Trip to Ozarks (MO & AR)

[WisconsinDavid]

Heading down to the Ozarks this coming weekend and week. Has anyone done any riding down there recently? Curious about how thick the roads are with riders experiencing cabin fever and also, information how open are these states with hotels, food, bars, etc. Thanks.

 

[AY4B]

I went on memorial weekend for a 3 day ryde. It was awesome. Hotels are open, Restaurants are also open. Some mask rules still apply so have a mask with you.

 

[AY4B]

Hardly anyone on the roads when we were there. Good tymes!

 

[ozarkryder]

I've ridden in the Ozarks often, could be because I live about 40 miles south of Joplin, at the northern edge of the Ozarks in our area. As I go to the east, the Ozark Plateau moves north. But I digress. I find pretty much the normal traffic, as Missouri's "lockdown" allowed engaging in outdoor activities as long as social distancing was observed. Easy to stay 6' away from someone while on a motorcycle. Arkansas didn't really have a lockdown, but until recently didn't allow out-of-state folks to camp or hotel. We were in Eureka Springs AR last week, most all the shops and eateries were open. Folks were in and out of stores, some closer than others, and we only counted 8 people wearing masks. Depending on the local guidelines, a lot of places are limited to so many people per square foot or a percentage of legal capacity.

Here is an official website for Arkansas - https://www.arkansas.com/travel-advisory/covid-19
And one for Missouri - https://www.visitmo.com/travel-updates

Basically, people are out and about in the Ozarks, most places are open, possibly with reduced reduced capacity, but open. I haven't' noticed an increase in auto or motorcycle traffic, but as I live here I generally don't take the tourist routes, or if I do it is off peak times. You might call ahead or check the websites of places you want to visit to see about restrictions, mask rules (Have one with you just in case. We haven't been required to use one) or possible closures.

 

[WisconsinDavid]

Thanks... I have a bandana that makes me look like I rolled Willie Nelson. Thanks for the information! We have been planning routes using the Ozarkrides.com site. We want to do the "Whole Hog" best of AR ride and then up in MO the "Hellbender." We've got a week to bump around. So far the weather looks a bit mixed. Hopefully a week with no heavy duty southern storms. I grew up in the south, so I remember Thanks for the information.

 

[Scotts8826]

I was in Eureka Springs last weekend. There were plenty of bikes gathered at the roadside bar and grills. You did have to have a mask (bandana will suffice) to enter a restaurant or any business. Once you were seated you could remove your mask but had to put it back on when leaving. Restaurant seating was limited to 33% capacity. I rode through Branson on 76 just to see what was going on. Some business' and shows were already open but a June 5th opening was splashed across many billboards so the activity level should be picking up by the time you are down Ozark way. Forecast is for HOT weather so be prepared.