Tanner's I-40 Wilderness Escape

The "back roads" of Arkansas lie just outside our door and we are frequently seen biking these roads as we shuttle ourselves up and down the river. Over time we have found some really nice pastoral "loops" to bike -- mostly in the 10-20 mile range. Some great off and on track bike trails can also be found at nearby Fairfiled Bay and Woolly Hollow State Park.

Let's talk fish! Cadron Creek combines the best of the Ozark highlands and the Arkansas River valley in offering a large variety of fish. Foremost are the tail-walking black (largemouth) bass -- 1-2 pounds is the norm but 3-5 pounds aren't uncommon. My favorite are the bream -- one because they are plentiful, two because they are easy to catch (can you say "crickets"?) and they taste so good and pure -- small but yummy! For those that like the fight and taste of a catfish -- we got some big ones, mostly flatheads -- that can be fished from the bank or if you prefer to set out some jug lines or yo-yos we know just the place. We have all kinds of fish -- some I have yet to identify -- but perhaps the hardest to catch is our gars. Catch one and expect a big fight.

Trails here. Trails there. Trails everywhere. We just tell guests that if it looks like a trail it probably is and if it isn't thanks for blazing a new one. In the campground proper there are several trails perhaps none more popular than the one to Tanner's Pool -- a small cascading stream with numerous small waterfalls and a woodland pool surrounded by wildflowers. Also popular after a thunderstorm are the overland jaunts to Lil' B and Big B' Falls. Other trails lead to vistas overlooking the river -- my favorite view can be found on the Overlook trail that ascends the bluff near Indian Rock House. Other trails in the area can be found at Woolly Hollow State Park, Cove Creek Natural Heritage Area and Greer's Ferry Lake.

This is what we do. Our sister enterprise -- Cadron Creek Outfitters -- is a full service boat livery offering kayak and canoe rental, shuttle and guide service and good beta on the latest paddling conditions witih the Cadron Creek watershed. Cadron Creek is central Arkansas' premier Class II whitewater stream and is popular with paddlers from across the state. Offering nearly a 100 miles of river we can provide an adventure that meets or exceeds the expectations of nearly every paddler.

Cadron Creek is a land of boulders and bluffs suitable for finding new routes and perfecting old ones. Within a few hundred yards of one's campsite all kinds of challenging problems can be found. We even have one campsite in which your back is shadowed by a tall bluff and your tent lies just feet away from the cascading water of Playground Shoals. Sarah's Hole even allows for bouldering where no pad is needed -- if you fall it is into a pool of water.

Do we have white water? Yes we do! You'll likely see white caps from your camping site and be lulled to sleep by the sound of cascading water. Cadron Creek is a popular destination for paddlers looking to improve their skills on Class I and Class III whitewater. And when looking for something even more exciting we can deliver as several Class II and Class IV streams are within a short drive away.

Our campground is landscaped and groomed with wildlife in mind. A nesting turkey can be found in the pine grove. A family of beaver work the "Bend", the hole below Playground Rapids. And duck and geese are often seen plying the waters of the Cadron. Wildflowers and fruiting trees attract lots of butterflies and birds and we even have several bat houses in which hundreds of bats live. At the bunkhouse we even have a bench set out for guests to sit on while the bats emerge every evening right at sunset. Lizards, salamanders and snakes round out the tally -- we love nature's creatures -- except ticks and chiggers that is.

Want to camp in a cave? We can make it happen as Indian Bluff House lies just across the river. You too can sleep where native Americans once slept.

Our entire campground is wooded and designed by nature for hammocks and slack lines. Sun can be found -- especially out on the water -- but we have far more shade than sun.

The best swimming holes on Cadron Creek can be found within walking distance of every campsite. Sarah's Hole with it's jumping rock. Deep Hole with its rope swing. Or the wading pool at the low water bridge. There are so many places to get wet.

In addition to the cascades at Tanner Pool and the rapids lying at the heart of the campground one can also visit Lil' B and Big Bertha Falls upstream of the campground.