6 Easygoing Small Towns in Arkansas
Big city breaks are fun, but there are times when you need to reset, recharge and get away from it all. Arkansas’ easygoing small towns are made for fuss-free vacations where stress is a distant memory and the hardest decision you’ll make is whether to go to the beach or hit the trails. These laidback communities all have their own unique charm, history and heritage that they’re happy to share with visitors. See Arkansas’ smallest town, swim in one of the cleanest lakes in the country, grab a snack at the state’s oldest bakery, spend a lazy day river rafting or catch a show in a vintage theater. Arkansas’ small towns may be easygoing, but they’re also a lot of fun.
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs is a vibrant small town in the heart of the Ozarks. Artsy, historic and very easygoing, this alpine community has lots to keep visitors busy. Take a trip to the Museum of Eureka Springs Art to browse over a century of local art, featuring 150 artists and over 400 pieces.
Eureka Springs is particularly known for its folk art and music. The town is the home of America’s longest-running folk festival, the Ozark Folk Festival, which takes place in September and has been showcasing folk music, arts, and crafts for almost 80 years. Don’t worry if you miss it; you can still pick up a piece of original folk art at Wilson and Wilson, a gift shop and gallery featuring the work of mother-and-daughter artists Blakeley and Sylvia.
Just five miles north of town, Lake Leatherwood City Park is a great spot for a relaxing picnic or a scenic wander. The 1,600-acre preserve includes an 85-acre lake and more than 25 miles of hiking and biking trails.
Magnolia
The centerpiece of Magnolia, in southwestern Arkansas, is its quaint Columbia County Courthouse, built in 1905 in the Renaissance Revival style. Founded in 1853, this historic community of Magnolia has grown from an agricultural center to a lively but laidback college town that’s home to Southern Arkansas University.
After seeing the scenic downtown, drop into the Magnolia Bake Shop to pick up some treats and see local history in action. Opened in 1928, this is the oldest bakery in Arkansas and still serves a delicious selection of cookies, cakes and cupcakes. Pack a picnic and head out to Lake Columbia, a short drive west of town. This beautiful reservoir has a 30-acre park with a swimming area, campsites, fishing, and boat ramps.
Jasper
The hidden-away mountain town of Jasper is where you go when you want to get away from it all. There are no schedules, agendas or to-do lists here, just breathtaking natural beauty and small town charm.
Start your visit with a trip to the Bradley House Museum, a specialty museum housed in the historic Bradley House and Chaney Log Cabin. The house was the home of the town doctor, Dr Bradley, and serves as a detailed replica of a turn-of-the-century home with a kitchen, doctor's office, schoolroom, and bedroom from the early 1900s. The Chaney Log Cabin is a two-story double pen log cabin built in the 1860s that gives a fascinating glimpse into pioneer life.
Get outdoors into the stunning Ozark landscapes at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, a sprawling property which includes hiking and biking trails, a restaurant, lodging, climbing and bouldering routes, and Arkansas’ longest zipline.
Jasper is also considered the gateway to the National Buffalo River, designated in 1972. Get to know the river with Buffalo River Canoes, an authorized canoe concessioner of the National Park Service. With over 30 years of experience outfitting visitors, the company rents canoes, kayaks, and rafts and also offers family-friendly day trips.
Batesville
Founded in 1812, Batesville is Arkansas’ second-oldest city, and one of its most easygoing. The historic river town has several downtown buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Garrott House, which was built in the early 1840s and is the oldest home in town. Nearby is the Melba Theater, which opened as an opera house in 1875 and was renovated in 2000. Today, it’s a vintage small town theater with a single screen that shows new releases and old classics.
One of Batesville’s most unusual attractions is the Mark Martin Museum, housed in the Mark Martin Fort, which celebrates the life and career of NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, a Batesville native. See his cars, uniforms, trophies, and other racing memorabilia at the specialty museum, which is free and has a gift shop.
If you’re looking for a place to cool off on a hot summer day or a tranquil place to take a break from exploring downtown, head to Polk Bayou, also called the Poke Bayou. The area offers access points for visitors to kayak, paddle, or fish the bayou, which feeds into the scenic White River.
Gilbert
If you’re looking to go off the beaten track in Arkansas, head to Gilbert, the state’s tiniest town. There are just 33 residents living in this tucked-away hamlet on the Buffalo River that’s surrounded by unspoilt wilderness.
One of Gilbert’s oldest buildings is its charming mercantile, the Gilbert General Store, which was built in 1901 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s still in operation today, selling camping supplies, groceries and souvenirs. The store is also where you’ll find Buffalo Camping and Canoeing, a local outfitter that rents canoes, kayaks and rafts to visitors wanting to explore the beautiful Buffalo River.
Gilbert has a trailhead in town for the Old MN&A Railroad Trail, a 6.2-mile hiking path that follows the former Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad bed, meandering through the lush, wooded landscape of the Ozarks.
Heber Springs
A welcoming small town nestled between Sugarloaf Mountain and Greers Ferry Lake, Heber Springs is the perfect place to unwind and take it easy. Head for Sandy Beach, located west of downtown, to relax and soak up the sun along the shores of one of America’s most pristine lakes. The beach has a swimming area, a volleyball court, disc golf, and a pavilion.
Back in town, stop by one of Heber Springs’ quirkiest attractions, the Ruland Junction Train Museum. Designed to resemble an old country rail depot, the two-storey museum features a collection spanning over a hundred years of toy train memorabilia that will delight kids and the young at heart.
Explore more of the outdoors and enjoy incredible views from the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain with the 0.66-mile Summit Trail, which climbs up from the parking lot on Rivercrest Drive. If you’re looking for less of a challenge but still want the stunning vistas, try the 0.6-mile Bridal Veil Falls Trail from the Bridal Veil Falls parking lot, which leads to a scenic overlook at the top of the cascading falls.
Easygoing Arkansas
From the sweeping Ozark Mountains to the vast Mississippi Delta, Arkansas is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United States. That close connection with nature, combined with the state’s relatively low population density, gives it a down-to-earth feel and friendly character. This is a state that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Spend some time in these welcoming rustic communities and you might find yourself taking a little of Arkansas’ easygoing magic home with you.
