While there certainly are perks to living in a major city, there’s something special about small towns in rural Arkansas that just capture your heart. Below you’ll find a dozen small towns located in rural areas that are absolutely delightful. From natural wonders to adorable downtown areas to historic places, these 12 towns are rural wonders that simply must be enjoyed.

1. Wilson
Facebook/Town of Wilson, Arkansas
Wilson, AR 72395, USA
Facebook/Town of Wilson, Arkansas
Wilson is a charming town in rural Arkansas that's located in the delta region, and it’s absolutely adorable. One of the things that makes it so charming is that there’s a cafe there called the Wilson Cafe and most of the veggies for the cafe come from nearby Wilson Gardens. In short, everything in Wilson is coming up Wilson and you need to check it out.
2. Mountainburg
Wikimedia/Dementex
Mountainburg, AR 72946, USA
JB Weisenfels
Set in the gorgeous Boston Mountains, the town of Mountainburg is adorable and set amid some of the most stunning nature in the Natural State. In addition to being a haven for nature lovers, Mountainburg’s city park has huge dinosaur statues. The whole family will enjoy a trip to this rural Arkansas town.
3. Jasper
Flickr/Mike Norton
Jasper, AR 72641, USA
Flickr/Arkansas ShutterBug
This town is the gateway to the Buffalo National River, and there’s a fantastic old restaurant there called the Ozark Café. If you’re not already impressed, it’s also located near Hawksbill Crag and the Arkansas Grand Canyon. In short, if you love to glory in natural spaces, you need to head to this charming town in rural Arkansas right away.
4. Mammoth Spring
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Mammoth Spring, AR 72554, USA
Flickr/Gewel Maker
This historic town is located in a relatively untouched part of the Ozarks, making it one of the prettiest places in Arkansas. The community grew up around the largest natural spring in the Natural State, and you can still visit that spring at its very own state park located in the town of Mammoth Spring.
5. Mount Ida
Wikimedia/Brandonrush
Mount Ida, Mt Ida, AR 71957, USA
Yelp/Kathy F.
Mount Ida is the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World, and that’s just one reason you should visit. It is in the lovely Ouachita Mountain range, and it’s a natural wonder you don’t want to miss. Amid its rural charm, you’ll find plenty of mines where you can dig for quartz. If you aren’t into digging, you can find a place to buy a lovely quartz crystal instead.
6. Mena
Flickr/Michael Welch

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Mena, AR 71953, USA
Flickr/Michael Welch
One of the best towns in rural Arkansas, Mena is along the Talimena National Scenic Byway. This little Ouachita Mountain town is the perfect place to take in some scenic beauty. It isn’t all Ouachita National Forest and Ouachita mountain beauty, this historic town comes with its own arts district and enough ATV trails to make this town a hub for four-wheeler enthusiasts.
7. Flippin
Facebook/Flippin Police Department
Flippin, AR, USA
Facebook/Ranger Boats
This north-central Arkansas town has a population of around 1,300, but that’s not including all the flippin’ awesome waterways nearby. From Bull Shoals Lake to the White River to the Buffalo National River, Flippin is near some of Arkansas’s most beloved waterways. That’s probably why Flippin is also home to Ranger Boats, a popular sporting brand.
8. Dyess
Dyess, AR 72330, USA
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
This Delta town has had a hard row to hoe, but the town and its people have persevered through it all. From devastating floods to economic hardship, Dyess has made it through. You may also know it as the boyhood home of Johnny Cash, which, by the way, you can totally visit if you go there.
9. Piggott
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Piggott, AR 72454, USA
Wikimedia
Piggott is in the northeastern corner of the state, and it’s a totally adorable little place. Perhaps that’s why the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center is such a popular destination for literary enthusiasts. Well, also because Ernest Hemingway wrote part of A Farewell to Arms there.
10. Prairie Grove
Flickr/Carol Von Canon
Prairie Grove, AR, USA
Flickr/Carol Von Canon
Prairie Grove is well-loved by the people who live there for its charm and beautiful scenery, but it’s also a popular place for Civil War enthusiasts. Prairie Grove State Military Park is a gorgeous place full of history, and it’s part of what makes this rural Arkansas town such a lovely place to visit.
11. Mountain View
Flickr/Pigdowndog
Mountain View, AR 72560, USA
Flickr/Dave Thomas
Mountain View is the Folk Music Capital of the World, and you’ll learn all about that if you visit Ozark Folk Center State Park. This state park is devoted to the preservation of Ozark's culture. In addition to all that culture, you’ll find natural wonders like Blanchard Springs Caverns and Mirror Lake, making this rural town a must-see for all Arkansans.
12. Gurdon
Flickr/Robert Nunnally
Gurdon, AR 71743, USA
Flickr/Tribal Pets, Inc.
The tiny town of Gurdon is located in southwestern Arkansas, and it’s a great place to go if you love a good unexplained phenomenon. The Gurdon Light has been around a long time and was once featured on the TV show Unsolved Mysteries. Legend has it that the light hovers midair in the woods near the railroad tracks, but it’s probably best if you go on down to Gurdon and check it out for yourself.

Did your favorite rural town in Arkansas make the list? Let us know in the comments below. If you are interested in a road trip through the Natural State’s most scenic towns, check out this itinerary.

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Small towns in Arkansas

Jackie Ann | September 17, 2022

What is the oldest town in Arkansas?

This can be a tricky question. Arkansas Port is technically the oldest town, but it’s no longer a town, but it has been transformed into the Arkansas Post Museum State Park where you can visit and learn all about the history and what life was like in the early days. The city of Batesville is the second oldest municipality in Arkansas and was first settled in 1810. It was incorporated in 1822 and today more than 10,000 people call Batesville home. 

What is the most naturally beautiful town in Arkansas?

When it comes to naturally beautiful towns in Arkansas, you’ve got plenty to choose from. While Mountain View is known for its thriving music scene, it’s also one of the most naturally beautiful towns in the state and a popular destination for both nature lovers and music lovers alike. In the northwest corner of the state, you’ll find Eureka Springs, our vote for the most beautiful town in Arkansas. Not only is the entire town listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but since it's located in the Ozark Mountains, natural beauty can be found just about everywhere you look. 

Which town in Arkansas has the best restaurants?

No matter where you are in Arkansas, you’re never too far away from a delicious meal. Some towns have the reputation for knowing their way around the kitchen more than others, so it just depends on what you’re in the mood for. Dumas is a charming town in rural Arkansas that’s home to about 5,000 people, but it’s also home to some of the best restaurants in Arkansas. From mom-and-pop bakeries to southern comfort food, you’ll find a little bit of everything in this rural Arkansas town. 

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