Arkansas Offers Four Seasons of Fun
Fill your calendar with 52 weeks’ worth of outdoor recreation opportunities.
When it comes to outdoor recreation, Arkansas is a state you can enjoy year-round, from the views to the ’ventures.
“Arkansas is truly a haven for outdoor enthusiasts,” says Dalaney Thomas, tourism director for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. “That’s in large part due to the diverse landscape this state offers … but it’s also because we have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Our springs are moderate. Summer can get a little hot, but we have plenty of water to get away from that heat. And then we have dry autumns and mild winters, which really allow outdoor enthusiasts to get out in this state all throughout the year and experience the different types of activities Arkansas has to offer.”
Get ready to fill your calendar with hiking, biking, paddling, rock climbing and so much more. Here is what each of Arkansas’ four seasons has to offer.
In This Article
Spring in Arkansas
Numerous places in Arkansas illustrate why it’s called The Natural State, and one of the best is Baker Prairie Natural Area in Harrison, especially during spring. From late April through June, Baker Prairie is full of flowering plants and wildflowers, with different species blooming in succession over a 10-week span.
The 71-acre natural area, which is co-owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy and the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, is a remnant of what was once a 5,000-acre tallgrass prairie. Take a walk along one of the two mowed loop trails and take in all the beauty.
Spring is also a great time to go chasing waterfalls, and Arkansas Tourism has a free brochure to help you find some of the best spots across the state. Thomas says a highlight is Cedar Falls at Petit Jean State Park between Conway and Russellville. It’s a 2-mile roundtrip hike to Cedar Falls Overlook, which provides an ideal vantage point to see the spectacular 95-foot waterfall.
“It’s one of the grander waterfalls in the state in terms of scope and scale. You’ll fall in love with it,” Thomas says. “Spring is the time to get out and hike and enjoy the waterfalls. The greenery becomes lusher and everything starts to bloom. That’s really peak season for that activity.”
Summer in Arkansas
Admittedly, things can get a bit toasty at times during the summer, but that’s what makes the state’s vast amount of water recreation even more fun. Six major river systems and more than 2,000 named lakes are scattered across the state, providing a plethora of opportunities for swimming, boating, water skiing, kayaking, floating, fishing and even scuba diving.
For kayaking enthusiasts, Thomas recommends Lake Ouachita, which at 40,000 acres is Arkansas’ largest lake, and Buffalo National River. Lake Ouachita is surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest, while Buffalo National River flows for 135 miles through a bluff-filled area managed by the National Park Service.
“They are both premier locations with scenic backdrops,” Thomas says.
Meanwhile, for those who prefer to stay on land, the Arkansas Golf Trail features 14 courses in 13 locations throughout the state. Golfers can get into the swing of things while enjoying a variety of scenery along the way, including rolling hills, hardwood forests, towering pines, grand prairies, fertile deltas, tranquil rivers, crisp mountain lakes and pristine streams. It’s basically everything The Natural State has to offer, 18 holes at a time.
Autumn in Arkansas
Though two seasons’ worth of fun has provided supreme views of Arkansas’ natural beauty, you will fall in love with the state’s outdoor splendor all over again during fall. As the leaves change and the temperature dips, it’s time to take a hike and marvel at the rich colors provided by the fall foliage.
One popular location is the Whitaker Point Trail and Hawksbill Crag in Kingston. Located along the Buffalo National River, the 3-mile roundtrip hike passes maple trees and other hardwoods with leaves that turn bright red and orange during autumn. And the view from Hawksbill Crag’s rocky overlook is equally as picturesque.
Plenty of other prime leaf-watching places are spread throughout Arkansas. In fact, with a little bit of planning, Thomas says, you can easily travel the state and enjoy the annual spectacle for a week or two. “You could begin in the northwest or north central part of the state where the color starts to change first, and really follow that peak south into the Ouachita Mountains,” Thomas says. “Fall is just a fantastic time to see Arkansas.”
Winter in Arkansas
Arkansas is never going to be a major winter wonderland when it comes to snow, but its mild temperatures make it the perfect place to take part in a variety of activities. For example, the state is home to some of the best fishing and hunting in the country – and the winter season is no exception. Winter is the best time to go duck hunting in Stuttgart, the duck hunting capital of the world, and winter is also a great time of year to catch blue catfish and channel catfish in the White and St. Francis rivers or visit Lake Norfork for stripers. Additionally, this season is the perfect time to go mountain biking and rock climbing. While the mountains in places like Colorado, Wyoming and Utah are covered with snow, the Ozarks and Ouachitas are usually accessible.
“Winter is one of the best times to take part in mountain biking and rock climbing in Arkansas when some other places can’t do that because they’re under snow,” Thomas says.
Thomas notes that private and public dollars have been put toward expanding and maintaining biking access throughout Arkansas.
“We have six Bike Friendly Communities, a designation that comes from the League of American Bicyclists, and five EPIC Trails,” she says. “We are very proud of our cycling here, and that’s truly something that is always accessible any time throughout the year.”
This article was sponsored by Arkansas Tourism.