Parks Similar to Buffalo Point, Arkansas??

Falls Creek looks very nice and is about the same distance that the trip we just finished. I mentioned the Christmas on the Mountain to the DW and she wants to go to it. But looking at the brochure it says reservations can only be made from May to October. I imputed the dates on the online reservations and it appears that I could reserve those dates.

Then I see pictures of snow and I want no part of driving in that. What would the chances be that snow or freezing weather would hit there at the first of December?

We also camped at Buffalo River NP over the past month. We live in Northern Mississippi and have the following recommendations for you.

Falls Creek Falls State Park in central TN. This park has a beautiful creek with multiple waterfalls and swimming holes. It also has a golf course, horseback riding, and nice hiking trails.

Lake Ouachita State Park in Hot Springs, AR. No creek but the largest lake in the state. Since there is limited commercial development on the lake,it is very clean and clear. Loop A has beautiful full hook up sites. Having Hot Springs nearby is a bonus. The park has boat rentals.

As a general guide, check out COE parks where you want to travel - they are usually very nice.

Not far from where you live so understand the difficulty finding something within a days ride. Perhaps not on clear running rivers but there are a few very nice state parks in NE Alabama, including Desoto and Cloudland Canyon in Georgia. About 7 - 8 hours away. Closer in we're hard pressed to find clear water or even mountainous terrain. We've had good luck with some NF campgrounds in Mississippi but they are hit and miss and still, clear water is not something you'll find. I can't complain about our local state parks though, Bogue Chitto and Tickfaw are both excellent.

Unfortunately, I don't think you will find anything as clear as the Buffalo that far south. In Arkansas anything south of Hot Springs is going to be pretty flat and therefore will have murky waters. I don't know about MS or AL.

In editing I need to correct myself. That is in the eastern half of the state. If you go further west there are the northern parts of the Ouachita and Little Missouri River which are also clear, but that would not help you with your distance.

If she liked Buffalo River she might like Roaring River State park in Southwest Missouri or the White River in Northern Arkansas. Our favorite is Table Rock Lake