This moderately traveled scenic hike is a 3.5-mile looped trail near Yellville, Arkansas. The Indian Rockhouse Trail features a waterfall, stream, and winds itself across the beautiful Arkansas landscape and hills. Open year-round, this self-guided hike offers a variety of activity options, including the Indian Rock House Cave which used to shelter prehistoric Native Americans.
This six-mile round-trip trail offers beautiful views of the Buffalo National River as well as a geologic experience like no other. Just like its name implies, at 550-feet tall, Big Bluff is BIG! So big, in fact, that it is the tallest sheer bluff face between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. Hikers should exercise extreme caution while experiencing this scenic hike, as it can be hazardous in certain areas.
The popular looped North Rim Trail is located in the beautiful Mount Magazine State Park near Paris, Arkansas. This trail follows the north rim of Mount Magazine (hence the name) to where it reaches Cameron Bluff Overlook Drive. Accessible year-round, North Rim Trail features fantastic wild flowers and is a great spot for bird watching.
The Eagle Rock Loop Trail is a 26-mile scenic hike located near Caddo Gap, Arkansas, in the beautiful Ouachita National Forest. This lightly-trafficked loop trail, the longest in Arkansas, is only recommended for the very experienced adventurer. Eagle Rock Loop Trail is probably the best location in Arkansas for a multi-day backpacking trek.
Best traveled from March to October, this six-mile out and back trail on the Buffalo National River features the breathtaking, single-drop Hemmed-In Hollow Waterfall. The strenuous Hemmed-In Hollow Trail is much better suited for experienced hikers rather than for children or folks who tire easily. All hikers are urged to bring water and a snack as they embark on this 4-5-hour hiking adventure.
]]>When it comes to outdoor adventures, Arkansas offers some of the most scenic trails for hiking and dog walking. With its picturesque views and endless trails, finding a peaceful spot to explore with your four-legged buddy is a breeze. Here are 10 of the best dog friendly hiking trails that Arkansas has to offer.
This pawsome park is cared for by Siloam Parks and Recreation, and is the perfect spot to take your pup for a hike and some fun playtime.
Riverside Dog Park is a great spot to take your pup for a fun day out. It features a large and small dog area with play equipment, benches, and even a water fountain and nearby public restrooms.
This 1,600-acres park has a 100-acre body of water with a dam, which is known as Lake Leatherwood. Your pup will love exploring the trails that lead to the Ozark National Forest.
Originally chosen as a state park in the 1930s, the Devil's Den Trail is an iconic spot in Arkansas. With its rustic-style wood and stone structures and impressive rock formations and caverns, get ready to make some special memories with your pup.
This trail is especially great for its beautiful scenery, wildflowers, and unique history. Located two miles south of Jasper on Highway 7, Round Top Mountain Trail is an outdoor oasis. Relax with your four legged friends for a chill day out.
With its affordable and diverse recreational opportunities, this park is dedicated to inspiring and enhancing its public. Whether you and your pup want to relax or discover something new, Burns Park has something for everyone.
This trail takes visitors and their pets alike, off the beaten path and into a world of natural wonders. With wildflowers, native beauty, and a peaceful atmosphere, this trail is sure to take your breath away.
Located along the bank of the Arkansas River, this 135-acre park offers bluffs and scenic views. Your pup can enjoy running amidst nature while appreciating the beauty of the river.
With 186 acres of wetlands and low woods and nearly six miles of trails, this sanctuary is great for dog walking and nature photography. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of this nature preserve with your pup by your side.
This IMBA-accredited trail is ideal for hikers at all levels, making it the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or a challenging trek, accompanied by your dog. Whether you're looking for clean flow, major downhills, technical rocks or huge berms, the Slaughter Pen Trail has it all.
]]>The Withrow Springs State Park in Madison County features three moderate trails: the .75-mile Dogwood Nature Trail, the 1.25-mile Forest Trail, and the two-mile round-trip War Eagle Trail. The Dogwood Trail takes about an hour and is named for the beautiful flowering dogwood trees, making it quite colorful in the springtime. The Forest Trail takes three to four hours, following an old railway on the eastern side of the Withrow Springs State Park. The War Eagle Trail takes about an hour and is named for the scenic river that runs the length of the trail. Whichever trail you decide to take, your family will definitely enjoy being outdoors in this section of the Natural State.
