The Natural State is a treasure trove of amazing things to do and one of the most overlooked. While I hear of RVers traveling to Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma often, Arkansas is right smack dab in the middle. It would be a shame to skip this region’s historic attractions, outdoor opportunities, and friendly campgrounds. Here are the places I stayed and what I did while I was there for you to duplicate and enjoy.
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs is a place you go to enjoy an exciting mountain town, dozens of shops, and a fantastic area that is original with a capital O. Eureka Springs has a few RV parks to choose from, including Wanderlust RV Park & Cabins. Choose from 88 sites with full hookups and enjoy amenities such as a pool, laundry room, and shower house. A trolley will take you downtown from the RV park so you can avoid the parking hassle — a nice perk.
While you are in this northern part of the state, I recommend going downtown, built on the side of dramatic cliffs; visiting the Christ of the Ozarks; exploring a wildlife refuge; and brewery hopping.
Downtown Eureka Springs is so unique — you may even feel like you’ve arrived in a European country. You could spend a whole day or several browsing the boutique shops and art galleries that line the lively streets. Don’t miss the painted staircases that make for excellent selfies.
When you need a breather, pop into one of the dessert or coffee shops for a pick-me-up, or people-watch and relax a bit at Basin Spring Park. Ellen’s Patisserie is a good choice for homemade macarons. I’d also recommend walking through the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa, a Historic Hotel of America and the most haunted hotel in the country. You can even take an award-winning ghost tour, which is top-rated and highly in demand.
Christ of the Ozarks is a 67-foot-tall sculpture built on Magnetic Mountain in 1966. This free year-round attraction is stunning! It also shares the grounds for the Great Passion Play, a religious theme park and production show running between April and October.
You are sure to fall in love with both the animals and the rescue efforts when you get to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, a big-cat rescue center with tours sharing incredible and heroic stories. Afterward, quench your thirst with a tasty beer from Gotahold Brewery, which has a lovely taproom and outdoor area with a fire pit and games. Live music is most likely on the schedule. There are two other breweries in the area, including Eureka Springs Brewery (which has disc golf and a family-friendly venue) and BREWS (with specialty coffee and teas, too).
Little Rock
Why not start with the state capital? Little Rock has two KOA campgrounds, which we were seeking to stay at during our Arkansas visit. We chose the Little Rock-North/Jct. I-40 KOA Journey to the north of the city to avoid the traffic congestion. The campground had plenty of amenities, and the staff was super friendly. Expect a fitness center (21 and up), swimming pool, pool table, small market, and an ice cream parlor for hand-dipped cones or take-away cartons.
A presidential library, the state capitol complex, and a national historic site were among the top attractions we visited in Little Rock. At the William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum, about 90 minutes should be slated to check out the great selection of over 100,000 items reflecting President Clinton’s time in office. The property itself is gorgeous and makes for nice photo-ops. The state-of-the-art museum is easily accessible and exciting. Be sure to catch the film at the beginning of your tour, which shows the highlights of his presidential terms and accomplishments.
Next, the Arkansas State Capitol is stunning, perched right in the middle of town on grounds dotted with thought-provoking statues and memorials. My two takeaways from exploring the complex were the State Capitol building’s stately Tiffany & Co. bronze doors and the Little Rock Nine sculptures. These figures depict the nine African-American students enrolled at the formerly all-white Central High School, making national news.
Learn more about Civil Rights history in a fantastic setting at the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Visitor Center. This important museum is the original high school that was where the desegregation events occurred in 1957. The school has been preserved, and the still-pivotal issue is addressed beautifully within these walls. I highly encourage those of all ages to stop and view the self-guided exhibits. Free parking is available, plus there is a small park store. Park rangers are happy to answer any questions you may have.
If you still want more, check out River Market, a walkable area in downtown Little Rock with lively entertainment, restaurants, and shopping. Bright and cheery ginkgo biloba trees line the streets, the first time I’ve ever seen that.
For dining suggestions in Little Rock, visit Dugan’s Pub for traditional fish and chips, Camp Taco for delicious Tex-Mex taco salads, and Big Orange for picture-perfect burgers and thick milkshakes (boozy ones, too) that will please the palate.
Texarkana
Sunshine RV Park is a nice place to park your rig and explore this part of the Natural State. It is close to the interstate, and Denny’s is right down the road. Moons Over My Hammy for breakfast any day of the week, please. The RV park is well maintained and remarkably affordable, plus has full hookups and is pet friendly. Sunshine RV Park has many repeat customers, which speaks to the satisfactory level of their visit.
I didn’t have time to do as much here as usual, but what I did enjoy was downtown Texarkana, straddling the state line amid a shopping and commercial area that made the lines blur and the destination just seem like one happy little town. You’ll find the entertainment district around Main Street, complete with colorful murals. I found the food scene in this region interesting (and tasty).
The Flying Crow (a 1940 rail car) is your best bet for biscuits with chocolate gravy. And for supreme pulled pork and brisket, check out Naaman’s Championship BBQ, where you can’t miss the cheesy corn, green beans, and blackberry cobbler, too.
We used Sunshine RV Park as a home base for a special outing…diamond mining. Arkansas is the only place in the country where you can dig for diamonds and stand a good chance of finding one. A day trip to Crater of Diamonds State Park allows you to strike it rich with only a $10 price tag for admission. You may bring in your own tools or rent them (including shovels and wheelbarrows) to try your luck on the 37-acre plowed field to search for your gems. It is a labor of love but much fun.
I hope you will consider Arkansas for your next big RV adventure.
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Hi! I’m Melody Pittman, a freelancer, influencer, and co-owner of Wherever I May Roam Blog (Facebook) (Instagram) and Wherever I May Roll. Originally from Charleston, West Virginia, I moved to Vero Beach, Florida, 10 years ago and have loved every minute of it. I own the two blogs with my daughter, Taylor, and we also host an annual travel conference (Southern Travelers Explore) and small retreat. I branched off of “Wherever I May Roam” to “Wherever I May Roll” now that I’m on an 18 -to-24-month extended RV trip with my husband of nearly 30 years, Eddie, and our 11-year-old King Charles Cavalier, who is deaf. We are seeing a different state each month and sharing our adventures as brand-new RVers (elementary level here) on our YouTube and Instagram channel of the same name. You can also follow our adventures at #whereverimayroll or on our YouTube or Instagram channels. Aside from RV life, I am an expert cruiser, love small towns, history, buying and eating local, and unique adventures. I’m blessed with two beautiful daughters — Taylor and Peyton, also my best friends; a fantastic son-in-law; and an inquisitive almost 3-year-old angel granddaughter, Scarlett, who will be joining in on my adventures very soon. |
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