Discover Arkansas

The Buffalo National River flows through the Ozark Mountains, past towering rock bluffs, rapids, and quiet pools, all the way to the White River. It flows freely for 135 miles. You can explore it by boat or raft while floating downstream. The landscape and activities offer a first impression of just how varied a trip through Arkansas can be.

Hot springs and trails in the state parks

Hot Springs National Park has ancient thermal springs and 26 miles of hiking trails. Two distinct aspects of nature come together here: the springs and an extensive trail network. If you’re planning your trip around hiking, Petit Jean State Park offers another option. It was the first state park in Arkansas and has more than 20 miles of hiking trails. Lake Bailey covers 100 acres and is suitable for fishing, kayaking, and pedal boating.

Arkansas State Parks bring together hiking, camping, and paddling, with views ranging from mountain peaks to lakeshores. When planning your state park trails, you can choose by park, region, or difficulty level; maps, trail lengths, and hiking times are available to help. This lets you consider the listed trail options using specific planning details rather than choosing a park by name alone.

The Monument Trails at Hobbs, Pinnacle Mountain, Mount Nebo, and Devil’s Den state parks offer experiences for mountain bikers and hikers. Devil’s Den State Park has Monument Trails for mountain biking and hiking. Its hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails also lead into the surrounding Ozark National Forest. The trail information here covers several activities, so you can choose according to how you want to get around on your trip.

History, architecture, and music

In 1957, Little Rock Central High School was the site of a struggle over the civil rights of African Americans and a catalyst for change. The Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site visitor center has exhibits, restrooms, and a bookstore. Visiting the site therefore brings together its historical significance and the facilities available at the visitor center.

Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park is one of four National Historic Landmarks in the Arkansas state park system. At the same time, it is the largest and most complex mound site in Arkansas, preserving a remarkable prehistoric Native American ceremonial landscape. Historic Washington offers a different historical connection: from 1863 to 1865, it was the Confederate capital of Arkansas. Historic Washington State Park has the largest collection of 19th-century buildings in Arkansas.

Music and crafts also offer their own highlights. The Delta Sounds permanent exhibit at the Delta Cultural Center explores blues, gospel, country, rockabilly, and other regional music styles of the Arkansas Delta. At the Historic Arkansas Museum, the Living Craft program offers hands-on participation in demonstrations of 19th-century crafts and trades. While Delta Sounds focuses on the Delta’s different music styles, Living Craft turns the spotlight on crafts and how they are demonstrated.

Unique activities and regional cuisine

Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only place in the world where the public can search for natural diamonds at their original volcanic source. Visitors search a 37-acre plowed field. Staff will identify rocks and minerals found by visitors free of charge. This offers a specific way to combine a park visit with a search for minerals instead of focusing on hiking or water activities.

Arkansas cuisine often includes barbecue, fried catfish, hush puppies, and pie. For tourism purposes, Arkansas is divided into six distinct regions. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, first consider what matters most to your trip: river activities, trails and landscapes, cultural sites, or regional music and cuisine. These interests can help you organize your travel plans without reducing the variety of experiences to a single type of vacation.

Discover more destinations: Poinsett County, Cross County, Desha County, Drew, Boone County, Chicot County, Scott County, Ashley County, Randolph County, Washington, Benton, Garland, Pulaski, Faulkner, Sebastian, Crittenden, Little River, Craighead, Van Buren County, Saline County, Jefferson County, Cleburne County, Pope County, Franklin County, White County, Clark County, Independence County, Lonoke County, Grant County, Carroll County, Baxter County, Mississippi County, Hempstead County, St. Francis County, Marion County, Sharp County, Union County, Hot Spring County, Greene County, Monroe County, Columbia County, Stone County, Phillips County, Conway County, Jackson County, Pike, Dallas County, Polk County, Springfield, Arkansas County, Clay County, Sevier County, Lawrence County, Crawford

For the main travel overview: USA.