A National Historic Landmark, the Toltec Mounds site comprises one of the largest and most impressive archeological sites in the Lower Mississippi River Valley. Preserved here are Arkansas’s tallest American Indian mounds. Three mounds remain where 18 once stood surrounded by a 100-foot earthen embankment, a portion of which is still visible today at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park in Scott, Arkansas. These ancient earthworks are the remains of the…

Whether you’re looking to hike a trail, journey through a moment of Arkansas’s history, muddy up the tires on your mountain bike, or just get away for the weekend, there is an Arkansas State Park waiting for you. There are 52 diverse parks scattered throughout this beautiful state so no matter where you find yourself in Arkansas, you’re sure to be near at least one Arkansas State Park. If you’re…

Nov. 25 is Green Friday, an alternative to the crowds by choosing to #OptOutside and get outdoors. While Arkansas State Parks has been offering Green Friday events for about seven years now, our friends at REI began their #OptOutside campaign last year. The response has been incredible. “More than 1.8 million (That number is nearly 4 million as of this post) people are planning to #OptOutside with us on Black…

For Orion Buster, this was not a typical Friday night. “I’d probably be in my room,” said the 15-year- old. Instead, he was outside, setting up a tent, playing Frisbee and eating hamburgers hot off the grill. Welcome to the Governor’s Capital Campout – an overnight event celebrating National Great Outdoors Month.  These special events are held by State Parks agencies across the country in an effort to encourage families…

As summer draws near and the temperature starts to rise, people start to look for other activities to stay cool and still enjoy nature. While Cane Creek State Park boasts over 20 miles of trail, the park has another unique feature to its name. The park offers kayaking, for rent or guided. While during the day, you can only rent kayaks between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., the night offers…

Who doesn’t enjoy an evening by the fire, nestled in a cabin, in the woods, near a lake? Quiet, peace. Made all the more special as you feel your muscles relax after a day of hiking, kayaking and fishing. Now put yourself in that picture. It’s easy, in Arkansas we have many places where you can have this experience and last week one more was added. Lake Fort Smith State…

Only a few short years ago a few friends and a coworker of mine had an unusual experience while kayaking the flooded woods of Moro Bay State Park.  It was spring time and the river rose to the point where it closed the park.  This happens every couple of years at Moro Bay State Park so our facilities are built to withstand high water.  It doesn’t rise fast like it…

After weeks of 100-degree heat  that seemed unrelenting, Arkansas received that summer break in temperature.  It happens every year, and we seem to forget about it every year, so when it arrives it comes as a surprise.  As the air turns cooler who can resist the fun of sleeping outside?  Something about cooler nights, when you can sit at a fire comfortably, makes fall a magical time.  Some can argue…

For kids here in Arkansas, August means it’s time to head back to school.  The end of the summer is near.  School sports have started, school supply shopping is in full swing, and kids are slipping back into their educational routines.  However, a few weeks ago many of our kids were enjoying their summer breaks without a thought of routine and involving themselves in one of my best summer memories:…