Best of Siloam Springs

By Randy Rice Siloam Springs sits in the northwest corner of Arkansas and the southwest quadrant of the Ozarks. The Ozarks are a range of rocky hills covered in large, green trees, divided by creeks and rivers, and dotted with an abundance of fresh water springs. These sources of water were an invaluable resource to pioneers who sought to settle here, but springs were often held in higher esteem than streams and lakes. In the latter half of the nineteenth century, doctors and laypeople alike believed that Ozark springs held medicinal or healing properties. Towns like Siloam Springs formed around them attracting tourists seeking healing for their illnesses, a sense of generally improved health, and a summer getaway. Today, people still come from all across Arkansas and the surrounding states for outdoor adventure and fun in Siloam Springs. Below is a sample of some of the unique amenities this charming small town offers people seeking some good times in the great outdoors of Northwest Arkansas. For more information on these and other wonders found in Siloam Springs visit DiscoverSiloamSprings.com. It's filled with lots of helpful information on what to do, where to stay, events, restaurants and general info on Siloam Springs. City Lake Park 14021 Taylor Orchard Rd Located just 3 miles from downtown, the City Lake Park hosts several amenities including more than six miles of new beginner and intermediate multi- use soft surface trails, mountain bike optimized directional flow trails, raised bed hiking trails, and the region's largest bicycle skills course and pump track to date. The trail systems' stacked loops create a platform for the residents of Western Benton County to develop the bike handling skills necessary to adopt mountain biking as a healthy lifestyle choice, all on a single park property. From the skills course and pump track located close to the main parking area, mountain bikers have easy access to the beginner loop. The beginner trails connect to the more intermediate trails where riders find more challenging elevation, as well as access to the Siloam Springs Kayak Park Siloam Springs: Small town charm, great outdoor adventure 28 • Best of Siloam Springs Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Siloam Springs Herald-Leader

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