With a mild climate all four seasons of the year, a landscape that rises from gentle plains near the Mississippi River to the rolling hills of the interior and the Ozark Mountains in the northwest, Arkansas is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor adventures. From its human-made and natural waterways perfect for fishing and boating to its wooded trails for hikers and rocky cliffs for climbers, the state is full of unmatched outdoor escapes. Here is how you can discover why Arkansas is referred to as The Natural State on your next vacation.
Created when the Ouachita River was dammed in the mid-1900s, Lake Ouachita is a 40,000-acre reservoir of fresh water surrounded by the scenic Ouachita National Forest. Lake Ouachita State Park is also located here. The lake is home to bream, crappie, catfish, and striped and largemouth bass. Come for an afternoon of spin casting, or reserve one of the park’s 93 campsites and turn the weekend into a fishing trip.
For a less rustic overnight experience, check into Gaston’s White River Resort, a popular destination on the White River that spans 400 acres, features 79 cottages and 70 boats to take you on the water. It is also home to an award-winning restaurant, nature trails for you to hike and explore, and even a fly-fishing school. Fishing has been the main draw for visitors since the resort first opened in 1958, with the option of heading out alone or going on guided excursions to try your luck catching trout on the river or catfish, bass and walleye on Bull Shoals Lake above the dam.
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Where to paddle
With more than 600,000 acres of lakes and 15,000 kilometres of flowing water, there are plenty of options when it comes to kayaking or canoeing. For those looking for adventure, the Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area in Wickes features stretches of challenging whitewater, with Class IV (and sometimes even Class V) rapids. Guided kayak tours of the waterway are available depending on weather and water levels.
For a more leisurely paddle, Buffalo National River — designated America’s first national river in 1972 — features long stretches of calm waters, with occasional rapids, along its more than 200-kilometre length which passes through green valleys and limestone bluffs. Paddling the Caddo River is another solid choice as it features stretches of calm waters edged with lush deciduous forests - a perfect spot for beginners.
Where to birdwatch
Lake Chicot State Park, which features an oxbow-shaped lake created after the Mississippi River changed its meandering course, is in the Arkansas Delta and is part of one of the largest migratory paths for birds in the U.S. — making it a great spot for birdwatchers. Depending on when you visit, you might encounter red-headed woodpeckers, wood thrush, prothonotary warblers, baltimore orioles, and even bald eagles. Migrating butterflies also pass through the nature reserve.
Soaring and majestic bald eagles are an iconic national symbol of the U.S. While many of the birds migrate during the year, some stay in Arkansas throughout the year. Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, just over an hour-and-a-half ride from Little Rock, is one area where you may see them year-round, as are the Lake Sequoyah Trails in Fayetteville. Northwest Arkansas Audubon even offers a guided 37-kilometre driving tour through Benton County where you might see anywhere from 10 to 20 of the birds during the winter months.
Rock climbing at Mount Magazine State Park in Paris, Arkansas.
Arkansas Tourism
Where to rock climb
Located in the Ozark National Forest, Mount Magazine State Park features Arkansas’ highest point, at nearly 840 metres, as well as some amazing opportunities to rock climb. The flat-topped mountain is a popular spot to go bouldering, rappelling and climbing, with its south bluff featuring more than 100 routes up to 24 metres high. Its southern exposure also protects it from the wind, making it possible to also climb in winter.
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Another popular climbing location is Jamestown Crag, located near Batesville in northeast Arkansas. Its sandstone and limestone surface has around 80 bolted climbing routes.
For a truly memorable experience for climbers, the state plays host to the 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell, an endurance rock climbing competition and festival that is held annually on the last full weekend of September at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in Jasper. Lasting five days, it features teams competing in 12- and 24-hour climbing events, with music, entertainment and parties taking place in between.
Where to see the universe
On April 8, much of Arkansas will have a front row seat to a celestial site when what has been dubbed the 2024 Great North American Eclipse takes place. Several state parks are in the path of the total phase of the eclipse, which will roughly cut a swath across the state running diagonally from the northeast to the southwest. It is along this path that viewers will be able to see the shadow of the moon completely cover the sun.
Missed it? Don’t worry, you can still appreciate all things astronomical at Buffalo National River, which was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2019. It offers several night sky programs at Buffalo Point and Tyler Bend during the summer months, offering a chance to learn about the stars, planets and other astronomical features.
For more ideas on how to Escape to Your Natural State on a biking vacation in Arkansas, visit Arkansas.com.
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