Remains of the Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railway bridge ends in the middle of Table Rock Lake by Eureka Springs.

7 Least-Crowded Towns In Arkansas To Catch Fall Foliage

The dogwoods, oaks, and hickories that speckle the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains already live firmly in the world’s collective imagination. It should be no surprise that Arkansas has far more tricks up its sleeve. Beauty this striking is impossible to keep secret, but Arkansas continues to reinvent itself every day, birthing new secrets that are waiting to be discovered. Look no further than this checklist for the least-crowded Arkansas towns to catch the fall foliage.

Paris

Five miles from a lazy bend in the Arkansas River awaits Paris. Do not knock the 25-foot Eifel Tower in the Arkansas version of the city. The fountain beneath is legitimately pretty and just as ‘gramable as the real thing. The population-3,200 town has a pile of buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Paris is a 20-minute drive to Mount Magazine State Park for fall foliage views. Mount Magazine boasts Arkansas’ highest point of elevation at 2,753-feet. If you want to stay in the park, the lodge has over 60 rooms and a restaurant. For a little more privacy, there are 13 cabins that can be rented. Check the park website for booking.

Jasper

Jasper has just under 600 people in it. It is the Newton County seat. Bring a blanket and pick a spot at the slyly named Arkansas Grand Canyon, and stay until the snow falls. Jasper is the peak stop on the Arkansas Scenic Byway 7. It is easy to find a place to stay in Jasper, with stunning autumn views from every building. Nearly every small restaurant includes the option of a bed to stay in. The Cliff House Inn features phone-free, wood-paneled rooms to facilitate your fall decompression. Hike through the fall foliage or watch it from a horse saddle at Horseshoe Canyon Guest Ranch.

Eureka Springs

The Ozark Mountain getaway of Eureka Springs is in Carroll County, home to 2,100 residents. Lose yourself through the downtown’s winding concrete curve with no traffic lights and relax. In fall, appreciate the gently churning foliage of Lake Leatherwood City Park. Skateboarders flex their skills beneath the trees in Harmon Park. The topiary of Basin Spring Park is both grand in scale and admirable in detail. Let the warm waters of The Palace Hotel and Bathhouse seep into your bones. Adventurers delve into darkness at the Onyx Cave. Onyx Cave is one of the oldest show caves in the country. It does not contain onyx but flowstone, which used to be referred to as "cave onyx" in prospecting times.

Small Towns In The Ozarks That Come Alive In The FallOften referred to as "The Natural State," Arkansas’s autumn scenery is especially stunning in September and October, accompanied by the state's abundant natural springs and some of the country's most beautiful state parks.

Mountain Home

A beautiful log cabin in Arkansas Ozarks.

Mountain Home in the Southern Ozarks is gaining steam as a popular escape but still holds its small-town charm. It remains the best home base for exploring the region’s five gorgeous bodies of water: the Buffalo National River, the White River, the North Fork River, the phonetically similar Norfolk Lake, and Bull Shoals Lake. Norfolk Lake covers 22,000 acres and has 19 Army Corps of Engineers built parks. Bull Shoals Lake has over 1,000 miles of shoreline and 20 parks. White River is famous for its catfish, bass, walleye, sunfish, and trout. The North Fork River was home to the second-largest recorded trout ever caught. The pristine Buffalo River is ideal for rafting, whether you are looking for white water or a lazy glide.

Van Buren

If you love board games and mysteries enough to live in them, check out Great Escape Mystery Rooms in Van Buren. The trails at Lee Creek Park are beautiful all year round but especially spectacular in the autumn months. The Crack in the Rock trail is short but challenging enough to get your blood going. Viewing the changing leaves from Crack in the Rock will make you consider successive loops before moving on to the next trail. Unwind at Radiant Wellness Spa. Book from an impressive catalog of treatments or join a yoga or pilates class.

Heber Springs

The higher you ascend Sugarloaf Mountain, the better your seat at the theatre-in-the-round autumn in Heber Springs show. Towering red cedars wait for you to join them near the top. Along the way, you will meet an enthralling dramatis personae in sassafras, mimosa, redbud, sumac, red oak, winged elm, black gum, persimmon, pecan, and red maple. Collins Creek Trail offers a very accessible and sprawling view of gentle (at times) falls. When you find your way back to civilization, let your nose guide you to Panache for a gift for that special person in your life.

Magnolia

The 11,100-population city of Magnolia is hiding spectacular fall secrets. Nearby Lake Columbia has over 30 acres of surrounding park space for finding birds between descending leaves. Magnolia is also a short trip to Logoly State Park. The park’s three trails provide a front-row seat to jeweled autumn leaves. The Crane’s Fly trail is a sweet spot for watching birds. When hunger strikes and you want live music or trivia to fill your soul, look no further than Mulekick. The pizza, beer, and vibes will keep you missing Magnolia as you drive home.

Best Fall Hikes In ArkansasFrom beginner to expert and everything in between, you'll find a trail that fits your needs and takes you on a scenic autumn tour.

These small towns spread throughout the state provide ideal locals to avoid the crowds and catch fall foliage in Arkansas. Maintaining the beauty of Arkansas goes hand-in-hand with treating its people with the respect they are waiting to give you. Remember to leave no trace while in parks. Always check for garbage when leaving the picnic table. Humans are not the only park guests. Finally, please seek out local and Native American-owned businesses and gifts.

Share