This half-mile trail is perfect for families of all sizes and ages. Although its official name is Twin Falls, this trail is more commonly known as Triple Falls because there are three distinct waterfalls during high water. Those waterfalls, by the way, are 48 feet-tall! Triple Falls is located at Camp Orr Boy Scout Camp just south of Harrison. Dogs are able to use this trail as well, so long as they are kept on a leash.
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Located near Mount Judea, Sam’s Throne is a popular spot in the beautiful Ozarks. Although it is mostly known as a rock climbing site, Sam’s Throne is also a well-known destination for photography, camping, and hiking. Overlooking the gorgeous Big Creek Valley below, one look at this view will show you why this spot is so popular. With a variety of trails to hike, Sam’s Throne offers challenges for everyone from beginners to experts.
This beautiful spot is home to Arkansas’ “Castle in the Clouds” and is perfect for family outings. With easy trails like the half-mile Spring Trail and moderate trails like the 1.3-mile Lover’s Leap Trail, Queen Wilhelmina State Park can accommodate even the least experienced hiker. For those interested in a more strenuous hike, check out the 225-mile Ouachita Trail.
With multiple hiking trails, Hobbs State Park Conservation Area is a great spot for family hikes. Choose between the half-mile Historic Van Winkle Trail, the 1.5-mile Shaddox Hollow Nature Trail, the 24-mile Hidden Diversity Multi-Use Trail, or the Pigeon Roost Trail, a double-stacked loop trail in a figure eight formation. These trails are popular for hiking as well as viewing a variety of plant and animal species.
]]>Your Ouachita Mountain dirt bike adventure begins right here! The Wolf Pen Trail near Mena is one of the most popular ATV trails not only in Arkansas, but also in the country. This area boasts 42 miles of marked, looped trails, and features some unique attractions such as a few abandoned mines and a two-footed oak tree. Wolf Pen is open year-round except during hunting season.
Since 1989 the Gamble family has owned and operated Mack’s Pines, “your Trailriding Headquarters of the Ozarks.” Here you’ll find 40 miles of marked trails and an additional 1,000 miles of unmarked trails, all for your dirt biking pleasure.
For just $3 per vehicle per day, riders can enjoy this great trail in the Ozark National Forest. Mill Creek OHV Trail leads riders through some spectacular mountain terrain with views worth writing home about. Add in the beautiful surrounding hardwood forests and clear mountain streams and you’ve got yourself the perfect scene for a great dirt bike ride.
The Fourche Mountain Trail is a free trail in the Ouachita National Forest. Riders can enjoy amazing views of Fourche Mountain and Buck Knob as well as other views of the beautiful Arkansas Ouachita Mountains. Difficulty levels on this trail vary from very easy to quite difficult.
One of the most popular spots in Arkansas for all things off-road is Sandtown Ranch, which is 1,800 privately-owned acres of dirt bike heaven. Sandtown Ranch is open year-round and features awesome attractions like a cave with an underground river and waterfall. Riders of all levels enjoy this trail for many reasons including its numerous creek crossings.
]]>If you’re looking for a hike with scenic views of the ancient geology of the Arkansas Ozarks, then the Pedestal Rocks Loop Trail is the one for you. This trail gets its name from the amazing limestone columns scattered throughout the area. As well as numerous shelters and caves, these columns have been formed from natural weathering and look like large pedestals. Prepare to spend at least 2-3 hours as you hike the roughly 2.5-mile Pedestal Rocks Loop Trail.
This moderate Northwest Arkansas trail is one of the most popular in the state. The natural Lake Fayetteville Trail is 6.9 miles of soft surface, while the paved multi-use trail is 5.5 miles. Because this is a multi-use trail, hikers should expect to share the ground with bikers, runners, and walkers. The plant and wildlife views on the Lake Fayetteville Trail are so exhilarating that you’ll want to bring your camera to capture the memories.
Covering more than 10 miles, the Sunset Trail is the longest trail in Hot Springs National Park. So long, in fact, that most visitors break up this scenic hike into three sections. You’ll experience a variety of terrain on the Sunset Trail as it crosses through the park’s remote areas as well as its highest point of elevation. As if this trail wasn’t energizing enough on its own, there are also two beautiful spurs for you to explore: Balanced Rock Trail and Fordyce Peaks Trail.
