Known as “The Natural State,” Arkansas is filled with scenic mountains, winding rivers, waterfalls, forests, caves, and small towns that make it one of the best road trip destinations in the south. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or a longer RV adventure, there are plenty of things to do in Arkansas for outdoor lovers, families, hikers, and travelers looking to explore beyond the typical tourist stops.

One of the biggest reasons people visit Arkansas is the variety of landscapes packed into a relatively easy-to-drive region. Travelers can spend one day exploring the hiking trails of the Arkansas Ozarks, then relax in the historic bathhouses of Hot Springs National Park the next. From scenic mountain overlooks and kayaking trips along the Buffalo River to hidden caves and charming towns like Eureka Springs, the state offers a surprising amount of variety for road trippers.

Arkansas is also an ideal destination for RV travel because so many attractions are connected by scenic drives and outdoor recreation areas. Whether you want to explore waterfalls, go mountain biking through forest trails, search for diamonds at a state park, or simply enjoy a scenic drive through the Ozark Mountains, this Arkansas bucket list highlights some of the best places to visit across the state.

What To See in Arkansas for First-Time Visitors

For first-time visitors, one of the best parts about exploring Arkansas is how many different experiences are packed into one relatively compact region. Travelers can move from mountain overlooks and forest hiking trails to lakes, rivers, caves, and historic downtown districts within just a few hours of driving.

Many of the most popular things to do in Arkansas center around outdoor recreation and scenic road trip destinations. The state is especially well known for:

• Mountain hiking and scenic overlooks

• Waterfalls and river recreation

• State parks and national forests

• Small towns and historic districts

• Camping, kayaking, and fishing

Outdoor travelers often begin their Arkansas trip in northwest Arkansas, where destinations like Eureka Springs, Devil's Den State Park, and Beaver Lake offer a mix of hiking, lake recreation, mountain biking, and scenic mountain views. This region is also home to portions of the Ozark National Forest, making it one of the best areas in the state for camping and outdoor adventure.

Central Arkansas offers a different experience, blending outdoor destinations with larger cities and cultural attractions. Visitors can explore Little Rock, visit museums and historic sites, or relax in the thermal springs and spa culture surrounding Hot Springs National Park. Bathhouse Row remains one of the most famous attractions in the state and continues to attract visitors looking to experience the historic side of Arkansas travel.

For travelers interested in unique attractions, Arkansas also includes several destinations that are difficult to find anywhere else:

• Crater of Diamonds State Park, where visitors can search for real diamonds

• Blanchard Springs Caverns and its massive underground cave system

• Scenic overlooks like Big Bluff and the Goat Trail

• Forest drives filled with waterfalls, streams, and mountain scenery

The Best Outdoor Things To Do in Arkansas

Buffalo National River

One of the most scenic outdoor destinations in the state is Buffalo National River, America’s first designated national river. Flowing through towering bluffs, forested valleys, and remote sections of the Arkansas Ozarks, the Buffalo River is one of the best places in the state for kayaking, canoeing, hiking, fishing, and camping.

Popular activities along the river include:

• Floating and kayaking trips

• Hiking trails overlooking the river valley

• Elk viewing near Boxley Valley

• Camping along scenic riverbanks

• Swimming and exploring waterfalls

Hot Springs National Park

Located in central Arkansas, Hot Springs National Park blends outdoor recreation with historic attractions and spa culture. While many visitors come to experience the thermal baths and historic Bathhouse Row, the park also features scenic hiking trails and forested mountain drives just outside downtown Hot Springs.

Visitors can:

• Walk through historic bathhouses

• Hike mountain trails overlooking the city

• Explore scenic forest roads

• Relax at spas fed by natural hot springs

• Visit nearby lakes and outdoor recreation areas

Petit Jean State Park

Petit Jean State Park is often considered one of the most beautiful parks in Arkansas thanks to its waterfalls, hiking trails, and historic Civilian Conservation Corps structures. Located west of Little Rock, the park offers a mix of mountain scenery and easy outdoor accessibility.

Popular things to do at Petit Jean include:

• Hiking to Cedar Falls

• Exploring overlooks along the mountain edge

• Fishing and boating

• Photography during sunrise and sunset

Mount Magazine State Park

Home to the highest point in Arkansas, Mount Magazine State Park is one of the top destinations in the state for mountain scenery and outdoor adventure. Signal Hill Trail leads visitors to the highest point in the state, while other hiking trails provide viewpoints stretching across forests and valleys throughout the region.

The area is also known for:

• Hang gliding opportunities

• Rock climbing and outdoor adventure

• Scenic mountain drives

• RV camping and cabins

• Hiking and mountain biking trails

Crater of Diamonds State Park

Few places in the world allow visitors to search for real diamonds, which is why Crater of Diamonds State Park remains one of the most unique attractions in the state. Visitors can dig through the crater field searching for gemstones, minerals, and diamonds that may have been naturally discovered within the volcanic soil.

