Things To Do in Mountain View This Weekend

Woman examining pottery in a sunlit shop.
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Where Ozark Traditions Come Alive

Since the 1870s, Mountain View has been the cultural heartbeat of the Ozark Mountains. Known for its deep roots in folk music, traditional crafts and storytelling, this Arkansas town offers an authentic experience that honors the past while embracing the natural beauty surrounding it.

Spend your days exploring scenic trails, and your nights listening to live bluegrass on the square. From hands-on craft workshops to hidden swimming holes and historic landmarks, Mountain View is a place where heritage and adventure go hand in hand.

Band playing acoustic instruments on a sunny porch.

Here’s What to Do in Mountain View This Weekend.

1. MUSIC ON THE SQUARE

Head to the downtown square, where Washington Street Park transforms into an outdoor concert hall. Musicians of all ages gather with fiddles, banjos and guitars, creating spontaneous jam sessions that embody the soul of the Ozarks. Bring your own folding chair (the few park benches fill quickly) and wander between musical circles, or better yet, bring your instrument and join in.

2. OK TRADING POST

OK Trading Post offers guided horseback riding on scenic mountain trails and overnight camping trips. The rides are geared toward beginners and available for groups. There's also a petting zoo with goats, geese, deer, mules and more, plus a gift shop stocked with belts, boots, Ozark souvenirs and tack.

Blacksmith shaping metal in a forge, observed by visitors.

3. ARKANSAS CRAFT SCHOOL

Learn how to throw a pot, forge a knife, weave on a loom or cast a metal bracelet at this year-round creative hub located on the downtown square. The school offers workshops throughout the year in wood, glass, fiber, metal, photography and studio arts. Or, purchase high-quality arts and crafts from regional artists at the on-site craft market.

4. MELLON’S COUNTRY STORE

This 1940s-era treasure trove overflows with nostalgia, including old-fashioned candy and vintage toys. More than just a general store, Mellon's captures the essence of simpler times with its carefully curated collection of gifts and collectibles that delight visitors of every generation.  

Cyclist riding through a sunlit forest trail.

5. SYLLAMO MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL

Located in the Sylamore District of the Ozark National Forest north of Mountain View, the Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail is more than 50 miles of singletrack for novice to advanced bikers. This International Mountain Bicycling Association Epic Ride consists of five interconnecting loops accessible from the trailhead on Highway 5, plus three trailheads on Green Mountain Road. The Blanchard Springs Campground is accessed from the Syllamo Bike Trail at the Jack's Branch Loop through a spur between the campground and the main trail. Hikers use the trail too. The trail name dates back to a 19th century resident of the area.

6. OZARK FOLK CENTER STATE PARK

More than 20 skilled artisans demonstrate traditional crafts throughout the Craft Village, while the Heritage Herb Garden showcases regional botanical traditions. Southern mountain music fills the air from multiple stages, including performances at the 1,000-seat Ozark Highlands Theater, which hosts legendary Americana artists. Complete your immersion with a stay at the Cabins at Dry Creek and savor authentic regional cuisine at the Skillet Restaurant. The park is open mid-April through late October.

Cave interior with pathway, rock formations, and tourists walking.

7. STONE DRIVE-IN

This old-fashioned drive-in movie theater originally opened in 1965. Thursday through Sunday, first-run movies light up the screen at dusk, rain or shine. The box office opens one hour before dark, or secure your spot online.

8. BLANCHARD SPRINGS RECREATION AREA

Fourteen miles north of Mountain View, discover a wonderland of crystal-clear streams and a massive spring pumping 12,000 gallons per minute. This recreation area also features forested trails, a small lake and a seasonal outdoor theater. Hike, swim or just find a shady place to picnic.

9. BLANCHARD SPRINGS CAVERN

Descend into a living cave system where calcite formations create an underground palace of stalactites, stalagmites and towering columns. Forest Service guides lead tours on lighted, paved paths through two of the cavern's three levels, with wild cave adventures available for those who want to don headlamps and knee pads. The visitor center offers educational materials, a gift shop and an introductory film that sets the stage for your subterranean expedition.

10. THE OLD MILL

When you’re exploring Blanchard Springs Recreation Area, don’t miss the hike down to the Old Mill. Originally a two-story oak-and-walnut structure owned by Steve Mitchell, the mill was used from 1900 until 1928 to grind corn and gin cotton. After Mitchell died, his family sold the property to the Forest Service. The rock foundation and walls were added by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1942. Exquisite rock work is the hallmark of the CCC, a post-Depression program that put young men to work. The plan was to restore the mill to an operational condition, but the work was interrupted when the CCC was disbanded at the onset of World War II.

11. MIRROR LAKE

Mirror Lake is a three-acre rainbow trout haven, constantly fed by the 58-degree water flowing from Blanchard Springs Caverns. The CCC built the stone and concrete dam that created the lake during the 1930s. The lake is restocked periodically and all state fishing laws apply. See a great view of the waterfall at Mirror Lake from the same trail that takes you by the Old Mill.

12. BLUEGRASS TRAILS DISC GOLF COURSE

Test your aim at the Bluegrass Trails Disc Golf Course, featuring 18 Veteran baskets and 39 cement tee pads. The course is well-maintained and welcoming to beginners and experienced players alike.

A wooden bridge spans a rocky riverbank surrounded by lush green trees.

13. STONE COUNTY QUILT TRAIL

Drive the backroads of Stone County to follow the quilt trail — 12 large-scale painted quilt blocks displayed on barns and homes. Each tells a story tied to the people and places of the area. Details and directions can be found at arkansasquilttrails.com.

14. SWINGING BRIDGE

Built in 1914 and restored in 2018, this single-lane suspension bridge spans 200 feet across South Sylamore Creek. Listen for the characteristic creaks and pops as you cross. Find this local landmark five miles north on Highway 5, with a sharp left onto Swinging Bridge Road for half a mile. The bridge is open to vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.

15. THE DULCIMER SHOPPE

Watch master craftsmen build mountain dulcimers by hand using techniques unchanged since Lynn McSpadden founded the company in 1962. Choose from stock models or commission your own custom instrument. Even non-musicians will appreciate witnessing this meticulous art form and browsing the beautiful instruments on display.

Band performing on outdoor stage with colorful lights at night.

16. WHITE RIVER FISHING RESORTS

Jack’s White River Fishing Resort and Anglers White River Resort anchor Mountain View’s reputation as a premier fishing destination. While the White River is known for great trout fishing, this section of the river that meets warm Sylamore Creek has plenty of smallmouth and largemouth bass too. Marinas, outfitters and guides are available year-round.

17. JIMMY DRIFTWOOD BARN

Every Friday and Sunday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., this historic barn resonates with authentic Ozark Mountain music. The venue honors James Corbitt Morris (1907-1998), known professionally as Jimmy Driftwood, whose "The Battle of New Orleans" and "Tennessee Stud" brought Ozark music to the world. With over 6,000 folk songs penned and 300 recorded, Driftwood's legacy lives on in every note played here.

18. STONE COUNTY MUSEUM

The Stone County Museum sits inside a former schoolhouse built in 1928. Listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places, it now houses the Stone County Historical Society, the Mountain View Art Guild and the Loy and Freda Daum Massey Research Room. Open limited hours.