First occupied by European settlers around 1805, Jacksonville was named after Nicholas Jackson, who provided the land for constructing the Cairo and Fulton Railroad in 1870. A community sprouted around the railway depot as small businesses sprang up until its incorporation in 1941. The same year, the government constructed the Arkansas Ordnance Plant (AOP) as the main ammunition plant for manufacturing detonators and fuses for the Second World War. While in Jacksonville with your travel trailer, visit the Jacksonville Museum of Arkansas Military History to see parts of the AOP. Jacksonville received its first bank in 1949 with Kenneth Pat Wilson as its first president. Wilson and other community members favored having an air base in central Arkansas, so they proposed the U.S. Air Force with the proposal. After receiving authorization from the forces, the residents fundraised money. They bought a large parcel of land near Jacksonville to establish the Little Rock Air Force Base, which opened on October 9, 1955. The military base is still active today, with over 2,000 military members posted there. Today, this city of less than 30,000 people has plenty of attractions to explore in your Jacksonville, AR RV rental. It's home to Holland Bottoms Wildlife Area, where you can engage in fishing and hunting. Paradise Park offers hiking and picnicking opportunities, and the ACFF Shooting Sports Complex is the place to be if you enjoy shooting targets. Tour downtown Jacksonville in the evening to dine in its colorful restaurants and buy souvenirs in its quaint shops.
Ozark and St. Francis National Forests are about one and a half hours west of Jacksonville and nearly two hours north of Hot Springs National Park. Besides giving visitors access to the Mississippi River, the forests offer caving and geocaching opportunities. Anglers can catch bass, bluegill, and sunfish in the Brook Creek Recreation Area and Upper Buffalo River. Plenty of multi-use terrains exist in the twin forests for bikers, hikers, and equestrians. The entry point of Ouachita National Forest is about 50 miles east of Jacksonville, which is less than an hour's drive on Arkansas Highway 10. This 1.6 million-acre forest is a haven for water leisure activities thanks to its streams, rivers, and lakes. The Ouachita National Recreation Trail, spanning 192 miles throughout the forest, is suitable for hiking while viewing wildlife. Mark Twain National Forest is a unique forest with nine noncontiguous sections in Missouri. The forest has more than 750 miles of diverse trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and motorized use. You can take a casual drive in your motorhome along the Glade Top Scenic Highway to experience 23 miles of picturesque vistas.
Jacksonville Wing Ding Festival – Haul your fifth-wheel trailer to this family event featuring food-eating competitions, live entertainment, and more. The festival is held every year in October.
Mimosa Festival Little Rock – This one-day event in downtown Little Rock features live music, food trucks, and vendors just 17 minutes from Jacksonville. This festival occurs every year in late May.
Juneteenth Arkansas Festival – Attend this soul food festival celebrating the end of slavery in the United States with your camper van. This one-day event happens in Little Rock in June every year.
Located about 64 miles east of Jacksonville, Hot Springs National Park is the nearest national park to the city. This national park is famous for its 47 natural hot springs that emerge from Hot Springs Mountain at about 143 degrees Fahrenheit and its nine historic bathhouses that earned it the American Spa title. In addition to cycling paths, the park has 26 miles of hiking trails with stunning forest views. Birding is popular here since the area is abundant with herons, falcons, owls, and other bird species. Besides hiking, you can break a sweat by cycling various paved paths in the park. You can experience the park's beauty by taking long drives on West and North Mountain Scenic Drives. After a full day of exploring Hot Springs, having a soothing bath in one of the park's historic bathhouses will give you the best feeling.
Petit Jean State Park is a beautiful park in Arkansas River Valley. Sprawling over about 3,641 acres, the park is graced by several archaeological and geological features, including Turtle Rocks, the Grotto, Bear Cave, and more. Enjoy swimming in the area's two swimming pools in the summer, or catch fish on 100-acre Lake Bailey throughout the year. Picnicking and camping in your popup camper are possible at the park. If you don't want to stay in your Jacksonville, AR RV rental overnight, you can book the historic Mather Lodge or one of the 33 cabins in the park. Lake Catherine State Park near Rockport is a pristine area on the shores of Lake Catherine. This ADA-accessible park offers opportunities for catching crappie, largemouth bass, and catfish on the lake, which is also great for boating and swimming. Break for lunch on designated picnic sites with spectacular lakefront vistas. History enthusiasts will love the park's nature center, as well as its historic buildings constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Plan your visit in the summer to experience the only full-service marina serving delicious food and drinks. Cane Creek State Park near Star City stands astride the Mississippi Delta and the Gulf Coastal Plain, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy both areas. Rental canoes and kayaks are available for guests who want water-based activities, if you didn't pack your own in your toy hauler. Anglers can reel in fish on Cane Creek Lake, which is often abundant with largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. The 15.5-mile Cane Creek Lake Trail is one of the paths designated for hiking in the park. Geocaching is another fun activity you can enjoy here.
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site is one of the most-visited landmarks in Arkansas. In 1957, it was the first high school where nine African American students attended a newly desegregated school. This site also hosts several spots honoring these students. Spend time at the Central High Museum within the institution to watch video clips concerning events that followed its desegregation. Another fascinating landmark worth visiting near Jacksonville is Arkansas Post National Memorial. The post started as a trading point for the French, Spanish, and Quapaw Indian people in 1686. Tucked between Little Post Bayou and Post Bend, the landmark is abundant with alligators, raccoons, and deer for guests who love viewing wildlife. Bird watchers can bring binocular tosspot bald eagles, waterfowl, and other bird species. If you're interested in visiting beautiful landscapes and experiencing years of cultural and geological history, the Buffalo National River should be on your bucket list. As you cruise along the river's banks with a canoe or kayak, you'll discover ancient Native American caves dating to 7,000 years ago. On land, the site boasts three hiking trails and two nearby museums for learning more about the region's history.
Downtown Riverside RV Park is a great campground on the banks of the Arkansas River that can accommodate big rigs, such as Class A and Class C motorhomes. In addition to 61 sites, the park offers full hookups and showers. Maumelle Park is another wonderful RV campground located along the Arkansas River. Campers will love its large picnic shelters and camping sites fitted with electric hookups. For more amenities, consider Burns RV Park and Campground, comprising two golf courses, sports facilities, and an amusement park. This pet-friendly park has 54 sites within its 1,700 acres.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Jacksonville, AR, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Jacksonville?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Jacksonville from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Jacksonville?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
