River Valley, Arkansas
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Mountains Above, Rivers Below
The River Valley, shaped by the Arkansas River and rich soil, is Arkansas’ playground for outdoor adventure and discovery, with dramatic mountains, hidden waterfalls and trails that reach the state’s highest points.
In the River Valley, flat-topped mountains, rivers and wineries invite exploration. Three magnificent peaks dominate the valley, and each is home to a state park. At Petit Jean State Park, you can climb sandstone formations on the Seven Hollows Trail or step into Rock House Cave to see prehistoric rock art. Mount Nebo State Park has become a bucket-list destination for mountain bikers on the Monument Trails, and Mount Magazine State Park stands as the state’s highest point with views that stretch for miles.
The region is made for adventure. Mountain bike rugged trails like Clarksville’s Red Lick Trails. Ride side-by-side vehicles through the forests. Birdwatch and gravel bike at Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge. In the shadow of Mount Magazine, Blue Mountain Lake is a favorite spot for fishing, camping, swimming and water skiing with five Corps of Engineers recreation areas.
Bass, crappie and catfish flourish in the Arkansas River, a major mid-America fishery that cuts through the state from west to east. The river creates 50-mile-long Lake Dardanelle and its backwater areas offer excellent angling opportunities. On the shore, Lake Dardanelle State Park is known for camping, picnicking, boating and wildlife watching, yet is minutes from restaurants, shopping and entertainment.
The landscape is ripe for more than outdoor recreation. Rich soil sustains vineyards in Altus and Wiederkehr Village, the heart of Arkansas Wine Country. Arkansas is the oldest and largest grape juice and wine producing state in the southern United States. Wineries, some dating back to the 1800s, offer tours and tastings.
Arkansas’ oldest winery is home to Weinkeller Restaurant, while the Lodge at Mount Magazine houses Skycrest Restaurant. Both make dining off the beaten path easy. Craft breweries like Pridgin Family Brewery and Prestonrose Farm & Brewing Co. are also tucked down rural country roads.
The largest city is Fort Smith, known for its Wild West history and home to the U.S. Marshals Museum and Fort Smith National Historic Site. True West magazine named the city the #1 Top Ten True Western Town in 2013, and it continues to rank high on the list. Yet Fort Smith also has a contemporary edge, with more than 30 public murals, most by international artists, spread across a 10-block area downtown.
From the site of Elvis' famous military haircut at Fort Chaffee to the 1878 Subiaco Abbey to the summit of Mount Magazine, the River Valley rewards the curious.
What’s Nearby
Nearby Towns
Lake Fort Smith State Park
A beautiful multi-use area on the banks of Lake Fort Smith, this is a scenic, well-maintained park in the Boston Mountain Valley of the Ozarks with camping, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and mountain biking. For backpackers, it is the western terminus...
U.S. Marshals Museum
The Museum features FIVE immersive galleries that educate guests about the critical, ever-evolving role of America's oldest federal law enforcement agency in upholding the Rule of Law, driven by justice, integrity and service. The Museum’s National...
Petit Jean State Park
Petit Jean State Park is an Arkansas classic, a natural and historic treasure that has welcomed travelers for decades. The natural beauty and ancient geology of the legendary Petit Jean Mountain inspired the creation of Arkansas’s first state park...
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