Arkansas’s six distinct regions let visitors explore mountain tops, river valleys, national forests, lakes, rivers, small towns and big cities.

There are 600,000 acres of lakes, more than 9,700 miles of streams and rivers, and over 2.6 million acres of national forests in Arkansas. The Natural State is a playground for lake lovers, supporting activities from water-skiing to sailing, and fishing to diving. Rivers are popular with anglers and floaters. Those who like paddling excursions like canoeing or kayaking find characteristics that vary from calm waters to class V rapids.

Arkansas has 52 state parks and miles of trails to explore. Go sightseeing, fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Play tennis and golf. Enjoy birdwatching, snorkeling and exploring ATV trails. Treasure hunters can go geocaching or dig for real diamonds. In addition to outdoor recreation, some parks offer historic or archeological sites, and museums. Walk where history happened, and see remarkable collections of artifacts. State parks offer campsites, cabins and lodges, and programs hosted by interpretive naturalists, historians, geologists and archeologists.

 In Arkansas you can also take a zip line canopy tour, traverse several ropes courses, or find superb hang gliding, rappelling, rock climbing, and mountain biking terrain to match your adventure meter.  Wild cave tours or lighted guided tours are fun year round.

Our nation’s oldest national park, Hot Springs, and its first national river, the Buffalo, hold special allure. Other unique draws include the Crater of Diamonds State Park, the only diamond mine in the world that is open to the public, and Arkansas’s quartz crystal deposits that people love to dig for.

One of the best ways to see The Natural State is via scenic routes. Arkansas boasts three national scenic byways, and several state-designated routes, all allowing motorists and motorcyclists the opportunity to view the state’s beauty.

Watchable wildlife, such as elk, are numerous with more than 70 species of mammals calling Arkansas home. To top it off, the state’s complete bird list contains around 400 species, including the Red Tailed Hawk. With natural areas, wildlife management areas, state parks, and federal lands, there are many places to venture.