Located near Caddo Gap, Montgomery County’s Eagle Rock Loop is an energizing hike that is almost 30 miles-long. Eagle Rock Loop is actually made up of three smaller trails: the Athens-Big Fork, Little Missouri, and Viles Branch Trails. Experienced adventurers love the beauty of the Ouachita sights that can be seen from this trail. Caution should be taken when hiking Eagle Rock Loop at spots where it crosses the Little Missouri River, as flash-flooding can make water levels extremely dangerous.
Set aside at least four hours to hike Seven Hollows Trail in the beautiful Petit Jean State Park. This energizing trail takes hikers on a scenic journey through a system of small caverns as it passes through a forest of hardwoods. Seven Hollows Trail is 4.5 miles in length and also features a breathtaking waterfall.
]]>Located in the beautiful Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, just 13 miles west of Fayetteville, the Lake Wedington area is one of the best family-friendly campgrounds in the Natural State. This popular spot features activities such as birding, boating, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and swimming. Amenities include an accessible fishing dock, boat ramp, cabin rentals, and picnic areas. The picnic pavilion can accommodate up to 75 guests, and the lodge can hold 200 (both of these areas can be utilized during the day).
The Crater of Diamonds State Park is an obvious choice when it comes to family camping trips in Arkansas. In addition to priceless hidden treasures, this “keep what you find” diamond site also features 47 Class AAA campsites and five walk-in tent sites. Families of all ages enjoy the water park after digging up memories at this campground.
The Lake Dardanelle area, surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Arkansas River Valley, is so large that it is divided into two parts. The Russellville and Dardanelle locations offer a total of 74 camping sites, launch ramps, restrooms and bathhouses with hot showers. Guests also enjoy the fishing and hiking opportunities available at Lake Dardanelle State Park.
Located in the beautiful Boston Mountain Range of the Ozarks, Lake Fort Smith State Park has 20 Class AAA and 10 Class B campsites, as well as 10 cabins. This popular spot features hiking trails, a swimming pool, playground, and marina where guests can rent kayaks, pedal boats, and party barges.
Devil’s Den State Park may be best known for its cool caves and hiking trails, but it also features an impressive number of camping spots: 44 Class AAA sites, 12 Class B sites, 13 Class C sites, eight hike-in (tent-only) sites, and more. Visitors should always check cave closings before planning a trip to Devil’s Den State Park.
]]>This great RV campsite in Hot Springs is a Kampgrounds of America (KOA) approved location. Tucked away in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, the Hot Springs National Park KOA is one of the best RV campsites in the Natural State. Amenities and activities include a pool (open seasonally), fishing, snack bar, mini golf, and more.
Striving to be the “campsite of choice” in the Ozarks, the Eureka Springs KOA is one of the best RV campsites in Arkansas. Another Kampgrounds of America location, you’ll find full-hook-ups and pull-through sites at this big-rig friendly RV campsite in Eureka Springs. There is a pool open seasonally, as well as firewood and propane available.
This awesome park is your “home on the road” in the Arkansas Ozarks. Located near Historic Batesville, the Speedway RV Park is a full-service RV lodging facility that features awesome amenities like climate-controlled bathrooms, a laundry room with washer and dryer, an RV dumping station, and much more. Next door to the Speedway RV Park you’ll find a flea market and a gift shop that feature collectibles, antiques, and more.
Big rigs are welcome here! You won’t have to travel down Arkansas backroads to reach this awesome spot on the White River. The RV campsites at Blue Heron are spacious, level, and most are pull-through. Guests can enjoy fishing and bird watching while taking in the scenic views of the beautiful Ozark Mountains.
This four-acre resort in Jasper offers 20 RV campsites as well as many other amenities including a swimming pool, pavilion, picnic tables, and fire rings. Most sites at the Dogwood Springs Campground Resort feature full hook-ups with 30-amp or 50-amp electrical service.
]]>The Arkansas River is a popular location for professional fishing tournaments like Bassmasters. Pools in the Arkansas River, formed by locks and dams, are stocked by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) with bass, crappie, catfish, and other sport fish. Additionally, stripers can be found along the entire 320-mile stretch of the Arkansas River that flows through Arkansas.
