My friend's depth finder was still reading 80 feet where we were cliff jumping though. Pretty deep lake.
Curtis
That is good info. Speaking of staying there, I tried (today) to call for RV booking in the park for MOOT Mag this year...the park employee told me that they can only take reservations on 25 of the 110 available camping sites. She said the 25 reservable sites are all booked up and have been since last year. The rest (85 sites) will just be first come/first serve. Since I will be getting there on Wed or Thursday, I probably have a descent chance of getting a site-but for all the MOOTsters that are coming in for the weekend only-I am not sure how "maxed" the park will be this time of the year on the weekend. Anybody got any info on this? Just don't want to pull the trailer all the way up there only to find out the campground is maxed out. Also, are there backup areas anyone is looking into just in case. Forgive me for posting if this has already been talked out.
HELLO MR NAME IS MARTY HOOKER I AM A NEW MEMBER I HAVE A AUTO TIRE & SERVICE CENTER ON HWY 70 WEST OF DEQUEEN TOWARDS BROKEN BOW. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE ANY MOOT MEMBERS TO STOP BY IF RIDING THROUGH THE AREA