Benton is ideally situated a short drive from both Little Rock and Hot Springs. Since it was first settled in 1833, the small town's population has grown to 35,000 residents. The town is named after Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton. In 1887, bauxite was discovered in Fourche Creek and Hurricane Creek. These discoveries established a booming industry. In fact, by 1936, the area was the source of almost all the aluminum ore in the United States. In addition, Benton is known for signature Niloak pottery, which is named after a pottery company established in 1911.
Downtown Benton features six revitalized blocks. These city blocks have maintained their historic character from their light poles to the pavers on the sidewalks. After the revitalization project was completed, the downtown area was nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. The Gann Museum is the only building worldwide made of bauxite blocks, and it is on the National Register of Historic Places. The town's history is celebrated annually on Old Fashioned Day, which features quilt displays, Civil War reenactments, baking contests and other festivities.
Residents and visitors in Benton can enjoy a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Tyndall Park is located in the heart of town and has a children's splash pad, a playground, a skate park, an amphitheater and walking trails. Mills Park features a more rustic feel with paved walkways, a playground and other amenities. Some other notable spots in the area include Bishop Park, the Bill Harmon Recreation Center, the Witt Stephens, Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, Hot Springs Off-Road Park and other beautiful areas.
Campgrounds Near Benton, Arkansas
Cloud Nine RV Park is located just off Highway 70 near Hot Springs National Park, 20 minutes southwest of Benton. The large RV sites have 50-amp hookups and come with cable and wireless internet service. Many of the sites are shaded for privacy and comfort. Numerous amenities are located at Cloud Nine RV Park, including a horseshoe pit, walking trails, a pool table, an exercise room, a laundry room, a shower house and a gathering room. The night rate is $60. Sites can also be rented for $315 per week or $695 per month.
Forty-five minutes southwest of Benton, Leisure Landing RV Park features premium amenities and a remote, quiet location. The back-in sites can accommodate RVs up to 60 feet long. In addition to full hookups with city sewer and water, cable TV and free Wi-Fi are available. During your stay, you can take advantage of a meeting room, a bathhouse with showers, a fishing dock, a TV lounge, grills, a dog park, a laundry room and a fitness center. Rates start at $32 per day, $189 per week and $485 per month. Higher rates apply to larger sites and those with more amperage.
Treasure Isle RV Park offers a tranquil setting on the shore of Lake Hamilton, 45 minutes southwest of Benton. The lake is popular for water skiing, tubing, fishing and more. The grounds are well-manicured with tall trees and paved streets. There are 20 back-in sites and 45 pull-through sites. All sites have full hookups and DirectTV. Treasure Isle RV Park also offers wireless internet connectivity, a convenience store, a play area, boat and kayak rentals, a ball pit, cornhole boards, a pavilion, and several other amenities. The standard nightly rate is $50.
State Parks Near Benton, Arkansas
Lake Catherine State Park is a 2,180-acre protected area only a few miles from Hot Springs, 35 minutes southwest of Benton. It lines Lake Catherine's shoreline and includes several features the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed. These include a historic bridge, a concession building and three cabins. Lake Catherine State Park features a 10-mile trail system as well as boat rentals at the marina. While visiting, you can also stop by the visitor center, take advantage of designated swimming areas, go camping or have a picnic.
Lake Ouachita State Park is also close to Hot Springs and includes 360 acres on the shore of the lake. This lake covers 40,000 acres and is the state's largest man-made lake. On the grounds, the Three Sisters springs are available for you to explore. Water activities are popular at Lake Ouachita State Park, and amenities like a boat ramp, a marina and a swimming area are available. The park, which is about 55 minutes northwest of Benton, also features interpretive exhibits, hiking trails, a visitor center, cabins and a restaurant.
Petit Jean State Park is located an hour and 15 minutes northwest of Benton, close to the Arkansas River. This 3,471-acre park covers the top of Petit Jean Mountain, and it is named after a woman who pretended to be a boy so that she could accompany her fiancé on an expedition. The historic Mather Lodge is located near a bluff in the park and offers beautiful views. The 95-foot Cedar Falls is a point of interest as well. Boat rentals are available at the Lake Bailey boathouse. In addition, a visitor center, a swimming pool, fishing concessions, a snack bar, picnic areas, and tennis and basketball courts are in the park.
National Sites Near Benton, Arkansas
Little Rock High School fell into the national spotlight in 1957 in the movement to desegregate public schools following the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. While this is still a functional high school, you can tour various spots to learn more about the significance of the Little Rock High School National Historic Site, which is approximately 25 minutes northeast of Benton. At the visitor center, you will find an interpretive film and several exhibits. The Commemorative Garden, the Magnolia Mobil Gas Station and the Elizabeth Eckford Bus Bench are other points of interest at the Little Rock High School National Historic Site.
An hour and 50 minutes southeast of Benton, the Arkansas Post National Memorial marks the site of numerous historic meetings and trading activities. As early as 1686, it was a trading site between France and the Quapaw Nation. It also was part of the Louisiana Purchase and once served as the state's capital. While some of the historic structures have been lost to flood waters over the years, this site features a visitor center and museum. You can also tour the area on both unpaved and paved trails, take a guided tour, watch a weapons demonstration, and go fishing.
The President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site is located in nearby Hope, Arkansas, an hour and 15 minutes southwest of Benton, and its primary attraction is the birthplace home. Through a 25-minute guided tour of the home and a look at the visitor center's exhibits, you can learn more about Clinton's early life. The visitor center and museum are housed in a railroad depot built in 1912. The Rose Hill Cemetery is also on the grounds and is the burial location of Clinton's parents and grandparents.
National Forests Near Benton, Arkansas
Ouachita National Forest is a gorgeous landscape with mature trees and stunning hills. Located on 1.7 million acres in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas, an hour and 40 minutes northwest of Benton, the forest comprises numerous species of oak trees. You can tour the landscape by car on the Talimena Scenic Drive, which takes you up into the Rich Mountains. Ouachita National Forest is also popular for mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, hiking and backpacking.
An hour and 25 minutes northwest of Benton, the Ozark–St. Francis National Forest is two distinct forests that are managed together. They cover areas like Crowley's Ridge and the Ozark Mountains. Collectively, the forests offer 23 campgrounds, nine swimming areas, a 395-mile hiking trail system and 370 miles of waterways. Both oak and pine trees grow in the forests. When you visit the Ozark–St. Francis National Forest, spend time exploring popular attractions like the Buffalo National River, the Mulberry River, the Scenic 7 Byway, the Mount Magazine Byway and Blanchard Springs Caverns.
Delta National Forest is a 60,898-acre wilderness in western Mississippi, three and a half hours southeast of Benton. It is also known as the Sunflower Wildlife Management Area and is recognized as the National Forest System's only bottomland hardwood forest. In addition to its forests, you can explore 10,000 acres of wetlands. There are also 45 acres of multipurpose trails, two recreational areas and 57 campsites. The area is also popular for sport fishing, bird hunting and big-game hunting in designated areas seasonally. The campsites each feature a picnic table, a lantern post, a fire ring and a gravel tent pad.
