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United States
ARKANSAS NATURAL STATE: HOT SPRINGS TO OZARK HIGHLANDS
Hot springs healing in historic bathhouses, volcanic pipes yielding diamonds, Ozark hollows hiding Victorian villages. Arkansas surprises.
≈ 15
Days
1585
Km
13
Stops
Immerse yourself in Hot Springs and its historic baths, then try your luck at Crater of Diamonds, where you search for real diamonds in a volcanic pipe. Climb Magazine Mountain, wander through Eureka Springs, and explore an Arkansas of mountains, springs and small natural wonders.
- Hot Springs: thermal baths, healing waters
- Crater of Diamonds: dig your own gems
- Eureka Springs: victorian ozark, healing arts
- Buffalo River: america's first national river
Your day-by-day itinerary
1
Day
5 photos
Discover
1
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site - Where Nine Teenagers Changed America Forever: Stand before the very doors where, in 1957, nine brave African-American students challenged segregation and altered the course of American history. Federal troops lined these steps as the world watched democracy tested. The preserved halls and powerful visitor center exhibits tell one of the Civil Rights Movement's most pivotal stories.
2
Clinton Presidential Library & Museum - Inside the Glass Bridge of American Politics: This striking cantilevered structure jutting over the Arkansas River houses a full-scale Oval Office replica and the largest archival collection of any U.S. presidency. Explore the defining moments of the 1990s through immersive exhibits spanning two terms that shaped modern America.
3
The Old Mill at T.R. Pugh Memorial Park - Hollywood's Secret Arkansas Star: This enchanting 1933 watermill gained immortality in the opening scene of 'Gone with the Wind.' Hidden among its rustic stones and cascading waters, observe the wildlife and fairy-tale landscapes that continue to draw photographers and filmmakers to this magical corner of Little Rock.
Activities
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Big Dam Bridge - Pedal Across America's Longest Purpose-Built Pedestrian Bridge: Spanning 4,226 feet across the Arkansas River, this engineering marvel connects 14 miles of scenic trails with sweeping views of the Little Rock skyline and surrounding mountains. Walk or cycle as the river flows beneath your feet.
Next stop
Distance:
40 km
Travel time:
35min
2
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Pinnacle Mountain State Park - The Pyramid Rising from the Valley: This striking 1,011-foot cone-shaped summit dominates the horizon west of Little Rock, offering two distinct trails to its rocky apex. The West Summit Trail challenges hikers with boulder-scrambling adventure, while the East Summit provides a gentler ascent through 2,000 acres of pristine Arkansas wilderness.
Activities
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Sunset Summit Experience - Watch the River Valley Ignite in Golden Light: Time your ascent to reach the exposed rock summit as daylight fades, witnessing the Arkansas River Valley transform into a canvas of amber and crimson stretching to distant mountain ridges.
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Arboretum & Nature Trails - 70 Acres of Botanical Discovery: Wander through diverse ecosystems from wetlands to hardwood forests, where interpretive trails reveal the flora that earned Arkansas its 'Natural State' designation.
Next stop
Distance:
130 km
Travel time:
1h35
3
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Hot Springs National Park - America's Original Spa Since 1832: The nation's oldest protected natural area surrounds 47 thermal springs pushing 143°F waters through ancient Ouachita rock. Bathhouse Row's eight stunning structures span Spanish Colonial to Art Deco styles, with the Fordyce Bathhouse now serving as the park's opulent visitor center showcasing gilded age bathing culture.
2
Hot Springs Mountain Tower - 360° Views from 1,256 Feet Above Sea Level: This 216-foot observation tower crowns the thermal mountain, offering panoramic vistas across the Ouachita Mountain range. On exceptional days, visibility reaches 140 miles to the Ozark Plateau.
3
Bathhouse Row - The Most Elegant Mile in Arkansas: Eight magnificent bathhouses line Central Avenue, each an architectural masterpiece from the thermal bathing industry's golden era. Two remain operational, offering traditional soaking experiences in waters that have drawn wellness seekers since prehistoric times.
Activities
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Traditional Thermal Bathing - Soak in Earth's Ancient Heat: Experience the therapeutic tradition that attracted Al Capone, Babe Ruth, and presidents to these naturally heated mineral waters, flowing continuously for over 4,000 years from deep within the Ouachita Mountains.
