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Pivot Rock and Natural Bridge - Arkansas
ExploreSouthernHistory.com
The Upside Down Rock of Eureka Springs
| Pivot Rock - Eureka Springs, Arkansas The unique rock formation in Eureka Springs has been a tourist attraction for more than 100 years and was listed in Ripley's Believe It or Not. |
One of the more fun attractions in Eureka Springs has been around
for so long that it has attained historic status - as an attraction!
Pivot Rock is one of several unique natural formations at Pivot Rock
Park, located on Pivot Rock Road off Highway 62 West in Eureka
Springs.
First developed as a tourist attraction more than 100 years ago, the
park features paved pathways winding through unique rock
formations and the beautiful natural mountain scenery of the Ozarks.
According to legend, however, the deep ravines and caves of the
park attracted a different kind of visitor during the years after the Civil
War. Tradition holds that this was one of the many hideouts of the
outlaw Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang, the notorious
band of Old West train and bank robbers.
To be honest, many places in the Ozarks make such Jesse James
claims, but the gang was definitely active in this area and the legend
is a solid part of local folklore.
Pivot Rock, the unique formation that gives the park its name, was
colorfully described by an Arkansas writer in 1935 as, "a top
balanced on its pointed end." The formation is about twice the
height of an average person and the old description is fairly
accurate. It has been featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not and
generations of visitors to Eureka Springs have been photographed
standing beneath it.
It addition to its namesake formation, Pivot Rock Park also includes
a very pretty little natural bridge, steep bluffs, ravines and small
caves.
A fee is charged for visiting the park, which is open during the
spring, summer and fall months. Other features include a picnic
area, country store and a display of antique farm equipment. The
park is particularly beautiful during the spring blooming and fall leaf
change seasons.
One bit of advice, the walk out the paved trail to Pivot Rock is a bit
strenuous, so take your health into consideration before you make
the attempt. Also, for some reason some visitors find the park a little
hard to find, so - as the signs say - just make sure you follow Pivot
Rock Road ALL the way to the end.
for so long that it has attained historic status - as an attraction!
Pivot Rock is one of several unique natural formations at Pivot Rock
Park, located on Pivot Rock Road off Highway 62 West in Eureka
Springs.
First developed as a tourist attraction more than 100 years ago, the
park features paved pathways winding through unique rock
formations and the beautiful natural mountain scenery of the Ozarks.
According to legend, however, the deep ravines and caves of the
park attracted a different kind of visitor during the years after the Civil
War. Tradition holds that this was one of the many hideouts of the
outlaw Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang, the notorious
band of Old West train and bank robbers.
To be honest, many places in the Ozarks make such Jesse James
claims, but the gang was definitely active in this area and the legend
is a solid part of local folklore.
Pivot Rock, the unique formation that gives the park its name, was
colorfully described by an Arkansas writer in 1935 as, "a top
balanced on its pointed end." The formation is about twice the
height of an average person and the old description is fairly
accurate. It has been featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not and
generations of visitors to Eureka Springs have been photographed
standing beneath it.
It addition to its namesake formation, Pivot Rock Park also includes
a very pretty little natural bridge, steep bluffs, ravines and small
caves.
A fee is charged for visiting the park, which is open during the
spring, summer and fall months. Other features include a picnic
area, country store and a display of antique farm equipment. The
park is particularly beautiful during the spring blooming and fall leaf
change seasons.
One bit of advice, the walk out the paved trail to Pivot Rock is a bit
strenuous, so take your health into consideration before you make
the attempt. Also, for some reason some visitors find the park a little
hard to find, so - as the signs say - just make sure you follow Pivot
Rock Road ALL the way to the end.
| Legendary Outlaw Hideout Local legend holds that the outlaw Jesse James once hid out here in the bluffs, ravines and caves around Pivot Rock. |
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| The Natural Bridge at Pivot Rock Although it is not the largest such formation in Arkansas, the natural bridge at Pivot Rock Park is easy to reach and worth the visit. |
