Ozark Folk Center State Park

The Ozark Folk Center is a people place, dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of traditional Ozark Mountain crafts and music. This Arkansas State Park shares the story of the Ozark way of life, which bred an independent, religious, joyful people who survived the hardships of pioneer days by their native wit and wisdom. Enjoy your stay among the delightful, talented people of the Ozarks.

Here you'll find a people and a setting almost unique in 20th century America. Nestled in the Ozarks with misty blue mountains rising round about, the town of Mountain View, Arkansas, holds a rustic beauty for every day in the season. Clean air and clear streams, streaked limestone bluffs dropping into deeply etched valleys, and hardwood forests teeming with wildlife provide the rugged setting for life in Stone County. The Ozark heritage of self-reliance, ingenuity, and a strong work ethic, together with the joy of sharing stories, dance, and song, have survived in this isolated valley.

The Ozark Folk Center is helping to continue that remarkable heritage through careful documentation of Ozark lifeways, with apprentice and workshop programs in which the skills of the Ozark people are passed to a new generation, and through presentation of the Ozark crafts and music through craft demonstrations and music shows on the Folk Center grounds.

As you visit the Folk Center, make your first stop the General Store near the parking lot. From here, trams will take you to the top of the Folk Center's hill to the Ozark Folk Center Theater or the crafts area.

Facilities

Crafts Area - The crafts area is the home of cabin craft demonstrations and daytime music programs. Twenty-four buildings and outdoor areas house individual activities recalling the period 1820-1920 in the Ozark Mountains. Near the covered picnic area is the Smoke House serving smoked meat, cheeses, and hot fried pies. Crafts demonstrated here, and other authentic Ozark crafts, are available in the General Store and Homespun Gift Shop.

Ozark Folk Center Theater - Evening music programs feature the traditional instruments of the Ozarks such as acoustic guitar, five-string banjo, fiddle, mandolin, autoharp, mountain dulcimer, picking bow, and spoons. You'll see jig dancing, square dancing, and clogging; and hear instrumentals, ballads, and gospel songs learned in the homes of friends and family through the strong Ozark oral tradition.

Conference Center - Seminars, classes, and craft workshops sponsored by the Folk Center and visiting organizations are held here. Conference facilities in this building include three large meeting rooms and a 160-seat auditorium. The 1,060-seat main auditorium and the private dining rooms are also available. Group arrangements can be made here as the building also contains the administrative offices for the state park.

Iron Skillet Restaurant - The Ozark Folk Center's dining room features home-style Southern recipes served in a scenic setting. You'll enjoy the 150-seat main dining room; plus we have 80-seat and 25-seat private dining rooms for your group.

Dry Creek Lodge - The comfortable lodge rooms feature two double beds, telephone, color TV, and large windows and glass doors that open onto the colorful Ozark forest. The lodge office contains a comfortable social room and swimming pool for lodge guests.

Location
For further information on park fees, services or reservations, contact:

The Ozark Folk Center
P.O. Box 500
Mountain View, AR 72560
Information: (501) 269-3851
Lodge reservations or group sales: 800-264-FOLK

For information on Arkansas' other fine state parks, contact:

Arkansas State Parks
One Capitol Mall, 4A-900
Little Rock, AR 72201
Telephone: (501) 682-1191

All park services are provided on a non-discriminatory basis. Arkansas State Parks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.