Deputy Chief of
Communications

Travel Writer

Travel Writer

Travel Writer

Public Information Tech

Chief Photographer

Photographer

Arkansas Outdoor Adventure Guide is published annually. For additional copies, visit Arkansas.com or call 800-NATURAL.

©CJRW 300 Main Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
CJRW.com
100M printed 4/22

rom north to south and east to west, Arkansas boasts more than 1,500 miles of hiking trails, 52 state parks, five IMBA Epic trails, two national forests and hundreds of waterways made up of lakes, rivers and streams. Adventures are just waiting to be discovered in every region of the state.

Canoe and kayak around some of the oldest trees in The Natural State when visiting the Delta. Hike to new heights at Mount Magazine, Petit Jean and Mount Nebo in the Arkansas River Valley. Go fishing, swimming and waterfall hunting at some of the clearest rivers and lakes in Arkansas while in the Ozarks. Mountain bike and backpack across numerous trails in the Ouachita Mountains including the Ouachita National Recreation Trail that spans for more than 200 miles. And head down south to the Coastal Plains for some of the best hunting in the state.

This guide is packed full of adventures that will have you exploring new places and fueling your passion for adventure. And who knows, maybe you’ll discover a new hobby like rock climbing, ziplining or even hang gliding.

It’s all waiting for you in The Natural State!

he Buffalo River was designated by Congress as America’s first national river 50 years ago on March 1, 1972. After a lengthy fight to save it from being dammed, the river was allowed to remain as Mother Nature intended. While many people know it as an outstanding river for canoeing and kayaking, this national park has tons more outdoor adventures to offer.

The Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas provides a beautiful space for hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, caving, wildlife watching and much more.

rkansas’s 600,000 acres of lakes and 90,000 miles of rivers and streams are nothing short of mesmerizing. From the teal, blue waters of the Mulberry River to the clear shores of Greers Ferry Lake, our pristine waterways are the premier destination for kayaking, water sports and trophy fishing. So come to where mountain ranges, national forests and sweeping plains surround every idyllic shoreline and beckon you to stay for just a little while longer.

he Natural State’s eastern border is created by the Mississippi River, which formed the land, the people and the culture of the Arkansas Delta and beyond. For centuries, the mighty river served as both friend and foe to those residing in eastern Arkansas, providing transportation to Native Americans and immigrants from across the globe who came to the area to start a new life – then flooding its banks and wreaking havoc on residents for centuries. The river’s natural legacy can be seen in the region’s remnant wetlands and many oxbow lakes, including Arkansas’s largest natural lake, Lake Chicot.

Yet, there is no doubt that the Mississippi River has continued to provide opportunities for recreation for generations. Fishing along the river has provided enjoyment (and sustenance) for centuries and continues today. Among the best fishing areas are the junctures of the Mississippi and large tributaries like the St. Francis, White and Arkansas rivers.

he Arkansas Delta is a diverse region and ecosystem made up of unparalleled natural beauty and outdoor adventures. Two prime examples of this region can be found within the Sunken Lands and St. Francis National Forest.

The Sunken Lands were created during the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811 and 1812 within the counties of Craighead, Mississippi and Poinsett. One of the best ways to view the area is via boat on the Sunken Lands Water Trail. See an amazing cast of birds and animals that call this unique land home – migratory waterfowl, songbirds, deer, raccoon, beavers and otters. Adjacent to this WMA is the St. Francis Sunken Lands Natural Area, home to the state’s largest known population of the federally endangered shrub pondberry.

One of the smallest and most diverse forests in the United States is the St. Francis National Forest. Comprising over 22,000 acres located within Lee and Phillips counties, most of the forest is situated on Crowley’s Ridge, but some is in the low, flat lands along the Mississippi and St. Francis River.

St. Francis is the only place in the National Forest System where the public can experience the awesome grandeur of the mighty Mississippi River from the shoreline. It is also home to two National Scenic Byways – the Great River Road
All-American Road and Crowley’s Ridge Parkway. Traveling along either of the byways gives visitors insight into the geography of the forest and the residents that call it home – deer, turkey, raccoon, birds and even the occasional alligator. And in terms of recreation, visit the Mississippi River State Park where Bear Creek Lake and Storm Creek Lake Recreation Area offer great fishing, camping, boating, hiking and picnicking.