The White River is one of the most popular fishing spots in the Natural State. While the upper section of the White River is swimming with bass, catfish, and sunfish, it’s catfish you’ll find just below Bull Shoals Dam. In recent years, the biggest trout have been caught downstream of the Houseman Access.
Flooded timber in this 29,000-acre lake provides the perfect environment for a variety of fish. Millwood Lake is a popular fishing lake that features bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegills. Millwood Lake is also a host various for fishing derbies and bass fishing tournaments held by local and out-of-state organizations.
The Spring River is well-known for its stream walleye fishing and also has a reputation for being unique among Arkansas trout waters. Rather than coming from deep within a manmade lake, the cold water in the Spring River comes naturally from a spring. The three-mile stretch from Mammoth Springs to Dam 3 is ideal for those that enjoy fishing from the bank or while wading.
As far as fishing goes, Lake Ouachita is one of the most popular lakes in Arkansas and is well-known for its premier largemouth bass fishing. The deep, crystal-clear waters of Lake Ouachita are also ideal for large stripers, which are often caught by trolling with downriggers.
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Get ready for a unique adventure searching for real diamonds! This 37-acre field is the only diamond-producing site in the world that’s open to the public. At the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, you can search the eroded surface of an ancient volcanic crater for diamonds and other semi-precious stones.
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This great park in Alexander, Arkansas, features 24/7 access to a variety of ATV obstacles, trails, and more. With a goal of providing a safe place for the Central Arkansas community to ride and play in the mud together, Carter Off-Road Park was established back in 2014. Designed for riders to challenge themselves, there is something for everyone at Carter Off-Road Park.
You’ll find this campground in the Northwest Arkansas Ozark Mountains along the shores of Beaver Lake. With an abundance of spacious campsite and recreational activities, the Beaver Lake Dam Site Campground is one of the best of its kind in the Natural State. While camping, let your eyes feast on the natural caves, beautiful trees, and limestone bluffs.
Cast your nets at one of the most popular fishing spots in the Natural State. You’ll find some noteworthy catfish on the White River just below the Bull Shoals Dam. On the upper section of this famous river, you’ll find sunfish and bass in addition to catfish. If it’s trout that you’re fishin’ for, you'll be happy to hear that the White River boasts some of the best trout fishing in the world.
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The 151-mile Buffalo is our nation’s first national river and is largely fed by rain. You’ll experience some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Arkansas while paddling the Buffalo National River. For great prices and friendly service, check out Lost Valley Canoe & Lodging. After your trip, stop into Ozark Café for a meal—a true local favorite.
A beautiful spot in the fall, Devil’s Den State Park is known, in part, for its unique characteristics like caverns and rock formations. This state park features a variety of camping options, like camper cabins and cabins with kitchens and fireplaces. You’ll also find over 130 campsites ranging from Class AAA to Class D.
You’ll find this 650-acre lodging and event resort in the Arkansas Ozark National Forest. Off-roading is just one of the many recreational activities featured around the beautiful Mulberry Mountain. Navigate through one of their many long trails and get lost in the beauty of the red, orange, and yellow trees.
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The Ozark Mountain Trailblazers Club is a group of outdoor enthusiasts with a mission of making the Ozark Mountains a bigger part of everyone’s lives by bringing people together. By joining together with like-minded hikers and trekkers, you’ll not only enjoy the company of others but you’ll experience the Ozarks through the eyes of education and advocacy. Be sure to come to the Annual Outdoor Rendezvous at the beginning of November. Check out their site page for more information!
Barnyard Friends & Stables has been serving the Petit Jean Mountain area since 2006. This fun, educational horseback riding venue offers a true family experience, complete with a petting zoo that offers hand-on activity. Saddle up and enjoy 30 or 50-minute trail rides. What a way to soak up the crisp fall air and beautifully rich colors of Arkansas foliage.
The only resort lake state park in Arkansas, DeGray Lake offers a variety of opportunities to enjoy in the fall months. One of the best outdoor fall activities is boating. You’ll find first-class lodging and amenities in which to relax after your boating adventure. From tandem kayaks to a 25-foot barge with a party deck, be sure to check their site for all of the different options available to rent!
