Motocamping trip to DeGray State Park in Arkansas

[Grumpy Goat]

I just realised .... there is no thread in this forum area. Lets fix that.

Two of my work colleagues and another chap are intending to embark on a motocamping trip to DeGray State Park in Arkansas, and to spend 3 nights in a YURT. Never stayed in a yurt before and never even camped with these guys before. As a matter of fact only went on a long ride with one of them, so the overall experience should be interesting.

We have 2 full days of riding planned, and will be visiting other State Parks and sites of interest in the area. I intend to take some video and photos, and will be sharing on the website, YouTube, and in this thread.

Bikes other than my RS are 2 Harleys (one big and one small) and a Kawasaki Ninja 650.

Below is a picture of a YURT from their website ... looks nice.

   

[Lee]

Looks interesting.
Are you going to wait a month or so to let things warm up?

[Grumpy Goat]

Looks interesting.
Are you going to wait a month or so to let things warm up?

I don't want it any warmer than forecasted. Drier maybe.

   

[Lee]

Looks interesting.
Are you going to wait a month or so to let things warm up?

I don't want it any warmer than forecasted. Drier maybe.

That's not bad.
I had checked Hot Springs and the 7 day showed mostly 50s during the day and 30s at night.
What's the temperature rating on your sleeping bag?

[Grumpy Goat]

That's not bad.
I had checked Hot Springs and the 7 day showed mostly 50s during the day and 30s at night.
What's the temperature rating on your sleeping bag?

I forget now, but it is close to freezing. I have camped in 45 or lower overnight before so I know it works that low at least.

[Lee]

Have a fun trip.

309 over Magazine Mt. is a nice road. Check out the State Park Lodge.
We have not been there since the Lodge was been built.

If the weather is good Talimena Scenic Drive (hwy 1) is fun and has good views.
The remolded State Park Lodge reopened last year.

[Blackshirt]

You're right to go in early spring. Once the weather turns warm in Arkansas, the fleas, ticks, chiggers, gnats, and mosquitoes will eat you alive. However, the "Natural State" offers some truly beautiful riding. I always take the back way through the Ouachita National Forest when on my way to the WildGuzzi national rally in Cedar Vale, Kansas. The roads and scenery are really a treat.

[Grumpy Goat]

Posting this from the yurt presently, as I listen to the rain falling outside. We did not get wet today ... made it back in the nick of time. We rode on the Scenic 7 today, and went up Mt.Nebo and lots of other roads I can't remember presently. Have lots of video to edit.

[Lee]

Posting this from the yurt presently, as I listen to the rain falling outside. We did not get wet today ... made it back in the nick of time. We rode on the Scenic 7 today, and went up Mt.Nebo and lots of other roads I can't remember presently. Have lots of video to edit.

7 north of the interstate is a nice ride with great views of the valley.
It's been a long time since we rode up to Mt Nebo SP and Petit Jean SP.
Both are good spots to visit.

[Grumpy Goat]

7 north of the interstate is a nice ride with great views of the valley.
It's been a long time since we rode up to Mt Nebo SP and Petit Jean SP.
Both are good spots to visit.

Yes we did that yesterday and was going to go to Petit Jean SP but time did not allow. We attempted to go to the Queen Wilhemina SP today but we had to abort part way up due to extremely heavy fog. Imagine 20 mph twisties in heavy fog up a mountain ...? Not fun.

[Lee]

[quote='Lee' pid='760' dateline='1553438339']
Imagine 20 mph twisties in heavy fog up a mountain ...? Not fun.

Did that one time and had to turn around.
We had a hard time seeing a turn around spot in the fog.
Fog is a common problem on that road.

I looked up the price of the Yurt. $55 is pretty cheap when several guys are splitting the cost.

[Grumpy Goat]

Did that one time and had to turn around.
We had a hard time seeing a turn around spot in the fog.
Fog is a common problem on that road.

I looked up the price of the Yurt. $55 is pretty cheap when several guys are splitting the cost.

We turned around on the road itself. Didn't want to venture farther to find a spot.

Yes the accommodations were "reasonable" split 4 ways.

[Grumpy Goat]

Just wanted to give an update - the trip was a great success. Weather held off perfectly - no rain on any ride days! Rain in the right made it perfect for sleeping in the YURT, which worked out quite nicely, incidentally. Lots of pictures and video to share, but before that, lots of work to do editing.

Don't expect me to remember all the nuances of all the routes, like Darrell and lee might remember - I am not at all built that way. I will at best remember that I was in that part of the State and rode some nice roads and that is about it. That is why I shoot video ...

[Grumpy Goat]

Three videos up on YouTube so far, if you are interested and have nothing better to do

• Ride through DeGray Lake Resort and State Park
  
• Day 1 - Ride from Houston to DeGray
  
• Day 2 - Fun on Mt.Nebo
  

[BobAin'tStoppin']

Hey GG. Nice video. I'd like to ride that mountain with you some time. Looking forward to Helen next.

[Grumpy Goat]

Hey GG. Nice video. I'd like to ride that mountain with you some time. Looking forward to Helen next.

Thanks. Same here. And be careful of those drivers pulling out of parking lots ...

[Lee]

For some reason when I click on the links it wants me to create a channel.
Never had that happen before with You Tube.
I'll try again later.

[Grumpy Goat]

For some reason when I click on the links it wants me to create a channel.
Never had that happen before with You Tube.
I'll try again later.

Lee - thanks for letting me know. This dummy put the wrong links there. I fixed it now in the original post above.

[Lee]

I fixed it now in the original post above.

   

[darrell]

Nice videos Wayne.