By Renee Hunter

Need a break from urban bustle? Short on travel funds? Woolly Hollow may be the get-away spot for you.
“We get the majority of visitors from the outlying areas or from the metroplex,” said Park Ranger Steve Wilson. “A lot of people come because it’s close to Little Rock.”

Wilson and fellow ranger Mark Roland guarantee a quiet, family-friendly park.
“We know what’s going on; we don’t tolerate noisy partying,” Wilson said. “People tell us all the time that they come here because it’s quiet.”
Along the park’s three trails, hikers may see deer and turkey, as well as small animals such as squirrels and raccoons. “Every once in a while, a bear will come through,” Wilson added.
In spring, dogwoods, redbuds, fire pinks and wild violets are in bloom, while in fall, the woods are awash with color.
The oldest trail on the 400-acre park is the 3.5-mile Huckleberry, which circles 40-acre Lake Bennett, built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The newest, 1/5-mile Gold Creek Loop, follows the creek. It was built in 2008 with nature-exploring students in mind.
“In May, we have a school group every week,” Wilson said.
The one-mile Cabin Trail starts at Woolly Cabin and ends at Huckleberry Trail. The cabin was built in the 1850s by the Woolly family, who raised cotton and seven children in the valley.
Visitors may spend hours, days or weeks at the park, depending on the recharging needed.
Of 30 campsites, 10 are tent sites, and 20 have water and electric. Plans at the park are to add another camping loop with 10 more sites, upgrade the electrical sites and add sewers at the RV sites.
Spring and early summer are the busiest for camping, with late September and October running a close second. But the park has a few campers every week of the year.
“We stay busy up until Thanksgiving, and then we don’t busy up again until the water heats up in late February,” Wilson said, adding, “I can’t remember a time when we didn’t have campers at Christmas.”
Camping fees range from $10 to $21 a day, less expensive than the cheapest hotel. December through February, fees are halved, and those 62 and over get a break year-around.
“The main draw of the park is the lake,” Wilson said. It provides a venue for fishing, swimming and boating.
Bass, redear bream, crappie and catfish abound, although the bass are small, averaging around 2 pounds. Catches of 20-25 bream are common, and a limit catch (50 bream) isn’t rare.
“May through the middle of June is the best time for redear bream,” said Wilson.
Anglers may bring their own boats and motors (only electric trolling motors are allowed) or rent them. The park office also rents kayaks, canoes and paddle boats.
“The biggest attraction in the summer is the swimming beach,” Wilson said.
There is a lifeguard from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and fees are $2.50 per adult and $1.50 per child ages 2-5. The rest of the year, swimming is free at one’s own risk.
Woolly Hollow also has a shady picnic area with grills, a playground and a pavilion, a popular spot for family reunions and birthday parties, according to Wilson.
It also has several special events and programs, beginning with the Mountain Man Rendezvous, held each April for the past 24 years. The three-day reenactment is open to the public.
Two Adventure Day Camps for youngsters will be held this year. June 23-25, a camp for ages 7-9 is scheduled, and July 7-9, one for ages 10-12. Campers will experience various nature activities, and will get to hike, swim and go paddle-boat riding or kayaking. Each camp ends with an overnight. The fee is $75.
This year, the 26th annual Family Fun Day – a day of old-fashioned games such as sack races, a seed-spitting contest and a water-balloon toss—will be Friday, June 19.
On Oct. 9-11, a Women’s Outdoor Weekend will offer sessions on basic camping, nature journaling and kayaking, among other things. Fee is $125.
An Oct. 24-25 “Raising a Wild Child” Workshop is designed for families who want to get closer to nature but aren’t sure where to begin. Such things as packing and planning, outdoor cooking, hiking with kids, and dealing with the “ick” factor of the outdoors will be taught. Fee is $25 per person.
Two stargazing opportunities are planned in conjunction with members of The Central Arkansas Astronomical Society, the first, on July 18, and the second, on Nov. 7, following a sunset symphony. CAAS members will set up telescopes and be around to answer questions.
For more information on the park or scheduled events, call 501.679.2098 or go to www.arkansasstateparks.com/woollyhollow.