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Arkansas Lake Beach Closures Due to E. Coli
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (June 27, 2025) — As summer heats up, several public swim beaches across Arkansas remain closed after routine testing revealed elevated levels of Escherichia coli, prompting public
Arkansas Outdoor Recreation Update: Boating Access Improvements Approved While High Water Impacts Bull Shoals Recreation
As Arkansas enters the peak summer recreation season, outdoor enthusiasts are seeing a mix of
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Arkansas Lake Beach Closures Due to E. Coli
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (June 27, 2025) — As summer heats up, several public swim beaches across Arkansas remain closed after routine testing revealed elevated levels of Escherichia coli, prompting public health advisories and renewed attention to lake safety. The Arkansas Department of Health’s Division of Environmental Health monitors water quality at more than 200 designated public swim beaches each year. Testing is typically conducted four times monthly during the summer season, and any location with two consecutive samples exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s threshold is immediately closed until the water tests clean twice in a row. E. coli, a bacteria often
Arkansas Lake Beach Closures Due to E. Coli
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (June 27, 2025) — As summer heats up, several public swim beaches across Arkansas remain closed after routine testing revealed elevated levels of Escherichia coli, prompting public health advisories and renewed attention to lake safety. The Arkansas Department of Health’s Division of Environmental Health monitors water quality at more than 200 designated public swim beaches each year. Testing is typically conducted four times monthly during the summer season, and any location with two consecutive samples exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s threshold is immediately closed until the water tests clean twice in a row. E. coli, a bacteria often
Arkansas Outdoor Recreation Update: Boating Access Improvements Approved While High Water Impacts Bull Shoals Recreation
As Arkansas enters the peak summer recreation season, outdoor enthusiasts are seeing a mix of good news and temporary setbacks. State officials recently approved millions of dollars in boating access
Southwest Trail Update: Where Things Stand from Little Rock to Hot Springs
The vision of a 65-mile trail connecting downtown Little Rock and Hot Springs National Park is becoming reality, one segment at a time. What began as a planning effort nearly
Arkansas Outdoor Recreation Update: Boating Access Improvements Approved While High Water Impacts Bull Shoals Recreation
As Arkansas enters the peak summer recreation season, outdoor enthusiasts are seeing a mix of good news and temporary setbacks. State officials recently approved millions of dollars in boating access
Southwest Trail Update: Where Things Stand from Little Rock to Hot Springs
The vision of a 65-mile trail connecting downtown Little Rock and Hot Springs National Park is becoming reality, one segment at a time. What began as a planning effort nearly
Climbing
Forest Service Proposes First National Climbing Policy for Federal Lands
For decades, rock climbing on federal lands has been managed through a patchwork of local plans, forest-specific guidance, and agency interpretations of existing laws. Now, the U.S. Forest Service is
5th Annual Arkansas Climbers Festival Returns to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in 2026
The 5th Annual Arkansas Climbers Festival returns to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in Jasper from Friday, March 27, through Sunday, March 29, 2026. This three-day celebration of climbing culture brings together
New Climbing Area at Petit Jean State Park
Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich history. Now, this beloved park is adding a new chapter to its legacy: rock climbing. For
Hiking & Backpacking
How to Protect Your Dog from Summer Heat on Outdoor Adventures in Arkansas
With another scorching Arkansas summer underway, the trails, rivers, and parks of the Natural State are calling. If you are bringing your dog along, a little preparation goes a long
Get Out There: Enjoying Arkansas Summers Without the Itch
Arkansas is a paradise for outdoor lovers in the summer. From the misty peaks of the Ozark Mountains to the forests of the Ouachita National Forest, from the clear waters
Bear Aware in Arkansas: How to Avoid Bear Encounters While Hiking and Camping in Bear Country
Arkansas earned the nickname The Bear State long before it became known as The Natural State, and today that nickname once again fits. After black bears were nearly wiped out
Paddling
Your Complete Guide to Planning a Day of Paddling on the Buffalo National River
Everything you need to know before launching on America’s first national river. The Buffalo National River winds through the heart of the Arkansas Ozarks, flowing freely for 151 miles past
Drought Conditions Postpone Recreational Water Releases Below Remmel Dam
Paddlers hoping to catch scheduled whitewater and recreational releases on the Ouachita River this summer may have to wait for wetter conditions. Entergy Arkansas announced that full-generation recreational flows from
Northwest Arkansas Finally Gets Its Own Water Trail
Upper Illinois River Water Trail Opens in Benton County Northwest Arkansas has become nationally known for its extensive hiking and mountain biking trail systems, but until now, one of the
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