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Scenic
Attractions:
Arkansas
Museum of Natural Resources - Films and
exhibits relate the history of
Arkansas' oil and brine
industries and the big 1920s oil boom that caused an explosion of
population and wealth in South
Arkansas virtually overnight.
The museum’s Oilfield Park contains full-size derricks, other
equipment. Near El Dorado on
Arkansas 7 in
Smackover. 870-725-2877.
 Blanchard
Springs Caverns - Blanchard Springs
Caverns is administered by the U.S. Forest Service, Sylamore Ranger
District, Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. Blanchard is a
three-level system, but only two levels of the caverns are open for
guided tours. The first tour, the Dripstone Trail, opened in 1973,
completing ten years of planning and development of the caverns.
Another four years of work concluded with the opening of the second
tour, the Discovery Trail. Located 15 miles northwest of Mountain View
off
Arkansas 14. Sylamore
Ranger District, P.O. Box 1279, Hwy 14 North, Mountain View,
Arkansas 72560, (870)
269-3228
Buffalo National River - The
nation’s first federally protected stream (1972), the scenic Buffalo
National River flows roughly 150 miles and offers boaters premier
whitewater floating in the
Arkansas Ozarks. The river is
flanked by soaring limestone bluffs, beautiful vistas and wilderness
areas. It includes nearly 95,000 acres of public land along its
corridor, where hiking trails lead to geologic marvels - springs,
caves, waterfalls, natural bridges and box-like canyons. Fishing, rock
climbing and wildlife watching (especially of the state’s elk herd)
are major draws too. The landscape is popular with photographers, who
like to capture pictures of historic homesteads, fall foliage, high
vistas and other nature scenes. Numerous outfitters (for canoeing,
rafting, horseback riding and fishing) service the river, and there
are several campgrounds, cabins, motels and other lodging options
nearby. Buffalo Point off Ark. 14 and Tyler Bend off U.S. 65 are
developed use areas. 870-439-2502.
Bull Shoal's Lake -
Bull Shoals Lake
is a water sports paradise. Almost 1,000 miles of rugged shoreline is
open to visitors from all over the nation who come to fish, scuba
dive, houseboat, water ski, wake board, camp, and relax. Bull Shoals
Lake water is very clean and clear.
Bull
Shoals Lake - White River Chamber of Commerce,
Town East Plaza, Box 354, Bull Shoals,
Arkansas 72619,
(870) 445-4443, 1-800-447-1290
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 El
Dorado Downtown Historic District - Recently
listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this downtown contains
a significant collection of 1920s and 1930s architecture (courthouse,
churches and commercial buildings) made necessary and financed by the oil
boom that began in 1921. A walking tour reveals the variety of boutiques,
shops and dining options recently brought to the district, which also
includes the Rialto Theater, the state’s only working art deco movie
house. 888-921-BOOM.
 Garvan
Woodland Gardens -
Garvan Woodland Gardens is
Arkansas' botanical
garden. Located near Hot Springs National Park, the Garden's
gently-sloping Ouachita Mountain terrain covers 210 acres of a forested
peninsula jutting into Lake Hamilton. The gardens showcase floral
landscapes, free-flowing streams and waterfalls, as well as breathtaking
architectural structures in a natural woodland setting. This woodland
habitat is home to hundreds of natural and exotic plant and animal species
and is nestled near one of the nation's oldest and most intimate national
parks. From
Scenic 7
take Hwy. 290 for approximately 7 miles to Carpenter Dam Road/Hwy. 128.
Turn to the left. The first road to your left is Arkridge Road. Follow it
one mile into the Garden parking lot. 540 Arkridge Road,
Hot Springs National Park,
Arkansas 71913,
800-366-4664 or 501-262-9300
Hilary Jones
Wildlife Museum & Elk Information Center - Visit us in Jasper,
Arkansas
to learn more about elk and other wildlife. Exhibits and video
presentations will give you an up-close look at many of our Ozark natives.
