10 Incredible Arkansas State Parks For Hiking and Camping

Ashlee and Pablo hiking at Mount Magazine State Park in Arkansas, holding hands, enjoying the view

We want to help you plan your next epic road trip, so we’re sharing our favorite state parks in Arkansas.

Arkansas is one of our favorite states in the U.S. because of its incredible parks. Since we live in northeast Oklahoma, my husband and I take every chance to go hiking and camping there.

All these parks are free to enter, but there are fees for camping, staying in lodges, or renting cabins.

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Devil’s Den State Park

Pablo standing on the Yellow Rock bluff at Devil's Den State Park
Pablo sitting on the Yellow Rock bluff at Devil’s Den State Park.

Every time we drive through the Ozarks, towing our Aliner, we are blown away by the mountainous views in this part of the state. This park is known for its cliff formations, caves, and impressive geology — hence its name, Devil’s Den.

The park is situated on the outskirts of Fort Smith, making it perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway.

Where to stay: Plenty of park cabins, camping, and RV facilities with full hookups are available. We absolutely love camping here! The sounds of the cicadas, frogs, and everything else chirping at night during the summer months make me sleep like a baby.

Book your stay on the Arkansas State Parks website.

The best hiking trails: Hike the Devil’s Den Trail to the waterfall or the Yellow Rock Trail to the iconic bluff overlook. Pablo and I were in awe of the views along these trails. They are worth your time.

Where to mountain bike: The Fossil Flats trail system has nationally recognized mountain biking trails inside the park. It is popular with locals.

Read our guide to Devil’s Den State Park.

Mount Magazine State Park

Ashlee and Pablo watching the sunset at Mount Magazine State Park in Arkansas.
Ashlee and Pablo are watching the sunset at Mount Magazine State Park in Arkansas.

So many people think the Midwest and South are flat — just wait until they visit northwest Arkansas for the first time. Signal Hill at Mount Magazine State Park is the highest point in the state (2,753′ above sea level), and any outdoor lover needs to see it for themselves. The views of the Ouachita Mountains are some of the best in the state.

Where to stay: The park has a beautiful lodge and a small campground. You can book your stay on the Mount Magazine State Park website.

Best things to do: Be sure to catch a sunset at the Cameron Bluff Overlook, hike Signal Hill, or hike the rugged and wild North Rim Trail to Dill Point. This trail has excellent views but can be overgrown, so just a heads up, you’ll be bushwacking quite a bit if you hike the North Rim Trail.

The closest town to the park is Paris, Arkansas. The city recreated a version of the Paris Lovelock Bridge in Europe by creating its own Lovelock Fence. So, bring your lock and make a wish during your next road trip through Arkansas.

Read our guide to Mount Magazine State Park.

Lake Fort Smith State Park

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Ashlee is kayaking at Lake Fort Smith.

We love camping at Lake Fort Smith State Park because it’s only a two-hour drive from our house, and then we’re surrounded by the Boston Mountains of the Ozark Plateau. It’s the perfect place for a weekend of camping, hiking, and kayaking – especially in the fall.

Where to stay: The park has fully equipped cabin rentals and a campground. You can reserve the cabins or a campsite on the Lake Fort Smith State Park website.

Kayaking: Bring your own kayaks or rent kayaks and enjoy paddling around the lake. There are some neat rock outcroppings to check out. Keep in mind that swimming is not allowed at the lake because it provides a public drinking water supply.

Trails to hike: Walk the Warren Hollow Trail to the wooden bridge or the Ozark Highlands Trail to the waterfall.

Read our guide to Lake Fort Smith State Park.

Mount Nebo State Park

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Pablo is standing at Mount Nebo State Park overlooking Lake Dardanelle.

Mount Nebo State Park is on a flat mountain overlooking Russellville. I’ll never forget the first time we camped here — the moon was giant, and I felt like I was in a movie as it rose in the sky over our camper. The views are amazing since the park is on top of the mountain.

Early settlers named the mountain after Mount Nebo in the Bible (in case you are wondering why it’s called Mount Nebo). It’s a certified Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Site. The mountain also has a few hiking trails with intricate masonry constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s.

Best hiking trails: The Nebo Steps Trail leads to the historic Nebo Springs. We also hiked the Gum Springs Trail in search of the waterfall. Overall, the park has 14 miles of trails to hike. Be sure to check out Sunset Point to catch a sunset as well.

Where to stay: Cabins are available to rent. Camping is also popular here, with campsites on the mountain overlooking the valley below. But just a heads up, large RVs are not allowed because the road into the park is steep. You can make reservations on the Mount Nebo State Park website.

Read our guide to Mount Nebo State Park.

