Accessibility for all—to nature, to adventure, to play—is one of our region’s superpowers. Northwest Arkansas is an outdoor adventurer’s dream.
Outdoors
484
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS BOASTS 484 TOTAL MILES OF TRAILS, INCLUDING 322 MILES OF NATURAL-SURFACE TRAILS & 162 MILES OF MULTI-USE PAVED PATHS.
135
THE BUFFALO RIVER FLOWS FREELY FOR 135 MILES AND IS SURROUNDED BY 94,293 ACRES OF WILDERNESS. IT WAS THE FIRST NATIONAL RIVER TO BE DESIGNATED IN THE UNITED STATES.
4
WE ARE HOME TO 4 CITIES IN THE TOP 25 BEST US TOWNS FOR BICYCLING BY PLACESFORBIKES. THE LIST INCLUDES BENTONVILLE, FAYETTEVILLE, SPRINGDALE AND BELLA VISTA.
Major Events
A biannual community ride where participants are invited to bike the Razorback Regional Greenway from the Bentonville Square to the Fayetteville Square.
Presented by Procter & Gamble, the Northwest Arkansas Championship is an LPGA Golf Tournament committed to giving back to local charities to help make the community a better place to live and work.
An endurance rock climbing competition and festival, held annually on the last full weekend of September, within the steep sandstone cliff walls of Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in Jasper, AR.
Outdoor Adventures
Northwest Arkansas is central to camping, climbing, floating, and angling opportunities for all skill levels — it all starts here.
The Buffalo National River park encompasses over 95,000 acres linked together by a growing network of hiking trails and campgrounds, with backcountry camping allowed on certain trails.Â
Arkansas’s largest state park, spanning a 12,054-acre tract of Ozark landscape along the southern shore of Beaver Lake. The park is home to a diverse, 52-mile trail system with hiking, ADA, mountain biking, horseback riding trails, and five primitive campsites.
Devil’s Den offers hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, horseback riding trails, over 100 different campsites, 17 cabins, and six camper cabins in the Ozark National Forest.Â
Spanning an impressive length of 218 miles through Northwest Arkansas, the Ozark Highlands Trail stretches from Lake Fort Smith State Park, across the Ozark National Forest, all the way to the Buffalo National River.
At Kessler Mountain, you’ll find miles of nature trails weaving through steep bluffs and rock-covered woodlands. Stands of old-growth forest, rock outcroppings, and many native flora and fauna species make the park a popular destination for hikers and mountain bikers alike.
Great for the beginner and intermediate climbers, Lincoln Lake is a staple outdoor climbing spot in Northwest Arkansas.Â
Sam’s Throne sets the standard for rock climbing in Northwest Arkansas. Free camping, quality sport lines, and easy access from the top of the bluffs make Sam’s Throne one of Arkansas’s most popular climbing spots.Â
Horseshoe Canyon Ranch is well-known in the climbing community as THE destination for sandstone sport climbing. The park offers climbing guides and accommodates climbers of all skill levels.Â
A yoga, fitness, and climbing gym that offers bouldering, lead climbing, top ropes, kids climbing and more.
A locally owned and operated bouldering gym located in Springdale, with a great community base that welcomes all levels of climbers.
Canoeing and kayaking the Buffalo National River is the best floating experience in the state of Arkansas. With multiple trips available of varying difficulty, the Buffalo River has something for everyone.Â
The headwaters of the Mulberry originate in the heart of the Boston Mountains, which are the highest and most rugged of the Ozarks. The Mulberry offers about 40 miles of good floating, with most canoeists covering anywhere from 6 to 15 miles in a day float.
One of the few free-flowing rivers in the country, the Kings River begins in the Boston Mountains of the Ozark National Forest and flows for more than 90 miles, where it empties into Table Rock Lake at the Missouri state line. It is family-friendly with opportunities for camping, hiking, and fishing.
Positioned along the scenic Illinois River, the kayak park was engineered to create an optimal experience for whitewater paddlers. Weekend afternoons in the summertime are busy with tubers and families.
A 145-mile-long tributary of the Arkansas River, the Illinois River offers a moderate current and plenty of canoe, kayak, and raft outfitters along its scenic banks, making it a favorite float trip destination.
The Buffalo National River park encompasses over 95,000 acres linked together by a growing network of hiking trails and campgrounds, with backcountry camping allowed on certain trails.Â
Arkansas’s largest state park, spanning a 12,054-acre tract of Ozark landscape along the southern shore of Beaver Lake. The park is home to a diverse, 52-mile trail system with hiking, ADA, mountain biking, horseback riding trails, and five primitive campsites.
Devil’s Den offers hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, horseback riding trails, over 100 different campsites, 17 cabins, and six camper cabins in the Ozark National Forest.Â
Spanning an impressive length of 218 miles through Northwest Arkansas, the Ozark Highlands Trail stretches from Lake Fort Smith State Park, across the Ozark National Forest, all the way to the Buffalo National River.
At Kessler Mountain, you’ll find miles of nature trails weaving through steep bluffs and rock-covered woodlands. Stands of old-growth forest, rock outcroppings, and many native flora and fauna species make the park a popular destination for hikers and mountain bikers alike.
