It was fun driving the two miles up Mt. Nebo to the summit which stands at 1810 feet above sea level. Mt. Nebo is chuck full of recreational opportunities. It offers bicycling (street and mountain), horseback riding, dancing, bowling,,boating,,swimming pool, and 14 miles of hiking traits which range from easy to strenuous.. Mt..Nebo offers campsites as well as cabins. The cabins are relativity close together however. Our cabin,65,was just above access to the Summit Park Trail that led to Lover's Leap and the seasonal waterfall. This trail offers beautiful vistas of the Ozark National Forest. The cabin came complete with everything except a toaster, kleenex,and paper towels .A TV was present but the channel offerings were boring. The spa was great with a large tub, however the shower lacked water pressure. Outside the cabin had a fully equipped BBQ with all utensils to BBQ. There was a fire pit and picnic table as well. The porch was lined with chairs so you could take in the gorgeous views of the mountains. The sunset was absolutely enchanting. In the morning was another magnificent view of the smokey moutains. The worst thing was the double bed being hard and uncomfortable. Overall, the trip was far worth it with its astonishing views. Be sure to visit the Visitor Center with breathtaking views of the Arkansas River.
Extended family just spent the Memorial Day weekend at Mount Nebo and had a fantastic time. Rented three cabins: 64, 65 & 72 and was really pleased with the whole experience. If you can, get a rustic cabin with a view but be warned that the kitchens are "apartment sized" which made cooking for our family 15 a fun challenge. The wildlife is not very afraid of us, so it was possible to get a pretty close view of the deer and road runners that inhabit the park. The pool is on the edge of a cliff so it has a great view of the River Valley and surrounding hills. The hiking trails were fun and not to difficult but watch out for occasional snakes! The kids (aged 6 to 14) all enjoyed the programs put on by the Park Staff. Can't wait to visit again next year.
We were on Mount Nebo October 18, 2014. As others have reported, the two mile drive up was a bit unnerving and had my adrenaline flowing with the extremely sharp hairpin turns along with the 18% grade. At a couple of turns we were nearly stopped coming out of the turn and then having to push the gas to climb. Yet, the visitor center staff take it in stride. Arrival at the Mount Nebo State Park sign and lookout area is lovely, but not quite at the top yet. The summit is very nice and surprising with cabins and private residences. The view behind the visitor center is beautiful, and the porch rocking chair was inviting. Standard clean restrooms are inside. An active nuclear reactor was also clearly visible from the back. The Sunset point is wonderful to just sit, look, and reflect, and the distant mountains reminded me a bit of the Great Smoky Mountains. Much better than Sunrise point. Now, the most ironic things I saw were the round blue and white signs indicating the Nuclear Evacuation route -- there is only one way up and one way down!!
We enjoyed the magnificent view from Mount Nebo. We stayed in Russellville since it's the closest developed city that has good restaurants and everything you need. Mount Nebo was very nice. It has several hiking trails and great views of the river valley. It's also worth visiting the Lake Dardanelle Visitor's Center located in Russellville. It has an excellent view of Lake Dardanelle and offers kayaking rentals.
Mount Nebo State Park is a gorgeous state park with incredible scenic views. Most may knock the twisty switchback curves at an 18% grade; however, the twisting two-mile drive is definitely worth the effort. I first visited Mount Nebo in 1995, and I swam in their public swimming pool (for a nominal fee). The water is clean, and the pool seems just right. Visiting there at least once each year, the views from Sunrise Point and Sunset Point are breathtaking and serene! Also, the view from the visitor's center showing the Arkansas River Valley is certainly impressive. I would recommend going to this spot for the 4th of July since it is free, and you get to see all the pyrotechnics going off around the area, especially seeing two displays (Russellville and Dardanelle). The only drawback is the possibility of people shooting them off on the mountain in a state park, which may pose a hazard to the wildlife. Despite that, seeing all the beauty from up there is most definitely worth the drive.
Great free state park on this beautiful mountain called Mt Nebo on the Arkansas River Valley with incredible views for miles. There are six trails one on the Rim by the top and the Bench around the middle are all the way around about four miles, then the springs all have trails to them. Rent a cabin or private home from several locations on the top or stay in your tent for as little as $20 per night. There is a water slide pool in the summer for only $4 per person. Three play grounds for children and two tennis courts and three basketball courts. Hang gliding is also done by advanced fliers.
There are only a few high vantage points in this area of Arkansas, right near the river. This mountain is worthwhile for several reasons: 1) Sunsets. Every day about 45 minutes before the sun goes down, people from all over the mountain walk, ride bicycles and drive cars to sunset point. The views are amazing. 2) Trails. This mountain has several miles of trails of all varieties of difficulty. Beautiful vistas of wildlife, rockslides and waterfalls abound. 3) Island feel. Although it is a mountain, only a few miles from Dardanelle, this community has only one reliable access road. That road is twisty and steep, so there aren't many visitors that show up by accident. People have to want to be there -- for camping, hanggliding, weddings, hiking, etc. So, it feels like an island, where everyone is in vacation mode.
Mount Nebo State Park is one of the best places in the state of Arkansas for hiking. The Rim Trail gives a great view of the entire area for the duration of the hike. There are other trails that are very challenging and rewarding when you complete them. Visiting Petit Jean State Park which is less than a hour away and this park on the same day will make for a great day of hiking and outdoor activity. Arkansas does call itself the Natural State, so if you are in the state then you need to check out the natural attraction. Mount Nebo should be high on that list.
As stated below, this park is not for the faint of heart! The dive up is twisty, steep and slow. Would not recommend pulling camper or RV or anything much over 20 feet and you’d better have the power to pull an 18% grade.Once on top, you’ll want to take a drive around the mountain and enjoy the view and vistas from several vantage points. The visitor center is staffed by nice folks and be sure to take a moment to spend some time on the back porch just taking in the view.
Each year, we visit Arkansas in October to ride the scenic byways, and each year, we find another great place to ride. This is one of them, especially if you combine it with visits to other area state parks like Mt. Magazine and Petit Jean State Parks.The road to the top of Mt. Nebo is short (under 2 miles) but incredibly twisty - lot of turns, many of them hairpin turns, and steep (18% grade.) Have a few miles under your belt, and a pretty good familiarity of the capabilities of your bike AND its handler before trying this one, as there's nowhere to turn around until you're quite close to the top.Once we got to the top, there were plenty of deer right next to the roadway, who didn't spook as the bikes went by. The park contains a git shop and has cabins available for rent. We didn't plan far enough ahead to stay in one of the cabins, but will next time. Other riders we met who had just left Mt. Nebo suggested packing in everything you'll need, since supplies are limited at the top. (There are stores in Dardanelle that sell the stuff you'll need.)