Places to Play
Hardy is the perfect location for all your outdoor entertainment needs in the Ozarks. The Spring River is rated as one of Arkansas’ best float streams and the state’s most dependable natural stream. Because the river is fed from Mammoth Spring, the water levels remain consistent year-round, making it suitable for fishing, floating, kayaking and canoeing any time of the year. And if you’re not a “water person,” we have an array of live music scenes, motorcycle routes and off-roading tours calling your name
Floating
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Float downstream on a raft or inner tube for a new way to experience the river at leisure. Let the cool water sweep you downstream while you enjoy views of the rocky bluffs, foliage and wildlife that characterizes the pristine Arkansas Ozarks.
Canoeing
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Canoe the Spring River and take part in one of the most popular activities in Hardy. There are sections of the river suitable for all skill levels from beginner canoeists to expert water enthusiasts. There are many convenient access points along the river that allow you to customize your trip based on your itinerary and skill level. You can spend a full day, which usually takes 8 hours to float 16 miles, or you can choose a shorter trip with less of a commitment.
Kayaking
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Kayak the Spring River and enjoy a personalized experience where you can take advantage of the Class II & III rapids, s-curves and falls. Trained water enthusiasts may prefer to travel the Spring River in a kayak.
Visit one of the Hardy area outfitters to book your river trip!
Fishing
Experience some of Arkansas’ finest fishing on the Spring River. Mammoth Spring feeds the Spring River nine million gallons of 58-degree water every hour, meaning that the fish in the Spring River are sourced from a natural spring rather than the bottom of a man-made lake. Floating the river between Mammoth Spring and Hardy is a popular route for those who plan to fish by canoe or kayak. The upper Spring River is better known for fly fishing, and the three-mile stretch from Mammoth Spring to Dam 3 is known for bank-fishing. Visit one of the Hardy area outfitters for all your fishing gear and get some tips on the best places to catch trout and walleye.
Music
The rhythm of the Ozarks has echoed through the Hardy hills for well over a century. When Hardy was founded, music played an important role in shaping and influencing the town’s heritage. Today, music holds the same importance to the community as it did in the 19th century. The Hardy community gathers regularly to share an appreciation of many genres, including Ozark’s traditional bluegrass, folk, blues, jazz and indie and classic rock.
Additionally, Hardy boasts of internal musical talent, with world class performers like The Wilburn Brothers, Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town and Ashley McBride, who are from the area. Many musicians from Hardy have also been awarded by the Arkansas Country Music Awards, demonstrating the rich music community engulfed in Hardy culture.
Stay up-to-date on local events by visiting the Events Calendar website.
Motorcycles, Bicycles, & ATV’s
Explore the enchanting Arkansas Ozarks on wheels and see all that Hardy has to offer from a unique perspective. Along the 16-mile mountainous route from Hardy to Mammoth Spring, enjoy the curvy, scenic Ozarks roads. Cruise near the banks of the Spring River, past homes and businesses on the National Register of Historic Places, and to downtown Hardy where you can check out the collectibles, crafts, and handmade items sold on Main Street. Choose from an array of local restaurants for great food and live music before you wrap up the night at a historic bed and breakfast or one of Hardy’s resorts and RV parks. When it comes to getting around on a bicycle, motorbike or ATV, Hardy is the prime location. ATV and Jeep rides take place at least twice a year for anyone with a certified vehicle – participants enjoy a scenic ride, lunch, live music, and festivities.
Spring River Parks
Escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and enjoy the refreshing serenity of Hardy’s public parks, where adventure and relaxation await around every corner. Our parks offer basketball courts, playgrounds, walking trails, swimming holes, bank-fishing areas, archery ranges, gazebos for picnics, and so much more.
Click the button below to view and track Spring River water levels
Buford Park
Located on East Riverview Road in Hardy.
Here you can find:
- A public park
- River access for swimming
- Boat launch for kayaking and canoeing
- Fishing area
- Playground and swing sets
- Baseball field
- Picnic areas with grills
- Public restrooms coming in 2024
Loberg Park
Located on South Spring Street and Loberg Road, just one block off Hardy’s historic Main Street.
Here you can find:
- A 15-acre park on the Spring River
- Scenic riverwalk
- Paved walking trail
- Public restrooms
- Children’s playgrounds
- Basketball court
- Multiple Gazebos and picnic areas
- Movie showings in the park on the first Friday from May to November at sunset
Harold E. Alexander Spring River WMA
Located about six miles south of Hardy, access on HWY 67/267 at Highland and Hardy.
Here you can find:
- Five primitive camping areas, each with 10-15 sites
- Hiking areas
- Archery Range
- Three creeks that flow into the Spring River
- Boat access to the Spring River near the Eastern boundary
- 78 ponds on the land
- Rolling hills, vegetation, hardwood forest
Hardy RV Park
Located at 3 South Spring Street in Old Hardy Town.
Here you can find:
- A Campground on the banks of the Spring River
- Walk-in campsites with water, electricity and access to a bathhouse
- Pets allowed – on leashes
Dr. Thompson Park
Located at the corner of Main St. and Johnston St. in Downtown Hardy.
Here you can find:
- Gazebos & benches
- Beautiful landscaping
- Public restrooms
- Live music every Saturday from Memorial Day through November – evenings 7pm-9pm