Great for the beginner and intermediate climbers, Lincoln Lake is a staple outdoor climbing spot in Northwest Arkansas.Â
Sam’s Throne sets the standard for rock climbing in Northwest Arkansas. Free camping, quality sport lines, and easy access from the top of the bluffs make Sam’s Throne one of Arkansas’s most popular climbing spots.Â
Horseshoe Canyon Ranch is well-known in the climbing community as THE destination for sandstone sport climbing. The park offers climbing guides and accommodates climbers of all skill levels.Â
A yoga, fitness, and climbing gym that offers bouldering, lead climbing, top ropes, kids climbing and more.
A locally owned and operated bouldering gym located in Springdale, with a great community base that welcomes all levels of climbers.
Canoeing and kayaking the Buffalo National River is the best floating experience in the state of Arkansas. With multiple trips available of varying difficulty, the Buffalo River has something for everyone.Â
The headwaters of the Mulberry originate in the heart of the Boston Mountains, which are the highest and most rugged of the Ozarks. The Mulberry offers about 40 miles of good floating, with most canoeists covering anywhere from 6 to 15 miles in a day float.
One of the few free-flowing rivers in the country, the Kings River begins in the Boston Mountains of the Ozark National Forest and flows for more than 90 miles, where it empties into Table Rock Lake at the Missouri state line. It is family-friendly with opportunities for camping, hiking, and fishing.
Positioned along the scenic Illinois River, the kayak park was engineered to create an optimal experience for whitewater paddlers. Weekend afternoons in the summertime are busy with tubers and families.
A 145-mile-long tributary of the Arkansas River, the Illinois River offers a moderate current and plenty of canoe, kayak, and raft outfitters along its scenic banks, making it a favorite float trip destination.
Biking & Cycling
Northwest Arkansas boasts many bike-friendly destinations and was named one of the Top 25 Places for Bikes in the U.S. by Outdoor Magazine. With 250+ miles of natural surface trails and 150+ miles of paved paths, trail additions are always in progress. Northwest Arkansas also hosts regional and international cycling events, including the Joe Martin Stage Race for road cycling.
Linking together several cities, schools, community hubs, and the University of Arkansas, the Greenway is our area’s longest urban, hard-surface trail. The path stretches more than 37 miles as it winds its way from Bella Vista to Fayetteville.
Trailblazers is a nonprofit formed in 2021 through the merger of NWA Trailblazers, an organization that has developed 300+ miles of multi-use trails, including the OZ Trails network, and BikeNWA, a bicycle advocacy and education-focused organization that has led the region in advocating for active transportation.
The Railyard is a natural surface bike park that welcomes riders of all skill levels. The park is close to downtown Rogers and connects to a paved trail that leads to nearby Lake Atalanta.
A 2.75-acre state-of-the-art outdoor bicycle skills training area located at the Jones Center. The park is comprised of 3 separate areas: the Pump Track (largest asphalt track in North America), the Skills Course, and the Bicycle Playground.Â
A BMX track located in Lowell, open to the public for bikers to play and enjoy the sport of BMX racing.Â
A nonprofit organization working to increase the number of people on bikes by distributing free or low-cost bicycles to those who can’t afford them.
Group mountain bike rides for women on the Bentonville Square the first Saturday of every month.
A nonprofit organization dedicated to building and maintaining sustainable soft surface trails in Arkansas. The group creates better opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners to enjoy the many local parks in the area.Â
The Joe Martin Stage Race is a 4-day, 4-stage professional coed cycling race in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The race is accompanied by a 2-day, 3-stage amateur stage race held in early spring each year.
The Arkansas High Country route is designed to connect many of the interesting places in West-Central and Northwest Arkansas. The race is a self-supported 1,037-mile event hosted by the Adventure Cycling Association.
A nationally celebrated bike demo event hosted in Bentonville showcasing the best in cycling.
Linking together several cities, schools, community hubs, and the University of Arkansas, the Greenway is our area’s longest urban, hard-surface trail. The path stretches more than 37 miles as it winds its way from Bella Vista to Fayetteville.
Trailblazers is a nonprofit formed in 2021 through the merger of NWA Trailblazers, an organization that has developed 300+ miles of multi-use trails, including the OZ Trails network, and BikeNWA, a bicycle advocacy and education-focused organization that has led the region in advocating for active transportation.
The Railyard is a natural surface bike park that welcomes riders of all skill levels. The park is close to downtown Rogers and connects to a paved trail that leads to nearby Lake Atalanta.
A 2.75-acre state-of-the-art outdoor bicycle skills training area located at the Jones Center. The park is comprised of 3 separate areas: the Pump Track (largest asphalt track in North America), the Skills Course, and the Bicycle Playground.Â
A BMX track located in Lowell, open to the public for bikers to play and enjoy the sport of BMX racing.Â
A nonprofit organization working to increase the number of people on bikes by distributing free or low-cost bicycles to those who can’t afford them.
Group mountain bike rides for women on the Bentonville Square the first Saturday of every month.
