Best activities in Arkansas

Hiking

Hiking is an amazing way to explore the panoramic mountain views and you will make beautiful discoveries along the way, North Sylamore Creek is a 23.5-mile one-way hiking trail which follows the North Sylamore Creek. Look out for Slick Rock Hollow, scenic overlooks, and open fields. Walk Railroad History Hiking Trail, a one-mile pathway that follows the old roadbed of the historic Missouri & North Arkansas Railway. The Ozark Region offers hiking and biking trails above ground and awe-inspiring caverns below. 

Kayaking 

For the adventurous travellers, the Buffalo National River takes kayaking and canoeing to a whole new level. Enjoy breathtaking views of Big Bluff Mulberry River, which is sixty-two miles long with emerald green water that catches the scenic reflections. The area also has whitewater rapids, challenging drops, house-size boulders, and willow strainers that are sure to get the adrenaline going. The Spring River flows between Missouri and Arkansas with an amazing fifty-seven miles of flat water and rapids. The Cossatot River in the Ouachita Mountain region means “skull crusher” and is twelve miles long with drops of up to eight feet. Illinois Bayou forms at the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the Little Red River with 18-miles of white water. 

Waterfalls

Six Finger Falls is an epic waterfall, a short walk from the road at Falling Water Creek 

Sand Gap. This easily accessible trail is known for its incredible natural scenery. Splash around and cool off from your adventures or have a picnic while overlooking the lush green environment. Hike to Hemmed-In Hollow, the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians. This is a terrific opportunity to see Mother Nature at her finest. Ozark Mountain Region includes rugged beauty, stunning vistas, secluded cabins, sparkling rivers, and many waterfalls. 

Lakes

Eight lakes are in the tree-shrouded Ozark and St. Francis national forests. Cove, Spring, Horsehead, and Shores lakes, plus Lake Wedington and Long Pool are in the Ozarks. The crystalline blue waters of Beaver, Bull Shoals, Greers Ferry, Norfork, and Table Rock lakes are all in the mountains. St. Francis in the eastern part of the state has Bear Creek and Storm Creek lakes.

Among the twenty-three state parks located on lakes or rivers, eight offer beaches. These are DeGray Lake, as well as Lake Catherine, Charles, Dardanelle and Ouachita, Village Creek, Woolly Hollow, Crowley's Ridge, and Jacksonport on the White River. Other swimming areas here include Lake Leatherwood in Eureka Springs, Beaverfork Lake in Conway, and Hill Wheatley Park on Hot Springs' Lake Hamilton. Why not coincide your visit with the full Eclipse that take place through the centre of Arkansas on April 8th, 2024?

Wildlife viewing

If you are lucky enough on your trip, you might see black bears, bald eagles, wild boars and other wildlife. The diversity of Arkansas' six natural divisions provides vital habitat for many wild animals and over four hundred native bird species as well. Twenty-five Arkansas state parks are included in the Watchable Wildlife program. This program identifies locations where outstanding outdoor habitats or migration qualities that attract wildlife and offer you the best chance of viewing wildlife. Arkansas is on the Mississippi River Flyway and is known for migrating butterflies, songbirds, ducks, and geese that fly through Arkansas each autumn and spring. 

A Brief History

Explore Little Rock with a world-class dining scene. See the River Market District, the nightlife hub and explore the dozens of murals and hundreds of sculptures scattered around. A visit here would not be complete without visiting the sites where President Bill Clinton grew up. Born in Hope, Clinton would eventually call Little Rock home on his path to the Oval Office.

Hot Springs National Park owes its existence to an array of springs that still supply naturally heated water for thermal baths. With its rich cultural existence and rivers with crystal clear water, this is a perfect place to hike or camp. There are no outdoor soaking opportunities in the park, nevertheless you can go to Bathhouse row and immerse yourself in the thermal water that is directly pumped from the springs. The historic Fordyce Bathhouse, located on famous Bathhouse Row, is now the park's visitor centre. Bathhouse Row today is a collection of eight architecturally significant bathhouses, most of which were built between 1912 and 1923. The Gangster Museum of America in Hot Springs focuses on the 1920s-40s era of the town, when several recognised gangsters, such as Al Capone and Lucky Luciano, holidayed in the area.