8 Most Scenic Small Towns In Arkansas For Nature Lovers
With over 87,600 miles of rivers and streams, 2,300 named lakes, and 19 million acres of forest, Arkansas is a nature lover’s dream. For those eager to explore the state’s wildest corners, its small towns are the perfect starting point. Situated near wildlife refuges, national parks, and expansive lakes, towns like Dardanelle, Fairfield Bay, and Hot Springs are gateways to some of the best adventures. If you are seeking a vacation in the great outdoors, these eight towns should be at the top of your list.
Dardanelle
Located along the Arkansas River and surrounded by the Ouachita Mountains, Dardanelle is the perfect spot for kayaking, hiking, and wildlife watching. Just six miles south of town, travelers will reach the Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, which covers over 7,000 acres and provides crucial habitat for bald and golden eagles, winter waterfowl, and migratory songbirds. One of the state’s first parks, Mount Nebo, is just west of the city, featuring 35 campsites and hiking trails that overlook the Arkansas River Valley. To swim or fish, consider spending the day at Lake Dardanelle State Park, which lies along the Arkansas River’s 34,300-acre reservoir. After a day of exploration, travelers can refuel at one of Dardanelle’s local restaurants, like Fowlers Restaurant, which serves home-cooked southern-style dishes.
Eureka Springs
Although Eureka Springs is often recognized for its lively art scene, there are also two rivers and three lakes in the surrounding areas, offering plenty of outdoor activities. Visitors hoping to kayak or paddleboard can go on a lake or river trip with Float Eureka, a local outfitter that offers excursions to Lake Leatherwood, Hogscald Hollow on Beaver Lake, Beaver Dam Site Park, and the White River. Black Bass Lake is another great spot for water recreation, offering spots to fish, hike, bike, or picnic near the lake’s shores. If you are craving some adrenaline, consider booking a ziplining tour with Eureka Springs Zipline, the newest and largest zipline in town. With Eureka Springs’ downtown network of trails, you don’t even need to get in your car for a nice hike! Harmon Park Loop is an easy trail to access, winding about 1.4 miles through a wooded hillside.
Fairfield Bay
Fairfield Bay lies in the heart of the Ozarks and overlooks Greers Ferry Lake, one of the cleanest and clearest lakes in the country. The Fairfield Bay Marina is an excellent starting point for a day on the water, offering rentals for canoes, kayaks, SUPs, and boats. Golfers, meanwhile, should make sure to visit the Indian Hills Golf Resort, an 18-hole course with sloped greens, bunkers, and tree-lined fairways. One of the area’s most iconic hikes is Sugar Loaf Mountain, where a moderate-to-difficult trail takes you up the island’s peak for panoramic lake views. To get to the island, just hop on a shuttle from the marina. After a weekend outdoors, swing by one of the town’s galleries, like the North Central Arkansas Art Gallery, to check out work by both emerging and established local artists.
Heber Springs
After visiting Fairfield Bay, travelers can make their down to the southeastern shores of Greers Ferry Lake, where the community of Heber Springs lies. In addition to enjoying more lake activities, travelers will find rivers and waterfalls nearby. Travelers who enjoy fishing should visit the Little Red River, a famous trout fishing spot where one of the largest brown trout ever caught weighed in at an impressive 40 pounds, 4 ounces. The area is home to several waterfalls, including Cornelius Falls, where you can enjoy multiple falls on a short hike. Rising 690 feet, Sugarloaf Mountain promises a moderate to difficult hike that offers views of the rolling hills below. There are plenty of quaint lodges and resorts around town if you are planning to spend the weekend, like Lindsey’s Resort, which offers rustic log cabins and campgrounds for a true escape in nature.
Bella Vista
Within the Bella Vista city limits, travelers will find over 100 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. One of the most extensive trail systems is the Back 40, a 40-mile mountain biking trail network that stretches along the town’s east. At Blowing Springs Park, travelers will find over 6 miles more of trails, winding along springs, caverns, and bluff lines. With seven lakes in the area, boaters and anglers can easily fill a weekend as well. Those hoping to rent a pontoon, kayak, or tube can do so at The Marina at Lakepoint. If you are a golfer, it could be difficult to decide between the six courses in town! The Bella Vista Country Club Golf Course and Clubhouse is Bella Vista’s oldest course and one of the most highly rated, with a classic layout that winds along Little Sugar Creek and through gently rolling hills.
Hot Springs
Hot Springs serves as the gateway to Hot Springs National Park, where you can soak in thermal waters that have been flowing for around 4,000 years. Inside the park, visitors can take a soak at The Buckstaff Bathhouse, one of the most historic bathhouses, running since 1912. For a more modern experience with Roman-style thermal pools, The Quapaw Bathhouse is a popular option as well. You’ll find several spring drinking fountains around town. For thermal springs, check out the fountain outside the Libbey Memorial Physical Medicine Center, while Happy Hollow and Whittington Springs offer cool, refreshing, cold springs. Those wanting to explore Lake Hamilton can head over to the Hot Springs Marina, which has a launch ramp available on-site.
Mountain View
Most visitors come to Mountain View for the music, but be sure to stick around for the awesome mountain biking and hiking trails. The Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail offers more than 50 miles of biking trails, ranging in difficulty from novice to expert. The Sylamore District of Ozark National Forest is also located in Mountain View, which features over 130,000 acres of grassy meadows, hardwood forests, and limestone bluffs. Blanchard Springs Cavern is located in this district as well, home to formations like stalactites, flowstones, stalagmites, and columns. For a rustic weekend getaway, you can cozy up in one of Mountain View’s lodges or cabins. Ivy Vacations has riverfront and mountainside cabins for the perfect retreat.
Calico Rock
Calico Rock gets its name from the colorful stripes of red, blue, black, and grey that streak the limestone bluffs along the White River. One of the best ways to explore the river is on an excursion with a local outfitter, like Calico Rock Trout Dock, which offers fishing trips and guided boat rides. For river views from your hotel, consider spending the night at Calico Riverview Inn Bed and Breakfast, a waterfront inn that is situated in a 1920s guesthouse. For a picturesque drive, you can head out to the Sylamore Scenic Byway, which features 26.5 miles of shortleaf pine stands and white oak-hickory forests. To learn about the people who once inhabited these lands, travelers can spend a morning at the Calico Rock Heritage Museum, which has exhibits from pre-historic times through 1967.
Final Thoughts
Arkansas locals are fortunate to have so many natural wonders right in their backyards. From cascading waterfalls and rushing rivers to lush national forests, the state truly seems to have a little bit of everything. So, if you are planning your travels for this year and are having a hard time deciding where to start, rest assured that these eight towns will give you the natural escape you have been looking for.
