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Arkansas is also called ”the natural state“ because of its wide range in natural sceneries and large amount of outdoor activities. There is a lot to be seen in Arkansas!
If you decide to visit this state in the South of the USA, you should really use the opportunity to take full advantage of the freedom that a rental car offers.
The natural scenery covers the whole spectrum that nature offers including forests, mountains and rivers. The multitude of natural lakes is one of the main attractions of the state, offering a wide range of activities including sailing, swimming, fishing and rafting.
One of the must-sees is Hot-Springs National Park in the southwest of Arkansas. With your rental car you can explore this park at your own pace and stop wherever you decide to enjoy the views. Hot-Springs National Park is situated in the Quachitas region right in between the village “Hot Springs” and the Quachitas Mountains. This particular park is not only the very first protected national park in the USA, it is also unique because it is situated in the middle of a city!
The village “Hot Springs” is one of the most important spa and health resorts in North America and the park itself counts a large number of hot springs. Since long medicinal benefits have been ascribed to the hot waters and they are indeed still used for many kinds of therapies. Therefore, don’t forget to bring your bathing gear and take a moment to enjoy these natural warm pools. The spring water flows down the western slopes of the Hot Springs Mountains into a reservoir. Also, take a moment to climb up Hot Springs Mountain Tower that was constructed in 1983, and which offers a unique view over the park.
The capitol of Arkansas is called “Little Rock” and is situated right in the middle of the state. Again, your rental car offers the ideal chance to enjoy this lovely city. Little Rock is situated along the Arkansas River and knows how to tempt for a small break in one of its many restaurants, bars, shops and museums. Especially the shopping area Market District has many sights including the Clinton Presidential Center & Park. Art lovers just have to pay a visit to the Arkansas Art Center. Here you’ll not only find lovely paintings and other art, but also a nice overview of Arkansas’ history. After all these urban pleasures, one can take the rental car back into the outback, for example into one of six regions that harbour national parks. The Ozark Region, for instance, in the northeast of Arkansas. Next to other outdoor activities this park is particularly well set-up for canoeing and fishing. Don’t forget to also visit the nearby Springs Caverns. These are caves that are considered one of the most impressive and best preserved stalactite caves in the world! Nowhere else will you find such a large number or wide variety of stalactites, stalagmites, pillars and terraces. Next to the aforementioned national parks, Arkansas also holds the Pea-Ride National Military Park, Fort-Smith National Park, Fort Smith National Historic Site, Central High National Historic Site and the Arkansas-Post-National-Memorial-Park. In addition there is a multitude of smaller national parks.
All these parks offer excellent facilities for water sports and other outdoor activities like jogging, hiking, golf, (mountain)biking etc. In addition, these parks are famous with bird watchers because of their wide variety of birds. Yet another world-famous activity that you can´t afford to miss is digging for quartz crystals and diamonds! Most mines are situated in the vicinity of the village “Hot Springs”.
Be it treasure seeking, water sports or hiking you like, in Arkansas you can eat your nature-loving heart out!
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