9 Most Peaceful Small Towns In The Ozarks
The Ozarks Region of the United States, with all its shimmering lakes and green, rolling landscapes, is a place you visit if you want to drift into bliss. A full weekend here can leave you refreshed and feeling like a baby. You could argue that the whole area is already sweet and calm; however, there are certain peaceful Neverlands where the tranquility goes right to the bones. Although it will take some convincing, it is always a fantastic idea to leave your gadgets behind, especially if you want to avoid the constant notifications. But which are the real oases? Starting from the aptly named Mountain View, discover below the 9 most peaceful small towns in the Ozarks.
Mountain View, Arkansas
The name itself denotes a small, peaceful Neverland with heart-warming mountain views and quiet neighborhoods with friendly folks. Mountain View is touted as the "Folk Music Capital of the World," and every year, the north-central Arkansas gem hosts the Arkansas Folk Festival, a decades-long tradition that features old-time ballads, fiddles, dulcimers, and banjos, unique for its fusion of West African and European elements. There's the Mountain View Bluegrass Festival as well, held twice annually at the Ozarks Folks Theatre, another stand-out attraction by itself. Hell Creek Natural Area has nice trails with caves and is just outside the downtown area. Also, the Syllamo Trail is a fantastic hike, especially with how it features awe-inspiring views of the White River. The woods and the forest here give the whole area an oasis-like ambience. Similarly, Devil's Knob-Devil's Backbone Natural Area is an excellent loop trail that takes about an hour to hike.
Eminence, Missouri
Eminence can look and feel lonely, but that is only because it is secluded in the heart of the Ozark Hills. There is no noise, no whirl of cars, no shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Instead, the environment can be painfully calm, and in certain seasons, especially in the autumn, it displays pure Ozarks magic. You may already know that the Ozark National Scenic Riverways was the nation's first scenic riverway. But that’s besides the point, especially when confronted with its photo-worthy credentials and the views it provides of the gushing waters and the dramatic vistas. To wrap your head around the beauty of Eminence, think of the fact that the crystal clear Jack’s Fork River flows through the heart of town and, along with the nearby Current River, draws hordes of floaters and campers from every nook of the region. For spending the night, Broken Arrow Campground is conveniently located right in town and on the Jacks Fork River. It can serve as your base for exploring some truly remarkable natural attractions, such as Alley Spring and Blue Hole.
Lakeview, Arkansas
Lakeview is another Ozarks gem, whose name connotes a peaceful haven with soft, soothing views and serenading breezes. The reality lies close to the idealised because Lakeview is nicknamed the “Paradise of the Ozarks.” Perched on the forested shores of Bull Shoals Lake, a glimmering beauty that spans over 45,000 acres, this is the ultimate outdoor playground. Arkansas's largest lake is an epic venue for various water sports, including fishing, boating, tubing, and hiking. There's the White River, which tumbles around the area and is traditionally known for providing decent trout-fishing opportunities. Also, Lakeview Campground is quiet and charming, meaning you can come here and drift into bliss, while Bull Shoals - White River State Park, a well-known trout-fishing spot with riverside campgrounds, has nice hiking and mountain-biking trails.
Witts Springs, Arkansas
Witts Springs is widely known as the gateway to the Richland Wilderness of the Ozark National Forest. The town is small but is in a beautiful area with fantastic outdoor recreational opportunities. Perched at nearly 2,000 feet in elevation, this Arkansas jewel is a launching point for hiking the nearby Ozark Highlands Trail, which offers over 250 miles of hiking and backpacking across some of the most rugged and scenic terrains in the South. Meanwhile, the nearby Richland Falls (about 10 miles out) are incredibly beautiful with crystal-clear waters and a great swimming hole at the bottom. Also, some great campsites above Richland Falls can make for a tranquil accommodation space. The Ozark National Forest, in the town's backyard, provides decent horseback-riding opportunities. For the best frog legs that you will ever have in a restaurant, pass by Hillbilly Slim's.
