Arkansas State Parks: enjoy daytime park activities and nightlife of local towns
By: Zoie CliftAs part of its mission, Arkansas State Parks provide a range of outdoor experiences and connections to Arkansas heritage. Enjoying daytime park activities and the nightlife of nearby local towns is another experience one can have during their state park visit. Below is a rundown of a few possibilities to keep on the radar for your upcoming travel plans.
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area
As Arkansas’s largest state park, Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area is a well-known outdoor destination. A robust 54-mile trail system supports hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and camping. The park is one of four Arkansas State Parks that have Monument Trails, and it was the first to have them. History can also be found at the park and one of the park’s trails, the Historic Van Winkle Trail, has interpretive panels about the Van Winkle’s Mill Site. More information about the park can be found at the park’s visitor center. Interpretive programs are also offered at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area throughout the year.
After a day at the park, the city of Rogers is an option to head to. Refueling from your state park adventures can be found in the city’s thriving restaurant scene and live music can be found at venues like the Railyard Park downtown or Walmart AMP. Many more options can be found at destinationrogers.com.
The city of Bentonville is also nearby with a strong music, outdoor, art ( including the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art), biking, and culinary landscape. For more details check out visitbentonville.com/things-to-do/.
This state park has an access point to War Eagle Creek, which offers seasonal floating. A main feature of the park is its namesake spring: Withrow Spring, which is named after an early settler of the area. Fishing is popular at the creek and trails can be found at the park, including the War Eagle Trail, which leads to an overlook.
Around 20 miles from the park is Eureka Springs. Here one can take in Victorian-era architecture, eclectic shops, restaurants, and nightlife spots that include Chelsea's Corner Cafe and Bar and Gotahold Brewing. For more options, check out visiteurekasprings.com.
This state park in the Arkansas Ozarks has many options to fill an adventurous day. There are plenty of hiking trails, including the CCC Interpretive Trail, where you can see a historic Civilian Conservation Corps camp while at the park. This state park is also well known for its mountain biking terrain and history. In the 1980s the first mountain bike trail in Arkansas State Parks, Fossil Flats, was developed here. The state park is now home to Monument Trails too. Devil’s Den State Park also has interpretive programs and special events year-round. If you are looking for more state park adventures, Lake Fort Smith State Park and Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park are also nearby.
After a day at Devil’s Den State Park, if you are on the lookout for a nightlife destination, Fayetteville is an option. The art and restaurant scene is solid here and George’s Majestic Lounge, the oldest live music venue in the state, can be found on Dickson Street. For more information on experiencing this city, visit experiencefayetteville.com.
Bull-Shoals White River State Park
Bull-Shoals White River State Park, which is located along the shores of Bull Shoals Lake and the White River, is the state’s seventh state park. The park is well-known for its trout fishing opportunities and you can also hike, mountain bike, paddle, and camp here. A good place to get a lay of the area is at the James A. Gaston Visitor Center, which is named after Jim Gaston and overlooks the lake, river and Bull Shoals Dam. It was this dam across the river that made the lake. The visitor center, which is located at 153 Dam Overlook Lane in Bull Shoals, gives details on the history of the area and visitors can rent a kayak, canoe or boat at the park’s marina. Interpretive programs are also available. A list of events can be found on the Arkansas State Parks events page at arkansasstateparks.com/events.
After a day at the park the town of Mountain Home is nearby to explore. The town is home to a Downtown Entertainment District, spots like Rapp’s Barren Brewing Company, and more.
Mount Nebo State Park can be found on top of Mount Nebo. This state park, which is Arkansas’ second state park, is one of two in the state where you can hang glide ( the other is Mount Magazine State Park) at. Hiking and mountain biking are among the many outdoor adventures that can be had here and the park’s Monument Trails have a smile worthy 25-miles of trails. The park has much history tied to the Civilian Conservation Corps and is also a Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Site. For more state park action, Lake Dardanelle State Park is also nearby. After a day exploring Mount Nebo State Park, a venture to Russellville is an option to check out. More details on what awaits in Russellville can be found at discoverrussellville.org.
Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park
Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park is Arkansas’ first archeological state park. This state park, which is also a National Historic Landmark and an Arkansas State Archeological Landmark, is a prehistoric Native American mound park and includes the largest remaining ceremonial mound site in Arkansas. The park is located a few miles from Scott and around 20 miles from Little Rock. The state has 52 state parks and Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park is one of three Native American parks in the state park system. While you are in Scott, you can also learn about Arkansas’ farming history at Plantation Agriculture Museum State Park. Both state park have interpretive programs as well.
The cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock are nearby if one is on the lookout for more experiences post their state park visit. Little Rock, the state’s capital city, has plenty of nightlife options from the River Market District to South Main and more. And North Little Rock has the Argenta Arts District to visit, which has art galleries, restaurants, and more. Other nearby state parks to these cities include Pinnacle Mountain State Park.
Lake Ouachita State Park is located along Lake Ouachita, a body of water that stands out for being the largest lake entirely in Arkansas. On site is a marina where you can rent boats, kayaks and canoes to experience the lake from. Trails at the park include the Caddo Bend Trail , which also has views of the lake. The park also has an interesting history tied to healing waters. Interpretive programs are also available at the park and include scenic lake tours, kayak tours and more.
After a day exploring the park, the city of Hot Springs is nearby. The city is home to Hot Springs National Park and famous Bathhouse Row. Downtown on Central Avenue are restaurants like the Ohio Club, which is said to be the oldest bar in the state, art galleries and more to visit. Superior Bathhouse Brewery, the first brewery in a national park, can also be found here. Lake Catherine State Park is also near Hot Springs.
The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources
The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources is a state park destination where one can learn more about the region’s oil heritage and the 1920s oil boom. A reproduction of a wooden derrick and boom era street scene are among the sights that can be found at the park. The impactful history and heritage of the area are shared through exhibits throughout the museum.
Nearby, the city of El Dorado has a historic downtown where one can find shops, restaurants and many buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. The city is also home to the Murphy Arts District.
On Rich Mountain, the second highest peak in Arkansas, one can find Queen Wilhelmina State Park. The park is home to a lodge, interpretive programs, hiking trails and more.The park is surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest and the Talimena Scenic Drive, a National Scenic Byway, goes by the park. Interpretive programs can also be found here. After a day at the park the town of Mena has restaurants like The Ouachitas, shops and more to discover.
Lake Frierson State Park has an interesting location atop Crowley’s Ridge. The park is on the shore of Lake Frierson, where you can fish or kayak. There is a boat launch at the park and fishing boats are also available to rent via the park. Lake Frierson State Park is around 10 miles from Jonesboro, where a diverse culinary scene and more can be found.
Zoie Clift
Zoie Clift is a writer for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
