12 x Best Places to Visit in Arkansas

Last Updated On June 23, 2023

Visiting Arkansas entails becoming acquainted with the state's topography and history. Many of Arkansas' best places to visit are in the state's northwest section, where the Ozark Mountains reward visitors with rugged terrain and magnificent landscapes.

Lake Ouachita, Arkansas, USA

Photo by Oliver Graham on Unsplash

The preservation of historic architecture and the presence of varied museums make cityscapes just as enjoyable. We've produced a list of some of the best places to visit in Arkansas to help you plan your trip.

1. Little Rock

2. Mount Magazine State Park

Mount Magazine, Arkansas's highest point, is a must-see if you're looking for enjoyable things to do in nature. Visitors to Mount Magazine State Park can ride horseback, mountain biking, hiking, and even ATV riding. Mount Magazine's core is a 60-room guest lodge with amenities such as swimming pools, a game room, and a fitness center.

Mount Magazine is also a thrilling location for rock climbing and hangs gliding. Mount Magazine is a beautiful natural location where you can relax, watch, and learn, as well as all the fun that awaits you.

3. Bentonville

4. Petit Jean State Park

Petit Jean State Park is located in the northern part of the state, approximately west of Conway. The state park is claimed to be named after a young French woman who resided in what was then Louisiana Territory in the 18th century.

The terrain in the park is famous for its natural beauty: there are massive cave formations, canyons, and the man-made Lake Bailey for boating and fishing adventures. Winthrop Rockefeller, a member of the well-known Rockefeller family, came to Petit Jean in 1953 before becoming the state's governor. In the area, he launched farming and humanitarian initiatives.

5. Buffalo National River

The Buffalo National River, which meanders freely for 135 miles through the picturesque Ozark Mountains, is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower United States. This National River is a favorite haunt of nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. It offers more than just floating and fishing - landlubbers may have as much fun as water-sport lovers, with options such as hiking, camping, picnics, fishing, hunting, and horseback riding.

6. DeGray Lake Resort State Park

7. Crater of Diamonds State Park

Crater of Diamonds is a volcanic crater where visitors can look for diamonds and other gemstones. The 37-acre field is walkable and searchable on foot. Your excursion to one of the genuinely remarkable Arkansas tourist destinations begins with a brief overview of how to mine diamonds successfully. Surprisingly, visitors to the park have discovered over 33,000 diamonds. Except for motorized mining equipment, visitors are permitted to bring or rent mining equipment.

8. Beaver Lake

9. Eureka Springs

Eureka Springs as a whole is on the National Register of Historic Places. In the late nineteenth century, the city was formed and thrived as a resort town, and it is now preserved as a record of architectural styles. Following the end of the Civil War in the 1860s, Eureka Springs was advertised as a resort for wealthy valetudinarians seeking to heal various ailments with the spring waters. The Crescent Hotel, which opened in 1886, is renowned as one of the most haunted places in the country. The city hosts arts, culinary, and Mardi Gras celebrations during summer.

10. Lake Hamilton

11. Ozark–St. Francis National Forest

12. Devil’s Den State Park