Arkansas State Parks Trip Ideas

Park

Region

Park Activity

Trail Type

Trail Difficulty

Author

Date Published

Photo Essay: Life Below Lake Dardanelle

May 2020

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Megan Ayres Moore

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!

Delta Heritage Trail’s Railroad Legacy

May 2020

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Ryan Smith

A trip to Delta Heritage Trail State Park in southeast Arkansas is a journey on a historic rail route that transports you through time, connects you with communities, and reveals rich Delta heritage.

Kids riding their bikes down Delta Heritage Trail

Night Sounds of Mississippi River State Park

May 2020

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Kristina Root

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.

Photo Essay: At Home in the Ozarks

May 2020

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Kylee Cole

Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park in northwest Arkansas protects nearly 1,000 acres of the Prairie Grove Battlefield and interprets the history of Arkansans impacted by the Civil War. We hope that you enjoy this exploration of one of the park’s 19th-century buildings and discover what everyday life was like for those living in the Civil War era Ozarks.

An ornate dresser with large mirror reflects a wooden bed. Two candles and a covered bowl set atop the dresser.

Meeting Martha: The Last Passenger Pigeon

May 2020

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Chris Pistole

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...

Video: Peace and Relaxation on Cedar Creek Trail

May 2020

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Grady Spann

Cedar Creek Trail is one of Petit Jean State Park’s many scenic trails. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s, this trail's rock steps and bluffs offer a moderately strenuous challenge. However, there are endless places to stop, rest, and let yourself enjoy the peaceful sounds of flowing water and the cool, refreshing feeling of the forest’s...

Cedar Creek Trail at Petit Jean State Park

Creative Mulching for Spring Gardens

May 2020

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Jeanette Larson

Many people are gardening now for the first time, or more seriously than ever before. Seed choice, planting dates, soil composition, and bed types are all important factors. After you figure all that out and get your plants in the ground, you need to consider mulch. Mulch not only helps keep down weeds, but it can also be a money saver.

Promethea Silkmoth Video

May 2020

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Heather Johnson

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.

Photo Essay: A Closer Look

May 2020

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Zachary Fisher

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...

Lake Dardanelle State Park Aqua-Escape

May 2020

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Jason Baumgartner

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.