Discover Sharp County: Nature and History

Nature and history offer different ways to explore Sharp County. Forests and clearings, river landscapes, and routes appeal to different interests; in Hardy, history comes to life through a historic business district, Old Kia Kima, and museum exhibits. If you’re looking for a hotel for your trip, choosing between nature and local history can be a first step in deciding where to go.

Nature, River, and Routes

The Harold E. Alexander Spring River Wildlife Management Area covers 13,939 acres of wooded hardwood areas and clearings in the Ozark Highlands. The Bubbling Springs Nature Trail passes through the highland’s oak-hickory forests and several clearings before reaching Bubbling Springs. The nature experience described here therefore centers on both the forest landscape and more open stretches.

The South Fork of the Spring River is a quiet warm-water stream with beautiful scenery, well suited to leisurely raft trips. The river offers a different focus from the forest and highlands: here, the water and a slow raft ride go together.

The two routes can be distinguished by their length and course. The Spring River Country Nature and Leaf Trail is a 48-mile loop that begins and ends in Hardy. The Harold E. Alexander Nature and Leaf Trail is 39 miles long and loops around the Harold E. Alexander Spring River Wildlife Management Area. Hardy is the starting and ending point for the first route; the wildlife management area is the reference point for the second. This lets you compare the two routes without treating them as one combined trail.

The Rock Creek Natural Area in Sharp County offers another perspective: it has one of the highest concentrations of rare plants in Arkansas. If you choose nature destinations primarily for their plant life, this is a distinct focus alongside forest trails, river landscapes, and routes.

Hardy: History and Exhibits

The Hardy Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 as an intact historic business district in Sharp County. The designation draws attention to the business district as a historic area, rather than just a single building. Hardy thus complements the nature themes with a specific site of regional history.

Old Kia Kima was a Boy Scouts of America summer camp that operated from 1916 to 1964. The camp contributed significantly to tourism in Hardy and played an important role in the founding of the nearby town of Cherokee Village. Its history thus connects its former use as a camp with two distinct regional ties.

The Hardy History Museum displays Hardy’s first printing press and the first safe from the Old Farmer’s Bank of Hardy. These exhibits offer a tangible glimpse into printing and banking history in Hardy. If you specifically want to see these two items, check before your visit whether they are still on display.

A September Event

Hardy Homesteaders Day commemorates Hardy’s founding in 1883. The program includes demonstrations of traditional crafts, live music with several bands and stages, and activities for children. Food cooked over an open fire is also offered. Hardy Homesteaders Day takes place on the last Saturday in September; dates and program details may change. So, before making plans, check the date for your travel year and the current program.

Discover more destinations: Hardy, Union County, Desha County, St. Francis County, Little River, Sebastian, Greene County, Hot Spring County.

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