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Likewise, bass fishing is starting to pick up again as the weather begins to cool. Huge schools of threadfin shad are starting to filter away from open-water ledges into bays and tributaries where feeding conditions and water temperatures are more optimum.
Bass follow the food, first setting up on ledges at the mouths of inlets and creeks to waylay shad, then migrating back toward shallower water to keep up with their quarry.
Fall Script for Southern Bass
Bass rule in Dixie and cooler weather brings out an army of anglers who go after them. Whether largemouth, smallmouth or spotted bass, they’re available in most waters and sometimes all three varieties are present in a fishery, ready to aggravate or gratify those who seek them.
Hot Spots To Fish: When it comes to the South’s best lakes for fall fishing, the big TVA impoundments fit the bill. Because this is bass tournament country, dozens of YouTube videos and Facebook sites of pro anglers offer useful advice on where and how to catch autumn largemouths. Likewise, guide services are plentiful; just Google “fishing guides” for the lake you’re visiting or type in the town nearest the lake you wish to fish on the interactive map on this page.
Tackle You’ll Need: A 7-foot medium/heavy rod such as the St. Croix Premier Cranking, a baitcasting reel like the Abu Garcia Revo Winch and 10- to 14-pound-test monofilament makes a good combination to fish downsized lures.
Quick tip: This is strictly a match-the-hatch deal. Use lures that are about the same size as wandering shad. If young-of-the-year threadfins are on the bass menu, try small swim baits fished on drop-shot rigs.
Best Lures/Baits: Shad-colored, shallow- and medium-diving square-billed or coffin-billed crankbaits are autumn standouts. Popular lures include the Strike King 6XD, Bandit 100 or 200, Duo Realis M65, Livetarget Magnum Shad BaitBall Squarebill, Megabass S-Crank, Lucky Craft Squarebill 2.5, Storm Arashi and Rapala Shad Rap.
Fish them around shoreline cover and on the flats between creek drop-offs and the bank. Other fallback baits include spinnerbaits like the Booyah Super Shad, Stanley Vibrashaft and Nichols Pulsator. Good buzzbait options can be found from Lunker Lure, Damiki, Santone and Dirty Jigs.
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Rendezvous With Redfish
Along the northern Gulf Coast from Carrabelle, FL, to Grand Isle, LA, the redfish season begins in late September and continues in stages through December. Some anglers fish in the surf with cut bait, while others station themselves on area piers or in boats on relatively shallow flats near channel cuts.
Hot Spots To Fish: For boating anglers, a couple of spots stick out. Pensacola Bay Pass is a must-fish for boaters. Anchor up on the broad flat between old Fort Pickens and the channel, set out lines as the tide changes to incoming, and hang on. Need more help? Redfish University Pensacola Fishing Charters (850-748-4368, redfishuniversity.com) specializes in the big drum.
At Grand Isle, LA, book a trip with Gotta Go Fishing Charters (225-921-3642, gottagofishingcharters.com). The marshes and inshore waters around Venice, LA, are primo redfish haunts as well. Captain Mike Frenette (504-782-0924, laredfish.com or ([email protected]) is a top guide here.
Tackle You’ll Need: “Rat” reds of 3 pounds and up, or real bruisers weighing in excess of 20 pounds require a range of tackle options. Bass fishing tackle – whether spinning or baitcasting – is perfect for handling smaller fish and for casting jigs or swimbaits that weigh less than an ounce. A Shimano Stradic spinning reel and 7-foot medium-action Shimano Compre rod with 14-pound-test monofilament.
For bigger fish, consider a Penn Battle II BTLII5000 with 20-pound-test monofilament or 40-pound-test braid, and a 30-pound-test fluorocarbon leader. A 7-foot medium-heavy spinning rod (such as the Penn Battalion BATIN1220S70) should handle any bait rigs or lures and wear down a bull redfish in short order.
Quick Tip: Incoming tides in late evening or at night are primo times for reds as the fish free-spawn then in the mouths of coastal bays and estuaries. If you can’t fish any other time, make sure you fish the incoming tides.
Best Lures/Baits: Redfish aren’t particular about their dietary requirements and will eat anything from blue crabs to halved mullet. Swimming spoons such as the Johnson Sprite (johnsonfishing.com), swimbaits and jigs or even topwater poppers, such as the Heddon Saltwater Spook, will elicit strikes.
