The following message was posted to Wakarusa’s Facebook page, ahead of this year’s festival. Wakarusa will hit Ozark, AR from June 4-7, but it seems road closures will be affecting accessibility to the fest.
IMPORTANT TRAVEL ANNOUNCEMENT: Please share with anyone traveling to ‪#‎Waka2015‬.
The Arkansas Highway Department has released an official statement that Highway 23, north of Mulberry Mountain will be closed until further notice. Due to a landslide affecting the road clearance, all festival traffic will need to utilize Interstate 40 to Highway 23 at Ozark, AR to access the festival site.
The North Toll at Highway 23 and Highway 16 will be closed and all resources and staff will be moved to the South Toll. The number of check lanes will be increased to accommodate the additional traffic. Wakarusa organizers expect minimal impact from the road closure and expect the detour to take an additional 20-30 minutes.
It is extremely important for Wakarusa patrons to use Highway 23 from Interstate 40 near Ozark. All patrons coming from the north should remain on I-49/540 South to I-40 East to Hwy 23. GPS devices may suggest alternative routes from the north. These will likely be logging or utility roads that are impassable by regular cars or are dead ends. All festival traffic needs to utilize Interstate 40 to Highway 23 at Ozark, AR to access the site.
The Arkansas Highway Department press release is available below for more information regarding the road closure.
We’ll be sure to update if road conditions change prior to the festival. Stay safe out there!