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Over the past 20 years, Northwest and North Central Arkansas have quickly become one of the best-kept secrets for outdoor adventurers. Move over, Colorado and Utah, Arkansas is stepping into the spotlight as *the place* to spend some quality time with Mother Nature. This is the place where you won’t even bat an eye when your phone dies. You’ve found a better connection anyway: the one with the outdoors! (Just make sure someone knows where you’re at before you unplug!)
How to Read this Blog:
Arkansas doesn’t hold back when it comes to outdoor experiences. Narrowing it down to a list can feel overwhelming. Arkansas is home to more than 1,800 miles of trail: If you stretched it all flat, it would cover over half the United States!
This guide aims to highlight some of the most iconic and lesser-known destinations. Think of it as your own personal local to point you in the right direction, giving you a starting point so other locals can tell you their secret spots.
To make it easier to explore, we’ve divided the blog into two sections: Northwest Arkansas Adventures and North Central Arkansas Adventures.
These two sections will have lists for those looking to camp, hike, rock climb, or explore the Natural State’s waterways.
Remember, this is not a complete list, but it’s a great place to kick off your adventure.
Northwest Arkansas Outdoor Recreation
There’s no better place to shuttle off on your journey into nature than Northwest Arkansas! With easy access to stunning natural landscapes and a perfect blend of popular destinations and hidden gems, this area invites you to reconnect with nature.
The vast array of hiking trails, waterfalls, rock climbing spots, and water activities makes it a perfect basecamp for family trips, solo explorations, and weekend getaways.
Hiking in Northwest Arkansas:
Outdoor recreation is the bread and butter of Northwest Arkansas, and hiking is the bread and butter of outdoor recreation! Consider a few of these locations:
Devil’s Den State Park (Includes Waterfall)
Don’t let the name scare you! Devil’s Den is one of the state’s most beloved parks, and for good reason! The park features 11 trails, including waterfalls on the Devil’s Den Self Guided Trail, an intense 15-mile overnight hike, and plenty of short hikes for the family.
Mount Kessler Regional Park
With more than 10 miles of natural surface trail, this is the perfect place for a day hike if you’re not interested in fully venturing into the wilderness. Located in south Fayetteville, Mount Kessler is a smash hit for those looking for a nice hike through the woods.
Tanyard Creek (Includes Waterfall)
Featuring an easy two-mile hike to see a beautiful waterfall, Tanyard Creek in Bella Vista is another perfect spot for those looking to stay close to civilization and enjoy a day out with loved ones!
Hobbs State Park
The largest state park in Arkansas, this 12,000-acre conservation area includes 54 miles of trail, located on Beaver Lake! The park has 13 trails, offering hikes for any skill level!
Blowing Springs Park (Includes Waterfall)
This Bella Vista Hideaway is a great place to explore, featuring a six-mile trail with caves and waterfalls! A few trails are for mountain bikers, and the rest feature more challenging hikes, but it’s worth it for its beautiful views.
Eagle Rock Loop
We are cheating a little bit, because this trail is located south of Fort Smith, but Eagle Rock Loop is perfect for those looking for one of the most challenging hikes in Arkansas. Trust us, the payoff is worth the strain.
Camping in Northwest Arkansas
If you thought the hiking in Northwest Arkansas was good, wait till you hear about what we offer when it comes to camping. Here are a few of the greatest spots for those looking to keep it around the Northwest Arkansas Area.
Devil’s Den State Park (Offers Cabins/RV Access)
If you’re a local, there’s a good chance you’ve spent the night at one of Devil’s Den campgrounds. It’s the perfect place to take some time away from the bustle of the city, and it’s such a short drive from the metropolitan area! Offering hookups in their Triple-A campsites, all the way to primitive, Devil’s Den hiking is an Arkansas must.
Hobbs State Park
We already talked about the beauty of the trails within Hobbs State Park, but wait until you see the campgrounds! Offering 11 primitive campsites, six requiring a hike before setup, Hobbs State Park is a great place for experienced campers to enjoy the nature around them!
Withrow Springs State Park (RV Accessible)
This park can be found in Huntsville, just a few miles east of Fayetteville. This state park offers a Triple-A camping experience for those who prefer to enjoy electricity and plumbing while they spend time outdoors.
