Arkansas State Parks Trip Ideas

Historic Washington State Park in southwest Arkansas is well known as a historic village filled with preserved 19th-century homes and buildings. Besides these structures, you can also walk through town and explore a unique collection of living witnesses to the history of Washington: its many historic and champion trees.

In the 19th century, in many towns across the U.S., one of the common things done on the 4th of July was to hold a reading of the Declaration of Independence. It was a regular tradition here in Washington, Arkansas. We continue that same tradition today at Historic Washington State Park by reading the declaration and remembering the founding of our nation, the United...

Fishing is a favored pastime at Lake Dardanelle State Park, making people the top of this food chain. We love to catch fish, but often don’t think of all the creatures it took to build that strong healthy fish on the end of our fishing line. Mayflies are an essential part of the food chain that keeps the fishery at Lake Dardanelle State Park healthy. In this photo essay...

What lives in a lake? If you are like most of us, your first thoughts were fish, snakes, and turtles. Believe it or not, that’s only a small part of the life below Lake Dardanelle!

Escape to Lake Dardanelle State Park’s largest aquarium exhibit and see some of our native fish from a unique underwater perspective. Inside Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center is 7,000 gallons of aquarium exhibits that provide an up-close connection with Lake Dardanelle’s native fish species.

What is now the body of water called Lake Dardanelle was once simply the Arkansas River, a life source to plants and wildlife, as well as the Native Americans and settlers who migrated here. One river many voices.

Lake Dardanelle State Park sits along the edge of Lake Dardanelle, a 34,300-acre reservoir on the Arkansas River. Lake Dardanelle’s diverse habitats in and around the lake will surround you in natural beauty and a top-notch fishery. Enjoy this sunset view from the Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center.

One of the most awe-inspiring birds you can witness is the Bald Eagle. Once endangered, the Bald Eagle has made an encouraging comeback and now nests along rivers and lakeshores throughout the state. Now, you can find our national emblem in dozens of sites across Arkansas, particularly along shores of lakes and rivers. The most common time to experience Bald Eagle...

Arkansas is lush with State Parks that people travel from all over to discover. But check out this list of parks that fly under the radar with hidden beauties and a secluded environment.