9 The Ozarks Towns With A Slower Pace Of Life

Spanning southern Missouri, northern Arkansas, northeastern Oklahoma, and the extreme southeastern corner of Kansas, the Ozarks are an ecocultural region comprised of rugged highlands and rugged settlements. "Rugged" does not necessarily mean "intense," though. Included in Ozark ruggedness are serene springs, refreshing waterfalls, placid wildlife, tranquil forests, and quiet businesses that sell incredible goods deep in the wilderness. Visit those sites while making the following towns your bases for a slow-paced Ozark vacation.

Van Buren, Missouri

Van Buren is an eastern MO gateway to Ozark serenity. Tourists and residents (all ~750 of them) can choose between hiking the Mark Twain National Forest, paddling the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, and admiring Big Spring, which, true to its name, is one of the world's biggest springs. Of course, they can choose all three—as long as they pick a couple of places to rest after such extensive Ozark exploration. The Blue Heron Restaurant at The Landing serves relaxing vibes and savory steaks in equal measure, while Missouri Down Under offers chill cave tours alongside kangaroo cuddles.

Ponca, Arkansas

Ponca is for Ozarkers who think Jasper, with 550ish residents, is too busy. Located about 15 miles from jumpin' Jasper, Ponca boasts ~30 residents and some of the best hiking, floating, and wildlife in the Ozarks. It straddles the Buffalo National River, on which you can canoe, kayak, and tube, and on whose banks you can hike such esteemed trails as Lost Valley and Hemmed-In Hollow. Among babbling brooks, lush greenery, and breathtaking waterfalls, the most serene Ponca-area attractions may be elk, which were once extinct in Arkansas and now number roughly 800 thanks to a revolutionary reintroduction program.

Eminence, Missouri

Resurrected elk are certainly spectacular, but they pale in comparison to the pale wild horses around Eminence that look right out of a fairy tale. Said to descend from abandoned Depression-era livestock, they whimsically roam the outskirts of Eminence, a Missouri "city" of about 500 along the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. As America's first national park to protect a river system, its horses are the first protected feral equines of a national river system. Admire but do not touch these Ozark unicorns. They are often seen at Shawnee Creek, Broadfoot Field, Round Spring, and Echo Bluff State Park.

Galena, Kansas

As we mentioned before, the Ozarks cover the southeasternmost corner of Kansas. One of the few towns in this area is Galena. Though it does not look much like the Ozarks, it acts like the Ozarks by being sleepy and quirky. Just about 2,700 people inhabit Galena, but smatterings more have visited the community on Route 66, including the Cars animators in the early 2000s. Researching the route for their upcoming movie, whose working title was Route 66, the animators stopped in Galena and spotted an old tow truck that would inspire the character Mater. Today, said truck and other googly-eyed vehicles are displayed at Cars On The Route. If you want to take a route to typical Ozark geography, head south to Schermerhorn Park on Shoal Creek.

Ozone, Arkansas

There is a surplus of oxygen in Ozone. This town sits at nearly 2,000 feet in the Ozark National Forest and houses fewer than 100 people. Breathe in the chill air, views, and vibes in Ozone proper and at surrounding sites like Strawberry Bluffs, a scenic overlook where you can supposedly see Arkansas's highest point, and the Arkansas Sphinx, which is the Ozarks' organic answer to the manmade Great Sphinx of Giza. But the most divine Ozone-adjacent attraction is Glory Hole Falls, a waterfall that pours through a hole in an overhang like a spotlight from heaven.

Arcadia, Missouri

Arcadia is tranquil inside and out. Inside is a 19th-century Romanesque Revival school turned present bed & breakfast called Arcadia Academy. Beyond sleeping and breakfasting at such an elegant institution, guests can tour the campus's other restored buildings, attend events like weddings and horticultural adventures, and sample specialty baked goods and ice cream at Thee Abbey Kitchen. Outside are a number of peaceful preserves, namely Elephant Rocks State Park, Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, the Buford Mountain Conservation Area, and the massive Mark Twain National Forest.

Beaver, Arkansas

Extroverts seek out Eureka Springs; introverts leave it to Beaver. The latter is a serene retreat about seven miles north of the bustling former. Home to just 67 people per the 2020 Census, Beaver straddles the White River, which is crossed by the Beaver Bridge. However, this stunning one-lane suspension bridge is known by a different name: Little Golden Gate Bridge. Other colorful yet tranquil sights around Beaver include the Blue Spring Heritage Center, Onyx Cave, and the giant, ornate sculptures of the abandoned roadside theme park Dinosaur World. Keep your eyes peeled for dinos while driving Highway 187.

Mansfield, Missouri

Little House on the Prairie was written from a little house in the Ozarks. See this abode, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum, in Mansfield, a little city in the Missouri Ozarks. Wilder lived there for the entirety of her literary career, which earned Mansfield the nickname "Where the Little House books were written." Besides her placid former property, you can visit her and her husband's gravesite at the Mansfield Cemetery. Afterwards, make a mandatory trip into the Ozark wilderness, notably the southwestern sections of the Mark Twain National Forest.

Fifty-Six, Arkansas

There are 56 reasons to visit Fifty-Six, but one reigns supreme. This uniquely named AR town is home to the uniquely formed Blanchard Springs Caverns, a three-level underground oasis that stays roughly 58 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. If not claustrophobic, you can find subterranean serenity via the Dripstone Trail, Discovery Trail, and/or Wild Cave Tour. If more comfortable above ground, meander through Fifty-Six, which boasts about 150 people, and then explore the surrounding Ozark National Forest, whose scenic sites include the Barkshed Recreation Area and the Gunner Pool Recreation Area.

Though you might not think about the Ozarks when planning a slow-paced vacation, this rugged region has many serene settlements. Of the nine we mentioned, all are small and all contain or neighbor tranquil attractions. "Tranquil" is subjective, but if you find peace in forests, caves, rivers, waterfalls, mountain views, wild horses, or specialty baked goods, you will find something soothing in and around those Ozark towns. Survey the Slowzarks ASAP.