It won’t be long until spring fever sets in and people start feeling restless. Adventurers will want to leave the confines of the house and travel around Arkansas to check out (and thoroughly explore) these locations that are awesome for day trips and a chance to discover something new and interesting. Map out your route and have a great time!
- Devil’s Den
Flickr/AR Nature Gal Devil’s Den State Park in Washington County, Arkansas is popular with hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Those who really want to challenge themselves here will take the strenuous Butterfield Hiking Trail and get a scenic workout.
- Lake Chicot
Flickr/Stuart Seeger Famed aviator and adventurer Charles Lindbergh made his first night flight over Lake Chicot in the spring of 1923, and the area has ever since been a spot for adventure and fun. There’s plenty of room for fishing and boating, too - Lake Chicot is Arkansas’s largest natural lake and the largest oxbow lake in North America.
- Mount Nebo State Park
Flickr/Cletus Lee An excellent place for mountain climbers to visit, Mount Nebo State Park is located in between the cities of Conway and Fort Smith. Those who are really adventurous will enjoy practicing hang gliding stunts here as well!
- Beaver Lake
Wikipedia Whether it’s going for a swim or going underground to explore beautiful War Eagle Cavern, Beaver Lake is one of the best places in northern Arkansas to plan out a day’s adventure.
- Daisy State Park
Facebook/Jason Gilkey Popular with all terrain vehicle owners and mountain bikers, Daisy State Park in Kirby, Arkansas is also great for photographers with a flair for adventure. The state park is located on scenic Lake Greeson.
- Mystic Caverns and Crystal Dome
Flickr/Gene Wilburn Located in Harrison, Mystic Caverns and Crystal Dome are twin show caves that have been open to the public for years. Mystic Caverns started operating in the 1920s. Crystal Dome, which was discovered in the 1960s, started conducting tours in 1981.
- Lake Catherine State Park
Flickr/Jonathan Ball Wildlife watchers and outdoors enthusiasts love spending time at Lake Catherine State Park in Hot Springs. Hiking trails, boating, and fishing are all popular activities here.
- Blanchard Springs Caverns
Flickr/Dave Thomas Blanchard Springs Caverns in northern Arkansas (located within the Ozark–St. Francis National Forest) has two of three leveled cave systems available for touring. Advanced explorers will want to try the “Wild Cave” tour and gain access to otherwise forbidden areas of the caverns.
- Petit Jean State Park
Flickr/Robert Thigpen Petit Jean State Park in Morrilton has something for adventurers of all kinds. Experienced hikers looking for a great workout with amazing views will want to take the Cedar Falls Trail.
- Cosmic Cavern
Flickr/Trevis Rothwell Cosmic Cavern, located in Berryville, has a challenge for cave divers. Are the cavern’s two cave lakes really bottomless? Divers have not yet found the ground of these lakes, which are among the largest of the Ozarks.
- Pinnacle Mountain
Flickr/Jonathan Ball Central Arkansas residents who want to try a different workout instead of the usual gym routine will want to take the tough East or West Summit trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park.
- Old Spanish Treasure Cave
Facebook/Old Spanish Treasure Cave If you want a thrill to go along with your adventure, visit the Old Spanish Treasure Cave in northwest Arkansas. Located on Highway 59 between Sulfur Springs and Gravette, the cave is said to be haunted by Spanish Conquistadors who are said to have buried a treasure somewhere in the cave. Intrepid explorers don’t let the story stop them from picking up shovels and searching for the lost gold, though.
- Bull Shoals-White River State Park
Flickr/Billy Bob Bain Fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and cave exploring are just some of the activities going on at Bull Shoals-White River State Park, located in both Baxter County and Marion County.
- Mount Magazine State Park
Flickr/Brent Another amazing state park with something for adventurers on all levels to enjoy, Mount Magazine State Park in Logan County has over 2,200 acres of land to explore. Hikers with extra energy will want to try out the North Rim Trail and Cove Lake Trail. Equestrians will enjoy the Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail.