Take some time to explore these and other outdoor treasures in the Arkansas Delta.

rkansas’s southwest and central regions offer superb destinations for crappie fishing. If your idea of a perfect day includes nothing but water and a line, look no further – your ultimate guide to catching crappie in Arkansas awaits.

or those who dream about the days of 4 a.m. alarm clocks so you can greet the dawn with the sound of whistling wings overhead, the Arkansas Delta is your paradise. Arkansas is a critical wintering ground for many waterfowl, especially mallards, that migrate from the northern prairies and Great Lakes. The Mississippi Flyway funnels down into the Arkansas Delta, bringing some of the most storied waterfowl traditions and successful harvest records in the country. Year after year, Arkansas tops the list for total mallard harvests and has some of the highest ducks-per-hunter averages in the country. But Arkansas isn’t just known for the greenheads and green timber; hunters also have the opportunity to harvest a wide variety of waterfowl species to fill their mixed bag. And the hunting options are as diverse as the fowl.

If you are looking for your part of this waterfowling tradition, here are some options to consider and tips to help you along the way.

n abundance of public lands containing varied habitats make The Natural State a wonderful birding destination. Other factors that contribute to a great bird-watching experience include Arkansas’s proximity to two migratory paths and its urban and rural mix of viewing options.

Additionally, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has numerous Wildlife Management Areas all over the state. AGFC Nature Centers located throughout Arkansas have birding components, making them good places to stop for information. Arkansas State Parks offer additional birding opportunities.

hen you think about waterfalls in Arkansas, you probably think of locations like Cedar Falls at Petit Jean State Park, Hemmed-In Hollow at the Buffalo National River or Little Missouri Falls in the Ouachita National Forest. And even though these waterfalls are popular for a reason, there are hundreds of beautiful waterfalls throughout the state that are just waiting to be explored. With these 10 hikes, rated easy to moderate, you can skip the large crowds and start discovering more of what makes The Natural State impressive with these underexplored waterfalls.

o need to travel to Utah, Colorado or California for noteworthy rock climbing when Arkansas has dozens of pristine climbing locations. From bouldering to sport climbing to traditional routes, these six rock climbing destinations are your inside ticket to reaching new heights in The Natural State.

o you ever dream of traveling on your own? Maybe you want to take a kayaking trip down the Buffalo National River, go hiking in the Caney Creek Wilderness Area, stay in a cabin at Petit Jean State Park or try camping along Lake Ouachita. Wherever it may be, traveling alone is a wonderful experience everyone should partake in at some point in their lives.

But if solo-trip-jitters are stopping you, then now is the time to squash those fears and learn it’s possible to travel on your own. Because if you’ve never sat in solitude along the banks of the White River or stood atop Flatside Pinnacle during golden hour by yourself, well, then you’re missing out.

rkansas’s world-class mountain biking terrain spans the state and is a foundation for its status as a supreme mountain biking destination.

Riding here can be done year-round and caters to all levels.

For starters, mountain biking is big in our Arkansas State Parks. Among the vast number of trails and mountain biking terrain you can find within the state park system are the Monument Trails, a collection of world-class, shared-use trails that are made possible through a partnership of Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation.

So far, you can find Monument Trails at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, Mount Nebo State Park, Pinnacle Mountain State Park and Devil’s Den State Park. Memorable riding experiences can be found on these trails as well as other creative assets like the hike-in or bike-in campsites at Hobbs State Park that include impressive sculptures that pay homage to the karst geology of the park.

rkansas’s mountain bike trails are perfect for riding year-round. However, if you’re riding in The Natural State when rain arrives, there are a few trails that handle wet or winter weather biking better than others.

• A short drive from downtown Rogers, parking is available on Piney and Townsend Ridge roads off AR 12.

• The Back 40 is connected to Little Sugar by a 400-foot bridge that spans Little Sugar Creek in Bella Vista.

ot everyone is a born outdoorsperson or camper. Some love the essence of camping (cooking outdoors around a raging campfire, looking up at the clear night sky), just not the “sleeping outdoors” part. The good news is that Arkansas offers unique alternatives to traditional camping.

Camper cabins are a great start. Located at several Arkansas State Parks, the facilities have heat/air, beds (bring your own linens), a table, a screened-in porch with seating and an outdoor picnic area with a fire ring and table. A bathhouse is located nearby.

Yurts (year-round universal recreational tents) are also a fun option. These round, tent-like structures were used by nomadic cultures throughout history but now you can rent one for a different camping experience. Yurts can range from extravagant (including a hot tub) to basic, with most of them providing climate-controlled interiors, beds or cots, windows, porches and various amenities to make your stay unforgettable. You can find rental yurts at several Arkansas State Parks as well as various rental companies.