Is anyone else feeling a little cabin fever? That’s the only bad thing about these colder temperatures—most of us stay indoors, which means we’re not exploring the full beauty of the Natural State. To cure all our indoor woes, I’ve compiled a list of outdoor adventures you can have in Arkansas this winter. So put on some warm socks, grab your coat, and get in the car. With the right motivation and proper wardrobe, these twelve places can be enjoyed no matter how cold it is.
1. Go ice skating at Bentonville’s Lawrence Plaza.
In the summer this water park is a great place to cool down, but in the winter it becomes even cooler. You’ll pay $3 for entry, $2 to rent skates, and you can skate all afternoon. There are also skating lessons available for the uninitiated. You’ll find it at the corner of Northeast A and Blake Street in Bentonville.
2. Stroll through the lights.
Most of Arkansas’s big light displays don’t pull the plug until New Year’s, and the Fayetteville Square is the perfect place to do some winter walking. The Lights of the Ozarks won’t go dark until after December 31st.
3. Visit Parkin Archeological State Park.
You can walk around the ancient mounds and go inside to see all the amazing artifacts while you warm up. Drive to 60 State Hwy 184 in Parkin to see it all.
4. Step back in time at Historic Washington State Park.
Historic Washington State Park focuses on bringing the history of the town of Washington to life, especially with regard to the era between 1824 and 1889. You’ll find some beautifully preserved old buildings there and historical interpreters who can teach you all about them. Go to 103 Franklin Street in Washington to enjoy all that history.
5. Explore the shores of Lake Ouachita.
It may be too cold to go into the lake, but with warm enough clothes, it’s not too cold to hike around one. Besides, does the beauty of Arkansas’s lakes decrease because of the temperature? Of course not.
6. Seek out some scenic vistas at Petit Jean State Park.
Why not throw on your coat and see some of the best views in the Natural State? Petit Jean State Park is full of them, and you’ll love every single one. Go to 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road in Morrilton.
7. Bundle up and take a hike on Mount Magazine.
There are a dozen trails on Mount Magazine, and each one of them has its own charm. A few of them even offer you the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the valleys below Arkansas’s highest point. Find them at 577 Lodge Drive in Paris.
8. Look for eagles at Lake DeGray State Park.
Lake DeGray won’t hold their Eagles Et Cetera Weekend until January 27, but that doesn’t mean you can go out and look for eagles right now. In fact, you can go to their website and find the dates for each of their Eagle Watch Tours. Travel to 2027 State Park Entrance Road in Bismarck to begin your adventure.
9. Hike through Hot Springs National Park.
It may be cold outside, but the springs in Hot Springs National Park hover around 143 degrees all year long. You could always hike through the national park and schedule yourself a nice thermal bath on Bathhouse Row for proper warming up afterward. To find the national park, drive to Hot Springs in Garland County.
10. Enjoy the swamp surrounding the Louisiana Purchase State Park without those bothersome mosquitoes.
There are hundreds of feet of boardwalk at Louisiana Purchase State Park, and a cool old swamp too. Generally speaking, swamps are full of pesky little bloodsucking mosquitoes, but if you go while it’s still cold, you can enjoy the old stone and the swamp without getting bitten. Louisiana State Park is located on Arkansas Highway 362 in Brinkley.
11. Sleep next to nature in a cabin on the Buffalo National River.
You can explore the gorgeous river during the day time, and cuddle up during the cold night hours. The cabin pictured above is called the Mountain Sunset Cabin, and it belongs to Buffalo Outdoor Center. You can search for them online or call them at 1-870-861-5514.
12. Go birding at Lake Chicot State Park.
The birding at Lake Chicot State Park is so good that it has been officially named an Important Birding Area. To go out and find the wintering bird species, drive to 2542 State Highway 257 in Lake Village.
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