11 Amazing Natural Wonders Hiding In Plain Sight In Arkansas — No Hiking Required
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J.B. VanDyke
Author
So maybe you want to experience some of the Natural State’s natural wonders, but you’re not all about that hiking business. If that’s your situation, you are certainly in the right place. Here you’re going to find eleven of Arkansas’s most impressive natural wonders, and none of them require sweat or sore feet.
Seeing the Arkansas Grand Canyon is as easy as driving up Highway 7 to the tiny town of Jasper. That’s right, you can see this stunning natural feature of the Ozarks from the comfort of your car.
Natural Dam spans the entirety of the creek on which it is located, and it’s awesome. One of the most awesome things about it is that you can park right next to the dam and get out of your car to wade or explore. After periods of rain, the entire dam becomes a waterfall. You can find it on Highway 59 between the towns of Van Buren and Cedarville.
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Lake Ouachita is one of the clearest lakes in North America and it’s incredibly accessible. You need to drive to 5451 Mountain Pine Road in Mountain Pine, get out of your car, and walk around. If you’re into boating you should totally take a trip out to one of the hundred islands in the lake.
Mount Magazine State Park contains a number of overlooks that you can simply drive to. The lodge is located near the top of the mountain and even the view from the parking lot is exquisite (as pictured above). Mount Magazine is located at 577 Lodge Drive in Paris.
Pinnacle Mountain is a truly remarkable mountain that looks even better from a distance. You can see it at 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road in the central Arkansas town of Roland, right near Little Rock.
Lake Chicot is the largest oxbow lake in North America and the largest natural lake in Arkansas. It’s well worth a journey to the Delta town of Lake Village to see this amazing wonder of the world.
Bayou Bartholomew is the longest bayou in the entire world, and most of it lies within the Natural State. You can totally see the bayou from your car, beginning near Pine Bluff and meandering down the Louisiana border.
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Drive right up to this overlook on scenic Highway 71 for an inspiring view of the Boston Mountains you won’t soon forget. Artist Point is just north of Mountainburg.
Mirror Lake is on Blanchard Spring, and it’s one of the most scenic spots in the Natural State. The CCC built dam creates a two-tiered waterfall you really have to see to believe. You’ll find Mirror Lake near Mountain View in the tiny community of Fifty-Six.
If you want to camp near an intense waterfall that’s super easy to get to, you need to go to Haw Creek Recreation Area near Hagarville. It’s easy to find that waterfall and it requires minimal effort on your part. You get a bonus at Haw Creek Falls: Pam’s Grotto and Pack Rat Falls are all easy hikes from the campground.
The Mighty Mississippi may not have given us its name, but it was incredibly important to Arkansas’s early days and it remains a gorgeous spot from which you can see an incredible sunset. Perhaps the best place to see it is from the banks near the bridge to Memphis.
For easily accessible waterfalls, click here. To find more places you’ll want to add to your Natural State bucket list, try this one.
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