Top 25 Bucket List Destinations in Arkansas

If you’re planning an RV road trip in Arkansas, you may want to create an Arkansas bucket list to keep track of your destinations. A bucket list can help you make sure you see exactly what you want to on a trip to the state.  

Bucket List Vacations: Arkansas National Parks

First up, we will discuss the eight national park sites in Arkansas. All of these are worth visiting and each one features beautiful views, interesting history lessons, or other unique features. 

Arkansas Post National Memorial

The Arkansas Post was the first ever European establishment in the lower Mississippi Valley. It has served as an integral meeting point for hundreds of years and was proclaimed the capital of Arkansas Territory in 1819. The Arkansas Post National Memorial shares that history with visitors.

Buffalo National River

The Buffalo National River flows through the Ozarks, past 1900s-era homesteader cabins and 7,000-year-old Native American caves. If you can plan your trip down this river while the dogwoods are in bloom, you’ll be treated to an unforgettable experience. 

Fort Smith National Historic Site

Fort Smith National Historic Site allows visitors to step back in time as they explore the old fort, its two jails, the courtroom, and more. Exhibits explain a bit of the history, and a Junior Ranger program engages the kids. 

Hot Springs National Park

Hot Springs National Park has 43 natural springs. You can also visit Bathhouse Row – a series of historic bathhouses. Two of the bathhouses still offer therapeutic services for guests. Another is the park visitor center. And another is a brewery – the only brewery inside a national park. The park also has hiking trails to explore.

Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site

The only high school with the National Historic Site designation, Little Rock Central High School still runs as a school, but also allows guided tours. It was the site of the “Little Rock Nine”—nine brave black students who were a part of the desegregation movement in 1957. 

Pea Ridge National Military Park

Pea Ridge National Military Park was the location of an important Civil War battle during which the Union took control of Missouri. It’s a good idea to do a bit of reading about the war before visiting in order to get the most out of your visit. 

President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site

On August 19th, 1946, President Bill Clinton was born in Hope, Arkansas. These days, visitors can visit his birthplace and home and learn all about the childhood of our 42nd president at the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site.

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail traces the path of Cherokee Native Americans who were forced to march from Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, and Georgia to Oklahoma. More than 1,000 members of the tribe died on the march.

Find the Gurdon Light

First sighted in the 1930s, the Gurdon Light is a mysterious light that is seen floating above the railroad tracks near the town of Gurdon. There are many theories about what this might be, but no one seems to know for certain.

Go on a Fishing Trip

Arkansas is home to tons of lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers. Enjoy the Arkansas outdoors with a fishing trip. You can try fishing for trout on the upper White River, but there are lots of great fishin’ holes in the state. 

Stay at the Crescent Hotel

The town of Eureka Springs is home to one of the most haunted places in the country. The 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa is said to be home to multiple spirits, and guests can stay right in the middle of the action. 

Dig for Diamonds

Crater of Diamonds State Park allows guests to dig for diamonds on-site at the park. In fact, more than 600 diamonds are found at the park annually. There is also hiking, a water park, and a campground at the park in case you want to spend a few days gem hunting.

Go Kayaking or Canoeing

Arkansas’s lakes, rivers, and other waterways make it a great place for kayaking or canoeing. The Mulberry River is a great option for this.

Pick Wild Blackberries

Wild blackberries can be found all over the place in Arkansas in the summer. Make time to stop and pick some for yourself.

Take a Hike

Just as Arkansas is full of awesome fishing spots and great kayaking waters, it also offers tons of amazing hiking trails. You can find some good hikes at Devil’s Den State Park. 

Attend a Peach or Watermelon Festival

Summertime fruit festivals are a favorite in the small towns of Arkansas. Attend one for yourself and enjoy the fun. The Johnson County Peach Festival is a great pick, as is the Cave City Watermelon Festival. 

Take in the Sights Along Talimena Scenic Drive

A drive through the Arkansas countryside showcases the state’s scenic beauty. One excellent option is along the Talimena Scenic Drive. Pack a picnic and go sightseeing along this lovely stretch of road. 

Look for the Gators in Grassy Lake

Check out some Arkansas reptilian residents in their natural habitat. Head over to Grassy Lake, put a boat in the water, and watch carefully for these critters.

Visit the Walmart Museum

Yes, there is a Walmart Museum. Located in Bentonville, where Sam Walton opened his very first store, the Walmart Museum follows the history of this huge chain. In addition to the exhibits, guests also have the opportunity to see Walton’s original 5&10 store building. 

Check out Johnny Cash’s Boyhood Home

The Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in Dyess is now a museum covering the life and times of the music legend.

You’ll also learn about the history of Northeast Arkansas and how the region influenced Cash and his music.

Go on a Cave Tour at Blanchard Springs Caverns

Blanchard Springs Caverns is a “living” cave where stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and other cave formations are still changing. Take a guided tour with a Forest Service interpreter to learn more about these fascinating caverns.

Wander the Chaffee Barbershop Museum

The Chaffee Barbershop and Military Museum is located in a restored historic barbershop building in Fort Smith. Many an enlisted Army soldier had their hair cut here—including Elvis Presley—and you can browse the artifacts, photos, and other displays.

See Mammoth Spring

Mammoth Spring is the largest spring in the state of Arkansas. Visit Mammoth Spring State Park, where you can see the spring, go pedal boating, swim at the aquatic center, and see the 1886 railroad depot and museum.

Explore the Gangster Museum of America

The Gangster Museum of America is in Hot Springs. Learn all about the gangs of the 1920s and 30s and about how mineral water, gambling, and bootlegging brought notorious gangsters from all over to this quiet town in Arkansas.

See the Louisiana Purchase Monument

At Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park, you can walk the boardwalk to a granite monument in the middle of the swamp. It marks the initial point from which all surveys of the property that was acquired through the Louisiana Purchase originated.

There is a lot to see and do in the state of Arkansas! You may want to consider renting an RV so you can travel from one spot to the next as you tick off items on your Arkansas bucket list. There are plenty of rental RVs to choose from, so you should be able to find one to suit your needs.

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