The Most Affordable Arkansas Road Trip Takes You To 5 Stunning Sites For Under $100

We all love a great Arkansas road trip, right? And we love to take them without spending tons of money. Between the cost of gas, food, and attractions, those expenses can certainly add up. So, it’s great when we can hit the road and not worry about spending too much money. We can all agree that some of the best things in life are free. Luckily, Arkansas is filled with lots of free attractions. Let’s gas up the car and drive to these five stunning sites that will cost less than $100. This affordable road trip will be tons of fun for the family. Pack some sandwiches and some snacks and let's go!

On this trip you’ll start in the Arkansas Delta and end in the Arkansas River Valley. You’ll cover approximately 215 miles in just under four hours.

Use this interactive map to make changes to your trip.

1. AGFC Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center - Jonesboro

Let’s begin this trip in Jonesboro with a visit to the Crowley's Ridge Nature Center. You can easily spend a day in this center exploring the different interactive exhibits and seeing the various animals. Additionally, there are hiking trails, a serene pond, as well as flower gardens that you can explore. Best of all, the nature center is FREE, so no money spent here.

2. Jacksonport State Park - Newport

The next stop is Jacksonport State Park in Newport Arkansas. This 165-acre park has tons of activities for the family. But what makes this park incredible is that there’s a 1.6-mile hiking trail that meanders alongside the banks of the serene White River. If you’re not up for hiking, you can enjoy swimming, picnicking, or explore the two museums inside the park. And guess what? These attractions are free of charge as well.

3. Holland Bottom Farm LLC - Cabot

Since we have not yet spent a dime, how about we stop at Holland Bottom Farm LLC for a sweet treat. The kids will love the strawberry shortcake sundaes. Additionally, it’s a great place to purchase some homemade jams or fresh fruits and veggies to take on this trip. You’ll spend a few bucks for each of the sundaes, but they are so worth it.

On the next leg of your trip, you’ll be driving through Little Rock. Though this is not an official stop on the journey, the Riverfront Park area has tons of free attractions to explore.

There are gardens, artwork, playgrounds, and more. Be sure to stop in to see all the fun stuff in the capital.

4. Arkansas Railroad Museum - Pine Bluff

After you’ve spent some time in the city, let’s head over to Pine Bluff to see the Arkansas Railroad Museum. This train museum is located at 1700 Port Road, and the admission is totally free. However, you can opt to make a donation, but it’s not mandatory. The family will love seeing the old trains including the 819 model that was built in the 1940s. There’s so much to see and do at this museum, and be sure to have your camera to capture some incredible pictures.

5. Cane Creek State Park - Star City

Of course, while on a road trip in Arkansas, we must enjoy some sweet time on the water. And if you don’t have a kayak or a boat, no worries, you can rent them at the visitor center at Cane Creek State Park. As of writing, the cost for a solo kayak was $10, $15 for a tandem model, and the boat is only $12. These rates are for half-day rentals. While at this park, you can also explore the hiking trails that lead to incredible bridges as well as drift on the longest bayou in the world. And the best part is you can camp at this park. There are class-B sites available for $23 per night, but be sure to verify rates before you go.

The great news is, if you're traveling with a family of 4, this affordable road trip will cost under $100. So, are you ready to hit the road for this family-friendly road trip? Grab the family and let’s go.

And if you’re looking for more fun-filled outings, you must spend the day at this amazing nature center.