10 of the best things to do in the Ozarks: make the most of Arkansas' mountains

08.03.2024 - 16:07 / lonelyplanet.com / River Valley

No landscape is as iconically associated with Arkansas as the Ozark Mountains. These forested highlands are crucial to the state's self-conception as a natural, rugged wonderland that incubates deep folk culture and a cherished sense of independence. The Ozarks dominate northwestern Arkansas, where they are divided into two geologic categories: the Springfield Plateau and the Boston Mountains.

Drive the looping roads that spiderweb across the region, and you'll plunge into a world of dramatic rock formations, muscular cliffs and deep, dark groves of short-leaf pine and red oak. You'll also find a culture that is oft-mythologized but rarely understood. 

From following hiking trails and visiting state parks to having an adventure on the Buffalo River, here are the best things to do in the Ozarks.

The first national river in the USA is still one of the most beautiful. The Buffalo National River runs across a wide swathe of northern Arkansas, and the western portion of its watershed, which touches the Boston Mountains, is widely considered one of the most beautiful stretches of this waterway. Head to a town like Ponca to connect with adventure outfitters who can help you set up a "float" adventure into limestone gullies and sedate sandbars, or direct you towards some of the area's many stellar hikes. Bring a tent, because camping out here with the river lapping nearby and the stars soaring overhead is kind of unbeatable.

Amidst the state parks and renowned hikes, you will find something completely different – Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art – an art museum that looks like a set piece from a science fiction movie, built by the Walton family (the folks who started Walmart). The building alone, designed by architect Moshe Safdie, is worth visiting; it consists of pavilions nestled in 120-acres of Ozark woods, each one connected by bridges that span natural streams, all within walking distance of downtown Bentonville. Concerts frequently kick off here, and the museum itself boasts a permanent collection that spans the breadth of American art.

The highest point in this mountainous state is Mt Magazine State Park, but don't let that statistic intimidate you. The Mount Magazine Scenic Byway is a drivable road that leads to the summit of the mountain where you'll find the well-appointed (and enormous) Lodge at Mount Magazine, along with some excellent views across the Arkansas River Valley. If you do want to hike, there are nine routes to choose from, including the recommended Bear Hollow Trail, which condenses most of the park's scenery into a 2.8-mile hike.

We are going to really annoy some people in Colorado with this next claim, but here goes: the Ozarks might be the best mountain biking destination in the