Arkansas State Parks Trip Ideas

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...

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...

Lake Fort Smith State Park in western Arkansas offers a variety of habitats for many different wild creatures. The forest here is a perfect home for the extraordinarily large promethea silkmoth, Callosamia promethea. At nearly four inches, the adults’ wings exhibit extraordinary camouflage to avoid predators.

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.

As the spring rain settles in on the Boston Mountains of Lake Fort Smith State Park, the rainwater finds the quickest routes down the mountainsides to form hundreds of bubbling, temporary streams. The flowing waters breathe life into the forest by providing new water sources for plants and animals and providing habitat for aquatic insects and amphibians. The gentle streams...

Lake Fort Smith State Park is a beautiful oasis nestled in the Boston Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. The lake is pristine and teeming with life, but this outstanding water reservoir would not be as special as it is without its surrounding hillsides. These living, tree-covered hillsides protect the lake from erosion and deep within the forest are many hidden treasures.

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!

Powhatan Historic State Park Interpreter Geoffrey shows you just as we still do today, the people of historic Powhatan made their own toys, games, and entertainment to pass the time and help families grow stronger together.

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...

Everyone is invited to celebrate the opening of the first Monument Trails, the 40th Anniversary of Hobbs State Park - Conservation Area, the 10th Anniversary of the opening of the Hobbs State Park Visitor Center, and the Annual Friend of Hobbs Fundraiser (in Rogers, AR).