What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1263710
So what, one might wonder, is there to do at Dogwood Canyon? Stephenson says whatever your age and whatever your level of comfort outdoors, you'll find the perfect entertainment. "Dogwood Canyon is the ultimate destination for everyone who wants to spend time outdoors — from the avid birdwatcher to novice hiker," she says. "The park is a popular day-trip destination for families and couples, but it is also frequented by hobbyists like wildlife photographers and birders." Stephenson says the two-hour Wildlife Tram Tour "offers visitors a 'ride on the wild side' and is perfect for guests from ages 2 to 92." "You'll wind through the canyon floor, past towering bluffs and waterfalls, and make stops at the 1800s-style Hope Wilderness Chapel, Thunder Falls Crossing to feed the fish, and the Glory Hole, a magnificent blue-green pool where some of our largest trout reside," she says. "Then, cross the Arkansas border and enter the prairie pastures where you'll encounter some of the largest residents of Dogwood Canyon like American bison, Rocky Mountain elk, whitetail deer and Texas longhorns." Right now, the Nature Center is closed due to covid-19 concerns, but when it is open, Stephenson says, it provides "a hands-on immersive learning experience for kids and kids-at-heart." "Archaeology dig pits allow visitors to explore for common Ozarks fossils, and science stations with microscopes let you take a closer look at leaves, feathers and snake skin sheds," she enumerates. "Learning continues inside three classrooms with immersive details like a crawl-through bear cave for brave explorers. A swinging bridge connects to the two-story Treehouse built by Animal Planet's 'Treehouse Masters,' full of fun surprises like arrowheads, turkey calls, deer sheds and more." The Treehouse is open, as is Dogwood Canyon's Canyon Grill Restaurant built right on Indian Creek. There are no overnight accommodations, but Stephenson points visitors toward Big Cedar Lodge and Camp Long Creek. Of course, Mother Nature has her own schedule, which continues coronavirus or no coronavirus. "In the spring, visitors flock to see the early season blooms of the redbud and dogwood trees," Stephenson says. "In the summer months, you can welcome the newest additions to the park on a Wildlife Tram Tour, where you'll see the baby bison and elk born in June. In the fall, spectacular autumn foliage paints the canyon in vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. In the winter months, dozens of bald eagles settle into the canyon from nearby Table Rock Lake, offering the closest wild bald eagle viewing experience anywhere in the Ozarks." Stephenson points out that the Wildlife Tram Tour is operating on reduced capacity due to covid-19 concerns, and "advance reservations are strongly encouraged." 4 WHAT'S UP! JUNE 28-JULY 4, 2020 Dogwood Continued From Page 3 The gift shop, Canyon Grill Restaurant and the Treehouse at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park are all open with capacity limitations in place. Activities like the Wildlife Tram Tour are operating with limited capacity, and advance reservations are strongly encouraged. (Courtesy Photo) The Dogwood Canyon Nature Education Center offers a hands-on immersive learning experience for kids and kids-at-heart. A swinging bridge connects to the two-story Treehouse built by Animal Planet's "Treehouse Masters." (Courtesy Photo) BRANSON