[HotSpringsLiving]

Yikes! Where were the bear pics taken?

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by photobuff42

If you like wildlife, you might want to choose the Quachitas. This little guy looked in the window and watched my nephew playing video games. My stepmother took his picture. I think he makes a nice visitor....

Wonderful pics. The Ouachitas do have a plethora of Black Bear, even on the Oklahoma side, where there are several hundred.

[J Arp]

Originally Posted by Synopsis

Wonderful pics. The Ouachitas do have a plethora of Black Bear, even on the Oklahoma side, where there are several hundred.

They had to remove a black bear from Henderson State campus in Arkadelphia about a month or so ago. Lucky it was when no students were on campus. Cute little fella.

[photobuff42]

Originally Posted by HotSpringsLiving

Yikes! Where were the bear pics taken?

Near Mena.

[Bull Winkus]

Nice bear pics! Be careful. He there cuz he hungry!

Hot Springs is a little more developed, but the surrounding area is not. The Ouachita Mountains are prime wilderness for hunting and fishing and all kinds of outdoor activity. There's Lake Ouachita and Lake Hamilton, and quartz hunting. It is a great part of Arkansas to explore.

And, so too is the Mountain Home area. There, one has two great Corp of Engineers reservoirs, Lake Norfork and Bull Shoals Lake to explore, both on land and water. The White River has some of the best trout fishing you'll find anywhere. Below Mountain Home The Buffalo National River is great for canoeing and hiking and has some of the most breathtaking scenery to ogle and awe over.

It's like trying to choose a wife from two fantastically beautiful twin-but-not-quite-identical sisters. It can't be done.

OK, it can. But, it ain't easy!

OK, Mountain Home. For the proximity of the Buffalo River, charm of nearby Eureka Springs, proximity to Mountain View, the lakes, the river and distance away from Little Rock.

[tutufay]

The Ouachitas definately have the wilderness, and the Mena area has a regional Hospital that is great. For a small town (under 6000) we have all the necessary goods and services but we are literally in the middle of the national forest. I can't say enough about the beauty that surrounds, I will never take it for granted. I'll be glad to assist you with any info you need.

[ArkansasSlim]

Originally Posted by bbcat

Thank you for the repliesWe just want to be near an hospital and a grocery store.We don't do not do to much night life.We are looking for a place that has wilderness. Does anyone know if any the hot springs in AR are outdoors or are they inside?Thank you all again..

The hot springs are in the town of Hot Springs with only one set up for outside public display. There are however several places set up where you can fill up water jugs with the hot spring water. I know of only one other hot spring in AR and it is several miles west of Hot Springs in the middle of the Caddo River.

I'll admit my bias, but Mena would be my choice because it is a small town with a good hospital, college, good schools, and right in the middle of the Ouachita Mountains and the Ouachita National Forest which has many trails, camping areas, a couple of small lakes, and a couple of designated wilderness areas. And, if you just like to get out and wander around through the woods, you have several hundred thousand acres on which to do that.