Campgrounds will be open by Memorial Day weekend

Despite winter's record-breaking rain and flooding trashing campgrounds around the state, most of the debris has been cleared from sites in preparation for Memorial Day weekend.

"We're all open," said Monika Rued, public information officer for Arkansas State Parks, in reference to all state parks.

In December, areas between Fort Smith and Harrison experienced more than 10 inches of rainfall, and Northwest Arkansas received 338 percent of the normal amount for the month, according to the National Weather Service. With about 67 inches for the year, the area had the most rain since 1973.

The Buffalo National River and campgrounds along the bank also are open. The Lost Valley campgrounds near the river, which closed after 2014-15 winter flooding, has remained open since September and through this winter's floods.

Flooding caused 125 Beaver Lake campsites to close in January. Volunteers from Walmart and inmates from the Benton County Jail started to clean up Horseshoe Bend, where most of the debris was found, in early April. They finished April 15, just days before the campgrounds opened, said Michael Hurley, deputy operations program manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The biggest news is the improved water line at the Prairie Creek Campgrounds that was completed May 19, Hurley said. The campsites have individual water hookups for the first time.

All sites that can be reserved along Beaver Lake are taken for the holiday weekend, though those still looking to camp can try for the first-come, first-served sites, Hurley said.

"The first-come, first-served sites fill up quickly," he said. "We are expecting a full lake."

Businesses around Beaver Lake seem slightly unsure of what to expect crowd-wise Memorial Day weekend, given that weather predictions call for scattered thunderstorms around Eureka Springs and Bentonville.

"It depends on the weather, but we will have a live band," said Samantha Hunt, assistant manager at JJ's Grill on the Lake. "We should be packed. Sales were pretty awesome last year."

Devil's Den in southern Washington County is also open. All campsites are booked for Memorial Day weekend, but some cabins were still available as of Friday.

Some popular nearby spots are still recovering, but owners said they will be open for the holiday weekend.

At Elk River Floats and Wayside Campground in Noel, Mo., offices and campgrounds were severely damaged, said Renee Lett, co-owner. After rebuilding the Elk River office and renovating the other, Lett said they should be ready for holiday crowds.

"We are still working but will be ready," she said. "We're still taking reservations for both places."

Many places along the Illinois River were hit hard after historic flooding. The river crested at 30.7 feet in late December, which is 3 feet higher than the previous 1950s record, according to weather records.

Arrowhead Resort and Peyton's Place in Tahlequah, Okla. -- both known for camping, kayaking and floating -- are still cleaning up, but owners said most of their sites are ready.

"Our main building got 20 inches of water, and the campsites were hit hard with 10 feet of gravel from the floods," said Amy Grogan, owner of Peyton's Place. "I would say 90 percent of our campgrounds are ready."

Other places along the river in Oklahoma -- such as Diamondhead, Eagle Bluff, Sparrow Park and Elephant Rock -- are open and working on finishing touches, like adding picnic tables, before the weekend rush.

"We're 150 feet up over the river, and so we fared pretty well," said Rod Foster, owner of Elephant Rock Nature Park. "Over the past few years, we've started to see more Northwest Arkansas people, which is great."

NW News on 05/23/2016