A spate of strong storms has left key roads to Boston Mountain closed and prompted park officials to set up detours to get to the popular White Rock Recreation Area near Ozark.
“We realize that these road closures and detours represent an inconvenience, but safety is our first priority for our workforce and for the visiting public,” forest supervisor Judi Hnery said.
Those detours are:
• From the West on I-40: Take I-540 North to Exit 24 (Arkansas Highway 282) and go East turning right off the exit onto Arkansas Highway 282 to US Highway 71. Turn left and travel North; turn Right onto Arkansas Highway 348 and travel to Locke; continue on Forest Service Road 1007 through Bidville to the intersection with Forest Service Road 1505 (White Rock Road); and turn right (South). Continue to White Rock Recreation Area.
• From the East on I-40: Take Exit 24, Mulberry, turn right onto Arkansas Highway 215, and travel North to Fern. In Fern, turn left onto Forest Service Road 1707 (Old Fern Road) and travel to Forest Service Road 1007; turn Right and travel North through Locke to Bidville to the intersection with Forest Service Road 1505 (White Rock Road); and then, turn right (South) and continue to White Rock Recreation Area.
• From the North (Fayetteville, etc.): From Arkansas Highway 16, turn South on Forest Service Road 1007 (Mill Creek Road) east of Combs; travel on Forest Service Road 1007 to the intersection with Forest Service Road 1505; and turn left and travel on Forest Service Road 1505 (White Rock Road) to the White Rock Recreation Area.
• Traveling South on I-540: Take exit 34, Chester/Mountainburg, turn left onto Arkansas Highway 282; travel to US Highway 71; turn right (South) and travel to Cain and the intersection with Arkansas Highway 348; turn left (East) and travel to Locke. Continue on Forest Service Road 1007 through Bidville to the intersection with Forest Service Road 1505 (White Rock Road); turn right (South); and continue to White Rock Recreation Area.
Several roads were damaged by heavy rainfall and will stay closed until repaired. Those roads include:
• Fanes Creek Rd (Forest Service Road 1520) From just past Cove Creek to the Summit at Forest Service Road 1509
• Forest Service Road 1003 from Mineral Hill (intersection with Forest Service Road 1510) to Ragtown (intersection with Forest Service Road 1509)
• Intersection of Forest Service Road 1003 & Forest Service Road 1505 at Bliss Ridge to Woods Gap