The Best Ways to Experience Arkansas

By Kellie Walton Benz 

Arkansas is known as the “Natural State,” and with good reason. Home to a myriad of natural resources including bromine, natural gas, petroleum, and silica stone, the state is also brimming with nature-based experiences that set it apart from its Southern neighbors.  

While its famous hot springs and bathhouses are popular draws to the area, visitors can also explore several historic wineries, enjoy some of the South’s best fly fishing, learn team building skills by soaring through trees, and even grab a shovel and dig for diamonds.  

Arkansas embodies a spirit of adventure. Whether a fan of parks and mountains or rivers and lakes, read on for eight can’t-miss activities across the Natural State.  

Dig for Diamonds (and Keep What You Find). 

One of the only places in the world where the public can search for and mine real diamonds is housed right in the state of Arkansas. The 37-acre field known as the Crater of Diamonds is a one-of-a-kind experience that attracts visitors from all of the world. The site is the eroded surface of a volcanic crater, home to a variety of rocks, minerals, and gemstones, which of course includes a girl’s best friend. Finders are keepers at the Crater, and any gemstone uncovered can be cleaned and sent home with its rightful owner. The spot isn’t just a gimmick, as more than 33,100 diamonds have been found in the park since its opening in 1972. Notable diamonds hailing from Arkansas include the 40.23-carat Uncle Sam, which holds claim to being the largest diamond ever found in the U.S., the 16.37-carat Amarillo Starlight, the 15.33-carat Star of Arkansas, and the 8.52-carat Esperanza.  

After a day spent digging, the park offers other onsite amenities like walking trails, picnic sites, and campsites. When the weather is warm, pay a visit to Diamond Springs Water Park for a wet and wild adventure.  

Visit the Wineries Operating for Generations.  

Wineries are another natural draw to Arkansas, the largest and oldest wine-producing state in the South. There are a plethora of old growth vines across the state that produce wines for multi-generational Arkansas wineries, plus a collection of newer vineyards worth a visit all their own. Don’t miss the Wiederkehr Wine Cellars in Wiederkher Village, a family tradition of winemaking that began in 1880 to a Swiss family. The onsite Weinkeller Restaurant serves elegant Swiss and European-inspired fare in a swanky candlelit setting – a site now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  

Wine enthusiasts should also visit Altus, a small town situated at the edge of the Ozark Mountains. Sample Merlot, Cabernet, and Chardonnay at Mount Bethel Winery, or stroll the world’s largest planter of Cynthia grapes at the 40-acre Château Aux Arc Vineyards & Winery.  
arkansas.com  

Get a workout in with a “Pedal and Paddle” Tour. 

The Delta Heritage Trail State Park is home to nearly 45 miles of completed trail, including sections of crushed gravel and shared-use roadway. Fitness and nature enthusiasts will love the natural setting encouraging hiking, biking, kayaking, and more, with some areas shaded by a canopy of hardwoods and others unveiling the vast skies of the Arkansas Delta. On just about every visit, prepare to encounter a variety of wildlife and native plants along the trails. Also onsite is a multi-use building designed in the style of historic rail depots, comprising administrative offices, bathhouse facilities, and an open pavilion welcoming picnic areas, water fountains, bike repair stations, and campsites.  

Go the extra mile with a “Pedal and Paddle” tour bookable through the park, which includes a 12-mile bike ride from Barton to Lakeview, a kayaking adventure on Old Town Lake, then a return bike ride back to Barton.  

Cheer on the Razorbacks.  

Fayetteville, Arkansas, is home to a booming SEC campus: the University of Arkansas. Home to 27,000 students each year, the University was founded in 1871 and has grown to a renowned destination for academics, athletics, and research. Visit the picturesque campus located on the hilly northwest corner of Arkansas, which includes two arboreta that overlook the Ozark Mountains. One of the school’s most unique traditions is etched within its sidewalks. Known as the Senior Walk, more than four miles of sidewalks on campus contain the names of all University of Arkansas graduates since 1871. While a stroll through campus is breathtaking in and of itself, there are neighboring hiking trails only a short drive away.  

A departure from the Nature State’s outdoorsy experiences, catch a game on campus. The school’s mascot, the Razorback, is named for the incredibly destructive wild hogs that inhabit southern Arkansas. The school is known for its traditions, which include “Calling the Hogs” at sporting events, so be prepared to shout “Woo Pig Sooie!”  

Go Ziplining at AdventureWorks Hot Springs. 

Located in Hot Springs, take the adventure airborne with a soaring experience at AdventureWorks. Strap in and see the state from a bird’s-eye view with a treetop zipline journey led by skilled professionals that push the limits of adventure. Swing through steel cables while safely secured in a harness, or ditch the ropes for an aerial adventure course. The 16-element course takes visitors through a series of swinging bridges, hanging vines, and cargo nets that climb progressively higher.  

While a trip to AdventureWorks is great for families, couples, or friends, the brand specializes in team building opportunities perfect for a unique getaway for the next office retreat.  
adventureworks.com 

Soak in a Bathhouse. 

After an aerial adventure, relax with a visit to one of Hot Springs’ famed bathhouses. Nicknamed “The American Spa,” Hot Springs National Park is a protected area home to 47 thermal springs. While Yellowstone may come to mind as America’s most popular hot spring destination, those found in Arkansas actually predate them by 40 years, making them the nation’s oldest thermal springs. Housed within the national park is Bathhouse Row, which consists of eight bathhouse buildings constructed between 1892 and 1923. Each bathhouse has something unique to offer: Lamar is known for its varying sizes of marble bathtubs; Buckstaff is the only one to operate continuously for over a century; Ozark is said to have healing waters; Quapaw features tiled domes and decorative accents with an American Indian motif; Fordyce houses the visitor center; Maurice features a stone fireplace and a stained glass skylight; Hale offers a sauna and thermal cafe, and Superior (the smallest on the row), is now a popular brewery.  
nps.gov  

Go on an All-Inclusive Fly Fishing Trip. 

Arkansas is home to some of the best fishing in the country thanks to its action-packed streams, pristine lake, rivers, and fishing holes found across the state. Visit the Ozarks for premier fly fishing, a technique where a lightweight bait (often resembling a fly) is gently cast to lay atop the water. This is used to trick fish into thinking an insect is perched on the water, as opposed to dropping bait beneath its surface.  

Local company Woodard Fly Fishing offers varying trips through the Ozarks – including White River, Norfork River, Kings River, and Little Red River. A one stop shop for beginner or expert anglers, the team of guides is poised to make the best recommendations for lodging, locations and more. The group even offers all-inclusive options with lodging, guided fishing, equipment, meals, and beverages.  
woodardflyfishing.com  

All across Arkansas, visitors can experience the best of their favorite activity or step outside their comfort zone and try something brand new.