Petit Jean State Park

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Ashlee is standing inside the Rock House Cave.

Hailed as the first state park in Arkansas, Petit Jean offers waterfalls, caves, a lake, and impressive geology to gawk at.

Where to stay: Stay at the beautiful Mather Lodge or in cabins. There are also multiple camping areas, too. You can even rent yurts overlooking the lake.

Book reservations to stay here on the Petit Jean State Park website.

Best hiking trails: We loved hiking the Seven Hollows Trail, and seeing the Rock House Cave blew us away. You can even spot a pictograph inside the Rock House Cave. The Bear Cave Trail has really neat rock formations. Cedar Falls is the iconic waterfall here. The hike to the base of Cedar Falls is strenuous, so keep that in mind if you want to hike there.

Read our guide to Petit Jean State Park.

Lake Ouachita State Park

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Lake Ouachita at sunset.

Lake Ouachita State Park is the clearest lake in the Ouachita Mountains. You can paddle in the pristine waters in a kayak, canoe, or boat (we brought our kayaks). The area is steeped with history and lore on natural healing springs, including the historic Three Sisters Springs. Back in the day, folks would drink the water to heal their ailments.

Lake Ouachita is located roughly 30 minutes from Hot Springs, Arkansas, home to Hot Springs National Park, adding to the perfect weekend getaway to the area.

Where to stay: The park has great camping facilities and cabins to rent. You can make reservations on the Lake Ouachita State Park website.

Read our guide to Lake Ouachita State Park.

Crater of Diamonds State Park

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Ashlee is mining for diamonds.

Did you know Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only public diamond mine in the world? This park is worth a visit because you can find what you keep!

It is open year-round, and there is a small fee to mine for diamonds. Pablo and I rented mining gear, and we were so glad to learn they offer rentals at the park. We had so much fun mining we didn’t want to quit.

Where to stay: The park has a beautiful, shaded campground nestled under tall pines. You can make reservations to camp online.

Read our guide to Crater of Diamonds State Park.

Bull Shoals-White River State Park

Ashlee walking through a river in the Ozarks.
Ashlee is walking through a river in the Ozarks.

Bull Shoals is one of Arkansas’s well-kept secrets. It is located along the White River and Bull Shoals Lake near the north-central border of Arkansas and Missouri. Fishing, camping, kayaking, and hiking are the top activities. The area is incredibly beautiful and quiet.

Where to stay: The park has over 109 campsites. Reservations can be made on the state park website.

Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area

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Ashlee is hiking in the Ozarks.

Soak in the views of Beaver Lake at the largest state park in Arkansas. It is primarily a day-use-only park. It is also a conservation area and is the only state park in Arkansas where regulated hunting is allowed.

The trails are open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. The park is a popular place for mountain bikers. Visit the Hobbs State Park website to learn more about the trails.

Where to stay: There are 11 primitive campsites. Five are hike-in (Pigeon Roost area), and six are bike-in campsites (Karst Loop), available to mountain bikers.

Find places to stay near Hobbs State Park on Expedia.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Ashlee and Pablo hiking in the rocks in Arkansas.
Ashlee and Pablo are hiking in the rocks in Arkansas.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park is a day-use state park near Little Rock. It is an iconic Arkansas landmark that towers over 1,011 feet.

The park has 22 miles of trails popular with the locals. Of these 22 miles, you can mountain bike 14 miles. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the day exploring Pinnacle Mountain.

Best hiking trails: Hike to the top of the mountain and enjoy 360-degree views along the West Summit or East Summit Trails. Both are considered strenuous, so plan accordingly. We use AllTrails to plan our hikes.

Find places to stay near Pinnacle Mountain State Park on Expedia.


More Arkansas Adventures:

We love Arkansas. Here are more of our favorite places that we think you’ll enjoy!

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top photo: happy couple enjoying a state park in Arkansas; bottom photo: couple hiking at an Arkansas State Park overlooking mountains

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Ashlee Fechino

Ashlee Fechino is an outdoor recreation and travel writer sharing the best-kept secrets that aren’t in your typical guidebook. Her goal is to inspire people to travel with a sense of adventure by sharing hidden gems across the U.S. and beyond. She is married to an expat Argentine, Pablo. They camp in their Aliner often and love wandering the world. Follow their latest adventures on Instagram @thehappinessfxn.

2 Comments

  1. Burt Randall on December 2, 2022 at 4:00 pm

    This, kids, is a great article. I never knew Arkansas had so much outdoor entertainment. Have a good time the next time you all go!



    • Ashlee Fechino on December 27, 2022 at 5:53 pm

      Thanks, Uncle Burt. Arkansas is so beautiful. We are lucky we live so close and can explore on the weekends! 🙂