Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family and friends and celebrating all we have to be thankful for. Getting outside with our families and friends is a wonderful way to extend the Thanksgiving spirit—and create lasting memories along the way.

Our 52 state parks offer incredible opportunities to explore Arkansas’ natural beauty during the long holiday weekend. With cool, comfortable temperatures and some fall color still lingering across the state, it’s the perfect time to opt outside. Picture yourself taking in golden views along the North Rim Trail at Mount Magazine, wandering among towering pines at DeGray Lake Resort, enjoying peaceful river overlooks at Petit Jean, or pedaling crisp mountain bike trails at Devil’s Den or Hobbs.

Arkansas is known as The Natural State for a reason—here, adventure and relaxation go hand in hand. Whether you want to take an easy stroll to a scenic overlook, cast a fishing line into a quiet cove, picnic at a lakeside pavilion, watch wildlife along a wetland boardwalk, or simply enjoy a post-Thanksgiving sunset with the people you love, our parks offer something for every kind of holiday tradition.

Arkansas State Parks include historic sites, lakeside parks, river parks, mountain parks, and adventure destinations—each offering its own unique way to unwind. Explore the full list of park types at arkansasstateparks.com/types-parks.

Several parks are hosting special Opt Outside programs as part of their interpretive schedules, including sunrise summit hikes, guided nature walks, canoe and kayak floats, birding adventures, and family-friendly scavenger hunts. View all Opt Outside events at arkansasstateparks.com/events.

Prefer to explore on your own? Find trail maps, difficulty levels, and suggested routes at arkansasstateparks.com/trails, or visit arkansasstateparks.com/parks to learn more about each unique park and plan your Thanksgiving weekend visit.

Happy Thanksgiving—and we hope to see you outside!