The Ozarks, Arkansas

Nature worked wonders in the Ozark Mountains. Over millions of years, water shaped this vast plateau into the spectacular bluffs, valleys and ridgelines that now hold some of the most dynamic outdoor recreation in The Natural State.

That same terrain shapes daily life, where cities and towns rise within the landscape instead of apart from it.

In Northwest Arkansas, Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville and Bella Vista are connected by the Razorback Regional Greenway, a 40-plus-mile trail system that links parks, downtowns, breweries, art museums, live music venues and restaurants. It’s possible to bike from your home or hotel to the restaurant of a James Beard-nominated chef, then follow paved paths straight to mountain bike trails the USA Cycling Team uses for training.

In Bentonville, world-class art meets nature at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, built over a natural spring and surrounded by forest trails. Fayetteville, the second-largest city in the state, sits on rolling terrain that earned its University of Arkansas campus the nickname “The Hill.” Yet, the city’s historic downtown square and Dickson Street entertainment district are still easily walkable. Victorian homes, art galleries and spas cling to steep hillsides in Eureka Springs, where trail systems run through the hills, including by the base of the 67-foot-tall Christ of the Ozarks statue on the grounds of The Great Passion Play.

Smaller cities with great lodging and restaurant options also serve as base camps for outdoor adventure. Mountain Home, Greers Ferry and Heber Springs offer easy access to lakes like Norfork, Greers Ferry and Bull Shoals, along with trout streams such as the White and Little Red rivers. Stop in for live bluegrass on Mountain View’s town square, then head to nearby Blanchard Springs Caverns for guided cave tours. Communities like Horseshoe Bend, Drasco and Cherokee Village are known for their championship golf courses. Batesville, home to the Mark Martin NASCAR Museum, has a sport climbing crag minutes from its downtown. Mammoth Spring and Hardy hug the Spring River.

Remote pockets of wilderness deliver unmatched adventure. Find it in the 1.2-million-acre Ozark National Forest and along the 270-mile Ozark Highlands Trail, a backcountry route that challenges thru-hikers across rugged terrain. The Buffalo National River — America’s first national river — flows free for 135 miles, showcasing limestone bluffs, wilderness areas, elk herds and miles of scenic Ozark terrain perfect for paddling and hiking. Its designation as an International Dark Sky Park draws people from near and far. The wild and scenic Mulberry River pours over ledges in narrow canyons and shoots around sharp turns between tree-lined bluffs in float season. In drier months, it gives way to slow waters and swimming holes, making it a stream for all levels of outdoor lovers.

Hike it, paddle it or find it in the heart of a city — whatever your adventure, the Ozarks deliver.