Arkansas is not a place you’ll hear most people raving about. It’s not a beach destination. There’s no spectacular mountain ski resorts. Just mention an upcoming trip to the Ozarks, and some people instinctively cringe.
I was no exception to this Arkansas-phobia. My knowledge of the state is pretty much limited to knowing it’s the home of Walmart.
And while Walmart has provided me immense entertainment in the form of people-watching around this great country, I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit Arkansas just for that!
A detour to Arkansas
During a recent bout of state highpointing though, we decided to make a detour to Arkansas with the goal of hiking to it’s highest natural point.
With little knowledge about the state, we decided to camp at a Maumelle Park just northwest Little Rock. This campground is nestled along the Arkansas River, and our off-season visit in March meant we scored a perfect riverfront site!
So what’s to do in Arkansas??
There were so many things we enjoyed in the Natural State – mild spring weather, lots of natural beauty, great food. Here’s a few of my top picks I’d recommend to others whether they have a quick weekend stop or a little bit longer to linger.
#1 – Little Rock
Some capital cities are notoriously hard to get around, especially when they double as the largest population center in the state (I’m looking at you Austin, TX and Denver, CO). But, at around 200,000 people, Little Rock is still super accessible.
The city has a great deal of charm with lots of local restaurants and a relaxed pace. We had terrific Indian Food our first night in town, and genuinely enjoyed our choices of craft beer from Lost Forty Brewing. I can also attest to the fact that the pizza from Zaza Wood Oven Pizza rivaled anywhere I’ve eaten in the U.S.
Little Rock also has loads of green spaces to walk and hike in, particularly along the Arkansas River as it bisects the city. And people really seemed to enjoy the outdoors. We arrived the weekend after the Little Rock Marathon – which boasts a Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K race – so folks of all ages and abilities are encouraged get outside and enjoy the mild spring weather in early March.
#2 – Mount Magazine
Our visit to Mount Magazine State Park was another highlight of our visit to Arkansas. While it’s nearly 100 miles from Little Rock, the trip was definitely worth it.
You can drive to the top of Mount Magazine and take a quick 0.4 mile trail to the summit at Signal Hill. Or you can park further down the mountain and hike a circuit of trails to the summit. All the trails are extremely well marked and the maps available at the visitor center are top-notch.
For a full summary of our trip to Arkansas’ high point, click HERE.
#3 – Clinton Presidential Library
During out brief visit to Little Rock, we also took time to visit the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum. It’s situated right on the riverfront near the old CRI&P railroad bridge, which has been converted into a pedestrian bridge that beckons you to walk across it.
The museum is a gorgeous glass structure, and the permanent exhibits centered on his accomplishments as President rather than giving an entire overview of his life like many other presidential libraries. Although we enjoyed these exhibits, the two parts of the museum we enjoyed the most were temporary exhibits.
One of the exhibits was the “White House, Green Building” display, which focused on building in environmentally sustainable ways. There were several hands-on displays to entertain the kid in all of us, and even a complete tiny house that visitors can walk through.
The second temporary exhibit we loved was the “White House Collection of American Crafts -25th Anniversary” exhibit. This room displayed works from American artists whose crafts were displayed in the White House during the Clinton administration. There were quilts, metal works, glass works, wood items, and so much more. My favorite were the glass pieces by Dale Chihuly and Josh Simpson. Each time I see their works I’m just blown away!
#4 – Arkansas River Trail
No Sunday morning would be complete without a nice outdoor run to enjoy the local sights. Little Rock didn’t disappoint with the number of choices where we could venture out, so we narrowed our sights on a portion of the Arkansas River Trail.
This 88-mile long biking and pedestrian path runs along the north and south banks of the Arkansas River. With such a long path, runners have plenty of options for a leisurely escape into nature.
During our morning adventure, we saw herds of deer, ducks, birds, geese, and other wildlife. With plenty of mature trees along the path, a run through Two Rivers Park would have been pleasant in even the hottest days of summer.
4 Reasons why I’ll be coming back to Arkansas
I feel like we just scraped the surface of what Arkansas has to offer during our brief visit. As we look forward, here’s a few more places on my travel bucket list.
#1 – The Buffalo River
A good friend and mentor of mine is originally from Arkansas and raves about tubing down the Buffalo River in the summer. There are outfitters and float services that will rent canoe and tubes so you can launch from different points and float through scenic stretches. I love tubing (especially with a cooler of beer), so this attraction is definitely on my list.
#2 – Hot Springs National Park
Some national parks are about preserving beauty and natural resources, while others focus on historical sights. Hot Springs National Park straddles both categories. You can explore the historic bathhouses with their stained glass and marble bathing halls to see how Americans enjoyed this retreat years ago. Or you can personally partake of a thermal waters in a modern spa setting. It all sounds so decadent, especially when you live in an RV and want a day of private pampering!
#3 – Crater of Diamonds State Park
More than 75,000 diamonds have been unearthed at Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park. And it might be the only diamond-producing site in the world where Joe Q. Public can go out and search for diamonds in their original volcanic source. The park’s policy is “finders, keepers” – so any diamonds you find are yours to keep. While I’m not a big jewelry wearer or diamond fiend, it would be a cool thing to do! Heck, someone even discovered a 40-carat diamond in Arkansas back in 1924!
#4 – The Buffalo River Trail
The western section of the Buffalo River Traill runs nearly 37 miles from Boxley to Pruitt. And it’s definitely one of those challenging, but completely attainable backpacking trips for most hikers. The river trail also holds a place in American history, as pioneer families and homesteaders moved up and down it by covered wagon. With varied terrain, river crossings, and scenic bluffs, this trail is just far enough off the beaten path to make it a great adventure.