STATE PARK- SPECIAL REGULATIONS This 1/2 mile trail goes, down the north slope to the Highway 278 river access. Brushy Creek Interpre- NATURAL AREA (CRSPNA) Cossatot means “skull crusher.” The river can be tive Trail starts on the west side of the river and dangerous! Review water levels, know your ability, and provides barrier-free access to a pedestrian walkway The park, managed jointly by State Parks and use care and common sense. A floater brochure is over the river. The trail continues to the picnic area the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, includes available. Floatable water levels are dependent on on the east side of this recreation area. 12.5 miles of one of the most rugged and spectacular rain events. No floater services are provided. Nearby Facilities ◆ South of the area are U.S. Army COSSATOT river corridors in the central United States. With over Floating the Cossatot is not recommended for the Corps of Engineers recreation areas on Gillham Lake. 5,483 acres of rugged wooded slopes, outstanding inexperienced or the ill-equipped. Heed these regula- To the north are U.S. Forest Service campgrounds at geological features, cascading clear water and Class tions for your safety and so others may enjoy this Shady Lake, Bard Springs, and Albert Pike Recre- RIVER III, IV and even Class V rapids, the Cossatot is a special area after you. Note: Good water levels for ation Areas. to the east provides favorite with skilled canoeists, rafters and kayakers. floating are generally limited to winter and spring. camping on Lake Greeson, and Queen Wilhelmina The combination of natural vegetation, rugged ◆ Life vests are mandatory for paddlers and other State Park west of Mena offers both camping and a STATE PARK- topography, exposed rock formations, and sparkling floaters. Helmets are highly recommended. modern lodge on the second highest peak in the state. water creates a scenic extravaganza. ◆ Pack out what you pack in. Each visitor is responsible CKNOWLEDGMENTS The mission of CRSPNA is to maintain the natural for his own refuse. Littering is strictly prohibited. A and scenic quality of the Cossatot River corridor and ◆ NATURAL AREA Glass containers are not allowed on or along the river. Purchase of the Cossatot River corridor was made possible provide natural resource education opportunities. Two ◆ It is unlawful to collect, deface, or destroy any by a grant from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural park interpreters are on staff year-round to provide plants, wildlife, or public property. The park is a Resources Council. The Arkansas Nature Conservancy programs for our visitors and curriculum-based wildlife sanctuary, hunting is prohibited. played a key role in the acquisition of the area. education experiences for school groups. The leopard ◆ Parking on bridges is prohibited. Bridges and roads The Cossatot River and the Natural Area surrounding darter and the Ouachita Mountain shiner, found only in are used for forest management including timber it have been recognized nationally, and in 1992 Congress the southern Ouachitas, live in the river. Waterfall’s hauling. designated it a National Wild and Scenic River. sedge and Ouachita Mountain twistflower, found only ◆ ATVs may be used on roads only. No off-road travel. in a few counties in the , and a For information on park hours or programs, contact: number of other sensitive species thrive within the WARNING: Never attempt to drive across a low Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area park’s five natural communities. water bridge during periods of high water. Please 1980 Highway 278 West follow all safety suggestions posted within the Wickes, AR 71973 LOCATION Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area. Telephone: (870) 385-2201 River Stage (870) 387-3141 The park extends from the , FACILITIES e-mail: [email protected] near the Highway 246 bridge on the north, to the Corps ◆ of Engineer property on Gillham Lake, south of U.S. On-Site Facilities The new 16,000 square foot For further information on Arkansas’s other fine state 278 (formerly Hwy 4). The area is most accessible at visitor center includes a wildlife observation room, an parks and natural areas contact: the two highway bridges and at Cossatot Falls. Good exhibit gallery featuring life above and below the Arkansas State Parks views and river access are available via a network of water, two classrooms and a hands-on laboratory. One Capitol Mall, 4A-900 roads (see map), two of which cross the river. The center gift shop features Arkansas and Cossatot Little Rock, AR 72201 The CRSPNA may be reached by traveling U.S. 278 River gifts. This project was funded through the Telephone: (501) 682-1191 west from Umpire about 9 miles, or 9 miles east from Amendment 75 1/8 cent conservation tax. www.ArkansasStateParks.com Primitive camping is available at the Cossatot Falls, Highway 71 at Wickes. Highway 246 passes through Natural Heritage Commission the northern portion of the park-natural area between U.S. 278, Eds Banks and Sandbar Areas. Trails ◆ The park-natural area has four trails. The 1500 Tower Bldg. Athens and Vandervoort. Both highways are paved. 323 Center St. Weyerhaeuser roads #52200, #52000 and a portion of River Trail begins at Highway 246 and traverses 14 miles of the river corridor to the Highway 278 access. Little Rock, AR 72201 road #52600 are designated routes Telephone: (501) 324-9150 to the interior of the property. It connects four of the five river access areas. The Signs are in place to guide visitors Harris Creek Trail begins just off of Highway 278 As a part of its conservation mission, ARKANSAS to interior river access points. near the Baker Creek bridge and meanders through Arkansas State Parks has printed this brochure on recycled paper. All park services are provided on These roads are also used for 3.5 miles of mature forest between Harris Creek and DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & TOURISM the river. The Waterleaf Interpretive Trail begins a nondiscriminatory basis. Arkansas State Parks is an Equal forest management including Opportunity Employer. AND timber hauling. Use caution when at the visitor center and includes a section of barrier- traveling these roads. free trail along the ridge top. Arkansas State Parks 2005 DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS HERITAGE Floaters Note: NOTICE: To preserve scenic beauty and The Cossatot is not for beginners!! ecology, fences and warning signs have not been installed in some park locations. Cossatot floating opportunities are E

Caution and supervision of your children seasonal usually early spring & winter. XPLORE To Vandervoort Brushy Creek USFS Rd #31 are required while visiting these areas. Water levels are normally too low for Access Area paddling during the summer and early fall. Paddlers should never attempt this river River Trailhead Day Use Only To Athens alone or without proper equipment. Be particularly careful on and around low

water bridges. The hydraulics associated with these structures may suck people THE 246 and inflatables into the bridge tubes. 88 270 71

Queen Wilhelmina I-40 I-55 B State Park 88 River Information:

River Trail Mena EAUTY 71 It is: Cossatot Polk River a 9.5 mile float from Hwy 246 to the = = County I-30 4 State Park- take out at U.S. 278 (formerly Hwy 4), Natural Area 246 a 6 mile float from the Ed Banks low ==

52000 water bridge to the take out at U.S. 278, and H & Oklahoma 84 Ed Banks Bridge 278 84 Daisy a 4.5 mile float from the Sandbar low water = State Park bridge to the take out at U.S. 278. 71 70 278 River level information is available

52600 ISTORY Seiver Dierks by calling 870-387-3141. 11 Miles to Hwy #71 County This recording gives the 70 Howard river level in feet elevation 70 County at the Highway 246 bridge. DeQueen

Sand Bar Bridge 71

NOTE: Unpaved roads are numbered by OF Cossatot Falls 52200

Weyerhaeuser Co. A

To Wickes 52200 - 52600 junction 3.5 miles RKANSAS Devil's Hollow Falls U.S. 278 Bridge To Umpire (formerly Hwy #4) 52200 - 52600 to Cossatot Falls 1.8 miles 278 52200 - 52600 to Sand Bar 2.5 miles (formerly Hwy #4) Low Water Bridge Visitor = PAVED ROAD Center = UNPAVED ROAD

UPPER COSSATOT RIVER ! UPPER COSSATOT RIVER Gillham Lake = RIVER ACCESS POINTS