Ozone Campground is a beautiful place to camp and learn about the CCC.
Several of my friends and I got away from the city for a weekend and discovered not only the beauty of Fall Color in the Ozarks but the rich history played out in Arkansas during the Roosevelt New Deal and the creation of the Public Works Relief Program … the CCC.
Following the Great Depression, the CCC was shaped to put young men to work planting trees, building trails and lodges in State and National Parks and Forests. My brief research found that more than 3 billion trees were planted and over 800 state parks were upgraded.
Ozone Campground was a CCC site from 1936 – 1942. For those interested in this piece of American History a walk thru the well marked trails with explanatory signs is well worth the time. Below are a few pictures of what was Main Street, Shower and Latrine foundations, an ice house and a gold fish pool in the shape of Arkansas.
Main Street … note the stone curbs.
Oark … another historic and quixotic place to visit!
I have been here once before and continue to hear from many that the Oark Cafe is still going strong. In fact, this cafe is described as the oldest continuous operation restaurant in Arkansas. Just like the camp at Ozone, the small community of Oark is a must visit and a definite stop for great food and great deserts in a very unique setting.
Left to right … JC, owner Brian, Jessica, Jim, Bryan.
While you are in the area … there’s the Swinging Bridge over the Mulberry River.
Finally … we did have two beautiful nights of camping …
During this Thanksgiving season … I am thankful for good friends, beautiful campfire, beautiful Fall leaves in Arkansas and that I live in the greatest Nation on Earth.
My son, DJ and grand daughter Morgan, took this shot thru my telescope … with an iPhone. Wow.
Jim Dailey 
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