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Arkansas’s nickname, The Natural State, pretty much says it all. Home to the Ozark Mountains, seven stunning national parks, and the Arkansas River Valley, this beautiful state in the heart of America is packed with pristine wilderness and jaw-dropping vistas. Aside from its scenic splendor, you will also love getting to know Arkansas’ inviting small towns. These undiscovered gems are what the state is all about — warm welcomes, friendly smiles, and lasting memories. Enjoy a weekend or a long break in these often-overlooked quaint villages and get to know the real Arkansas.

Jasper

Jasper is a tiny town nestled in the lush grazing lands of the Buffalo River corridor. This part of the º£½ÇÉçÇø may be known as the ‘elk capital of Arkansas,’ but there is much more to Jasper than roaming livestock. Located on the Arkansas Scenic Byway, Jasper is heaven for nature lovers. Paddle or kayak the Buffalo River, America’s first national waterway, at the Buffalo River National Park or explore one of the many riverside hiking trails. You can also see the river on horseback from one of the scenic equestrian trails in the park.

Just south of Jasper lies the Arkansas Grand Canyon, a deep valley carved through the Ozarks. You will find the best views at the Rotary Ann Roadside Park, the first official roadside rest stop in Arkansas, which was constructed in the 1930s. Back in town, take a walk around the historic courthouse square and call into the quaint Bradley House Museum for a fascinating glimpse of life through the ages in Newton County.

Altus

Altus is a small town founded by Swiss and German immigrants and located deep in the Arkansas River Valley aka wine-making country. This rich soil has grown plenty of delicious grapes over the years, and you can sample them for yourself at one of the town’s five wineries, which offer free tours and tasting rooms.

Altus’ other famous export was coal. The city park contains memorials to coal miners over the years who helped shape the town’s fortunes. Overlooking Altus is Mount Magazine, Arkansas’ highest peak. You will find hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and hang gliding operators at Mt Magazine State Park, which also contains a restaurant, lodge, and visitor’s center.

Fairfield Bay

In the shadow of the Ozark Mountains and on the shores of Greers Ferry Lake is Fairfield Bay, a charming small town originally established as a resort community. The lake offers excellent fishing and boating, but it’s also known for a very unusual feature — a 1,000-tall island in the middle of the lake. Sugar Loaf Mountain Island is accessible via public ferry from Fairfield Marina or your own private boat or kayak. Once there, you can enjoy incredible views via two hiking trails that wind around the bluffs to the summit.

For more gorgeous scenery, head back to Fairfield and visit the Indian Rock Cave and Trail, the largest bluff shelter in Arkansas, or make your way to the beautiful Indian Falls cascade in the Wild Horse Canyon. Take a break from outdoor exploration and head indoors to the North Central Arkansas Art Gallery. Here you can browse unique works from local creatives, from photography to pottery and from stained glass to sculptures.

Dardanelle

Tucked between the Arkansas River and the Ouachita Mountain range, Dardanelle is the gateway to three stunning nature areas — Mount Nebo State Park, Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Dardanelle State Park. All offer spectacular camping, scenic hiking trails, and stunning views but the Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge is by far the best choice for birders with healthy populations of bald and golden eagles and migratory songbirds.

Founded in 1855, Dardanelle is one of Arkansas’ oldest towns. Explore its history along the True Grit Trail, established by the Yell County Historical Society as an homage to author Charles Portis, who set his 1968 novel True Grit in the area. Visit the Arkansas River Valley Library to pick up the trail and get more information on its exhibits and route.

Calico Rock

Calico Rock, in the northern part of the state, began life as a small steamboat landing on the White River in the 1800s. The historic downtown still has echoes of its past in its 19th and early 20th-century architecture, so it is well worth taking an afternoon to stroll around. Visit the Calico Rock Heritage Museum in the historic Bank Building on Main Street for more information on the town’s settlement as well as its prehistoric beginnings. While you are at the museum, pick up a self-guided walking tour map to explore the Peppersauce Ghost Town, an abandoned settlement from the early 1900s within the Calico City limits. This eerie attraction has more than 20 buildings, including a tavern, a barber shop, a theater, a café, a lumberyard, a cotton gin, and a funeral parlor.

Calico Rock is also known for its stunning multi-hued bluffs that overlook the town and give it its name. Hike the bluffs or venture into the stunning surrounding scenery of the nearby Ozark National Forest to enjoy beautiful views and scenic trails. If fishing and boating is more your style, dust off your rod and head for the White River, known for excellent trout fishing.

Tontitown

A small town with a big welcome, Tontitown describes itself as "one of Arkansas’ best kept secrets." Settled by a group of Italian farming families in the late 1800s, the town has a rich agricultural history that it still celebrates today. In 1899, the original families marked the end of a long winter with a Grape Festival, and if you visit Tontitown in summer, you can join this centuries-old tradition, which now features spaghetti dinners, grape stomping, and live concerts.

If you miss the festival, don’t worry. You can still get a taste of Tontitown grapes at the Tontitown Winery, which has been family-owned since 1923 and housed in a beautiful 1917 lodge. The winery includes a History Room, a bistro, and a patio perfect for sipping on sunny afternoons. After tasting the local wine, pick up a local souvenir at the Tontitown Flea Market & Antique Mall, which is a favorite shopping experience with locals and visitors, as well as a treasure trove of unique gifts and interesting memorabilia. Just down the street from the market, discover the Tontitown Historical Museum, housed in the home of two of the town’s original settlers.

Arkansas’ Hidden Gems and Unexplored Wonders

If you thought Arkansas was flyover state, think again. This historic state is packed with natural wonders, small-town charm, undiscovered attractions, and rich traditions. Go hiking, biking, or horseback riding in the Ozarks, spend an afternoon fishing or birding by the lake, take your kayak and paddle the breezy bays, the state is a natural playground for wanderers. If you are looking for something more urban, enjoy the homespun charms of Arkansas’ friendly communities. Sample local wines, step back in time on an historic walking tour, browse antique shops, the perfect getaway is just waiting for you, off the beaten track in Arkansas.