Next stop
Distance:
25 km
Travel time:
30min
4
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Lake Ouachita - Arkansas's Crystal-Clear Inland Sea: Spanning 40,000 acres with over 970 miles of pristine shoreline, this reservoir consistently ranks among America's cleanest lakes. Created by Blakely Mountain Dam, its impossibly clear waters reveal depths up to 40 feet, nestled among the forested Ouachita Mountains.
2
Garvan Woodland Gardens - 210 Acres of Botanical Paradise: Rising from a peninsula on Lake Hamilton, this University of Arkansas botanical garden transforms Ouachita forest into themed displays featuring the stunning Anthony Chapel, Asian garden, and America's largest bridge of its kind-all reflected in tranquil waters.
Activities
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Lake Ouachita Water Sports - Dive into Pure Mountain Water: The exceptional clarity supports world-class scuba diving revealing underwater rock formations, while kayakers, sailors, and anglers explore endless secluded coves surrounded by national forest.
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Three Sisters Springs - Secret Turquoise Pools: Accessible only by boat, these natural springs create otherworldly blue pools where cold groundwater meets the lake, drawing snorkelers to their ethereal depths.
Next stop
Distance:
90 km
Travel time:
1h15
5
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Crater of Diamonds State Park - The Only Diamond Mine on Earth Where You Keep What You Find: Dig through 95-million-year-old volcanic soil where diamonds still surface after every rain. Over 35,000 diamonds have been unearthed here since 1906, including the 'Strawn-Wagner Diamond'-one of only three stones in existence graded perfect. Beyond diamonds, hunters discover amethysts, garnets, jasper, and over 40 other minerals.
Activities
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Diamond Prospecting - Your Chance at Forever: Rent equipment and learn techniques from park staff, then spend hours sifting through the plowed 37.5-acre search field. Diamonds appear as small, greasy-looking pebbles-and every visitor has the same chance at discovery.
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Diamond Discovery Center - From Rough Stone to Brilliant Gem: Exhibits explain the volcanic geology that deposited these treasures, display record-breaking finds, and offer identification services for your discoveries.
Next stop
Distance:
280 km
Travel time:
3h20
6
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Petit Jean State Park - Arkansas's First and Most Beloved State Park: Perched atop a flat-topped mountain bearing the name of a legendary French explorer's disguised lover, this park offers 95-foot Cedar Falls plunging into a misty canyon, ancient Native American rock shelters, and Seven Hollows Trail winding through otherworldly geological formations.
2
Cedar Falls - The Crown Jewel Cascade: Descend into Cedar Creek Canyon to witness water plummeting nearly 100 feet into an emerald pool surrounded by towering bluffs. The 2-mile round-trip hike rewards adventurers with one of Arkansas's most photographed natural wonders.
3
Rock House Cave & Native American Bluff Shelters - Windows into Ancient Arkansas: Explore shallow caves where indigenous peoples sought shelter thousands of years ago, their presence still visible in mysterious petroglyphs etched into stone walls.
Activities
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Seven Hollows Trail - Journey Through a Wonderland of Stone: This 4.4-mile loop traverses seven distinct geological formations, from slot canyons to natural bridges, through a primeval landscape that feels untouched by time.
Next stop
Distance:
95 km
Travel time:
1h15
7
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Mount Nebo State Park - The Flat-Topped Giant with Endless Views: Rising 1,350 feet above the Arkansas River Valley, this isolated mesa offers rim trails skirting dramatic cliff edges with unobstructed panoramas across the valley to distant mountain ranges. Originally developed as a resort escape in the 1880s, the mountaintop retains its peaceful, time-forgotten atmosphere.
2
Sunrise Point & Sunset Point - Bookend Your Day with Spectacle: Strategic overlooks on opposite sides of the mesa capture the valley's transformation from dawn's first light to twilight's final glow, as mist rises from the river far below.
Activities
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Bench Road Trail - Walk the Historic Rim: This 3.5-mile path circles the mountain's edge, originally carved as a carriage road for Victorian-era visitors, now offering continuous cliff-edge views and access to rustic CCC-built structures.
