Arkansas State Parks Trip Ideas

Summer is here, and that means it’s time to get out on the water. While Arkansas might be a landlocked state, that doesn’t mean you can’t feel the rush of flowing water surround you on a hot day. Grab a paddle or fishing rod and don’t forget your SPF 50!

Father and daughter Fishing at Cane Creek State Park

7 Staycations at Arkansas State Parks

Apr 2021

Imagine waking up to the sound of waves lapping at the shore, birds chirping from tall pine trees, maybe even a boat motor quietly starting its day to bring joy to families spending the weekend away from it all. That’s the kind of wake-up you’ll receive when you staycation at an Arkansas State Park. We’ve chosen seven better-than-a-hotel locales you’re guaranteed to fall...

Paddleboarding at DeGray Lake State Park

Winter Hikes — Arkansas State Parks

Dec 2020

As the air outside gets a bit nippy, you will want to lace up your hiking boots, slip on your trail running shoes, or grab your mountain bike out on one of Arkansas State Parks’ many trails. After all, winter weather is just natural air conditioning.

Winter hiking the SP Rim Trail at Mount Nebo State Park

Video: The Borden Orchard

Jul 2020

As we can see with this video, time can heal tragedy. The Borden Apple Orchard is some of the most hallowed ground at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park and it offers visitors a chance to connect with a landscape that witnessed the shaping of our nation.

Apple orchard at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park

Video: Dawn Chorus at Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area

May 2020

As you listen to this dawn chorus recorded at Hobbs State Park in the lush forest along Little Clifty Creek, see if you can pick out the bird songs listed below. Be sure to turn the volume up so you can easily hear them. To help you, we have indicated the time in the video when you can hear each bird sing, (scroll down in the text below) along with links to further reading...

Meeting Martha: The Last Passenger Pigeon

May 2020

In this video, meet Park Interpreter Chris Pistole from Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area and hear the story of the namesake of the park’s Pigeon Roost Trail. Located next to Beaver Lake in the Ozark Mountains ecoregion of northwest Arkansas, Hobbs is the largest State Park in Arkansas with over 12,000 acres. It provides enriching educational and recreational experiences...

What Do Wildflowers Mean to YOU?

In this photo essay are images of wildflowers that grow here—where their habitat is protected—and that you might see along our many miles of trails. We hope that the quotes from famous writers and artists accompanying these photos inspire you to appreciate the diversity of life found at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area.

Close up of two yellow and one purple blooms, surrounded by green foliage

The Borden House: Restoring a Battlefield Icon

Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park's structures and landscapes prove history happened here and reveal stories of our heritage. No structure is more iconic at Prairie Grove Battlefield than the historic Borden House, the only structure original to the battlefield.

Borden House at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park in 1942

Don’t Miss the Joy of the Spring Wildflower Explosion

Arkansas State Parks help preserve wildflowers which are not only beautiful for visitors to view and photograph but are essential to a healthy ecosystem and you can help protect them. We hope you will find joy viewing some of our common wildflowers at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, but be sure to leave them for others to enjoy!

Video Conference Backgrounds