The Underrated Western Arkansas Mountain Frontier Is A Destination For Endless Adventures
By Carol Ann Carson|Published December 03, 2019
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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.
Nestled in between the Ozark National Forest and the Ouachita National Forest is a region known as Western Arkansas’ Mountain Frontier. The region is a narrow section that begins just south of Winslow and ends south of Wickes around Gillham Lake. This range has such a variety of adventures that it would take years to fully enjoy everything! Today we’re just highlighting some of the sights to see and certainly hope that this list inspires future trips. From train rides to waterfall trails, the Western Arkansas Mountain Frontier has it all!
We'll begin our tour with one of the more northern points in the region - Lake Fort Smith State Park. This beloved park is an all-around winner of Arkansas destinations because of its gorgeous scenery, year-round camping, and challenging (but worth it) trails. Before you dip into the valley that holds the lake be sure to take this hike for a jaw-dropping view.
We'll stick with the outdoor adventures (this is the Natural State after all) and continue to Murray Falls. The short hike will actually take you to two waterfalls, the Murray and the Senyard Falls. The 37-ft. waterfall is one of most stunning-yet-underrated falls in this region. If you'd like more details on navigating the trail, you can read this article.
Since we just visited the Murray Falls then it makes sense to go ahead and take the world famous Pig Trail. This stretch of highway between Brashears and Ozark is heaven for bikers or anyone that loves a scenic drive. Highway 23 has plenty of sights any time of year but we recommend waiting for leafy-green spring or colorful fall. You can learn more about the trip right here.
Another way to take in the sights of the Frontier is via train. The excursion train ride from Van Buren to Winslow is a stunning 70-mile round trip. The relaxing trip won't stress your wallet out and the A&M offers themed rides throughout the year. Don't forget that Van Buren also has the most enchanting Main Street during Christmastime.
Another highlight to the Mountain Frontier is Arkansas' wine country. Altus is the heart of Arkansas’s wine country because it was specifically settled by people looking to grow grapes and make wine. One of the most notable stops in this area is the Wiederkehr Wine Cellars - it's the oldest winery in mid-America! Tour the wine cellars, dine on authentic European , and have tastings during your visit.
About halfway into the Mountain Frontier is one of the most iconic mountains in the state - Mount Magazine. The highest point in Arkansas also has a spectacular lodge, ample camping, endless trails, and nearby lakes to fill up any weekend getaway. Here's a few morereasons to visit this family favorite park.
It's impossible to highlight just one spot around this town so be sure to have plenty of time to tour the whole area while you're here. Mena has plenty of nature-inspired trips from Shady Lake to Queen Wilhelmina State Park but those aren't the only reason to plan a trip. Take the Talimena Drive or just spend the day in the multitude of antique shops. This town really does have a little bit of everything.
We've reached the southern end of our Mountain Frontier tour. The Cossatot River is one more outdoor adventure that is absolutely worth a spot on your Arkansas bucket list. This 89-mile long river is a top spot for seasoned kayakers. In fact, it's been awarded as the best whitewater float stream in mid-America. In peak season the Cossatot contains Class IV and V rapids. However, you don't have to paddle to enjoy the beauty of this area: there's also a lovely shoreside trail.
Where’s your favorite spot in this Arkansas region? Share the best places to visit in the comments below! We would love to see your photos of the Mountain Frontier in our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
If you’re working on your 2020 Western Frontier day trips you could add a springtime stop to this wildflower field or a spooky fall tour of this abandoned sanatorium.
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