Iron Spring Roadside Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Iron Spring Roadside Park is a beautiful park located in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas.
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Summary
It is situated on Highway 7 South, approximately 14 miles from the town of Jasper. The park is a popular tourist destination due to its breathtaking scenery and numerous outdoor activities.
One of the best reasons to visit Iron Spring Roadside Park is to explore the many hiking trails that wind through the park. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll or a more challenging hike through the mountains and forests. There are also several picnic areas in the park where visitors can enjoy a meal with their family and friends.
One of the most interesting points of interest in Iron Spring Roadside Park is the Iron Spring itself. The spring is said to contain high levels of iron and has been used for medicinal purposes for generations. Visitors can still access the spring and taste the water for themselves.
Another interesting fact about the park is that it was once a popular spot for mining. The mountains in the area contain a variety of minerals, including zinc and lead. Visitors can still see remnants of the mining operations in the park.
The best time of year to visit Iron Spring Roadside Park is in the spring or fall. The temperatures are mild, and the foliage is beautiful during these seasons. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy the park's activities and scenery no matter when they visit.
Overall, Iron Spring Roadside Park is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the Ozark Mountains. Its natural beauty, interesting history, and outdoor activities make it a perfect spot for a day trip or a longer vacation.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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