From shimmering natural hot springs at Hot Springs National Park to shiny diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas is filled with some incredible landmarks. Planning an RV trip is the very beast way to see as many of these Arkansas landmarks as possible.
Not sure where to begin? In this post, we’ll highlight some of the coolest famous and historical Arkansas landmarks.
Top Landmarks in Arkansas
Arkansas Landmarks
Hot Springs National Park
Not every state can boast a national park in the middle of a city — but you know what? Arkansas isn’t every state.
Hot Springs National Park is a one-of-a-kind natural phenomenon located in central Garland County, Arkansas, immediately adjacent to a town called, you guessed it, Hot Springs. Along with the relaxing, steaming mineral waters that visitors flock to the area to bathe in, this national park also offers a few hiking opportunities and a campground.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Nearby Lake Ouachita State Park and Lake Catherine State Park offer plenty more outdoor recreation opportunities, and the town of Hot Springs itself is lovely and full of fun shopping and dining ventures.
We recommend camping in the park itself. The onsite campground offers lovely accommodations, low rates, and excellent access to everything the area has to offer.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
While Arkansas is home to many beautiful and diverse state parks, none shimmers with as much promise and excitement as Crater of Diamonds State Park does.
Located just about an hour southwest of Hot Springs, this unique state park offers visitors the opportunity to search for their very own diamonds right at their natural volcanic source. It’s the only place on earth where that activity is available to the public.
A swimming pool and walking trails are also available to visitors.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
While this state park is the main draw in the area, there’s also a cool local spot in nearby Murfreesboro called Dino Dig, in case your kids just haven’t gotten enough digging. Also be sure to swing by Hot Springs before you leave the area.
Camping is available in the state park, so book a site and get ready for an awesome digging adventure!
Thorncrown Chapel
Designed by the visionary E. Fay Jones and located in the bustling town of Eureka Springs, Thorncrown Chapel is truly a sight to behold.
Jones, an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright, constructed this incredible chapel as a commission to a retired schoolteacher by the name of Jim Reed. Jim wanted the structure to serve as a non-denominational sacred space for meditation.
This chapel has landed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as many other superlative lists, and it’s easy to see why once you enter.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Eureka Springs offers plenty of fun to-dos, from Turpentine Wildlife Refuge to Onyx Cave. You’ll also find plenty of shopping and dining in town.
It’s also just a short drive to Lake Leatherwood City Park, where you can find some lovely campsites.
Christ of the Ozarks
Just a hop, skip, and jump away from Thorncrown Chapel, continue your tour of northern Arkansas by paying a visit to Christ of the Ozarks.
Erected in the 1960s by political organizer Gerald L. K. Smith, this likeness of Christ rises just over 65 feet into the blue Arkansas sky. It cuts an iconic profile among the rolling green hills and dense forests and welcomes visitors from all directions.
While viewing the sculpture is free, it’s part of the larger Great Passion Play outdoor drama, which is well worth stopping by and spending a few bucks on.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Once you’ve partaken in the Great Passion Play, head back to Eureka Springs for a bite to eat. After dining, check out other area attractions such as Eureka Spring Historical Museum or Ozark Mountain Zipline Tours.
RV camping can be found at the city park mentioned above or at Wanderlust RV Park & Cabins.
Blanchard Springs Caverns
While people may best know the Ozarks for the mountains and lakes, a lot of the excitement is actually underground. Blanchard Springs Caverns allows visitors the opportunity to see what life is like under the surface.
During cavern tours, you will wind through well-decorated caverns led by knowledgeable guides who will inspire and delight you with tales both cultural and historical. There’s even a special headlamp tour for those brave enough to take it all on in the dark.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Blanchard Springs Cavern is located pretty thoroughly in the middle of nowhere. There are some hiking trails around though, and the Gunner Pool Recreation Area is a wonderful place to cool off in summer.
As far as camping goes, you can stay in Blanchard Springs Campground. This campground is a part of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, and is a wonderful place to escape into nature.
