Rural Recreational Roads Program Opens New Hub in Cave City, Arkansas

CAVE CITY, Ark. — July 2026 — The Rural Recreational Roads Program (R3) has officially opened its newest hub in Cave City, connecting outdoor recreation, rural tourism, and watershed education through the roads and landscapes of North Central Arkansas.

The Rural Recreational Roads Program, an initiative of the Ozark Foundation, supports the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program through its work with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. Funded through a federal 319(h) water quality grant, this effort provides education and outreach highlighting the watersheds these rural roads travel through while promoting responsible recreation across Arkansas.

To kick off the new hub, R3 worked with the Cave City Watermelon Festival to host a community bicycle ride in coordination with the Melon Dash 5K, which brings hundreds of participants onto the area’s rural roads for recreation each year.

“Cave City is a great example of what this program is all about,” said Bobby Finster, Event Director. “These roads are already being used for recreation. R3 gives us an opportunity to build on that existing use while creating a stronger connection between outdoor recreation, the rural landscape, and the watersheds these roads travel through.”

Finster also worked with local watershed alliance member Sam Cooke to develop educational signage highlighting the Strawberry River, Black River, and Middle White River watersheds. The signage helps visitors understand the connection between rural roads, water quality, and the natural resources surrounding Cave City.

The Cave City R3 Hub provides a starting point for cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts to explore the area’s rural roads while encouraging visitors to experience the community, support local businesses, and learn more about the natural resources that make the region unique.