Cave City has officially been selected as the newest hub in the Arkansas Rural Recreational Roads Program, expanding outdoor recreation and rural tourism opportunities across Independence and Sharp counties.
Known as R3, the statewide program identifies and promotes scenic rural roads for exploration by bicycle, foot and horseback.
Cave City joins an expanding network of Arkansas destinations that includes Bentonville, Gravette, Goshen, Leslie, Pea Ridge and Siloam Springs.
The designation will introduce visitors from across Arkansas and beyond to Cave City’s rural landscape, local businesses, agricultural heritage and recreational opportunities.
CAVE CITY PARK WILL SERVE AS TRAILHEAD
The Cave City R3 hub will begin at Cave City Park, where public parking and picnic areas will provide visitors with a place to begin and end their trips.
New wayfinding signs will be installed around the park and at other locations throughout the area.
Each sign will include QR codes connecting visitors to digital maps and information about scenic routes for bicycling, hiking, horseback riding and exploring the countryside.
The routes will follow quiet gravel roads through the hills, fields and wooded areas surrounding Cave City.
According to the official Cave City R3 hub page, the routes travel through Independence and Sharp counties and pass farmland, watermelon fields, rural communities, hidden swimming holes and other natural attractions.
PROGRAM PROMOTES LOCAL TOURISM
The R3 designation is expected to provide Cave City with additional opportunities to attract visitors and support local businesses.
After completing a route, visitors can explore Cave City attractions, restaurants and shops.
The R3 program highlights several local destinations, including Crystal River Cave, which is located beneath the heart of Cave City.
The program also promotes Cave City’s nationally recognized watermelons, local dining and the annual Cave City Watermelon Festival.
Community leaders say the hub gives visitors another reason to discover Cave City while providing residents with new ways to experience the community and surrounding countryside.
BOBBY FINSTER LEADS R3 PROGRAM
Cave City native and veteran gravel cyclist Bobby Finster serves as program director of the Arkansas Rural Recreational Roads Program.
Finster has traveled thousands of miles along Arkansas gravel roads and has worked to promote outdoor recreation, environmental education and rural communities across the state.
The Ozark Foundation selected Finster to lead R3 as the program expands into additional communities and watershed regions.
The Ozark Foundation said the program connects rural road conservation with the protection of nearby streams and waterways.
Cave City officials congratulated Finster and the entire R3 team for bringing the project to his hometown.
WATERSHED EDUCATION INCLUDED
The Cave City routes travel through the Middle White River Watershed, which provides clean water, supports wildlife and contributes to recreation and agriculture throughout North Central Arkansas.
Signs and online materials will provide information about local watersheds, conservation and responsible recreation.
The program encourages visitors to protect streams, rivers, roadside areas and surrounding natural resources while exploring rural routes.
R3 officials say preserving rural roads and nearby waterways can strengthen communities while supporting outdoor recreation and economic development.
WHAT IS AN R3 HUB?
An R3 hub is a designated location where visitors can park before beginning a recreational route and return after completing it.
Hubs are generally located near a network of rural gravel roads, restaurants, shops and other community attractions.
Routes are predetermined paths designed to provide an enjoyable experience for cyclists, hikers and horseback riders. Many routes form loops that return visitors to the starting location.
The R3 program also promotes safety and reminds visitors that rural roads are shared by passenger vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, horses and farm equipment.
Visitors should check current weather, road conditions and possible closures before beginning a route. Cyclists and horseback riders are also encouraged to carry appropriate safety and navigational equipment.
Additional information about the Cave City hub and available routes can be found at ArkansasR3.com.
Leave a Reply