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Fish Here This Fall—5 Reel-Screaming Adventures
How to Choose the Best Times to Fish
A real Arkansas dude ranch! Well-known in the climbing community as a great destination for some of the finest sandstone sport climbing, the certified and experienced guides at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch will show you the ropes. This place has been featured in multiple outdoor magazines as one of the best climbing areas east of the Rockies. From the beginner just starting out to the repelling expert, HCR has routes available for all skill levels.
Sam’s Throne, located up on Mt. Judea, is a popular spot for rock climbing, hiking, and more. Top roping is popular here at Sam’s Throne, which features climbs that range from short bouldering up to 75-foot pitches to challenge all skill levels.
With some routes reaching near 200 feet, Red Rock Point is one of the tallest established climbing areas in the state of Arkansas. Access to these red sandstone walls is tricky so use caution in your approach (do not try to access from the top!). Red Rock Point towers above the valley, just north of the Sam’s Throne area.
At 2,753-feet high, Mount Magazine is the highest point in Arkansas, making it a dramatic location for technical rock climbing. Traditional Arkansas bouldering, sport climbing, and rappelling is allowed in a designated area on the mountain’s south bluff that overlooks the Petit Jean River Valley.
This indoor rock climbing center is one of the best places in the Central Arkansas area to find extreme fun and a great alternative to the average workout. The Little Rock Climbing Center features over 5,000-square-feet of 30-foot high textured walls with angles for all skill levels.
]]>This popular trail is known by two different names: Hawksbill Crag Trail and Whitaker Point Trail. Despite the name you call this stunning trail, it is a great hike for everyone and ends at one of the most photographed points in Arkansas. Hawks Bill Crag stretches hundreds of feet tall and has long-served as an amazing spot to explore. The trail itself is decorated with the natural beauty of the Ozarks. From forest to wildflower, your eyes will feast on the rich, wonderful colors that Arkansas is famous for.
Perhaps one of the most well-known hiking trails in the state of Arkansas, there is never a bad time to hike Lost Valley. Wildflower and medicinal plant folklore enthusiasts greatly enjoy this trail as it features a wide variety of species, including crested iris and Ozark trillium. The waterfalls in Lost Valley run best after a rain, but it’s as beautiful in the cooler months as it is in the spring.
You’ll experience nature and adventure at historic White Rock Mountain, in the Ozark National Forest. This majestic mountain stretches 2,260-feet above sea level, providing visitors with breathtaking scenic views. White Rock is a center for multiple national forest hiking trail systems, including the 1.5-mile loop around the rim of the mountaintop.
Spanning 192 miles, the Ouachita National Recreational Trail is the longest trail in the Ouachita National Forest. Elevations on this trail range from 600 to 2,600 feet as it passes through forested mountains, valleys, and clear-running streams.
Tanyard Creek Nature Trail is loop trail near Bella Vista. Best used from April until November, this dog-friendly trail features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels.
]]>One of the most popular activities at this naturally beautiful state park is camping. The campgrounds at Petit Jean State Park feature a total of 125 reservable campsites that are divided into four campground areas. Each area includes a modern bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets. Folks who don’t own camping equipment can take advantage of the parks four rent-a-yurts that are available year-round. Petit Jean is Arkansas’ only state park with its own airport, so if you happen to be an aviation enthusiast you will enjoy the airport’s fly-in campground that features five amenity-filled tent sites.
What was once a thriving river port in the 1800s is now a beautiful, sprawling state park. At the park, you’ll find 20 Class A campsites with water and electric, a standard pavilion, picnic sites, playground, and the beautiful Tunstall Riverwalk Trail.
This 291-acre state park in the Arkansas Delta is one of the most popular state parks in the Natural State. Just north of Jonesboro, or just west of Paragould, Crowley’s Ridge offers 18 Class B and eight tent campsites. Campers can enjoy the park’s picnic areas, trails, and baseball field, as well as exploring the native log and stone structures.
The fall sights, smells, and sounds of Daisy State Park can’t be beat. Choose from Class A, Class B, Class D (tent), and rent-a-yurt sites year-round at this state park. The centerpiece of this park is Lake Greeson, a shimmering, clear water, 7,000-acre lake. Enjoy bird watching, kayaking, fishing, and a cozy campfire to finish off the day.
