Arkansas State Parks Trip Ideas

Bull Shoals-White River State Park has become a very popular fishing destination since it was established in 1955, following the completion of Bull Shoals Dam. Two incredible fishing ecosystems were formed here because of the dam’s geographic placement: Bull Shoals Lake, a 45,000-acre mecca for bass, catfish, and walleye fishing; and the White River tailwaters, producing...

The varied and rugged terrain of the Ozarks at Lake Fort Smith State Park in northwest Arkansas offers suitable homes for many different types of animals. Large animals like black bears, deer, and bobcats thrive in this mountainous region. The commonly known larger animals often take the spotlight away from the smaller creatures who also dwell in the area, but the smallest...

Raccoons draw attention for both their unique appearance and their antics you might see while camping at Mount Magazine State Park. In the photo essay below, join along as an interpretive park ranger guides you on how to sketch one of these nighttime hunters.

Kayaking on Hornor Neck Lake, within the park, is always an adventure that takes you through beautiful Delta scenery and stories. Gliding among large bald-cypress trees, you’ll find wildlife making homes and get to glimpse into the history that this rare, naturally formed lake holds.

With no way to bring in fabric from the trade centers on the Mississippi River, the housewives of Jacksonport had to be creative in their efforts not only to keep up with fashions but to keep their families clothed at all. Even amid crisis, the women of Civil War-era Jacksonport wanted to look their best, just like people today.

Listening to the night sounds of Crowley’s Ridge is a great way for you to observe, study, and explore the native wildlife at Mississippi River State Park. The darkness of the night makes different senses come alive. In this video, turn up the volume and let your hearing and imagination do the work.

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.

While we often anticipate hiking towards a specific destination on the trail—perhaps a clearing with a view or a streamside bench for a picnic spot—we have a tendency to overlook the subtle, simple wonders occurring along the way, forgetting to “stop and smell the roses,” so to speak. Some of nature’s truly incredible “wow” moments are happening all over the forest floor...

Mount Magazine State Park is crisscrossed by over 15 miles of trails, connecting beautiful overlooks, tranquil forests, and the highest point in the state. Visitors from all over find their way across these trails and not just humans. Wildlife finds their way all over the park, year-round, using their own pathways. Their trails may not be as well-marked but are just as...

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...