Beaver Lake Campgrounds (Offers Cabins, RV Accessible)
Beaver Lake is one of the many beautiful artificial lakes in Arkansas. Thanks to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, there are so many areas to camp and fish. Click the link above to find the best waterfront campground.
Blowing Springs Campground (RV Accessible)
While camping options are plentiful, some prefer “glamping” in an RV! Blowing Springs is the perfect place to roll out that awning and enjoy the sun filtering through while you read a book or cook hot dogs!
Kayaking, Boating, and Fishing in Northwest Arkansas
Lakes, rivers, and streams! It’s a fisherman’s and Kayaker’s dream here in Northwest Arkansas! If you want to spend some time on some of the most gorgeous bodies of water you’ve ever seen, look no further!
Beaver Lake
Whether you want to tube and water-ski with a rented pontoon, fish, or kayak at one of the inlets, there’s plenty to do on the lake. There’s no better place to explore!
Kings River
With a rainy season, now is the best time to float the Kings River! Fishing is also abundant on the Kings. There’s no better way to spend a weekend than looking in awe at limestone bluffs and tall trees towering over you.
Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville offers food trucks before you go in, kayaking, paddleboat rentals, and fishing, all on the Fayetteville-Springdale Border! It’s a great spot to enjoy yourself on the water!
Lake Atalanta
While Lake Atalanta in Rogers does have playgrounds, walking trails, and more, the kayaking and paddle boating are where it’s at! Much like Lake Fayetteville, it’s located in a metro area, making it easy to get away for an hour or two to soak up the sun!
Rock Climbing in Northwest Arkansas
While there are a few rock climbing gyms in Arkansas, there’s a huge scene for those who love to boulder and climb in nature! Here are a few of the prime places to get your climb on!
Lake Lincoln
South of Fayetteville lies a small town of Lincoln, where rock climbing on the water is perfect! They offer tons of beginner-friendly and expert-level problems for any skill level.
Fitzgerald Mountain
A local favorite featuring over 60 sport climbs, from beginner to intermediate. This area also features many mountain bike trails, allowing you to get your fix in if you’re a gearhead.
Area 74
A great place with natural problems for you to solve, just an hour from Fayetteville, Area 74 is close to the road. If you’re more into climbing than hiking, it’s worth a visit.
Fern Gulley Climbing Area
Much like its namesake, Fern Gulley is a magical place. Located in Mulberry, it’s a hidden gem most rock climbing forums swear by.
North Central Arkansas
While it’s slightly farther out than the options listed above, North Central Arkansas outdoor activities are worth the 2-hour drive. Offering a far more extended list of camping, hiking, climbing, and water activities, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better place to enjoy yourself under a pale blue sky.
Hiking in North Central Arkansas
North Central Arkansas delivers some of the state’s most iconic and rewarding hikes. This region is a playground for trail lovers.
Buffalo National River Trails (Includes Waterfalls)
Dozens and dozens of scenic trails line America’s first National River, from the Lost Valley Trail for beginners to the Buffalo River Trail for those looking for a backpacking adventure. The Buffalo River is a must whether you’re here for a week or a lifetime.
Whitaker Point
If you look up “Arkansas Nature” on Google, there’s a good chance every third image was taken at Whitaker Point. It’s a breathtaking short hike and an Arkansas Staple, with the great “Hawksbill Crag” sticking out to overlook miles and miles of untamed wilderness.
Glory Hole Falls (Includes Waterfall)
Another one of Arkansas’ most recognizable natural features, Glory Hole Falls is a short hike to a gorgeous area, where the water falls from a hole at the top of the cavern and light filters through.
Hemmed-In Hollow (Includes Waterfall)
Hemmed-In Hollow offers the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and Appalachia. Sitting at around 210 feet, if you’re in it for the waterfalls, you’d better make it out to Hemmed-in Hollow. However, this waterfall only happens when it rains quite a bit, and the trail is more challenging to climb.
Pedestal Rocks and Kings Bluff Trail (Includes Waterfall)
If you’re a fan of interesting rock formations, there’s no better trail than Pedestal Rocks! The unique formation of rocks is a must-see, and plenty of caves and waterfalls exist to explore.