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Gum Springs Trail to Valley Floor - Descend into the Wild: For the adventurous, this challenging 1.5-mile trail drops 1,000 feet through dense forest to spring-fed pools at the mountain's base.
Next stop
Distance:
145 km
Travel time:
1h50
8
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Mount Magazine State Park - Standing Atop Arkansas's Rooftop: At 2,753 feet, Arkansas's highest peak commands views spanning 50 miles across the Petit Jean River Valley to distant blue ridges. The dual summits-Signal Hill and Mossback Ridge-frame a highland plateau of rare flora, hang-gliding launches, and endless sky.
2
Cameron Bluff Overlook - The Grandest View in the Natural State: Gaze across a sea of forested ridges from this heart-stopping precipice where the mountain drops away into void. On clear days, visibility extends to the Boston Mountains of the Ozarks.
Activities
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Hang Gliding Capital of the Mid-South - Soar with Eagles: Consistent thermals rising from the valley floor make Mount Magazine legendary among pilots. Tandem flights offer beginners the chance to experience human flight above spectacular terrain.
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Rim Trail System - 15 Miles of Cliff-Edge Adventure: Multiple interconnected paths trace the mountain's dramatic edges, ranging from easy strolls to rugged backcountry routes through boulder fields and rare endemic plant communities.
Next stop
Distance:
85 km
Travel time:
1h10
9
Day
3 photos
Discover
1
Fort Smith National Historic Site - Where the Wild West Met Justice: Walk the grounds where 'Hanging Judge' Isaac Parker presided over the lawless frontier, sentencing 160 outlaws to the gallows including notorious figures like Cherokee Bill. The reconstructed courtroom, jail cells, and gallows bring the brutal justice of the 1870s-1890s to vivid life.
2
Trail of Tears Overlook at Belle Point - Sacred Ground of Sorrow: Stand at the confluence of the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers where thousands of Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw, and Seminole people passed during their forced removal from ancestral homelands. Interpretive exhibits honor this dark chapter with dignity and remembrance.
3
Historic Garrison Avenue - The Longest Main Street in America: Stroll this 5-mile boulevard where Victorian-era architecture houses independent boutiques, galleries, and eateries in buildings that once served soldiers, settlers, and frontier justice.
Activities
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U.S. Marshals Museum - Legends of Law Enforcement: This striking museum overlooking the Arkansas River chronicles 225 years of the nation's oldest federal law enforcement agency through interactive exhibits and artifacts from famous cases.
Next stop
Distance:
95 km
Travel time:
1h20
10
Day
2 photos
Discover
1
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art - World-Class Art Nestled in Ozark Forest: This Moshe Safdie-designed masterpiece integrates galleries with natural ravines, streams, and 120 acres of sculpture-studded trails. The collection spans five centuries of American artistry from Colonial portraits to contemporary installations, all with free admission.
2
The Walmart Museum - From Five-and-Dime to Global Giant: Sam Walton's original 1950 store on the Bentonville square now chronicles the rise of the world's largest retailer. The preserved storefront and interactive exhibits reveal the small-town origins of a company that changed retail forever.
3
Amazeum - Scott Family Amazeum Interactive Science Center: This 50,000-square-foot facility transforms learning into adventure through hands-on exhibits exploring innovation, nature, and creativity in the heart of America's fastest-growing metro region.
Activities
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Art Trail Network - 50 Miles of Culture-Meets-Nature: An expanding network of paved trails connects Crystal Bridges to downtown Bentonville and surrounding communities, lined with commissioned sculptures and passing through restored native landscapes.
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Bentonville Square - Small-Town America Reimagined: The historic courthouse square where Walmart began now buzzes with James Beard-nominated restaurants, boutique hotels, and specialty shops occupying beautifully restored 19th-century buildings.
Next stop
Distance:
220 km
Travel time:
2h45
11
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Eureka Springs Historic Downtown - America's Victorian Village Frozen in Time: Winding through steep Ozark hillsides, this entire downtown district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. No two streets run parallel as Victorian limestone buildings cascade down ravines, connected by stone stairways and hidden gardens. The town has never had a traffic light.
2
Thorncrown Chapel - A Glass Cathedral in the Forest: Rising 48 feet through oak and pine woodland, this architectural masterpiece uses 425 windows and over 6,000 square feet of glass to dissolve the boundary between sanctuary and nature. Named the fourth finest building of the 20th century by the American Institute of Architects.
