Tourism in Northwest Arkansas (and Arkansas in general) has exploded in the last couple of years, and it’s no surprise considering all the beautiful nature there is to see here! It’s good to know the best parts about Northwest Arkansas’ outdoor tourism before coming here to prepare you for what it has to offer.
In Northwest Arkansas, there is a dedicated outdoor tourism person hired by the government to drive more revenue to the state. Also, there are plenty of activities like rock climbing and kayaking in Northwest Arkansas. The mountains around the state are also worth seeing.
Want to learn more about outdoor tourism in Northwest Arkansas? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know!
Video:
Proving That Northwest Arkansas Cares About Outdoor Tourism
There Is a Hired Outdoor Tourism Person
Only a few states in the US have a position in the actual government dedicated to someone who focuses on outdoor tourism. Thankfully, Arkansas is one of those states, as they hired the first person for the job last year.
The main point of the position is to bring more revenue into Arkansas, which is a good idea considering how difficult it is to encourage people to travel to certain places.
The outdoor tourism person helps convey how advantageous it is to visit Arkansas in general, making people more likely to come here and invest in this great state (or simply visit to enjoy Northwest Arkansas’ nature and outdoor activities).
To put it simply, the outdoor tourism person can be classed as a spokesperson for the state’s outdoor tourism.
The Buffalo National River Remains a Popular Attraction
One exciting thing about Northwest Arkansas is that the Buffalo National River is only an hour and a half away.
The Buffalo National River was the first national river in all of America. Recently, there was a movie premier in Fayetteville where people were interviewed at the river and asked why it’s such a fantastic feature in Northwest Arkansas.
People in the movie stated that they liked the river for different activities, including:
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Biking
The Buffalo National River is an excellent attraction for people in Northwest Arkansas because it’s so close and a great place to meet up with friends and enjoy the outdoors.
There Is a General Dedication to the Outdoors
It is hard to imagine doing something other than biking when considering the number of biking trails across Northwest Arkansas. However, Northwest Arkansas has a lot more than just biking.
It has:
- Rock climbing
- Fishing
- Glamping
- Camping
With so many people choosing biking as their primary activity, people in Northwest Arkansas have started to consider other options, especially rock climbing.
The buffalo has a lot of rock climbing adventures, making it an excellent place for anyone looking for a rock climbing adventure near Northwest Arkansas.
There are plenty of indoor and outdoor rock climbing facilities, but specific places are being bought out that will introduce rock climbing into Northwest Arkansas. This will likely make rock climbing in Northwest Arkansas even more popular in the coming years!
It’s good to know that there are different options available if you aren’t interested in biking or hiking–there will always be other activities out there for you when you come to Northwest Arkansas.
Plus, the new outdoor tourism person will continue to push such activities and draw attention to the fantastic things Northwest Arkansas offers.
NW Arkansas is dedicated to keeping wildlife and nature clean and protected while spreading tourism. Read more about their program, the Arkansas land trust to save nature, in my other blog post.
The Mountains
It’s not all about outdoor activities in Northwest Arkansas. It’s also about the fantastic outdoor places you can visit, including:
- Devil’s Den
- Trail systems in Bentonville
- Lake Wedington
- Kayak park out in Salem Springs
Also, I have a 3-day itinerary that can help you decide what activities to do if you’re overwhelmed by everything Northwest Arkansas has to offer.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a foodie, a sports person, a sightseer, or want to spend quality time with your kids; I have something for you. Check out the link below to learn more:
https://www.allthingsnwa.com/3-day-itinerary-northwest-arkansas
The Ozark Mountain Range
On top of that, there are beautiful mountain ranges like the Ozark Mountain range. Inside the Ozark Mountain range, there are so many different trails and things to do, and there are even rivers that flow through.
Living in Northwest Arkansas is interesting because you can live near such a remarkable mountain range.
Even though they’re called mountains, they aren’t 14,000 feet (4,267 meters) like you would see in other parts of the country and the wider world. However, they’re still impressive, as they go 2,000 feet (610 meters) up and 2,000 feet (610 meters) down. When visiting the mountain range, you can weave through and see all the different cool things it has to offer.
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The Ouachitas
While the Ozark mountain range is one place worth visiting, the Ouachitas are also somewhere everyone should visit in Northwest Arkansas. These mountains are probably the closest thing to real mountains in Arkansas because you can see them hovering over you as you drive through.
That aspect is similar to Taos in New Mexico or places in Colorado.
The Ouachitas are probably some of the steepest ones, making you feel enclosed in a pine needle or something similar. It’s certainly an experience you don’t want to miss!
Many people end up down in the Ouachita Mountains and spend a lot of time closer to Little Rock, where there are lots of lakes, boating, and fishing opportunities. Little Rock is a little nestled area you can find down in the Ouachitas, where you can have your own small cabin, so to speak.
These mountain ranges encourage everyone to come to Northwest Arkansas and Arkansas in general to enjoy the outdoor tourism scene.
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There Really Is Something for Everyone in Northwest Arkansas
As you can probably tell after reading this guide, Northwest Arkansas is an excellent place because it offers activities suited to everyone. Whether you enjoy cycling around different trails, rock climbing, or exploring mountain ranges, Northwest Arkansas is sure to please you and leave you wanting more!
Additionally, the tourism season in Northwest Arkansas is usually longer than most because we can enjoy the winters and the summers. In many other states, activities must close down due to snow and other adverse weather conditions, meaning there’s not much to do at certain times of the year.
Conclusion
Northwest Arkansas is undoubtedly an excellent place for outdoor activities, including rock climbing and visiting mountain ranges. After reading this guide, you should better understand everything this place has to offer.
Don’t hesitate to visit Northwest Arkansas as soon as possible to have an unforgettable outdoor experience!