Even travelers who do not find diamonds still enjoy:

• Exploring the crater field

• Learning about the park’s geology and history

• Seasonal events and demonstrations

Scenic Drives and Arkansas Road Trip Routes

Pig Trail Scenic Byway

One of the most famous road trip routes in Arkansas is the Pig Trail Scenic Byway, a winding mountain drive that cuts through portions of the Ozark National Forest. Known for its sharp curves, forest scenery, and mountain views, the route has become especially popular during fall when the trees throughout the region begin changing colors.

Talimena Scenic Drive

Stretching along portions of western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, the Talimena Scenic Drive offers one of the best mountain road trips in the region. The drive passes through forested ridges, breath-taking overlooks, and mountain landscapes.

Ozark Mountain Routes

Some of the best things to do in Arkansas are found simply by driving through the Arkansas Ozarks and exploring smaller mountain roads between parks, rivers, lakes, and historic towns. Scenic drives throughout the Ozark region connect travelers to destinations like:

• Eureka Springs

• Buffalo National River

• Devil's Den State Park

• Beaver Lake

Delta and River Road Drives

While many travelers focus on Arkansas mountains and forests, eastern portions of the state offer a completely different road trip experience. Drives along the Arkansas River and Delta region feature farmland, small towns, historic sites, and slower-paced travel routes that highlight another side of Arkansas life.

These drives often include:

• Historic downtown areas

• Riverfront scenery

• Fishing and boating access

• Small roadside attractions

• Local restaurants and cultural stops

Unique Attractions and Hidden Gems

Thorncrown Chapel

Hidden among the trees near Eureka Springs, Thorncrown Chapel is one of the most recognizable architectural landmarks in Arkansas. Built almost entirely from glass and wood, the chapel blends into the surrounding forest and has become one of the most photographed places in the state.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Located in northwest Arkansas, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art combines art, nature, and outdoor walking trails into one of the most unique attractions in the region. The museum features major works of American art while also connecting visitors to forest trails, outdoor sculptures, and walking areas surrounding the property.

Blanchard Springs Caverns

One of the most impressive cave systems in the south, Blanchard Springs Caverns gives visitors the chance to explore massive underground chambers filled with rock formations, streams, and hidden cave passages. Located within the Ozark National Forest, the caverns remain naturally cool year-round and provide a completely different experience from Arkansas’ mountain trails and drives.

Eureka Springs

Beyond Thorncrown Chapel, Eureka Springs remains one of the most interesting small towns in the state thanks to its steep hillside streets, historic architecture, local shops, and creative atmosphere. Unlike many traditional cities, Eureka Springs was built directly into the mountainside, creating winding roads and unique building layouts throughout downtown.

The Best Arkansas Destinations by Region

Northwest Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas is ideal for travelers looking for a mix of mountain scenery, small-town charm, and outdoor adventure all within a relatively short drive. Instead of staying in one location, this region works best as a multi-stop road trip through the Ozarks.

A great northwest Arkansas itinerary could include:

• Starting in Bentonville to explore public art, local restaurants, and scenic biking trails

• Driving to Fayetteville to visit the University of Arkansas campus and nearby hiking areas

• Taking scenic backroads toward Eureka Springs for historic downtown streets, hillside hotels, and local shops

• Finishing with lake recreation near Beaver Lake for kayaking, boating, and sunset views

Central Arkansas

Central Arkansas works well for travelers wanting a combination of outdoor recreation, history, and city attractions. Because destinations are spread fairly close together, visitors can experience hiking, lakes, museums, and historic districts all within the same trip.

A strong central Arkansas weekend itinerary could include:

• Exploring the River Market District and riverfront parks in Little Rock

• Hiking Pinnacle Mountain for panoramic views of the Arkansas River valley

• Spending a day in Hot Springs exploring Bathhouse Row, spas, and scenic mountain drives

• Visiting nearby lakes for fishing, boating, or camping before continuing the road trip

The Ozarks

The Ozark region is one of the best places in Arkansas for travelers who want a more nature-focused road trip filled with rivers, forests, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks. This area is ideal for RV travel because campgrounds, hiking trails, and river access points are spread throughout the mountain region.

A popular Ozarks road trip route could include:

• Floating or kayaking along Buffalo National River

• Hiking to Big Bluff via the Goat Trail for one of the best views in Arkansas

• Exploring underground cave systems at Blanchard Springs Caverns

• Driving scenic forest roads through the Ozark National Forest while stopping at waterfalls and overlooks along the way

Southern Arkansas

Southern Arkansas offers a quieter and slower-paced road trip experience filled with forests, lakes, scenic highways, and lesser-known outdoor destinations. This area works especially well for travelers wanting to avoid larger crowds while still exploring some of Arkansas’ most unique attractions.

A southern Arkansas itinerary could include:

• Searching for gemstones at Crater of Diamonds State Park

• Camping and fishing near Lake Ouachita

• Exploring scenic drives through the Ouachita Mountain region

• Visiting smaller lake towns and forest recreation areas throughout southern Arkansas

Explore Arkansas With Cruise America

Arkansas has just about everything any traveler could be looking for, from outdoor beauty to rich-city history. With an RV rental from Cruise America, you can create a flexible Arkansas road trip filled with just about anything you'd want. Ready to explore this under-the-radar state?