10 Incredible Journeys You Can Only Take In Arkansas

We’ve talked before about adventures you can only have in Arkansas, and today we’re talking about incredible journeys. From a truly epic hiking trail to an underground exploration unlike any other, here are 10 incredible journeys you really can’t take anywhere else in the world. If you've ever asked yourself, "what are some incredible day trips near me in Arkansas?" then this is the list for you!

1. Hike the Ozark Highlands Trail.

You’re going to need to be extra prepared for this journey. The epic Ozark Highlands Trail winds 240 miles through the scenic Ozarks, one of the most remote and impressive mountain ranges in the United States. You can get on the trail at locations like Lake Fort Smith State Park or White Rock Mountain and go as long as you can, as the segments of the trail have lots of places where you can end your adventure.

The Ozark Highlands Trail is pretty much too epic to tell you all about in one paragraph, so you should probably

read this article.

2. Drive the Pig Trail.

Highway 23, also known as the Pig Trail, will have you riding through the mountains on one of the best scenic drives anywhere. People flock from all over to drive the Pig Trail, especially bikers, because the road shows you the forest like you’ve never seen it before.

3. Explore a whole new world at War Eagle Cavern.

If you've ever wondered, "what are some day trips near me in Arkansas?" the answer might just be to head underground. War Eagle Cavern holds family adventures aboveground, but it’s what’s hiding beneath the earth that makes this attraction unlike any other. There are two options for tours you can take at War Eagle Cavern. You can either do the traditional tour or do the wilder version, called the Spelunker Tour. You’ll need 48-hours notice for that second option, but it’s well worth it if you’re looking to explore a wild cave.

4. Eat your heart out on Arkansas’s Cheese Dip Trail.

Arkansas is credited with the invention of cheese dip. I know I’ve said it before, but you’re welcome, America. It’s no surprise that the birthplace of that cheesy delight would have a trail devoted entirely to the consumption of cheese dip, and the ten stops on this version of that trail will have you in cheesy heaven.

You can see the spots on the cheese dip trail

at this link.

5. Float the Ouachita River.

The lower Ouachita isn’t a thrilling whitewater adventure so much as a laidback, somewhat lazy river that will show you the delights of the Ouachitas without an overwhelming amount of effort on your part. If you’re looking for a relaxing float trip that won’t have you gripping your oars too tightly, you can’t do much better than a float on the Ouachita River.

You can learn more about where to float the Ouachita for the laziest results by

clicking this link.

6. Explore Scenic Seven.

Arkansas State Highway 7 isn’t called Scenic Seven for nothing. Along the route you’ll find some of the prettiest parts of the Ouachitas and the Ozarks, including the incomparable Arkansas Grand Canyon, which is shown in the picture above.

7. Walk the river in Little Rock.

Little Rock’s Big Dam Bridge is the longest bridge in the world that was built specifically for pedestrian traffic. The bridge connects Little Rock and North Little Rock, and will show you views of the Arkansas River that are sure to impress.

8. Take a mountain road trip.

I’ll take some pride in building this particular road trip. The eight hour drive will take you through Arkansas’s two mountain ranges—it’s a tour of the rugged Ozarks and the sloping Ouachitas. You’re sure to be impressed by those mountain vistas and the incredible overlooks you can just pull over to admire.

You can find the itinerary

in this article.

9. Feast your eyes on an epic natural wonders road trip.

If you’re at all interested in nature, which is a good hobby to have in the Natural State, you’re going to love this natural wonders road trip. From waterfalls to scenic overlooks to geological formations that will knock your socks off, this road trip is the very definition of an incredible journey.

You can find your itinerary

here.

10. Travel through prehistory at the Toltec Mounds.

The Plum Bayou culture built extraordinary mounds way back between 650 and 1050 A.D. Today, those mounds still stand as immense and intriguing objects of curiosity and awe for the people who visit Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park.

We hope we've helped provide an answer to the question, "what are some day trips near me in Arkansas?" For more inspiration, you can find a bunch of fabulous road trips in this article. You may also want to try this dreamy fall foliage road trip.