Arkansas offers 52 state parks with a variety of recreational opportunities, including bicycling, hiking and backpacking, boating and fishing, swimming and camping, horseback trails, and even natural caves. The parks are scattered across the state, so no matter where you are, you're bound to be close to one.
Shopping
Arkansas has a wide selection of arts, crafts and antiques, especially in the mountain areas (Eureka Springs is noted for folk art). Hot Springs has a thriving arts community and a number of galleries. Look for handcrafted wooden toys, handmade quilts, furniture, pottery, ironwork, aprons, crystal jewelry. and wine from Altus. The Farmers Market at the Fayetteville Town Square features work by local artists as well as unique fresh flowers and produce; it's open April-November on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. At the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, you'll find an outstanding selection of crafts, and you can also watch them being made.
Day By Day
We offer two itineraries for Arkansas. One concentrates on areas of general interest (history, scenery and folk culture), and the other is geared for outdoor enthusiasts (fishing, boating and hiking). First, the general itinerary:
Day 1—Arrive Little Rock. You will probably want to allow half a day or longer to tour the Clinton Presidential Library either the first day or the second.
Day 2—Look around Little Rock in the morning, then drive to Hot Springs, via Interstate 30 to Highway 70.
Day 3—Hot Springs. (Add a side trip southwest to Hope if you'd like to see the small town where former President Bill Clinton was born, possibly making stops at Washington and Crater of Diamonds State Park.) While in Hot Springs, consider visiting Magic Springs & Crystal Falls theme park.
Day 4—Drive north on scenic State Route 7 to Harrison.
Day 5—Drive to Eureka Springs on Highway 65 to Highway 62.
Day 6—Drive west via Highway 62 to Pea Ridge National Military Park, allowing at least a half day to drive the scenic tour and visit the museum. Then take Highway 72 to Highway 71 into Fayetteville. Consider visiting the historic campus of the University of Arkansas. You might also want to visit Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, a few miles/kilometers southeast of Fayetteville on US Highway 62. When ready, continue on to Fort Smith to spend the night.
Day 7—While in Fort Smith, take a look at Hanging Judge Parker's historic gallows. Drive east on Highway 64 to Altus. After looking around, pick up I-40 and continue to Little Rock.
Day 8—Depart Little Rock.
Visitors who want to get in some fishing and/or other outdoor recreation might want to try the following:
Day 1—Arrive Little Rock. Drive to Hot Springs on I-30 south to Highway 70.
Day 2—Hot Springs (lakes Hamilton, Catherine and Ouachita for fishing and boating).
Day 3—Hot Springs.
Day 4—Drive to Harrison (Buffalo River canoeing) on scenic State Route 7.
Day 5—Harrison.
Day 6—Drive to Mountain Home on Highway 62 (White River and lakes Norfork and Bull Shoals for trout and bass fishing). Also consider taking Highway 62 into Northwest Arkansas to visit Beaver Lake for fishing, hiking and outdoor recreation.
Day 7—Mountain Home.
Day 8—Return to Little Rock via Highways 5 and 67/167 and depart.
