10 Hidden Destinations in Arkansas You Won’t Believe Are Real
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Research by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism has determined that Arkansas Tourism is now a $9.2 billion industry. The Natural State has 52 state parks, seven national parks, and two major mountain ranges.
The state’s crown jewels are the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, offering stunning vistas and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Arkansas is a destination that promises to captivate and surprise at every turn. Here are ten of the state’s best-kept secrets to add to your travel bucket list.
H.U. Lee International Gate and Garden
The H.U. Lee International Gate and Garden was established in 2007 in honor of Eternal Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee, the founder of the American Taekwondo Association (ATA), as a tribute to the Korean-American connection. Visitors will be greeted by a striking Korean-style gate (Iljumun), an architectural wonder with intricate designs and vibrant colors that instantly transports you to East Asia.
Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the manicured garden, which features soft water features, gentle landscaping, and sculptures with traditional references that symbolize heritage and tranquility. Entry to the H.U. Lee International Gate and Garden is free and remains open year-round. TripAdvisor gave it a 4.5-star rating.
Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel
Designed by the renowned architect E. Fay Jones, a disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright, the chapel was completed in 1988 as a tribute to Mildred B. Cooper, honoring her love for nature and devotion to community service. The structure features 15 main Gothic-inspired arches that rise to over 50 feet, each intricately laced with stunning steel and glass. This creates a serene sanctuary that blends seamlessly into the wooded landscape.
It is a popular location for weddings, quiet reflection, and meditation. The gardens and walking trails surrounding it only add to the tranquility, offering a perfect setting to unwind for an entire day. Entry is free and open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. However, check the schedule, as the chapel may be closed for private events.
Hawksbill Crag
This breathtaking rock ledge juts out like a hawk’s beak in the heart of the Ozark National Forest, offering some of the state’s most photogenic and exhilarating views. It’s in a secluded location, and the moderate, 3-mile roundtrip hike to reach it ensures that it remains a treasured secret among those in the know.
Native American Tribes have considered this area sacred since ancient times, using it as a vantage point. On a clear day, the view stretches seemingly forever, encompassing rolling hills, dense forests, and the occasional soaring eagle. Hawksbill Crag is free to visit. Some parts of the trail can be pretty rugged, so wearing good hiking boots and packing a lot of water is recommended.
Billy Bass Adoption Center
It started as a humorous solution to a specific problem. River Market’s Flying Fish restaurant found itself inundated with donations of the once-popular Big Mouth Billy Bass plaques, leading to the creation of the adoption center. Upon entry, visitors are greeted with walls adorned with over 300 singing fish.
Press a button to bring the fish to life, and let it serenade you with classic tunes like Al Green’s “Take Me to the River.” The center also offers an amusing adoption certificate for those who wish to take home their very own Billy Bass. A complimentary catfish basket will be provided for every donation.
Short Grotto Falls
If you’re looking for a full-on nature experience surrounded only by the harmonious sounds of water and leaves rustling, I recommend checking out Short Grotto Falls. