Latest News
WOKAfest 2026 Brings a Weekend of Whitewater, Racing and Outdoor Fun to the Arkansas-Oklahoma Border
Whitewater paddling, river surfing, running, hiking and a little friendly competition will take over WOKA Whitewater Park in early October during WOKAfest 2026. The annual outdoor festival is scheduled for
Arkansas Launches ‘My Natural State Story’ Outdoor Writing Contest for Students
Arkansas students ages 10 to 17 are being encouraged to share their outdoor experiences through
The Latest News
News Categories
WOKAfest 2026 Brings a Weekend of Whitewater, Racing and Outdoor Fun to the Arkansas-Oklahoma Border
Whitewater paddling, river surfing, running, hiking and a little friendly competition will take over WOKA Whitewater Park in early October during WOKAfest 2026. The annual outdoor festival is scheduled for October 3-4, 2026, at WOKA Whitewater Park near Watts, Oklahoma. Activities actually begin Friday, October 2, with open paddling and the opening of the festival camping area. Located just across the Arkansas state line near Siloam Springs, WOKA has quickly become a regional destination for paddlers and river surfers. WOKAfest gives visitors a chance to experience the park while bringing together the broader paddling and outdoor recreation community. General admission
WOKAfest 2026 Brings a Weekend of Whitewater, Racing and Outdoor Fun to the Arkansas-Oklahoma Border
Whitewater paddling, river surfing, running, hiking and a little friendly competition will take over WOKA Whitewater Park in early October during WOKAfest 2026. The annual outdoor festival is scheduled for October 3-4, 2026, at WOKA Whitewater Park near Watts, Oklahoma. Activities actually begin Friday, October 2, with open paddling and the opening of the festival camping area. Located just across the Arkansas state line near Siloam Springs, WOKA has quickly become a regional destination for paddlers and river surfers. WOKAfest gives visitors a chance to experience the park while bringing together the broader paddling and outdoor recreation community. General admission
Throwback Thursday: Mud, Cowbells and the Arkansas Super-Prestige Cyclocross Series
There was mud, there were cowbells, and there were costumes, cold rain, heckling, barriers, beer, bruises and bicycles being carried through places bicycles probably had no business going. For several
Free Fall Fishing Derbies Coming to Ozark-St. Francis National Forests in September
Families looking for an opportunity to introduce young anglers to fishing will have two free events to choose from this September in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. The U.S. Forest
Throwback Thursday: Mud, Cowbells and the Arkansas Super-Prestige Cyclocross Series
There was mud, there were cowbells, and there were costumes, cold rain, heckling, barriers, beer, bruises and bicycles being carried through places bicycles probably had no business going. For several
Free Fall Fishing Derbies Coming to Ozark-St. Francis National Forests in September
Families looking for an opportunity to introduce young anglers to fishing will have two free events to choose from this September in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. The U.S. Forest
Climbing
Arkansas Scholastic Climbing League Gears Up for Third Season
Arkansas’ scholastic climbing community is getting ready to grow again. The American Scholastic Climbing League is preparing for its 2026-2027 season, with registration opening September 1 and competitions expected to
Arkansas’s First State Park Reaches New Heights with Opening of Nation’s Only State Park Via Ferrata
MORRILTON, Ark., Arkansas outdoor adventure took another major step forward today as Petit Jean State Park officially opened the Petit Jean Via Ferrata, a guided fixed cable climbing experience that
To Hell and Back Again: A Climber’s Tale
Editor’s Note: This story is part of our #ThrowbackThursday series, revisiting memorable adventures from the Arkansas Outside archives. Originally published in 2014, this firsthand account captures Cris Slaymaker’s experience competing
Hiking & Backpacking
Get Out There: Enjoying Arkansas Summers Without the Itch
Arkansas is a paradise for outdoor lovers in the summer. From the misty peaks of the Ozark Mountains to the forests of the Ouachita National Forest, from the clear waters
How to Protect Your Dog from Summer Heat on Outdoor Adventures in Arkansas
With another scorching Arkansas summer underway, the trails, rivers, and parks of the Natural State are calling. If you are bringing your dog along, a little preparation goes a long
Bear Aware in Arkansas: How to Avoid Bear Encounters While Hiking and Camping in Bear Country
Arkansas earned the nickname The Bear State long before it became known as The Natural State, and today that nickname once again fits. After black bears were nearly wiped out
Paddling
WOKAfest 2026 Brings a Weekend of Whitewater, Racing and Outdoor Fun to the Arkansas-Oklahoma Border
Whitewater paddling, river surfing, running, hiking and a little friendly competition will take over WOKA Whitewater Park in early October during WOKAfest 2026. The annual outdoor festival is scheduled for
Throwback Thursday: Paddling the Maumelle River and Lake Maumelle: A Peaceful Kayak Adventure Near Little Rock
Originally published in 2012. Updated for 2026. Just a short drive west of Little Rock, the Maumelle River offers one of Central Arkansas’ most peaceful paddling experiences. Flowing into Lake
WOKA Whitewater Park Hosts National Youth Development Camp as Region Eyes Olympic Future
WATTS, Okla. Some of North America’s most promising young paddlers will converge on the Arkansas and Oklahoma border this week as WOKA Whitewater Park, operated by the Grand River Dam
Subscribe to the Arkansas Outside E-News Mailing List
Upcoming Events