A nonprofit organization dedicated to building and maintaining sustainable soft surface trails in Arkansas. The group creates better opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners to enjoy the many local parks in the area.Â
The Joe Martin Stage Race is a 4-day, 4-stage professional coed cycling race in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The race is accompanied by a 2-day, 3-stage amateur stage race held in early spring each year.
The Arkansas High Country route is designed to connect many of the interesting places in West-Central and Northwest Arkansas. The race is a self-supported 1,037-mile event hosted by the Adventure Cycling Association.
A nationally celebrated bike demo event hosted in Bentonville showcasing the best in cycling.
Sports
Northwest Arkansas is the place to play golf, call those hogs and celebrate all the great things the outdoors have to offer.
Razorback Athletics are a staple of Northwest Arkansas. With 19 teams competing at the highest level of NCAA competition in the SEC, and more than 200 sporting events on campus every year, the University offers a wide range of opportunities to get loud and call those hogs!
Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers is home to the Northwest Arkansas Championship, a premier LPGA Tour Event featuring many of the world’s top golfers.
Located in Johnson, the course is designed to test championship golfers on every shot. It has been cited as one of the top golf clubhouses in the world by Architectural Digest.
Located right outside of Bentonville, this community is home to some of the regions’ most beautiful courses.
A fun experience for golfers of all skill levels, Topgolf in Rogers is an interactive golf and entertainment space, including a full-service bar and restaurant.
The oldest marathon in Arkansas, supporting local charities and drawing participants from every state in the U.S.
Presenting a mix of city streets and wooded trails in Northwest Arkansas, Run Bentonville offers a community-based half marathon, 5K, and fun run.
An event hosted by trail enthusiasts featuring 50K, 25K, and 10K trail races every summer in Rogers, AR.
The Hero Half-Marathon is a fundraiser and community event hosted by the Spark Foundation in partnership with Fayetteville Firefighters.
The City’s annual cold-weather trail running race at Kessler Mountain Regional Park.
With seven different lakes all stocked for fishing, Bella Vista offers a promising fishing experience.
The White River is world-renowned for some of the finest trout fishing around.
Fayetteville
Over a decade old and located at Walker Park, the Fayetteville Skatepark is a classic plaza-style park featuring ledges, rails, gaps, and a bowl.
Bentonville
The skatepark at Memorial Park in Bentonville, AR is one of the first skateparks in Northwest Arkansas. It’s an all-concrete park painted with a natural landscape resembling a golf course.
Rogers
Opened in 2005, the Rogers Skatepark is an all-metal park with local art and several unique features that make it a can’t-miss spot for any skater.
Springdale
Springdale features a pop-up skatepark by Woodward, the famous skate camp. With ample open space to skate, it’s a fun park to visit for skaters of all skill levels.
Siloam Springs
An exciting skatepark split into two sections to accommodate skaters of various skill levels. The park is located on the border of Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Razorback Athletics are a staple of Northwest Arkansas. With 19 teams competing at the highest level of NCAA competition in the SEC, and more than 200 sporting events on campus every year, the University offers a wide range of opportunities to get loud and call those hogs!
Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers is home to the Northwest Arkansas Championship, a premier LPGA Tour Event featuring many of the world’s top golfers.
Located in Johnson, the course is designed to test championship golfers on every shot. It has been cited as one of the top golf clubhouses in the world by Architectural Digest.
Located right outside of Bentonville, this community is home to some of the regions’ most beautiful courses.
A fun experience for golfers of all skill levels, Topgolf in Rogers is an interactive golf and entertainment space, including a full-service bar and restaurant.
The oldest marathon in Arkansas, supporting local charities and drawing participants from every state in the U.S.
Presenting a mix of city streets and wooded trails in Northwest Arkansas, Run Bentonville offers a community-based half marathon, 5K, and fun run.
An event hosted by trail enthusiasts featuring 50K, 25K, and 10K trail races every summer in Rogers, AR.
The Hero Half-Marathon is a fundraiser and community event hosted by the Spark Foundation in partnership with Fayetteville Firefighters.
With seven different lakes all stocked for fishing, Bella Vista offers a promising fishing experience.
The White River is world-renowned for some of the finest trout fishing around.
Fayetteville
Over a decade old and located at Walker Park, the Fayetteville Skatepark is a classic plaza-style park featuring ledges, rails, gaps, and a bowl.
Bentonville
The skatepark at Memorial Park in Bentonville, AR is one of the first skateparks in Northwest Arkansas. It’s an all-concrete park painted with a natural landscape resembling a golf course.
Rogers
Opened in 2005, the Rogers Skatepark is an all-metal park with local art and several unique features that make it a can’t-miss spot for any skater.
Springdale
Springdale features a pop-up skatepark by Woodward, the famous skate camp. With ample open space to skate, it’s a fun park to visit for skaters of all skill levels.
Siloam Springs
An exciting skatepark split into two sections to accommodate skaters of various skill levels. The park is located on the border of Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Scenic Views
White Rock Mountain
Yellow Rock
Devil's Den State Park
Highlights
See what's happening now in Northwest Arkansas.