Magic Springs
And now, for a totally different kind of “springs” destination! Arkansas’ premier theme and water park and a great place for family fun, Magic Springs draws visitors from across the state, the south, and the country.
Affordable season passes make it easy to play all summer long. On top of that, a wide variety of rides for every comfort and interest level mean there truly is something to do here for everyone in the family.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Head down the road to Hot Springs National Park and all the restaurants, shops, and museums that make up the bustling burg of Hot Springs. We especially love the Garvan Woodland Gardens located in town.
As mentioned before, camping can be found at the national park. If that isn’t your cup of tea, consider Hot Springs Campground and RV Park.
Cosmic Cavern
The largest privately owned cave in Arkansas, Cosmic Cavern truly is out of this world. Many visitors have claimed it’s the most beautifully decorated cave in the state, and that’s saying something. With its high humidity holding the temperature constant at almost 65 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, it’s also one of the warmest caves anywhere.
A variety of tour types are available to help you and your family get up, close and personal with these unique caves.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Located in the northern wilds of Arkansas close to its border with Missouri, Cosmic Cavern is closest to the towns of Eureka Springs and Berryville, which are great spots to grab a bite or do some shopping. Berryville is also home to a range of cultural attractions, such as the Saunders Museum and the Heritage Center Museum.
RV campsites can be found in Berryville at Kings Crossing RV Park and Campground.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
Yet another great landmark near Eureka Springs, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a well-known oasis for abused, neglected, and abandoned big cats. It houses 100 animals on more than 450 acres. Along with lions and tigers — and ligers! — some bears call this place home as well.
Along with providing an entertaining walk on the wild side for visitors, this place is also devoted to ensuring conservation and education efforts keep our world a habitable place for all of our animal friends. The cost of your ticket helps support these critters, so you can feel good about what you spend here!
Attractions and Camping Nearby
After visiting the refuge, spend an afternoon at Eureka Springs. See Quigley’s Castle and the haunted Crescent Hotel. and maybe check out Lake Leatherwood while you’re at it.
You can camp at one of the Eureka Springs campgrounds mentioned above or try out Eureka Springs KOA Journey.
Little Rock Central High School
The famous site of forced desegregation back in 1957, Little Rock Central High School is an important Arkansas landmark for sure. While it’s still an operating school today, it’s also a National Historic Site and a worthy pilgrimage to remember our nation’s long-divided history and how much work we still have to do.
Visitors can enjoy a guided, ranger-led tour or a self-guided stroll around the Commemorative Garden. The on-site Visitor Center is also filled with information about the Little Rock Nine, as well as offering an interpretive film and more.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Both Arkansas’ capital and its most populous city, Little Rock is filled to the brim with fun things to do, eat, see, and experience. We recommend the Museum of Discovery and the Little Rock Zoo.
When you’re finished exploring, head to Downtown Riverside Park to snag a campsite and get some rest.
Mount Magazine
The tallest peak in Arkansas, Mount Magazine stands 2,753 feet above sea level. As you might imagine, it offers those who make their way to its peak an incredible view of the surrounding landscape.
A flat-topped mountain, or “mesa,” this peak, encompassed inside Mount Magazine State Park, has been highly developed. This means it offers scenic overlooks, hiking trails, picnic areas, and even a state-of-the-art lodge with an indoor swimming pool and more. In other words, you don’t have to be a serious outdoors person to enjoy the incredible panoramic views here. You can do it in comfort and style!
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Located just south of Ozark National Forest and just north of Ouachita National Forest, the views and outdoor recreation opportunities near Mount Magazine are absolutely unbeatable. Make sure to check by Hardy Falls and Big Shoal Falls nearby.
As far as camping goes, we recommend camping in the state park for a totally immersive experience.
Planning an RV Trip to Arkansas
As you can see, there are lots of Arkansas landmarks to check out. That said, these are far from the only things to see and do while camping in the state. Check out the best state parks in Arkansas, as well as the top 10 campgrounds in the state. No matter what you do, we’re sure you’ll have an amazing time!
