8 Stunning Small Towns In Arkansas
Arkansas, a strikingly attractive singly landlocked US State, named by early French explorers in reference to the native Quapaw people, crams copious natural endowments in its precincts. Showing off the imposing Ozark and Ouachita Mountains in the north and west, the southern sylvan Arkansas Timberlands, and the river-entwined eastern lowlands by the Mississippi River and Arkansas Delta, this West South Central State perfectly justifies its sobriquet, “The Natural State.” Considering that the visuals of the dynamic cityscapes of Springdale, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, and Little Rock are always the first to flash across one’s mind whenever one thinks of touring Arkansas, the incalculable stunning small towns sprinkling the state’s 52,035 sq. mi. terrain are preferred destinations for experiencing all that the Natural State has to offer.
Paris
Paris, often dubbed ‘Gateway to Mount Magazine’ is the seat of Logan County’s northern district, located in the Ozark Mountains region at a minimal distance from the Arkansas River. Home to 3,176 residents as per the 2020 US Census, the town, lauded for its jaw-dropping sights provides vacationers with ideal settings for varied outdoor recreations. Complementarily check out the fascinating sites of interest such as the Logan County Museum, Eiffel Tower Park with Love Lock Fence, and Cove Lake Recreation Area, before heading to the Mount Magazine State Park for spectating mind-blowing views of Arkansas’ highest point.
Mountain View
Baptized for its placement in a gorgeous valley encircled by the Ozark Mountains’ Blue Mountain Range, Mountain View is the biggest town and seat of government of Stone County. Tourism is the primary driver of the local economy, with the town also being universally recognized for its distinctiveness, hospitableness, unhurried lifestyle, and community events. When in town, explore the close by Blanchard Springs Caverns and the Ozark Folk Center State Park; be a party to wondrous trout fishing at the White River, and take pleasure in the spontaneous folk music jam sessions held in and around the Courthouse Square. For a taste of the unique Ozark Mountain culture, be present every year at the Arkansas Folk Festival, Mountain View Bluegrass Festival, and Great Championship Outhouse Races.
Ozark
Situated in the Arkansas River Valley on the Ozark Mountains’ southern extremity, next to a significant portion of Arkansas Wine Country is Ozark, one of the two administrative capitals of Franklin County. Holidaymakers visiting this idyllic town bounded by undulant hills must peruse the Downtown’s infinite gift shops like The Trading Post - Vintage Marketplace & Gifts, antique stores like River Street Market, restaurants like Roma Italian Restaurant, apart from the Old Missouri Pacific Depot and Old Franklin County Jail. Outdoorsy types can easily access the Pig Trail Scenic Byway, engage in kayaking and canoeing activities in the Mulberry River, fish in the Ozark Lake, and avail playgrounds, camping facilities, and boat-launching ramps at the tree-shaded Aux Arc Park.
Eureka Springs
Located at a short distance from the state line with Missouri in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, the core of Eureka Springs occupies a restricted valley in western Carroll County at the headstream of White River’s north-flowing tributary Leatherwood Creek. Countless well-kept Victorian-era buildings, eccentric shops like The Ladybug Emporium, art galleries like Zarks-A Fine Design Gallery, eateries like The Spring on Main, and the finest hotels like Basin Park Hotel, line the stiff winding streets of Eureka Springs’ historic commercial downtown. Additionally, take note of the Eureka Springs Historical Museum, the Blue Spring Heritage Center, the Thorncrown Chapel, and Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, while revelers get to attend yearly festivities such as Eureka Gras Mardi Gras Extravaganza, May Festival of the Arts, and one of the nation’s biggest zombie parades - the Eureka Springs Zombie Crawl in the weekend before Halloween.
Bella Vista
Set within the Ozark Highlands’ Springfield Plateau in Benton County’s northern portion in the Northwest Arkansas region, this serene community is a Shangri-La for nature-loving souls. Primarily a summer resort destination, Bella Vista has, with time, progressively developed from a retirement community to a commuter town for residents of the proximate cities of Rogers and Bentonville. Tucked away amidst lush greenery are seven see-through lakes: Lake Ann, Lake Windsor, Loch Lomond, Lake Avalon, Lake Brittany, Lake Norwood, and Lake Rayburn, where community residents and their guests are only permitted to fish, take a cooling dip, and engage in water skiing activities. Survey the extensive trails including the Lake Bella Vista Trail, Tanyard Creek Nature Trail, and the Back 40 Trails; go golfing at either the 18-hole or 9-hole golf courses; plus pay a visit to remarkable attractions such as the Bella Vista Museum, Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, and the Veterans Wall of Honor.
Heber Springs
Heber Springs, the Cleburne County seat of government christened after a concatenation of natural springs located on Main Street on the town’s eastern side, acts as a gateway to the Little Red River and the Greers Ferry Lake reservoir. Fishers head here in large numbers during summertime to fish the prized rainbow trout stocked in the Little Red River besides taking part in numerous aquatic pursuits. Wander Heber Springs’ Downtown District featuring a Jeffersonian Revival-style built County Courthouse in the Courthouse Square, in addition to the Cleburne County Historical Society & Museum, the Ellen Hobgood Gallery, and Spring Park. The Ruland Junction Toy Train Museum, Heber Springs Community Center, Collins Creek Cascade, and Heber Springs Sports Complex are some must-visit sites of interest.
Fairfield Bay
Spanning across the Cleburne and Van Buren counties of North-Central Arkansas, this 2,108-inhabitant lake resort is located atop hills commanding the northern shores of the 40,500-acre Greers Ferry Lake reservoir. Gawk in amazement at the astounding mountain spectacles while golf enthusiasts get to play some golf at the famed Indian Hills and Mountain Ranch Golf Courses - the town’s two principal 18-hole championship golf courses. Conjointly, trek the different trails of the Bay View Trail System: The Sugar Loaf Mountain Island Trail and the Indian Rock House Cave Trail; pay a visit to the Fairfield Bay Marina and partake in a wide array of water-based recreational activities like boating, fishing, and water skiing. Merrymakers should throng to the town’s yearly fetes like May’s Bloomin’ in the Bay, Oktoberfest, and December’s Festival of Trees at the Bay.
Siloam Springs
Placed on the Northwest Arkansas Metropolitan Area’s western margin, this charming Benton County town sits on top of a tableland in the Ozark region. The erstwhile hunting grounds for the Indigenous Osage Indians, Siloam Springs was settled in 1882 as a health resort characterized by untarnished natural settings and the alleged therapeutic capabilities of the spring water-fed Sager Creek (named for the town founder Simon Sager) that meanders through the town center. Aside from touring the pictorial John Brown University campus, travelers must drop by the Siloam Springs Museum, Siloam Springs Kayak Park, clothing stores like Magnolia Trading Post, LLC, antique shops like Sassafras Antiques, and appetizing southern-style cuisine serving restaurants like The Park House Kitchen + Bar. Annually, try to show up at the Dogwood Festival, the City Fireworks Presentation on the Fourth of July, and the Light Up Siloam Christmas Parade.
From Mountain View - the “Folk Music Capital of the World” to Eureka Springs - the “Little Switzerland of the Ozarks”, the tight-knit communities in the country’s 29th most extensive and 34th most-populous state never fail to amaze visiting sightseers from near and far. Be it the mesmerizing vistas, the southern neighborliness, plethoric tourist lures, a slew of retro shopping opportunities, and abundant open-air recreations, these teeny Arkansas towns are worth holidaying with your beloveds on lengthy getaways.
