Arkansas is the state that is nicknamed ‘The Natural State,’ due to the fact that both the Ozark and Ouachita mountain ranges are located within its borders.
The state is full of lush forests, beautiful landscapes, and natural wonders, so we suggest visiting it and enjoying its spectacular state parks.
These natural tourist attractions and wilderness are ideal for outdoor activities, but that is not the only sphere that Arkansas has to offer.
This state is home to little towns and cities and you should not miss Eureka Springs and Hot Springs once in Arkansas as they are places with rich history, heritage, and architecture.
On the other hand, there is Little Rock, well worth visiting, as the economic, cultural, and political capital of the state.
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Bentonville
Bentonville is the city located in the northwest of the state, which is famous as the birthplace and headquarters of Walmart, the largest retailer on the planet.
Due to the development of this business, once a small and unknown town has transformed into a quite cosmopolitan city.
The center of the town has artisanal stores, cafes, and local restaurants, as well as pretty parks and interesting museums.
The most famous one is definitely the state-of-the-art Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
We consider it a very friendly and welcoming place, which is full of corporate visitors during the week, but rather peaceful during the weekends.
Once in this small city, you get the opportunity to visit places such as Eureka Springs and Branson, as well as Buffalo River and the Ozark Mountains which are located nearby.
Petit Jean State Park
The Petit Jean State Park is in the north of Arkansas, near Morrilton.
Locals say that the park got its name after a young 18th-century French woman who tragically died there while exploring this stunning region.
According to the story, that woman disguised herself as a man as otherwise, she could not accompany her lover on this expedition, and her true identity was revealed on her deathbed.
Her grave is located in the middle of the lovely scenery, atop the magnificent mount, at the heart of the park.
From the top visitors can see the outstanding Arkansas River Valley, which is full of caves, canyons, and forests.
Besides outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and boating on Lake Bailey, there are other fantastic attractions in the Petit Jean State Park such as the sparkling Cedar Falls, which plunges 29 meters.
Mount Magazine State Park
Mount Magazine State Park is located on the highest point in Arkansas on Mount Magazine.
It is so dominating as it is rising to 839 meters, and from its top, you can have a magnificent view of its surroundings, which includes forests, hills, and the Arkansas River Valley.
The place offers numerous hiking trails and cycle paths for visitors who want to explore the region, but there are also some outdoor activities for those courageous ones, such as rock climbing, rappelling, and hang gliding.
You can also go to the visitor center if you wish to see some interactive exhibits on the park’s pristine nature and protected wildlife.
Plus, there are campsites and barbecue facilities where guests can stay and enjoy the beauty of nature.
We cannot but mention all the glittering lakes that are located there and which offer you a chance to fish and swim.
As you could see, the park offers various recreational opportunities, splendid scenery, and wonderful vistas, and all these features make Mount Magazine State Park a very popular place to visit.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
The Crater of Diamonds State Park can be found in the southwest of Arkansas.
The Crater of Diamonds State Park is known as the only place in the world where visitors can dig up their own diamonds.
John Huddlestone was the first person who found two glimmering crystals in 1906, and later on, the area attracted people from all over the world to try their luck.
During the next years, a remarkable 29,000 crystals have been dug by visitors, and they were allowed to keep them.
Digging for precious jewelry is the main attraction of this park, but there is also a Diamond Discovery Center where visitors can take a look at the prospecting’s past.
Furthermore, the park has a cafe, a shop, and an aquatic playground, as well as historic buildings to explore.
According to the data, visitors typically find two diamonds a day, but in 1990, Shirley Strawn found the Strawn-Wagner Diamond, which is believed to be the only perfect diamond ever discovered.
Fayetteville
Fayetteville is the third-largest city in Arkansas after Little Rock and Fort Smith, and it is certainly worth your visit.
Fayetteville is located within the Ozarks, close to the Boston Mountains, and is full of young people who came there to study, as the main campus of the University of Arkansas is right there.
Due to a huge number of youths, the city has plenty of bars, restaurants, and shops.
Plus, the student body is credited with the booming art and culture scene, with live music, theater performances, and festivals.
