The Fairytale Road Trip That'll Lead You To Some Of Arkansas' Most Magical Places
By Carol Ann Carson|Updated on July 12, 2023(Originally published July 07, 2023)
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
From cerulean waterfalls to delicate fairy gardens, this road trip will take you to some of the most magical places in Arkansas. Dedicate a couple of days to explore this storybook journey filled with enchanting scenes and a bit of whimsy. It doesn’t matter if you traverse the whole loop or choose-your-own-adventure, you’ll love it all!
Here's a look at the itinerary for this magical journey to some of the most fairy tale places in Arkansas:
No matter the time of day, Rogers' War Eagle Mill is an enchanting scene. The state's last working grist mill churns out flour and cornmeal in addition to providing a perfect setting for a fable. There are even rumors of a few ghosts wandering around the premises. Fill up on a hearty bowl of beans and cornbread at the Mill's Bean Palace before heading south to our next location.
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2. Devil's Den State Park - Winslow
Devil's Den State Park, 11333 West Arkansas Hwy. 74, Winslow, AR 72774, USA
At first glance, Devil's Den is simply a gorgeous state park filled with trails, waterfalls, and recreational opportunities. However, add a bit of imagination and you'll find that it’s filled with dragon caves, troll bridges, enchanted forests, and other fairy tale inspiration. Just stay long enough to hike behind a waterfall or make a full camping trip out of it!
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3. Garvan Woodland Gardens - Hot Springs
Garvan Woodland Gardens, 550 Arkridge Rd, Hot Springs, AR 71913, USA
The entirety of Garvan Woodland Gardens can be classified as a fairy tale dream, but for the sake of this article, we're focused on one of the stops in the botanical garden. The hand-carved fairy village has an extraordinary attention to detail that will delight any visitor. Come for the fairy village but stay for the rest of the magic blooming at Garvan Woodland Gardens.
Officially known as T.R. Pugh Memorial Park and Pugh's Mill, this place looks like it came straight from a fairy tale. The Old Mill is most famous for its appearance in the opening scenes of Gone With The Wind and still incites a feeling of romance. Although the mill has been well preserved, the mill's waterfall was recently returned to working order for an even more magical experience.
5. Mirror Lake - Fifty-Six
Blanchard Springs Caverns, 704 Blanchard Springs Road, Fifty-Six, AR 72533, USA
Next up on our list of fairy tale places in Arkansas is Mirror Lake. If any mystical creatures made their home in Arkansas, we'd like to think they're found here. In addition to the enchanting caverns below the surface, Blanchard Springs is also home to these colorful waters. The lake and its waterfall are incredibly photogenic.
6. Serenity Farm Bread - Leslie
Serenity Farm Bread, 805 US-65, Leslie, AR 72645, USA
We're nearly done with our fairy tale road trip, so let's take a quick snack break. Serenity Farm Bread looks (and smells) like it came straight out of a storybook. The aroma of baked breads will lure you in and the delectable pastries will have you munching for a while! Serenity Farm Bread has been making some of the best bread in Arkansas for over 30 years. Visit the Serenity Farm Bread website to learn more, and maybe even order a little extra to enjoy once you return from your trip.
The Lost Valley Trail will lead you to Eden - literally! Eden Falls is a dazzling waterfall in Ponca that may be one of the most beautiful falls in the entire state. Not only does Lost Valley feature this waterfall, it also has one underground as well!
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8. Eureka Springs Treehouses - Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs Treehouses, Caves, Castles & Hobbits, 3018 E Van Buren, Eureka Springs, AR 72632, USA
So we've hiked, camped, photographed, eaten, and fallen in love with so many different magical places around the state - it's time for a rest! The Eureka Springs Treehouses, Caves, Castles & Hobbits offers a collection of fairy tale lodgings fit for Arkansas royalty. Sleeping in a castle certainly ends your magical road trip in style.
If you were to do a search for “magical places near me,” one of these would most certainly pop up at the top of the list!
Have you completed this magical quest? If so, which stop was your favorite? Would you agree that they are among the most magical places in Arkansas? Share your experience in the comments below! And of course, if you have other magical places in Arkansas you would recommend, please share those in the comments as well. We would love to hear from you!
While this particular road trip has quite a few well-known attractions, any Arkansan knows magic can also be found in the simplest of places.
If you’re still in the mood for more Arkansas adventures, take a look at this video for a statewide tour:
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More to Explore
Places To See In Arkansas
Katie Feldkamp|November 18, 2022
What are some other magical places to visit in Arkansas?
The Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs extends over 210 acres and includes a treehouse and fairy village.
The Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Dardanelle spans 7,000 acres of farmland and bottomland hardwoods and is home to scores of native plant and animal specie
Buzzard's Roost in the Ozark National Forest features a maze of caves and one of the state's largest natural arches.
The Me and McGee Market in North Little Rock is a popular roadside market selling locally sourced produce and other goods.
The Peach Shed in Crawfordsville offers a vast selection of produce, home goods, and locally produced items in several brightly-hued roadside buildings.
The Bernice Garden Farmers Market in Little Rock features scores of vegetables and plants, and entertainment from musicians and visual artists.
