Local Sites to Visit

 

 

Will Reed Farmhouse - This restored cabin in Allene gives visitors a glimpse of how early settlers lived in Southwest Arkansas.

Cerrogordo - Spanish for "big hill." Probably named by Spaniards mining salt deposits here in the 1700s. Near Foreman, this border town was an Indian trading post and stop on the trail west. Local legends told of lost Spanish gold buried here.

Rocky Comfort Museum - Built in Foreman in1902 as a jailhouse using the "stacked board" method of construction, this museum is full of local history and memorabilia, and is listed on the National Register.

Foreman City Park - Over two acres devoted to recreation next to downtown. Pavilion, BBQ grills, walking trails, playground, two lighted sand volleyball courts, landscaped with wildflowers and trees native to the area (trees identified for visitors).

Ashdown City Park - Over 20 acres, seven ball fields, two tennis courts, lighted walking trails, pavilion, BBQ grills, landscaped with wildflowers and trees native to the area.

Millwood State Park - The park is known as one of the best birding sites in Arkansas, with 309 species reported within a 7.5-mile area. The park is also very popular for fishing, wildlife walks, camping and picnicking.

Millwood Dam & Spillway - Located on the Little River just 16 river miles upstream from its confluence with the Red River. The US Army Corps of Engineers dam is approximately 3 miles long and is one of few that curves, as well as being the base for a highway AND a train track. Tours through the Spillway may be arranged by calling 870-898-3343.

Beards Lake Arboretum Trail & Watchable Wildlife Boardwalk - A self-guided interpretive trail and boardwalk that spans out over a wetland habitat owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The entire length is approximately 1,000 feet with a walking time of 15 to 30 minutes (or longer depending on how much you stop to watch the wildlife sure to be in the area!).

White Cliffs Natural Area - This 573-acre site is located just off the north shore of Millwood Lake and is the largest, least disturbed Annona Chalk outcrop remaining in Arkansas. Deposited during the Upper Cretaceous period, it marks the inland-most reach of the West Gulf Coastal Plane. It is also world-renowned among geologists as one of the best fossil-collecting sites in the country. The area is protected by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission because of its ecological, geological, historical, and archaeological significance.

Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Conservation Education Center & Wildlife Management Area - This area is owned by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and is one of the largest remaining tracts of endangered Blackland Prairie.

Ashdown Antiques - Historic downtown Ashdown welcomes you to shop "around the block" at its 10+ Antique Shops & Malls, plus arts, crafts, candle making and more!

Millwood Overlook - If you want to see a beautiful site, come to this overlook at sunset!

Ashdown, AR

Area Information

Located in Southwest Arkansas 15 miles North of Texarkana on US Highway 71/59 with a population at the 2000 census of 4,851.  In addition to US Highway 71, Ashdown is served by State Highway 32 and 108.  Interstate 30 is 19 miles South.  The Kansas City Southern and Kiamichi Railroads serve Ashdown.

Millwood Lake is 10 minutes away.  From Ashdown you can be in Texarkana in 20 minutes, Little Rock, AR in 2 1/2 hours, Shreveport, LA in 2 hours or Dallas, TX in 3 hours.

 

Ashdown has excellent medical facilities comprised of a fully staffed 42 bed hospital, 4 medical clinics and 3 dental offices.  Texarkana has a major trauma center and facilities for major surgery.

About Ashdown