- Cossatot River
Flickr/AR Nature Gal Well known for its intimidating rapids, the Cossatot River runs through Arkansas for nearly 90 miles. The name ‘Cossatot’ translates to ‘skull crusher’, a fitting name for one of Arkansas’s most challenging locations for canoeing and kayaking.
There’s plenty more to do out there in addition to visiting these locations. Arkansas is full of places where adventurers and explorers can spend a day or a few days hiking, camping, and having fun. Even if you’re not up to creating new adventures, you can make new and lasting memories when taking these trips around the Natural State.
Flickr/AR Nature Gal
Devil’s Den State Park in Washington County, Arkansas is popular with hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Those who really want to challenge themselves here will take the strenuous Butterfield Hiking Trail and get a scenic workout.
Flickr/Stuart Seeger
Famed aviator and adventurer Charles Lindbergh made his first night flight over Lake Chicot in the spring of 1923, and the area has ever since been a spot for adventure and fun. There’s plenty of room for fishing and boating, too - Lake Chicot is Arkansas’s largest natural lake and the largest oxbow lake in North America.
Flickr/Cletus Lee
An excellent place for mountain climbers to visit, Mount Nebo State Park is located in between the cities of Conway and Fort Smith. Those who are really adventurous will enjoy practicing hang gliding stunts here as well!
Wikipedia
Whether it’s going for a swim or going underground to explore beautiful War Eagle Cavern, Beaver Lake is one of the best places in northern Arkansas to plan out a day’s adventure.
Facebook/Jason Gilkey
Popular with all terrain vehicle owners and mountain bikers, Daisy State Park in Kirby, Arkansas is also great for photographers with a flair for adventure. The state park is located on scenic Lake Greeson.
Flickr/Gene Wilburn
Located in Harrison, Mystic Caverns and Crystal Dome are twin show caves that have been open to the public for years. Mystic Caverns started operating in the 1920s. Crystal Dome, which was discovered in the 1960s, started conducting tours in 1981.
Flickr/Jonathan Ball
Wildlife watchers and outdoors enthusiasts love spending time at Lake Catherine State Park in Hot Springs. Hiking trails, boating, and fishing are all popular activities here.
Flickr/Dave Thomas
Blanchard Springs Caverns in northern Arkansas (located within the Ozark–St. Francis National Forest) has two of three leveled cave systems available for touring. Advanced explorers will want to try the “Wild Cave” tour and gain access to otherwise forbidden areas of the caverns.
Flickr/Robert Thigpen
Petit Jean State Park in Morrilton has something for adventurers of all kinds. Experienced hikers looking for a great workout with amazing views will want to take the Cedar Falls Trail.
Flickr/Trevis Rothwell
Cosmic Cavern, located in Berryville, has a challenge for cave divers. Are the cavern’s two cave lakes really bottomless? Divers have not yet found the ground of these lakes, which are among the largest of the Ozarks.
Central Arkansas residents who want to try a different workout instead of the usual gym routine will want to take the tough East or West Summit trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park.
Facebook/Old Spanish Treasure Cave
If you want a thrill to go along with your adventure, visit the Old Spanish Treasure Cave in northwest Arkansas. Located on Highway 59 between Sulfur Springs and Gravette, the cave is said to be haunted by Spanish Conquistadors who are said to have buried a treasure somewhere in the cave. Intrepid explorers don’t let the story stop them from picking up shovels and searching for the lost gold, though.
Flickr/Billy Bob Bain
Fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and cave exploring are just some of the activities going on at Bull Shoals-White River State Park, located in both Baxter County and Marion County.
Flickr/Brent
Another amazing state park with something for adventurers on all levels to enjoy, Mount Magazine State Park in Logan County has over 2,200 acres of land to explore. Hikers with extra energy will want to try out the North Rim Trail and Cove Lake Trail. Equestrians will enjoy the Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail.
Well known for its intimidating rapids, the Cossatot River runs through Arkansas for nearly 90 miles. The name ‘Cossatot’ translates to ‘skull crusher’, a fitting name for one of Arkansas’s most challenging locations for canoeing and kayaking.
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