The park, located just south of Beaver Lake, is open for year-round recreation, including 32.9 miles (52.9 km) of hiking, mountain bike and equestrian trails.

He would become the manager of the Arkansas and Oklahoma Western Railroad, but made his fortune by founding the Hobbs-Western Tie Company.

[3] Hobbs' railroad tie business gave him both an appreciation of the hardwoods in the area and the money to buy many acres of undeveloped forest in the region.

[3] Upon his death, Hobbs' land was willed to his heirs with the stipulation that upon sale the state of Arkansas must have first priority to purchase it.

In order to pay for the land, a host of organizations including the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, The Nature Conservancy, and Fayetteville banks joined to offer on the tract.

Pryor, along with many representatives from the listed organizations, traveled to St. Louis, Missouri to negotiate with the Hobbs estate trustees.