Arkansas is a state located in the South of the continental USA. It is a landlocked state which is bordered by Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Arkansas is well known for its natural beauty, the vibrant state capital of Little Rock, and the only active diamond mine in the United States.
If you want to learn a little more about just where Arkansas is on a map, as well as what Arkansas has to offer, and why you may want to put this southern state on your calendar for your next vacation, you have come to the right place!
Where is Arkansas located?
Arkansas is bordered by six separate states: Oklahoma to the west, Louisiana and Texas in the south, Missouri directly to the north, and Tennessee and Mississippi on the east side.
Arkansas is known as a spirited part of the South and has a spirited and specific culture which we learn more about shortly!
Where is Arkansas on a map?
When looking at a map of the United States, you can find Arkansas by looking all the way down in the southernmost area.
The easiest way to pinpoint Arkansas is to find Lousianna, which has the very memorable shape of an “L”, and from there you can find the small slightly rectangular state right above it: Arkansas!
Is Arkansas considered a large state?
Arkansas is not considered one of America’s largest states as it is in the bottom half of the list as the 29th largest state. It is also only the 33rd most populated state with just over 3 million residents.
If you do decide to visit Arkansas, you will find sprawling natural reserves and small rural towns, with only one large city: Little Rock.
What is the state capital of Arkansas?
Little Rock is the capital of Arkansas and it hosts almost 200,000 permanent residents. However, you will certainly find a bustling metropolis as more than 6.4 million tourists visit Little Rock every year!
There is quite a lot to do in this little city, so whether you are interested in its rich history, architecture, shopping centers, or even the amazing zoo Little Rock provides, you can find exactly what you are looking for in these top 5 attractions you won’t want to miss.
Little Rock Central High School is a must-see for you history-buffs. Here, in 1957, Little Rock Central High School was the first location in the United States to desegregate.
Guided tours of the school are offered every morning and every afternoon so you can learn about this amazing part of American history.
The Old State House Museum was constructed in 1833 and hosts several exhibits that will interest anyone looking to learn a little more about Arkansas and American history.
The Big Dam Bridge is an amazing architectural feat that is actually the largest pedestrian and cycling bridge in North America!
With over fourteen miles of trails located ninety feet above the Arkansas River, this bridge is not only fun to look at but is also a great way to travel around Little Rock.
The River Market District is Little Rock’s shopping area! Here you can find hours of entertainment while walking around and enjoying the public art, galleries, shops, restaurants, and into the evening, live music, and tons of outdoor fun!
The Little Rock Zoo is a great family activity with over 600 animals to see and interact with. And here you can even meet Trudy, America’s longest-living gorilla in human care. She has been in an American facility since 1957!
While there is a ton of amazing sites to see within the Little Rock city limits, there are also some unbelievable natural wonders in the rest of the state! So let’s find out where else you simply need to visit on your visit to Arkansas.
What are the natural wonders of Arkansas?
The natural wonders of Arkansas are abounding! This state holds some of the most beautiful natural reserves in the country and we want to make sure you get to see them all!
Visiting the Buffalo National River is an out-of-this-world experience! It is made up of an incredible 135 miles of undisturbed river flowing freely as it was established as America’s first National River in 1972.
You can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, swimming, elk watching, and oh so much more when visiting the Buffalo National River.
Hawksbill Crag, which is also known as Whitaker Point, is one of the best views in all of Arkansas!
Nature lovers will all enjoy this three-mile loop hike, and photographers, amateur or others, will seriously appreciate the view at the top.
In Hot Springs National Park you can find beautiful hot springs where you can relax for the day or even the week! This national park is actually located within the city of Hot Springs, so it’s incredibly easy to stop by for a soak on a road trip.
Blanchard Springs Caverns is certainly one of the most unique sites to visit in Arkansas, and it will probably be one of your favorites!
Natural caverns have formed underground by a mountain spring that feeds into an amazing lake beneath the earth’s surface. Visitors can be guided through the caverns to see calcite formations along with other mineral and rock deposits.
For those of you thrill-seekers, Greers Ferry Lake is known for its amazing 40-foot cliffs where you can safely jump into deep clear waters.
If you’d rather simply enjoy the calm waters, there are plenty of lower entry points as well.
So now that you know all the amazing places to visit in Arkansas, you may be wondering, when is the best time to go?
When should you visit Arkansas?
The great news about Arkansas is that it typically has beautiful weather for nine months of the year! December, January, and February can be a little chilly, but the rest of the year (from March all the way to November) the temperature is warm and wonderful!
If you don’t like the heat, you may want to avoid the middle of the summer from June to August as temperatures can often reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
