It’s National Park Week (April 19 to 27, 2025) — and there’s no better time to celebrate the incredible places managed by the National Park Service (NPS) right here in Arkansas! From steamy hot springs to Civil War battlefields and wild, winding rivers, the Natural State punches well above its weight when it comes to national treasures.
So, grab your hiking boots, paddles, or just a picnic blanket — here’s your guide to the National Park System properties in Arkansas, each one full of stories, scenery, and adventure.
Hot Springs National Park
Location: Hot Springs, AR (link)
Welcome to the only national park where you can tour a historic bathhouse, hike scenic trails, and sip thermal water all in one afternoon! Often called “America’s Spa,” Hot Springs National Park is the oldest protected federal reserve in the U.S., predating even Yellowstone.
With 47 hot springs, the iconic Bathhouse Row, and 26 miles of hiking trails weaving through the Ouachita Mountains, this park is a must-visit. And the best part? It’s smack dab in the middle of town — no entry fee, no excuse not to go!
#Protip for Outdoor Recreation: Bring your mountain bike and enjoy the top-rated Mountain Bike Trails at nearby Northwoods.
Buffalo National River
Location: North Arkansas (Newton, Searcy, Marion, Baxter Counties) (link)
Flowing freely for 135 miles through the Ozark Mountains, the Buffalo National River was the first national river in the U.S. — and it’s still one of the wildest.
Whether you’re floating the river in a canoe, backpacking along towering bluffs, or scouting elk in the Boxley Valley, this place is all about unspoiled beauty and rugged fun. With over 100 miles of hiking trails, epic waterfalls, and deep caves, the Buffalo is a natural playground you’ll want to explore again and again.
#Protip for Outdoor Recreation: Besides the obvious paddling opportunities, you might consider a through-hike of the Buffalo River Trail.
Pea Ridge National Military Park
Location: Pea Ridge, AR (link)
History buffs, this one’s for you! Pea Ridge preserves one of the best-preserved Civil War battlefields in the country. Known as the “battle that saved Missouri for the Union,” this 4,300-acre park tells the story of the 1862 conflict with walking trails, interpretive signs, and a fascinating visitor center.
Drive the 7-mile tour loop, hike through the historic Elkhorn Tavern site, and imagine the chaos of battle amid rolling Ozark hills.
#Protip for Outdoor Recreation: You’ll see a lot more of the park if you bring a bike and ride the 7-mile tour loop vs. being in a car.
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
Location: Little Rock, AR (link)
Civil rights history lives and breathes at Little Rock Central High, where nine African American students — the Little Rock Nine — bravely integrated the school under federal protection in 1957.
Visit the National Historic Site Visitor Center to explore powerful exhibits, or schedule a ranger-led tour to walk the historic grounds. It’s a moving reminder of the courage required to create change — and an essential stop for understanding America’s story.
#Protip for Outdoor Recreation: Visit in early March during the Little Rock Marathon and experience the neighborhood on either the full or half marathon. There is an aid station in front of the school.
Arkansas Post National Memorial
Location: Gillett, AR (link)
Step back in time at Arkansas Post, the site of the state’s first European settlement (established in 1686!) and later a key location in the Revolutionary War and Civil War. Wander trails along the Arkansas River, watch for eagles and alligators, and enjoy a quiet picnic where centuries of history still echo.
#Protip for Outdoor Recreation: Bring your kayak or canoe for a magical flatwater float through this ancient area of the country.
Fort Smith National Historic Site
Location: Fort Smith, AR (link)
Law and order — frontier style! Fort Smith tells the wild tale of westward expansion, justice, and Native American history. Walk through the historic courtroom of “Hanging Judge” Isaac Parker, explore the old fort ruins, and stroll along the riverfront Trail of Tears path.
This site sits at the crossroads of cultures and centuries, blending rugged western lore with sobering truths.
#Protip for Outdoor Recreation: Visit Lake Fort Smith State Park for a choice of mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, trail running, paddling, and fishing.
President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site
Location: Hope, AR (link)
Visit the humble beginnings of Arkansas’s own U.S. President, Bill Clinton, in the small town of Hope. The restored home offers guided tours filled with stories of his early years, his family, and the influences that shaped the 42nd president.
#Protip for Outdoor Recreation: Take a trip to nearby Crater of Diamonds State Park to dig for diamonds and other gems. You can keep what you find!
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail (Arkansas Segment)
Location: Various sites across the state (link)
While not a traditional park, this historic trail commemorates the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral homelands. In Arkansas, multiple sites trace the harrowing journeys of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole peoples as they traveled westward.
Interpretive signs, museums, and historic locations along highways and rivers quietly honor this chapter of American history.
#Protip for Outdoor Recreation: If you visit in central Arkansas, rent a bike and take a ride on the Arkansas River Trail. I follows the Trail of Tears on both sides of the river.
Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail (Arkansas Segment)
Location: Various sites across the state (link)
In 1857, businessman and transportation entrepreneur John Butterfield was awarded a contract to establish an overland mail route between the eastern United States and growing populations in the Far West. What became known as the Butterfield Overland Trail made an arcing sweep across the southern rim of the country. Stagecoaches left twice a week carrying passengers, freight, and mail.
#Protip for Outdoor Recreation: Take in a 15 mile hike on the Butterfield Trail in Devil’s Den State Park.
Plan Your Adventure!
National Park Week (April 20–28, 2025) is the perfect time to dive into Arkansas’s national treasures. Many parks will be offering free admission, ranger-led programs, and special events throughout the week.
From the steaming springs of Hot Springs to the winding waterways of the Buffalo River, there’s no better way to experience the Natural State than through its incredible National Park Service sites.
So, what are you waiting for? Get outside. Learn something new. And celebrate National Park Week, Arkansas-style.
#NationalParkWeek #FindYourPark #ArkansasOutside #NPS #ExploreArkansas #BuffaloRiver #HotSpringsNP #PeaRidge #TrailOfTears #PublicLands
All photos for this article were provided by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
