2025 Road Trip - Gulpha Gorge Area, Hot Springs, AR

Randi Jones
Jun 5
3 min read

We’ve hit the road on our first big adventure with Coddiwomple (our trusty pickup), Cat (our cozy RV), and Rita, our ever-faithful travel companion. We rolled out of Belton on May 15, and we’re excited to share the journey—one stop at a time.

This blog will mostly fall into the Mile Marks – Feeding Our Wanderlust category, as entries will be organized by the places we stay in our home on wheels. However, I’ll also be sharing stories about the amazing people we meet, the beautiful places we explore, and, of course, the delicious food we find, cook, and enjoy. I hope you come along for the ride.

Leaving the misty peaks and lush green hollows of the Smoky Mountains behind, we began our westward journey through rolling hills and wide-open stretches of southern countryside. The mountains gradually gave way to gentler landscapes—long, tree-lined highways, sleepy farm towns, and fields dotted with cattle and wildflowers.

As we crossed into Arkansas, the terrain began to shift again, and we could gradually see the Ouachita Mountains rise up around us—lower and rounder than the Smokies, but still full of character and charm. The air felt warmer, the trees a little more rugged, and the road climbed steadily as we made our way toward Hot Springs. Nestled in these forested hills is a place where history, healing, and nature meet—and we couldn’t wait to explore our last stop at the KOA Holiday near Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas.

KOA Holiday Campground

Nestled in the stunning Ouachita Mountains, our campground was the perfect blend of nature, relaxation and adventure. Just minutes from the downown area and hundreds of hiking and off-road trails, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The bathrooms and laundry were large and sparkling clean, and the pool and playground were well-kept. The RV sites were very close together and hard to access, but once we were nestled in, we had plenty of privacy, even with neighbors right next door.

Our first day in Arkansas started slow—we slept in a bit to recover from the eight-hour drive from Tennessee. Once we were rested, we headed out to explore the stunning Ouachita Mountains. Unlike the Rocky Mountains or the Appalachians, which run north to south, the Ouachitas are the only major mountain range in North America that runs east to west.

Some of the ranges are also called ZigZag Mountains, known for their dramatic folds and thrust faults—evidence of the intense geologic pressure that shaped them long ago.

We hiked parts of the Hot Springs Mountain Trail, including the Honeysuckle and Peak Trails, winding through shady woods and climbing to scenic overlooks.

Holden and I collected a large variety of rocks for our collection.

After a quick lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with broccoli salad, we set off for a different kind of adventure—an off-road ride through the rugged terrain of the Ouachitas.

With the help of our guide, J.D., and the folks at Hot Springs Off-Road Park, we spent two hours bouncing through trails, splashing through ravines, and taking in the views from mountaintop clearings.

Our favorite stop? Papa’s Pointe—where the horizon seemed to stretch forever.

Tomorrow, we head to Texas for a quick stop in Farmers Branch to drop off Jacob and Holden, then home to Belton to check on the chickens and our garden and finish work on our Tiny House/Barn.

And to plan our next adventure!