cossatot river state park

Stopped on our way back to Texas from Hot Springs. It was a great stop and we wish we had more time to enjoy the natural beauty. Very remote, the Cossatot River cuts through the mountains and creates rapids and swimming holes. A refreshing place to cool off in the afternoon. Kids and dog had fun scrambling over the large rock formations and splashing through the shallow pools. Note, water was lower for the end of summer - higher waters would make this dangerous for small kids.

The Cossstot River State Park Visitors Center is not what you expect to find in such a remote area. It is beautiful, with amazing exhibits and a great movie about the formation and history of the River. The sound wasn't working when we were there, but hopefully that has been repaired. We had a delightful picnic down on the old bridge, which was the only crossing point before the "new" BIG bridge was built about 1970. This is a remote and relatively undiscovered area of Arkansas. We love it! Workers at the Center can direct you to other campgrounds and recreation areas up River.

To start off stop by the visitors center great interactive things about the park and animals. The water is beautiful when we went the water was pretty high but its just a real cool place to see and swim with the family.

We were on our way home to Dallas and this place was recommended as a place to check out along the way. If you only have 30 min, check out the cool display in the visitor center and the short trail with river overlook outside. If you have another 1 hr, the ranger can tell you how to drive to Cossatot river falls and you can adventure a bit and soak your feet (or not). If you have another 2 hours, take the Harris River trail to see a variety of vegetations + 3 great overlook points!So that's how we ended up spending 4 hours there without doing any water activities. =P

Though we camped at the nearby Cossatot Reefs Army Corps Campground, in Gillham, we spent an afternoon at the Cossatot River State Park. The Nature Center is very large, and nice. It has several aquariums with various wildlife; snakes, turtles, frogs, & fish. That should all be fun for the little ones, and it was fun for we adults, as well. There's much history of the area to view. There's a nice store inside, with snack type foods, as well as souvenirs. There's also a small clothing section. We bought t-shirts, & jackets from their winter markdown rack at great prices.The setting of the Nature Center is really nice. There is lovely landscaping around it with shaded picnic areas. There is a short drive (or walk) down to the river from the Center, which also has shaded picnic areas, and you bridge to cross over the river. From there is a nice hiking trail running alongside the river. It crosses wooden bridges with gurgling streams running under them. It's an easy, flat hike.You can get driving directions from the Nature Center to drive to the nearby falls. It's a short hike from where you park your car there to the water. It's a beautiful site. The time of year determines the rate of the falls. We've visited there in the fall, and the foliage was breathtaking.Kayaking the Cossatot River is only for the experienced. In Indian language, Cossatot means Skull Crusher, if that gives you an indication. There's much beauty to behold here. Even the drive from Wickes to the park is beautiful, both in spring and fall. We visit there in those seasons every year.

Another Great weekend Kayaking the Cossatot and the leaves where great!!!Several campers enjoying the nice weather hiking ect

Arkansas' natural beauty experienced at the Cossatot is as good as it gets. The class 5 rapids and falls give kayaker a real challenge and can be dangerous, although when the water is low they can be enjoyed by rafters and tubers (but be careful!). When we first came over 30 years ago there was only wilderness and primitive camping carved out along the river. Today it's a little more developed with designated sites, tent pads, and pit toilets. I could lie and say "don't bother coming here" but that's only because I enjoy it so much and wish it was still the little known place it was back in the day.

My family has been coming to the Cossatot for years to swim, hike, boulder, and paddle. It holds a dear place in my heart, and I always go down when it rains enough to run. The lowest I've run it at is 2.8 feet, and the highest (so far) is around 7.5 feet. It's crazy how the same river can change so much with just a little rain!Couldn't recommend this area enough.

There's an ongoing discussion among a few boaters in Arkansas, trying to determine where the center of the universe is. Some believe it is somewhere in the Ozarks, but others believe it is in the Cossatot Falls, possibly on that rock overlooking the rapid we all call The Washing Machine. Yeah, this place is that good. We are very fortunate that it is now being preserved as a State Park, and even luckier with the quality of the facilities and the friendly folks that have taken on that task. The visitor center is small but beautiful and informative; and they're opening the park up to new friends who don't have to be expert boaters to enjoy what it has; take a trail hike, bring a mask and snorkel in the Falls during summertime low water. It's all good! I've also seen kids getting personal one-on-one interaction with a naturalist and some native reptiles at the visitor center. Teachers should ask them about special field trip opportunities.

Our family just enjoyed 6 days in the Cossatot area. What a great start park! The Park Interpreters, Shelly and Andy, were so accommodating and willing to help us. We attended 4 of their programs, including the Sunset Hike and Edible Insects. While we were at the park, we enjoyed hiking, river walking, watching the kayakers, snorkeling and swimming in the river. This is definitely a place our family will visit again!

This state park is almost too good to be true. It has a visitors center, hiking trails along the river, camping and easy access to the river. Be careful though, the river run from Ed Banks bridge to Cossatot Falls should be run by experienced paddlers only. The upper portion of the 'Tot is great for less experienced paddlers. The whole river has wonderful scenery and its remoteness makes it very enjoyable for those who want to get away from city life.

With easy access to the river, it is a great place for down river fun for all levels of paddling. Plus, a neat place for snorkeling when the water is low. Hiking trails offer fantastic views of the river and wildlife of all kinds. The Rangers & employs of the park have all been very helpful and friendly.TJ

Great Whitewater Gem in Southwest Arkansas. Show up after a good rain for a great whitewater kayak run! Drive in to the falls and enjoy the scenery year round.

I have spent several weekends at this State Park and consider it a hidden gem. It's not hard to fill a weekend full of activities here between between the Visitors' Center, trails, and playing on the rocks at the Falls. The campgrounds are some of the nicest I have stayed at in Arkansas. The Falls area is spectacularly beautiful. If you have young children the Visitors' Center is a must see with several different exhibits. The Park Staff have always been very friendly as well.

The River was great ...very friendly park staff!!! Deer,turkeys,roadrunners,Eagles. just a Great place !!