Go over the bridge, then turn right on Pea Ridge Road. One of the most popular attractions at the lake is the 420- acre Educational State Forest off Big Woods Road on the lake's west bank. To reach the forest from U.S. 15-501, turn east on Jack Bennett Road, below Cole Park Plaza, and then right onto reach Big Woods Road. From U.S. 64, turn north just west of the lake bridge onto the first open road, which is gravel. The forest is about 2.9 miles north on Big Woods Road, on the right.
Admission is free.
The Educational State Forest is the state's sixth such project and offers the popular 0.75-mile Talking Tree Trail where visitors can hear seven different trees tell their stories in recorded messages. There's also a 1.5-mile forest demonstration trail. There are also amphitheaters, a pond and a shelter. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. During the spring and summer the weekend hours have been expanded by three hours to 8 p.m. Closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas.