Washington: Scenery, Nature and History

Rock formations, caves, lakes and historic memorial sites offer different themes to consider when planning a trip to Washington. Nature trails and activities on the water sit alongside stories of the Battle of Prairie Grove, early education and Arkansas’s country doctors. You can combine your interests in scenery and culture or focus on individual themes.

Nature and trails around lakes and rock formations

Devil’s Den State Park is one of Washington County’s historic sites and features rock formations and caves. Its hiking, trekking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails lead into the surrounding Ozark National Forest. The different types of trails offer different ways to explore the landscape. The park is also home to Lake Devil, an eight-acre lake for fishing.

Lake Wedington also combines nature and outdoor activities. The lake covers 102 acres; its natural surroundings include trees, ferns, wildflowers and various wildlife. Animals mentioned include rabbits, deer, songbirds, wild turkeys and numerous migratory waterfowl. For hiking, there is a lakeside trail and the seven-mile North Twin Trail, which is also designated for mountain biking. The Recreation Area also has a boat ramp, a swimming area and a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier. Nature watching, exercise and time by the water are different aspects of the same area.

History in Prairie Grove, Cane Hill and Lincoln

Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park commemorates the Battle of Prairie Grove, which took place on December 7, 1862, and is also one of Washington County’s historic sites. Hindman Hall Museum displays artifacts recovered from the battle. Commemoration of the event and surviving objects connected to it offer two distinct ways to engage with history.

Cane Hill is connected to the history of Arkansas’s first public school. A museum is housed in the former Cane Hill College building; the college’s surviving brick building was constructed in 1874. Near Cane Hill, the ruins of an old mill also recall earlier technology: they include a 34-foot overshot waterwheel and rebuilt foundation walls.

In Lincoln, the Arkansas Country Doctor Museum focuses on the history and heroism of Arkansas’s country doctors. Its mission is to preserve and share this history. The museum complements the themes of battle history and education with a look at rural medical care.

Historic trails and gardens in Fayetteville

In Fayetteville, the map for the Historic Hike of Fayetteville leads to more than two dozen historic buildings downtown. The Razorback Greenway Historic Hike shares historical information along a section of the Frisco Trail between Lafayette Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard. Individual stops and the route shown may change; check the map as you plan. Also in Fayetteville, the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks features twelve themed gardens and a butterfly house.

At Lake Fayetteville, there is a 5.5-mile nature trail and 4.3 miles of paved multi-use trails that circle the lake. The two distances and trail types offer a useful comparison for planning your time: the nature trail is longer, while the paved multi-use trails together form a separate loop around the lake.

Festivals and regional traditions

Cane Hill holds a festival in September featuring music, arts and crafts, and sorghum syrup making. This blend of music, crafts and production gives the festival its own local focus. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates in advance.

Founded in 1857, the Washington County Fair celebrates agriculture, youth and community. The fair features livestock shows, local vendors, rides, food and family-friendly activities. The program and offerings may vary from one year to the next; checking the dates and program for that year can help with planning. While the Cane Hill festival includes sorghum syrup and crafts, the fair brings together agriculture and community.

Discover more destinations: Fayetteville, Johnson, Springdale, Elm Springs, Sevier County, Ashley County, Pike, Lonoke County.

For the main travel overview: Arkansas.