We've got river maps, brochures on things to do in Newton County, wildlife
information, hunting and fishing licenses, and knowledgeable staff to
answer your questions. We're especially kid-friendly with our big
aquariums and our touch table of furs, feathers and bones. And - It's all
FREE! Located on Scenic Hwy 7 about 1/2 a
mile north of Jasper and the Little Buffalo River. P.O.
Box 744, Jasper,
Arkansas 72641, 870.446.6180
 Hot
Springs National Park - A film and exhibits in
the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitors Center located on historic Bathhouse Row
tell how a remarkable array of thermal springs in a valley of the Ouachita
Mountains prompted Congress to protect the area in 1832. Learn how the
town of Hot Springs earned a reputation as “The American Spa.” Thermal
baths and massages are available on the Row at the Buckstaff Bathhouse,
and at other locations. The park also offers scenic drives and a
campground. Central Ave. in Hot Springs. 501-624-3383.
Long Pool Recreation Area - Long Pool is on the Bayou Ranger
District and located on Big Piney Scenic and Recreational River. Visitors
can view a large natural pool across from the campground, high picturesque
bluffs. Most of the campground is in a mature pine forest with some sites
in a hardwood forest. Bayou Ranger District, 12000 SR 27, Hector, AR
72843, (479) 284-3150
 Mount
Magazine State Park - Near Paris, the
highest point in
Arkansas rises from the
Arkansas River Valley to an elevation of 2,753
feet. It offers hang gliding, rappelling, rock climbing, horseback riding,
camping and hiking. The mountain's main road contains bicycle lanes and
from its eight scenic overlooks visitors can see hundreds of miles of
beautiful forested lands and mountains. It is also known for its
outstanding butterfly population, boasting 94 of the 126 species found in
Arkansas. A new, large visitor
center has an exhibit gallery and gift shop. Nearby, the Blue Mountain
Lake area offers more camping and outdoor recreation. Mount Magazine
Scenic Byway leads travelers across the top of Mount Magazine and past the
Cove Lake Recreation Area and the Cove Lake Trail. Ark. 309 near
Paris. 479-963-8502.
Museum of Hot Springs - A 10,000
square foot complete history of life in Hot Springs from 1850 to 1950.
Featured areas include Gambling Era, Famous sports figures, the Bathing
industry, Central Avenue during each decade, Disasters, Medical, Politics,
Entertainment and much more. Visit our theater of old movies in and about
Hot Springs. In the historic district 1 block from Famous Bath House Row
at 201 Central Ave. in Hot Springs.
Phone: (501) 624-5545
Mystic Caverns - Mystic Caverns and Crystal
Dome Caverns are located in Harrison,
Arkansas and provide a caving adventure through
two of
Arkansas' most spectacular caves.
P.O. Box 1301,
Harrison,
Arkansas 72602, 888-743-1739.
National Park Aquarium -
Arkansas'
largest fish and reptiles exhibit. See how the other two-thirds of the
world lives. All
Arkansas fish, plus
many saltwater species, displayed in their natural habitats. Also, many
reptiles and a 90 lb. snapping turtle. Unique gift shop on premises. The
most talked about exhibit in Hot Springs.
Downtown Hot Springs, 1/2 block from the Arlington Hotel (Scenic
7 Byway). 209 Central Ave, Hot Springs,
Arkansas 7190,
501-624-3474
Ouachita National Forest -
The Ouachita National Forest covers 1.8 million acres in central
Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma.
Headquartered in Hot Springs,
Arkansas, the forest is managed for multiple
uses.
 Ozark-St
Francis National Forests - The Ozark-St.
Francis National Forests are really two separate Forests with many
differences. They are distinct in their own topographical, geological,
biological, cultural and social differences, yet each makes up a part of
the overall National Forest system.
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, 605 West Main, Russellville,
Arkansas 72801 (479) 968-2354
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