Arkansas is often called “The Natural State,” and for good reason as it’s home to more than 600,000 acres of lakes and 9,700 miles of rivers and streams. From the Ozark Mountains in the north to the Delta plains in the east, the state’s landscapes offer a wide range of backdrops for hiking, paddling, or simply taking in the view.

Bella Vista is a planned community in northwestern Arkansas, set among the wooded hills of the Ozark Mountains near the Missouri border. Its landscape includes steep valleys, limestone outcrops, clear lakes, and extensive forest, giving the area a distinct character within Benton County. Bella Vista began as a summer resort and later developed into a year-round residential community, with several neighborhoods spread across the hills rather than concentrated around a traditional downtown.

Hot Springs, Arkansas has been drawing visitors for centuries, and it all starts with the water. The city sits atop a natural thermal spring system that produces nearly a million gallons of 143-degree water each day. These springs gave rise to Bathhouse Row, a stretch of eight historic bathhouses within Hot Springs National Park. Some, like the Fordyce Bathhouse, now serve as museums, while others still offer traditional thermal soaks.

Lake Ouachita is a large reservoir in west-central Arkansas, surrounded by the forested hills of the Ouachita Mountains. The lake lies within the Ouachita National Forest and has a highly irregular shoreline formed by numerous coves, islands, and wooded peninsulas. Its clear water and undeveloped shoreline distinguish it from many reservoirs in more urbanized parts of the state.

Little Rock, capital and largest city of Arkansas, a port of entry on the Arkansas River opposite North Little Rock, in the central part of the state. Among the attractions in Little Rock are the State Capitol (1911); the Governor's Mansion; Quapaw Quarter, a district of restored buildings that includes the Old State House; the Arkansas Territorial Restoration, a group of restored homes dating from the early 19th century; and MacArthur Park, containing the Arkansas Arts Center, and much more!

Pine Bluff is a city in southeastern Arkansas, situated along the Arkansas River in the state’s Delta region. Its location between the river and broad agricultural lowlands has shaped its role as a regional center for commerce, transportation, and farming. The city is surrounded by flat terrain, cultivated fields, wetlands, and waterways characteristic of the Arkansas Delta.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park is a protected recreation area west of Little Rock, Arkansas, centered on the distinctive summit of Pinnacle Mountain. The park covers more than 2,300 acres along the Arkansas River and combines forested slopes, rocky ridges, wetlands, and open river landscapes. Pinnacle Mountain rises above the surrounding Ouachita Mountain foothills and is one of the most recognizable natural landmarks near the state capital.

Van Buren is a historic river city in western Arkansas, situated along the Arkansas River near the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Its location has long connected the community with river travel, railroads, and routes through the Arkansas River Valley. Downtown Van Buren is particularly distinctive, with six blocks of restored buildings forming the Main Street National Historic District.