The meeting point of the West Gulf Coastal Plains and East Arkansas’ Mississippi Delta region, the 2,000 acres of Cane Creek State Park are a sight to behold. This is a great campsite for guided walking, biking, kayaking, and bird watching. Enjoy picnic sites, a screened-in pavilion, a visitor center with exhibits and a gift shop, a playground for the kids, and so much more.
]]>Designed for riders to test their limits, there isn’t an obstacle too tough or trail too muddy at this great spot in Alexander, Arkansas. Carter Off-Road Park was established in 2014 to provide a safe place for the Central Arkansas community to ride and play in the mud together. This impressive park features 24/7 access to a variety of ATV trails, obstacles, and more.
The Wolf Pen ATV Campground and Cabins is home to the Wolf Pen Gap Trail. The well-known off-roading spot features 42 miles of loop trails and three trailheads. The scenic trail at Wolf Pen Gap takes riders across Board Camp and Gap Creek and through a mix of forest and rugged areas in the Ouachitas. Although there is no fee to use this trail, donations are accepted at the trailheads. The Wolf Pen Gap Trail is open year-round except in November and December during modern gun season.
This River Valley spot features miles of riding opportunities on 800 acres in the scenic Arkansas Ozarks. Byrd’s Adventure Center is well-known for its off-road play areas that include challenging obstacles, mud pits, and jumps. In addition to the great trails available at Byrd’s ORV Park, riders can also enjoy designated trails in the surrounding Ozark National Forest.
Mulberry Mountain Lodge, located along Highway 23 on the Pig Trail National Scenic Byway, is a great spot for the ultimate ATV getaway. This 650-acre lodging and event resort on Arkansas’ Mulberry Mountain features direct access to many of the Ozark National Forest ATV trails. One of the more popular trails, the Mill Creek Off-Highway Vehicle Trail, features a scenic ride over mountainous terrain in remote areas of the forest.
The popular ATV trails at the Renegade Ranch feature over 300 acres of hills and forest as well as open spaces adjoining the Ouachita River. Experienced riders may be interested in Renegade Ranch’s extreme trails, the Outlaw Pass and Cougar Canyon. Although guests can rent cabins here, ATVs cannot be rented here, and trail use fees include $5 per ATV for half-day and $10 per ATV for full-day. This area is also well-known for its wealth of arrowheads.
*Note: Age restrictions, special licenses, and other requirements for off highway vehicles vary from state to state. Before heading out on your OHV, please consult your local regulations.
]]>Beaver Lake is one of the most popular bodies of water in the Natural State, making it a perfect spot for paddleboarding as well as many other water activities. Formed by a dam across the White River, the 28,370-acre Beaver Lake is a man-made reservoir that is nestled high up in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas near Rogers, Arkansas. Check out nearby SUP-Outfitters for rentals, lessons, tours, and more!
This spot is not only perfect for paddleboarding, but it is also a historic journey that begins in the Boston Mountain region of the beautiful Ozarks. Established in 1972, the 135-mile Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas was our nation’s first national river and is one of just a few remaining free-flowing, undammed rivers in the lower 48 states.
As the only resort state park in Arkansas, DeGray Lake has much to offer when it comes to water sports. The man-made, 13,400-acre DeGray Lake is one of five “Diamond Lakes” in the Natural State, due to its crystal-clear waters. Formed by a dam across the Caddo River, DeGray Lake is nestled in the ridges of the beautiful Ouachita Mountains in West-Central Arkansas. Rent a stand-up paddleboard for a half day for $15 or $25 for a full day.
As well as being one of the most popular rivers in the Natural State, the Ouachita is also the 25th longest river in the United States and a great spot for paddleboarding. The 605-mile-long Ouachita River begins on Rich Mountain in the beautiful Ouachita Mountains of Polk and Montgomery Counties.
The 102-acre Lake Wedington is often overlooked when it comes to recreational water sports. This awesome lake is located next to the 424-acre Lake Wedington Recreational Area that was created out of the Great Depression and finished in 1938 by that era’s Works Progress Administration (WPA). Check out Love to Float Outfitters for rentals. Stand-up paddleboard rates are $15 per hour, $40 for a half day, or $60 for a full day.
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