There are plenty of things to do in the River Valley and Ouachita, Arkansas area during the summer, with activities for those who like a rush of adrenaline and those who prefer to take it easy. Whether you’re looking for a day trip, a weekend getaway, something for the family, or a way to enjoy Mother Nature, you should have no problem finding something that fits your idea of fun in West Central Arkansas.
Take A Driving Tour of Arkansas
The Ozark Mountains and the Ouachita Mountains offer some wonderfully scenic drives, with things to do along the way.
Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway
Considered one of the most scenic drives in the country, the Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway (AR7) stretches 290 miles, from the coastal plain of southern Arkansas to Bull Shoals Lake, on the northern border with Missouri. It winds northward through rolling hills, forests, river valleys, the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains. Numerous resorts and scenic overlooks are along the way. For a detailed look at this drive, you can check out “One Tank Travels: Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway.”
The Arkansas Grand Canyon
The Arkansas Grand Canyon, also known as the “Grand Canyon of the Ozarks,” is made up of seven mountain peaks, which you can traverse through a scenic, oblong drive that connects with AR 7. You might stop at the Rotary Ann Roadside Park on AR7, which offers a 180-degree view of the Ozarks, plus restrooms, picnic tables, and interpretive signs. You could also grab a bite to eat at the Cliff House Inn, 60 miles north of Russellville and six miles south of Jasper. It features a restaurant, an inn, and cabins for rent.
The Pig Trail Scenic Byway
The Pig Trail Scenic Byway runs for 19 miles through the Boston Mountains region of the Ozark Mountains with many steep inclines and sharp curves. It stretches from the southeast corner of the Ozark National Forest, near I-40, it heads north along Highway 23, to Highway 16 at Brashears.
The Arkansas Wine Trail
You don’t have to visit France or California to get a taste of the vines, Arkansas has three official wine trails: The Ozark Trail in the northwest corner, the Altus trail, centered around the City of Altus, the Capital Trail, near Little Rock, and the Bath House Trail in Hot Springs.
They offer wine tastings, food, and beautiful scenery. Some of them also host special events, such as weddings. TripAdvisor has a list of wineries and vineyards in Arkansas with more details. The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism’s website offers information on Arkansas Wine Country Tours and details about each winery and vineyard.
Subiaco Abbey, Academy, and retreat center
Along the Altus Wine Trail, the Subiaco Abbey is home to Benedictine monks and a preparatory school. Architectural Digest named the school one of the world’s nine most beautiful boarding schools. The Abbey breeds black Angus cattle, has a brewery and taproom, along with its brand of hot sauce, jellies, soap, hand-poured candles, and peanut brittle. It also has 35 guest rooms and a guest dining room.
Visit the Arkansas River Valley Tri-Peaks Region
The Tri-Peaks Region, along the Arkansas River Valley, features three popular mountaintop state parks between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains.
Mount Magazine State Park
South of Subiaco, Mount Magazine State Park has the highest point in Arkansas at 2,753 feet above sea level and is popular among those looking for scenic views and adventures. It offers hang gliding, rock climbing, hiking trails, camping, mountain biking, and horseback riding. There’s also a lodge, restaurant, and rustic cabins.
Mount Nebo State Park
Mount Nebo State Park is in the Arkansas River Valley, about 45 minutes from Arkansas wine country, and its peak is 1,350 feet above sea level. It offers more than 32 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, rustic cabins, lodges, RV hookups, and campsites. A pool and tennis courts are also available. No campers or RVs over 24 feet are permitted.
Petit Jean State Park
Petit Jean State Park is atop the Petit Jean Mountains, a relatively flat stretch of mountains that range from 750 feet to 1,207 feet above sea level. They sit alongside the Arkansas River, between the Ouachita Mountains and the Ozark Plateaus. Cedar Creek flows down the mountainside and tumbles off a 95-foot precipice at Cedar Falls. Lake Bailey offers more than 100 acres of fishing, kayaking, boating, and boat rentals. There’s a 10-horsepower limit on boats. The park also offers two swimming pools, playgrounds, a basketball court, nine hiking trails, and a mountain biking trail.
Accommodations include Mather Lodge, a historic hotel, features a restaurant that overlooks Cedar Creek Canyon, plus hundred 25 campsites, 33 cabins, and four yurts. The Petit Jean Park Airport, the only airport within an Arkansas State Park, sits atop Petit Jean Mountain at an elevation of 923 feet.
The Museum of Automobiles
Sitting atop Petit Jean Mountain, the Museum of Automobiles offers a collection of 50 vintage vehicles dating from 1904 to 1982, including motorcycles and pedal cars. It also holds two annual car shows and swap meets in June and September. It also features the only Arkansas Climber automobile known to exist, with a 1923 model on display.
Ozark Highlands Trail
For those who enjoy an outdoor challenge, the Ozark Highlands Trail offers 270 miles of hiking and backpacking over rugged and scenic terrain in the Ozark Mountains.
Lake Dardanelle State Park
Lake Dardanelle State Park features Lake Dardanelle, a 34,300-acre reservoir on the Arkansas River, located between Russellville and Dardanelle. The lake is popular for fishing, as well as boating, and kayak rentals are available. It also offers a swimming beach, a hiking trail, a visitor center with five aquariums, and bald eagle boat tours. The park offers campsites, and there are accommodations in Russellville and Dardanelle.
Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge
Five miles downstream from Dardanelle, the Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge offers natural habitats for endangered and threatened species, and the chance for humans to see them. Activities for visitors include hiking trails, wildlife viewing, fishing, photography, hunting, and a self-guided auto tour.
DeGray Lake Resort State Park
About an hour southeast of Little Rock and 45 minutes south of Hot Springs, DeGray Lake Resort State Park is on the shores of DeGray Lake, a reservoir on the Caddo River. It features a lodge, campsites, RV hookups, and three yurts. Features include an 18-hole championship golf course, driving range, and pro shop; an 18-hole Frisbee golf course, two swimming beaches, five hiking trails, basketball, and tennis courts. A full-service marina offers bait and tackle, fuel, and boat rentals that include party barges and pedal boats.
Talimena Scenic Drive
The Talimena National Scenic Byway is a 54-mile route through the Ouachita Mountains, one of the highest mountain ranges between the Appalachians and the Rockies. It’s especially popular in the fall and spring. Numerous viewpoints offer a chance to stop and enjoy the foliage.
Ouachita National Forest
The Ouachita National Forest, in the west central portion of the state, consists of 1.8 million acres in Western Arkansas and Southeastern Oklahoma. It offers many recreational activities, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, canoeing, swimming, scuba diving, off-highway vehicles (OHV), and shooting ranges. Accommodations include camping, cabins, and RV hookups.
Queen Wilhelmina State Park and Lodge
Queen Wilhelmina State Park and Queen Wilhelmina Lodge sit atop Rich Mountain, Arkansas’ second highest peak. The 40-room lodge offers scenic views and southern cooking in the Queen’s Restaurant. There are also cabins and camping spaces available. There’s a mini train for kids that takes them on a 20-minute ride around the park, plus a miniature golf course and four hiking trails.
Cossatot River State Park and “the Skull Crusher”
Cossatot River State Park stretches for 12 miles along the Cossatot River and the Cossatot Falls, a rocky canyon with Class IV rapids known as “the skull crusher” (Cossatot means skull crusher in French). It’s suitable for experienced kayakers and canoeists when there’s enough rain. There are camping sites available, with no hookups, and a primitive group camping area with restrooms, a grill, and a pavilion, but no water or electricity. There are four scenic trails across nearly 20 miles.
Wolf Pen Gap ATV Trails
Located near Mena, the Wolf Pen Gap offers more than 40 miles of looped trails at various levels of difficulty for all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes. Restrooms are available, but potable water is not.
The Trails at Mena Project
The Trails at Mena Project, currently under development, will bring lift-served mountain biking and trails that will connect the city of Mena to Queen Wilhelmina State Park. Once completed, this downhill bike park will be the largest lift serve mountain bike park in the world. It will include:
• A 1,200-foot elevation drop, trails ranging from beginner to expert and, located within the Ouachita National Forest.
• 18–20 miles of trail during Phase 1.
• Year-round riding, made possible by climate and terrain.
Dig For Your Own Crystals
Avant Mining offers the chance to dig for quartz crystals on Fisher Mountain. A mining permit is required, and toolkits can be purchased in the gift store. Public digging is open Tuesdays through Sundays, from 9 am to 5 pm (weather permitting). The crystals you find are yours to keep. You can also purchase crystals from the gift shop. Coffee and snacks are available in its coffee shop.
Community Events and Summer Festivals
Public events and local outdoor activities offer some low-cost ways to enjoy the summer in West Central Arkansas.
The Johnson County Peach Festival
Held mid-July in Clarksville, the Johnson County Peach Festival is held in downtown Clarksville and is the oldest ongoing festival in the state. Activities include food, craft vendors, a 5K race, a peach pit spitting contest, a peach pie eating contest, live music, and more. A parade is also held on the Saturday morning of the festival.
The Johnson County Fair
Held every year, near the end of August, the Johnson County Fair features a parade, horse show, animal judging and showmanship, livestock auction, plenty of food, and music.
The Broken Sword Triathlon
The Broken Sword Triathlon, known as a “Sprint Triathlon,” is held in and near Clarksville in mid-August. It features a 500-meter swim, a 15-mile bike ride, and a 5K (3.1 mi) run. Relay teams are allowed, and there are two kids' triathlons with shorter distances grouped by age.
Red Lick Trails and Lake Ludwig
Owned and operated by the City of Clarksville, Lake Ludwig offers a beach and swimming area, and rope swings. There are pavilions available to rent, and ski boots are welcome. Restrooms are available during spring and summer. To the north of the lake, Red Lick Trails offer 15 miles of trails, with five of them open to mountain biking and one trail open to hiking and trail running.
Visit a Local Branch
At Union Bank, we want to help our customers with all their banking needs, including recreational loans which can be used to purchase a boat, an ATV, a motorcycle, or finance a vacation. If you have any questions, please contact us or visit one of our locations in Mena, Paris, Hatfield, Wickes, Caulksville, Ozark, Waldron, Booneville, and Clarksville.