Camping in North Central Arkansas
North Central Arkansas offers a mix of rugged primitive camping to cabin experiences, so you can wake up to birds chirping and end your day around a crackling campfire!
Buffalo River Camping
Camping on the Buffalo is the most fun a family can have, featuring the likes of Steel Creek, Kyle’s Landing, and Tyler Bend. Most of the sites are first come, first served, so make sure you pack the night before and leave extra early to get a prime spot at your primitive campground of choice.
Gunner Pool Campground
Found on Sycamore Creek, the campground is a perfect, shady, private place to unwind. These are for those interested in primitive camping, as there are no electrical or water hookups.
Lake Norfolk Campground (Offers RV Camping)
Plenty of campgrounds dot Lake Norfolk in Mountain Home, offering fire pits, picnic tables, city water and sewer, it’s perfect for those looking for a home-away-from-home experience.
Greers Ferry Lake (Offers RV Camping)
Offering 13 campgrounds, Greers Ferry Lake is another great place for the modern camping experience. Marinas offer rentals, and the lake offers fishing and hiking trails off the campgrounds.
Richland Creek Campground
Richland Creek is for you if you like being out in the middle of nowhere with beautiful views. With only 11 family camping units, it’s an underutilized hidden gem. There’s access straight from the campground to the creek, and stunning views for those interested in fishing or floating.
Kayaking, Boating, and Fishing in North Central Arkansas
Water Lovers will enjoy all that North Central Arkansas has to offer. Crystal Clear rivers and lakes mean that fishing, boating, kayaking, and swimming are the best in the region. The waters here deliver both excitement and calm.
Buffalo National River
There’s a reason why the Buffalo has shown up on this list so many times. It’s a must for anyone who calls themselves outdoorsy. It has everything, from camping and hiking, to fishing and swimming!
White River
The White River stretches almost 1,000 miles! Winding from the top of the state down near the delta, it’s the perfect place to swim and fish. Anglers from all over try their luck on the mighty White, see why it’s known as a Fisherman’s Paradise!
Greers Ferry Lake
Offering boating, water sports, and fishing, Greers Ferry is a large lake with countless access points and marinas. You can rent out a tube or fishing boat for the day, especially if you fish crappie, catfish, or bass.
Bull Shoals Lake
Another Manmade lake, Bull Shoals, has over 45,000 acres of water, perfect for speedboats or pontoons to cruise around and enjoy the countless inlets and coves. Get out those water skis and jump into the pretty blue water!
Rock Climbing in North Central Arkansas
North Central Arkansas is great for climbers who love bouldering but hate big crowds. Well-established climbing routes mean this region is a playground for beginners and seasoned climbers alike.
Horseshoe Canyon Ranch
Rock Climbing has never been more scenic or fun than at Horseshoe Canyon. They offer traditional climbing and bouldering, two Via Ferratas, and the longest Zipline in Arkansas. There’s no better place to feed your wild side than Horseshoe Canyon Ranch.
Shephard Springs
Shephard Springs is also a trail, but it has some of the best natural climbing in the area. The trail offers over 40 routes for you to test your mettle!
Bigfoot Hollow
Found in the Boston Mountains, Bigfoot Hollow has quite a few bouldering problems. It’s another one of those places where you can enjoy a nice hike and a nicer climb.
Sam’s Throne
Having popularity with climbers for several decades means that Sam’s Throne has climbs ranging from short boulders to 75-foot-tall climbs with solution pockets and cracks! Because of its popularity, there’s a good chance it will be crowded. But that makes it all the easier to make friends with like-minded people!
Stack Rock
If you have the energy for a difficult hike, Stack Rock is a well-kept secret in climbing. The climbing location offers several problems along the rock face jutting into the sky. Make sure to bring some water and a crash pad!
Ready to Explore Arkansas?
With summer right around the corner, it’s time to start planning for some unforgettable adventures.
There are so many options for skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced for hikes, floats, and camping. While this list covers some outdoorsy Arkansan staples, make sure to keep your eyes out and your ears open for those hidden fishing spots, campgrounds, or trails.
With a name like the Natural State, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the outdoors!