You cannot miss visiting the historic downtown square where you can see some beautiful old buildings and lovely gardens.
Additionally, you should walk down Dickson Street, as well as visit the area surrounding Fayetteville that is a paradise for those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, being that is equipped with terrific hiking trails and cycle paths.
Buffalo National River
Buffalo River flows through the divine landscapes of the Ozark Mountains.
This is the first National river that has been protected since 1972.
Due to this protection, the whole area around it and the river itself is undeveloped, undammed, and unpolluted.
You can enjoy the free-flowing waters surrounded by stunning scenery.
The river banks offer lush forests and sparkling waterfalls, as well as some fascinating rock formations.
The area boasts around three hundred caves that visitors can explore.
The outstanding beauty cannot be denied, but Buffalo National River has to offer an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking and horseback riding.
We highly suggest kayaking or canoeing down the river as this is the perfect way to see all the stunning sights from a close distance.
Furthermore, the area has some interesting historic sites, including ancient bluff shelters and terrace village sites that belonged to Archaic Indians.
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs boasts well-preserved Victorian-style cottages, manor houses, and mansions that attract both visitors from the USA as well as from all over the world.
Visiting Eureka Springs is considered a journey to the past.
The place is located on the steep slopes of a valley in the Ozarks, and it is full of winding cobbled streets that people enjoy exploring.
The place was founded in 1879, and its popularity is credited with the numerous cold-water springs believed to have healing properties.
Nowadays, the city is placed on the National Register of Historic Places with the aim to preserve its distinct look and identity.
Tourists like going cycling, hiking, and horseback riding there.
We believe that Eureka Springs is one of Arkansas’ top tourist attractions that is not to be missed.
Ozark National Forest
Ozark National Forest is usually referred to as the vast Ozark National Forest as it has more than 630 kilometers of hiking trails for visitors to explore.
The area boasts nine swimming areas, 23 campsites, and countless picnic sites.
Plus, the place is so hilly that there are some lovely old-growth forests, with 600 kilometers of bubbling streams and rivers flowing through them.
We have to say that the place has to offer breathtaking scenery and landscapes as it encompasses the highest mountains in the state.
The region is known for the much smaller St. Francis National Forest which goes with Ozark National Forest, and which offers the most diverse forests in the country.
This area is so well preserved that you will experience the untouched and unspoiled nature once there.
Ozark National Forest is a location where you can hike or go mountain biking, swimming, fishing, and boating.
Those more adventurous people camp in the forest, as they wish to wake up among the superb trees and natural beauty.
Hot Springs
Hot Springs is set amid the Ouachita Mountains, and this is a resort city named after its healing waters.
These healing properties attracted people to the town since its foundation in 1832.
In the years to come, it has developed into a popular spa town and it has to offer elegant bathhouses around its thermal springs.
At some time in the past, gambling and bootlegging were very popular, so, gangsters such as Al Capone and Lucky Luciano spent their vacation here and probably did their business.
These days, Hot Springs is frequently visited due to its attractive architecture, with fine Art Deco, Neoclassical, and Mission-Revival style buildings and bathhouses.
If you wish to relax in the warm waters at Bathhouse Row, protected as part of Hot Springs National Park, you should visit this place.
We have to mention various museums and exhibits whose mission is to preserve from oblivion the history and heritage of this town.
Little Rock
Being the capital and largest city of Arkansas, Little Rock deserves the top place on our list.
The city is located in the center of the state, on the banks of the Arkansas River.
Its name comes from a rock formation that was used as a landmark and crossing point.
Nowadays, this city is a cultural, economic, and transport hub for the whole region full of exciting attractions including landmarks and museums, art galleries, theaters, and cultural centers.
The most famous of its parks is definitely Riverside Park which exhibits the distinctive rocks after which the city is named.
We cannot but mention all the fantastic cafes, restaurants, and bars and the fact that hiking, biking, and boating are the best ways to explore and enjoy its dazzling surroundings.
Some people consider Little Rock quite a small city for a state capital, we have to say that this place has enough attractions to keep guests amused for days, plus Ouachita National Forest and the Ozarks are not far away.