Searcy, Arkansas
Searcy is fairly big, and a city with about 24,000 will always have some pulse and vibrancy. However, it remains a peaceful location that instantly puts visitors in a relaxing mood. The town is home to Harding University, the largest private college in the state. Harding’s campus is like a sanctuary and features serene gardens, sparkling water fountains, and paved walkways. It is a tranquil place for a leisurely walk, although there are other heartwarming delights within the town’s precincts to explore. There is Berryhill Park, which has amenities to satisfy the young and old, including fantastic walking paths, the Little Red River, a well-known brown trout habitat, and the aptly named Pioneer Village, a cool place to experience day-to-day life during the town’s childhood years. Remember to snap a picture of the White County Courthouse, the oldest functioning courthouse in the state
Van Buren, Missouri
The tenure of the eighth president of the United States was not very peaceful, especially with the Trail of Tears going on, but the town named for him is in an incredibly tranquil place along the banks of the Current River. To add to the area’s rustic charm, Mark Twain National Forest is in the backyard. Named for Missouri’s most famous citizen (although others may disagree with this), this pine-speckled outdoor wonder holds the distinction of being the only national forest in Missouri. The water at the Big Spring - Ozark National Scenic Riverways is incredibly blue and clear, and the area is such a gorgeous place to go for a walk to unwind and declutter your head. However, one of America's biggest springs is hardly the only attraction here. There are peaceful trails, a dining lodge, picnic sites, and a campground. Also, it is no hyperbole to state that The Landing is one of the most beautiful floats you will ever experience in this corner of the world.
Marshall, Arkansas
Canoeing, camping, and stargazing often only happen in calm and peaceful spots, not loud and raucous Ne'er-do-wells with a hectic and frenetic pace. But those are not the only outdoor attractions that Marshall offers. There’s a bit of hunting, smallmouth bass fishing, and horseback riding (especially at the nearby Boston Mountain Horse Camp) alongside other indoor attractions like Kenda Drive-In, an iconic entertainment venue that doubles up as one of only three drive-ins left in Arkansas. The movie theatre has been a staple of the town since the 1960s, making it a beautiful piece of history by itself. South Mountain Scenic Overlook, a great place to stop and stretch your legs, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Few cameras can do such a place justice. More than that, the phenomenal Buffalo National River is in the town’s backyard, and features towering bluffs, dense forests, and the kind of calm that makes you slow down and take it all in. And that’s not even half the story.
Ponca, Arkansas
It is seldom a given that any small town will turn out to be a calm, peaceful spot as well. However, that’s a factor, and Ponca, home to less than 300 residents, is certainly among the most peaceful towns in the Ozarks. Also, its position on the Buffalo National River, the first National River to be designated as such in the United States, adds to its mesmerizing countryside allure. Even if it is not your first port of call, AGFC Ponca Nature Center is a cool place to learn about the local elk population and is loved for how it is incredibly educational and interactive. At the Buffalo Outdoor Center, you can rent a cabin and spend a peaceful night in the woods or set up camp in the on-site RV park. The alternative is to get a floater at Lost Valley Canoe Lodging and spend a blissful weekend rafting the Upper Buffalo River. Finally, with its interesting waterfalls and caves, it's almost criminal to miss the Lost Valley Trailhead, widely considered the most popular hike at Buffalo National River.
Winona, Missouri
Although it is one of the many quaint towns that dot the Ozarks Region, Winona, a Sioux term meaning "firstborn," stands out for its resemblance to a resort hidden among the foothills of the Ozarks. The dining scene is not anywhere near Paris or Tokyo, but small, local establishments like Amazing Grace try hard. It is a nice family-owned establishment, whose salads are obviously prepared by folks who enjoy cooking. You must visit Rocky Falls, bearing in mind that few places in the Ozarks provide a glimpse of the planet's turbulent past as well as this unique 40-foot cascade just over 10 minutes from town. The swoon-worthy Blue Springs Campground, near the Jacks Fork River, is not far from town. The river is reputed to be one of the most crystal-clear bodies of water in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. There’s also Falling Spring Mill, an interesting place with a lot of history in and around it.
So, if you feel you can't take the noise anymore, or you just need a short break to escape to an oasis with no crowds or bumper-to-bumper traffic, few places fit the bill well like the Ozarks Region of the United States, an expanse of old-school peacefulness that’s getting harder to find. From crystal-clear rivers to gushing springs and waterfalls to the austere grandeur of rolling hills and noble trees, the Ozarks still feels hypnotically attached. The best part is that any of the above-mentioned spots can serve as your base.
