Visit Ozark / The outdoor field guide
The Sasquatch Report
Know Before You Roam.
Trip-planning information for Ozark and Franklin County. Check the weather, watch the water, and find your way back to Ozark.
Connecting to official data sources…
Your field check.
Forecast & water checked hourly while open · Weather alerts checked every 5 minutes
Ozark forecast
Check forecastNWS · Forecast, not observed temperatureForecast details →Weather alerts
UnconfirmedCheck official NWS warningsAlert details →Mulberry gauge
Check stationUSGS · Gauge height, not depthReadings & location →Road conditions
Check the mapOfficial IDrive Arkansas resource · No live status summary hereOpen road conditions ↗Trails & access
Check noticesOfficial Forest Service resource · Confirm your destinationOpen forest information ↗Franklin County water
Find a gaugeFranklin County stations · Mulberry firstSee station markers →Help & local contacts
Call 911
Give your location and nearest road or trail access. Cell service can be limited.
Call 911 ↗Local assistance
For ranger and wildlife offices, use the official agency websites below. Confirm non-emergency numbers before leaving.
Weather & alerts
Ozark forecast
CheckingForecast loading. You can always check the National Weather Service directly.
Weather alerts
CheckingChecking National Weather Service alerts for Ozark. Conditions elsewhere along your route may differ.
River readings
A gauge measures one location. River height is measured above a local reference point, not the water’s depth. Check your exact route, access points, and official warnings before launching.
The detailed county map loads here when JavaScript is available.
Franklin County reference map. Numbers match recent gauges; named gold pins are local references.
Move to the map to load the county view.
Mulberry River near Mulberry
Live readings need JavaScript. This is a downstream reference.
Open USGS station 07252000 ↗Arkansas River at Ozark Lock & Dam Tailwater
Tailwater reading below the dam, not water depth. Live readings need JavaScript.
Open NWS Ozark tailwater monitor ↗Readings may be provisional and revised. A number on this page does not establish safe paddling, swimming, boating, or crossing conditions.
Local landing report
Turner Bend Landing
Dated local gauge readings from Turner Bend. Check the posted date; updates follow the outfitter’s schedule.
Check Turner Bend’s water levelStation reference & local information
Byrd’s Campground
USGS lists station 07251850 at Byrd’s. A current gauge reading is not confirmed here.
Check Byrd’s USGS station record Visit Byrd’s river informationFind a monitored waterway
CheckingFranklin County only, with Mulberry first. Numbered gauges need a reading no more than two hours old and a USGS or NWS record confirming Franklin County. The county outline marks our coverage; you can move the map to explore surrounding areas.
Use the USGS directory to find a station near your route.
What’s in season?
For a hunt in Franklin County, choose the species, exact area, and method. A date window is not permission to hunt: check legal hours, licenses, bag limits, land access, and any WMA-specific rules with AGFC.
Start here
Find your hunting zone
Find your Franklin County hunting spot on AGFC’s map. Deer Zones 6 and 7 cover parts of the county; the reviewed 2027 private-land turkey season uses Zone 1. Choose your exact area below.
- Deer zone mapFind the zone for your deer hunt.
- Turkey zone mapTurkey zones differ from deer zones.
- Public-land hunting rulesCheck your wildlife management area (WMA) for separate rules.
Season dates have not been verified here. Check AGFC for current seasons and your hunting area.
Check AGFC seasons & regulations ↗Dates are inclusive and evaluated in Arkansas Central Time. Special hunts are shown separately. “Next opening not listed” does not mean no future season. Calendar records require source review; they are not a live AGFC feed.
Roads, trails & access
Before the next turn.
Check IDrive Arkansas for reported road conditions, construction, closures, and traffic. Forest roads and private access may need a separate check.
Open IDrive Arkansas ↗Check the trailhead.
Review Ozark–St. Francis National Forest information for closures, recreation notices, fire restrictions, and ranger contacts before heading out.
Visit the Forest Service ↗Know the rules.
Check Arkansas Game and Fish Commission rules, licenses, seasons, and access for your Franklin County destination.
Visit Arkansas Game and Fish ↗These links open official resources. Road, trail, fire, and hunting/fishing conditions are not monitored or summarized live here.
Before you leave
Pack a little peace of mind.
- Water, food, and layers for changing weather
- Offline map, charged phone, and backup power
- First-aid supplies, light, and sun protection
- Activity-appropriate safety equipment
- A route and return time shared with someone
Save route details and verified contacts before leaving cell coverage.