BYRD’S ADVENTURE CENTER SARAH CARPENTER Issue #

Byrd’s Adventu

re Center

Sarah Carpenter

EXPLORING BYRD’S ADVENTURE CENTER FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Exploring Byrd’s Adventure CenterBy: Sarah Carpenter

BYRD’S ADVENTURE CENTER SARAH CARPENTER | Issue #

2

Byrd’s Adventure Center is an incredibly fun outdoor location for dirt bikes, RZR’s (off-road vehicles), four-wheelers, and more set at the bottom of the breathtaking Arkansas Ozark Mountains. At least five times a year, my family and I make the bumpy hour and a half long drive down to Ozark, Arkansas, while hauling a monster of a trailer that contains two RZR’s. We spend the entire weekend raising hell on the trails and blazing new ones. Out of all the hours we have put into the trails, we have never ridden the same one twice. There are endless activities to do at Byrd’s, whether you ride the rough trails, swim in the beautiful blue Mulberry River, or take a hike in the wonderful wilderness of the Ozark Mountains. You are guaranteed to never be bored at Byrd’s.

The RZR trails at Byrd’s are out of this world. There are over twenty different trails that vary in difficulty. They range from easy trails for beginners to extreme trails for experienced drivers. The beginner trails are basically just dirt roads with some inclines and bumps. Extreme trails are nothing but steep inclines and downhill drops, rock climbing, crossing deep waters, ledges, and anything like that. Some of the trails merge together so that you get a multitude of varying difficulties. However, that is not what makes these trails out of this world. The views from these trails make the trip worth it. You drive for miles in the mountains and see the wilderness like never before. There aren’t any buildings blocking the view of the green trees and you can look over the edge while you drive and see the river down below and all the wide open land in the valley. You get to see the big picture from amazing outlook points on the side of the mountain. You’re allowed to stand so close to the edge that you become scared of falling off the cliff, but you don’t care because you can see miles of dark green trees, the roaring Mulberry in the distance, deer sprinting through the colorful wildflowers in the field, and the brilliant sunset that melts into the peaks of the mountains. The trails have hidden gems that haven’t been discovered in a long time. Sometimes you have to ride through thick bushes, trees, and mud. You have to endure getting muddy, hit by a branch, or attacked by the creatures of

BYRD’S ADVENTURE CENTER SARAH CARPENTER | Issue #

3

hell. Those would be spiders. One of the best trails doesn’t get a lot of visitors because it is completely infested by spiders. Every time you hit a branch or go slightly off the trail, at least five evil spiders rain down on top of you. It’s

enough to make a grown man scream in fear. Trust me. I have seen it before. However, if you can endure a few spiders and maybe some bites, then you will be rewarded with the sight of a small, but magnificent waterfall. It makes the spider bites worth it. We have spent

many hours there eating our lunchmeat sandwiches and pushing each other in the cool blue water. You have to be careful, though, because the rocks are covered in slick, green slime that makes it extra easy to fall and bust your ass. I have learned from experience. Each trail offers a variety of outstanding views and varying obstacles. You never know if you will have to rock crawl over a boulder in your way or basically slide your way down the mountain side. That’s what makes it so fun. My favorite has been, and always will be, the mud pits. But make sure you wear old clothes because there is absolutely no way that you will come off of the trails without getting covered in a little mud. Mud makes everything better!

When you’ve spent all the time out on the wild trails that you want to,

then Byrd’s offers plenty of other entertaining activities. We always go for a refreshing swim in the Mulberry to cool down and clean off the mud and nasty spiders after a crazy ride. The Mulberry River is the most stunning river I have ever seen in Arkansas. The water is an incredible light blue that is just the right temperature. It isn’t so cold that you cannot stand it, but it definitely isn’t warm. The incredible, roaring blue water is mesmerizing. I could just sit there and watch it all day. You can go rafting or kayaking on the Mulberry too. I haven’t ever done either of these things, but everyone I see looks like they are having a blast. I don’t know how it wouldn’t be because it is just another opportunity to see more amazing views and wildlife in Arkansas. After all that, we like to hike the walking trails. This gives you a more up close and personal experience you’re your surroundings. You can take your time and smell all the beautiful wildflowers and hear all the birds sing their lovely songs all afternoon. There really is nothing like enjoying nature on a perfect summer day with family.

Byrd’s always has some kind of event going on. Whether it is a 4x4 rally or a music festival. People are always around having an incredible time. The 4x4 rally brings out hundreds of people that ride the trails and mud pits all day long. They have crazy competitions to see who can climb the steepest incline. To me this just seems dangerous and ridiculous, but what do I know? The music festival is really a strange experience. It is full of hippies staying in makeshift tents and probably smoking weed 24/7. The last time I went, a

BYRD’S ADVENTURE CENTER SARAH CARPENTER | Issue #

4

stoned hippie gave me a “life-changing” pep talk about how I should just smile and keep on living life to the fullest. Very interesting, but it made it a fun experience. They have a variety of events going on all year like music festivals, rallies, and competitions. Every single event embraces nature’s beauty and everything it has to offer us.

I never really thought of myself as a big nature person before we started going

to Byrd’s. I enjoyed riding dirt bikes, but I had to sell mine when I turned sixteen to afford a car. When my mom got remarried, my stepdad had two RZR’s and he took us there our first time. That truly changed my perspective on nature. I came to love the peaceful and quiet wilderness. The things you see in the mountains are breathtaking. The waterfalls, animals, flowers, stars, trees. It is all just

simply perfect. Byrd’s changed me and I am forever

thankful for it. I know that every year, at least five times,

I get to return to the picture-perfect outdoors and

completely forget about civilization for a while.

BYRD’S ADVENTURE CENTER SARAH CARPENTER | Issue #

5

Photo Credit

http://www.byrdsadventurecenter.com/activities/atv.html