10 Incredible Vacation Spots In Arkansas
Arkansas, often called ‘The Natural State,’ offers some of America’s most breathtaking landscapes and exciting adventures. From towering mountains to crystal-clear lakes, this southern gem packs a surprising variety of vacation experiences into one state.
Whether you’re hunting for diamonds, soaking in hot springs, or hiking through lush forests, Arkansas delivers unforgettable memories for every type of traveler.
1. Hot Springs National Park
You can literally soak in history at this unique national park where thermal waters have attracted visitors for centuries. Native Americans considered these springs sacred long before fancy bathhouses lined the streets.
The Fordyce Bathhouse now serves as the visitor center, showcasing the elegant spa culture of the early 1900s. Many historic bathhouses still offer traditional thermal baths and modern spa treatments.
Beyond the springs, hiking trails wind through forested mountains with stunning overlooks of the surrounding Ouachita Mountains. The perfect blend of natural wonder and historic charm makes this park special.
2. Buffalo National River
Flowing freely for 135 miles without dams, the Buffalo National River cuts through towering limestone bluffs that will take your breath away. Morning fog often hangs mysteriously over the emerald waters, creating a magical scene for early risers.
Kayaking and canoeing here rank among the best in the Midwest, with rapids ranging from gentle floats to challenging whitewater. Elk herds roam the surrounding valleys, frequently spotted during dawn and dusk.
Hiking trails lead to hidden waterfalls and panoramic views that few visitors ever discover. The night skies here are so dark that stargazers travel from across the country to witness the Milky Way’s brilliance.
3. Crater of Diamonds State Park
Where else can you dig for real diamonds and keep whatever you find? This extraordinary park sits on an ancient volcanic crater that happens to be one of the world’s only diamond-bearing sites open to the public.
More than 33,000 diamonds have been discovered since the site became a state park in 1972. The 37.5-acre plowed field gets regularly tilled to bring new gems to the surface after rains.
Park rangers provide free identification of your discoveries, and diamond-hunting tools are available for rent. Many visitors leave with colorless, brown, or yellow diamonds – some worth thousands of dollars!
4. Eureka Springs
Time seems to stand still in this Victorian mountain village where no two buildings look alike. Winding streets follow the natural contours of the hillsides, creating a maze-like downtown filled with unique shops, galleries, and restaurants.
The entire downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with over 100 preserved Victorian buildings. Secret underground tunnels once connected speakeasies during Prohibition, now open for fascinating tours.
Natural springs bubble up throughout town, each with its own legend of healing properties. The magnificent 1886 Crescent Hotel, known as America’s most haunted hotel, offers ghost tours that will send shivers down your spine.
5. Blanchard Springs Caverns
Hidden beneath the Ozark National Forest lies an underground wonderland that rivals any cave system in America. Discovered relatively recently, these living caves continue to grow and change as water drips through limestone, creating new formations daily.
Massive rooms feature dazzling formations with names like “Ghost Room” and “Cathedral Room.” The constant 58-degree temperature provides welcome relief during Arkansas’s hot summers.
Park rangers lead tours through lighted pathways, explaining how delicate soda straws, massive flowstones, and towering columns formed over millions of years. Above ground, the emerald-blue Blanchard Springs bubbles from the mountainside, creating a picturesque swimming and picnic area.
6. Petit Jean State Park
Legend tells of a French girl who disguised herself as a boy named “Petit Jean” to follow her explorer fiancé to the New World, only to fall ill and be buried atop this mountain. Whether true or not, the story adds romance to Arkansas’s first state park.
Cedar Falls plunges 95 feet into a canyon, creating one of the most photographed waterfalls in the South. Mather Lodge offers rustic-yet-comfortable rooms with canyon views that will make you forget all about your phone.
Native American rock art dating back over 500 years can be found tucked under bluff shelters. The park’s diverse trails range from easy strolls to challenging rock scrambles through terrain that inspired many of Arkansas’s folk tales.
7. Lake Ouachita
Crystal-clear waters stretch across 40,000 acres with more than 200 islands waiting to be explored. As Arkansas’s largest lake, Ouachita boasts water so clean that visibility often reaches 30 feet below the surface – a scuba diver’s dream.
Star-gazers flock here for the designated Dark Sky status, where minimal light pollution reveals constellations many city dwellers never see. Rent a houseboat to wake up to misty mountain views and loons calling across the water.
Geologists treasure the area for quartz crystal deposits that produce some of the world’s clearest specimens. Fishing enthusiasts regularly pull in trophy-sized bass, walleye, and crappie from the lake’s abundant waters.
8. Pinnacle Mountain State Park
Just minutes from Little Rock, this cone-shaped mountain rises dramatically from the Arkansas River Valley, providing an outdoor playground for the capital city. Reaching the summit requires a moderately challenging climb over large boulder fields that kids absolutely love.
Two rivers – the Big and Little Maumelle – converge within the park boundaries, creating excellent kayaking opportunities. The Arboretum Trail showcases native plants with informative signage about traditional Cherokee uses for various species.
Bird watchers regularly spot bald eagles during winter months when they nest along the park’s waterways. The park’s visitor center offers interactive exhibits about the unique geology that created this distinctive peak.
9. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Nestled in a ravine surrounded by Ozark forest, this world-class art museum seems to float on water. Founded by Walmart heiress Alice Walton, the museum houses American masterpieces from colonial times to contemporary works – all with free admission.
The building itself is an architectural marvel, designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie. Glass-walled bridges span spring-fed ponds, creating reflections that change with the seasons.
Miles of sculpture-lined trails wind through the 120-acre grounds, connecting art with nature in unexpected ways. The museum’s restaurant, Eleven, features locally-sourced ingredients with floor-to-ceiling views of the surrounding woods and water features.
10. The Mysterious Lost Valley Trail
Hidden in the Ozark Mountains, Lost Valley Trail feels like stepping into a fairy tale. Ancient box elder trees create a natural canopy above limestone bluffs that have been shaped by water over thousands of years.
The trail leads adventurous hikers through a natural bridge, past cascading waterfalls, and into Eden Falls Cave where explorers can venture about 200 feet inside with a good flashlight. The magical atmosphere changes with each season – wildflowers carpet the forest floor in spring, while fall brings a spectacular color show.
Pack a picnic to enjoy beside Clark Creek, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like the elusive Ozark big-eared bat. This 2.2-mile roundtrip hike offers moderate difficulty but rewards visitors with some of Arkansas’s most photographed natural wonders.