3
Basin Spring Park - The Healing Waters That Built a Town: Native Americans prized these springs for centuries before Victorian health-seekers arrived in 1879, creating a boomtown virtually overnight. The restored basin now anchors a charming plaza surrounded by galleries and street musicians.
Activities
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Historic Loop Trolley - Narrated Journey Through Living History: Vintage trolleys navigate the town's impossible terrain while guides share tales of the eccentric characters, paranormal legends, and architectural treasures hidden in every hollow.
Next stop
Distance:
55 km
Travel time:
50min
12
Day
3 photos
Discover
1
Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag) - Arkansas's Most Photographed Natural Wonder: This dramatic rock outcropping extends over a 100-foot drop into the Ozark wilderness, featured in Disney films and gracing countless magazine covers. The 3-mile round-trip hike rewards with vertigo-inducing views across miles of unbroken forest stretching to the horizon.
2
Roark Bluff - Where Twin Waterfalls Plunge into Paradise: Two spectacular cascades-Roark Bluff Falls and V-Notch Falls-thunder over 100-foot limestone cliffs into the Buffalo River below. Access by canoe or kayak transforms the journey into adventure.
3
Buffalo National River - America's First National River: Flowing 150 miles through the Ozarks, this pristine waterway remains wild and free, protected since 1972. Towering 500-foot bluffs, hidden caves, and abundant wildlife make every bend a discovery.
Activities
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Buffalo River Float Trip - Paddle Through Living Geology: Multi-day canoe and kayak journeys pass beneath massive bluffs, through swimming holes, and past riverside campsites where elk now roam the restored bottomlands.
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Lost Valley & Eden Falls Cave - Underground Waterfall Wonder: A short trail leads to a natural rock shelter harboring a waterfall that disappears into a cave system. The adventurous can scramble inside to witness Eden Falls plunging into complete darkness.
Next stop
Distance:
85 km
Travel time:
1h10
13
Day
4 photos
Discover
1
Mammoth Spring State Park - Where 9 Million Gallons Surge Hourly from the Earth: One of America's largest springs creates an instant river from a 10-acre basin of impossibly blue water. The Mammoth Spring discharges enough crystal-clear flow every day to supply a city of 300,000 people, maintaining a constant 58°F year-round.
2
Historic Frisco Depot - Gateway to the Ozarks: This restored 1886 railway station recalls the era when Mammoth Spring served as a resort destination for Victorian travelers seeking the spring's legendary waters. The depot now houses exhibits on regional history and railroad heritage.
Activities
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Spring Lake Dam & Spillway - Watch a River Being Born: The spring's outflow creates Spring River, famous for trout fishing. Walk the dam and watch millions of gallons cascade over the spillway every hour, feeding one of the Ozarks' finest cold-water fisheries.
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Spring River Water Trail - Float the Ozarks' Clearest Stream: Beginning at the spring's outlet, this designated water trail offers gentle paddling through pristine Ozark scenery, past towering bluffs and through swimming holes.
Next stop
Distance:
240 km
Travel time:
3h
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❓ Frequently asked questions
What weather should you expect?
Spring (April-May): Perfect weather across most regions (15-25°C) with blooming landscapes, moderate crowds, and excellent conditions for national parks and cities. Ideal for diverse activities nationwide.
Autumn (September-October): Excellent temperatures with spectacular fall foliage, harvest festivals, and comfortable weather. Perfect for outdoor activities, cultural events, fewer crowds than summer.
Summer (June-August): Peak season with warmest weather but highest crowds and prices. Excellent for northern regions, challenging in southwestern deserts, perfect for beaches and national parks.
Winter (December-February): Variable conditions from tropical Florida to snowy Colorado. Perfect for skiing, southern destinations, indoor attractions, lowest prices outside holiday periods.
How many days should I plan?
We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 12 and 18 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.
What to discover in United States?
Continental diversity with iconic landmarks, cultural melting pot, and endless possibilities. Experience natural wonders, vibrant cities, and authentic American dreams from coast to coast. The country offers incredible diversity with modern amenities and cultural richness. United States provides life-changing experiences with natural beauty and cultural authenticity.