Arkansas Vacation Guide
Northeast Arkansas is the perfect place to get away from it all and spend some quality time with Mother Nature. There are enough hills, valleys, rivers, lakes, and streams to keep every outdoor enthusiast busy during their vacation. The Ozark mountains loom in the mist, awaiting those with an appreciation for the Great Outdoors and the Ozark Folk Life heritage. A day's itinerary in Northeast Arkansas can include hiking, cycling, fishing, swimming, boating, mountain biking, water skiing, parasailing, and just about any thing else you can imagine!
The Ozark Mountains have played an intricate role in developing the modern lifestyle and rich heritage of Arkansas. The Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View is dedicated to preserving the mountain lifestyle in an educating and entertaining way. Here, you can tap your toes to mountain music; see blacksmithing, pottery making, and over 18 other pioneer skills and crafts; and learn to play the dulcimer or autoharp, to jig dance, or to grow an organic herb garden. The kids will enjoy the many children's programs that teach various pioneering skills such as making scent sacks from dried herbs, leather working, and spinning pottery.
For some outdoor fun, take the whole family to Greers Ferry Lake, located between Clinton and Heber Springs. This 31,000 acre lake was built by the Army Corps of Engineers, and is a recognized model for environmental cleanliness. Fishing, boating, and water sports are just a few of the activities available when you stay in vacation rentals in Greers Ferry Lake vacation rentals. Golfers will appreciate the two championship golf courses surrounding the lake while hiking buffs will enjoy the hardwood forests containing numerous hiking and mountain biking trails. The Little Red River emerges from the Greers Ferry Dam and offers excellent trout fishing. The current world record brown trout was landed in the Little Red in 1992.
More outdoor fun can be found in Mammoth Spring State Park in Mammoth Springs. Mammoth Spring is a rarity, in that its flow and temperature remain constant. The spring sends 9 million gallons of 58 degree water into Spring River every hour. This constant flow of cool water makes the area a great fishing spot, as well as a favorite with canoeists and kayakers. The park also contains hiking trails, picnic areas, and an 1886 railroad depot complete with rail related exhibits and a group of passengers dressed as if they were awaiting a train in the 1880s.
Not all of the attractions in Northeast Arkansas are above ground. Blanchard Springs Cavern, near Mountain View, ranks right up there as one of the most beautiful underground discoveries of the 20th century. The limestone cave system is the only one operated by the US Forest Service. The lighted walkways lead to stunning formations and rooms, one as large as 6 football fields! Near the caverns is the Blanchard Springs Recreational Area, which has a massive natural spring and trout lake and is full of hiking trails and picnic areas.
If spending time amid the wonders of Mother Nature is your idea of a great vacation, Northeast Arkansas is just the place. Thousands of miles of hiking trails, countless fishing holes, pristine lakes, and scenic wonders await those who seek them. Visit Parkin Archeological State Park, the preserved site of a 1,000-year-old Native American village; trek along the Crowley's Ridge Parkway, a meandering 200 mile trail that skirts 5 state forests and the St. Francis National Park; and toss in a fly line in the White River. The Natural State is waiting to give you the vacation of a lifetime and you can enjoy it all when you stay in Arkansas cabin rentals!
Northwest Arkansas is the perfect place to get away from it all and spend some quality time with Mother Nature. There are enough hills, valleys, rivers, lakes, and streams to keep outdoor enthusiasts busy for a month of Sundays. The Ozark Mountains loom in the mist, awaiting those with an appreciation for the Great Outdoors and mountain heritage. A day's itinerary in Northwest Arkansas can include hiking, cycling, fishing, swimming, boating, mountain biking, water skiing, parasailing, and just about any thing else you can imagine!
History buffs will want to make a beeline for the Fort Smith National Historic Site, located in downtown Fort Smith. The complex is made up of the remains of two frontier forts and the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas. There are tours of the facility and an introductory film given by the visitor's center, highlighting the historical significance of the fort. Fort Smith's history is strongly tied to the history of the removal of the five tribes, better known as "The Trail of Tears". It was also the stomping ground for Isaac Parker, dubbed the "hanging judge" by his colleagues. More men met their fate at the end of a rope in Fort Smith than in any other place in American history.
For some serious outdoor fun, set your compass for Petit Jean State Park, outside of Morrilton. The park encompasses 2,658 acres of natural beauty, including unmarred woods, ravines, streams, springs, spectacular views and interesting ecological formations preserved almost as French explorers found them 300 years ago. Hiking trails meander through the park, leading visitors through incredible scenic beauty. The Arkansas River offers fishing, kayaking, and canoeing adventures. The "showpiece" of the park is the 95-foot high Cedar Falls, a waterfall that makes an excellent photo op.
More fun in the sun can be found around the waters of Lake Dardanelle, in Lake Dardanelle State Park near Russellville. This 34,000 acre reservoir on the Arkansas River is the perfect place to stretch out your boating legs or toss in a fishing line. Hiking trails take visitors on a scenic tour of the lake and the surrounding forest. The extensive visitor center features interpretive exhibits of the lake environment and a major aquatic exhibit of four aquariums. The lake is a great place for an afternoon picnic, or an evening sail in the moonlight. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available.
Civil war buffs will want to pay a visit to the Prairie Grove Battlefield, near the town of Prairie Grove. On December 7, 1862, Confederate troops attempted to stop the Union forces from advancing south, with Fort Smith ultimately at stake. They failed in their task, and Fort Smith fell under Union control. Prairie Grove marked the last major Civil War engagement in northwest Arkansas. Never again would a southern army attempt to use the area as an avenue of invasion to Missouri. Today, the battlefield is considered one of the best preserved Civil War sites. The park offers driving and walking guided tours explaining the significance of the battlefield.
A visit to Arkansas wouldn't be complete without a trip to Little Rock. There you can see the capital, the Clinton Presidential Library and enjoy riverfront restaurants. While a stay in the city can be nice, you might want to make it a daytrip from Hot Springs. There are many Hot Springs vacation rentals and condos available and it is a short trip to the capital.
If your vacation plans include your family pet, these Arkansas pet friendly vacation rentals are a great lodging choice.
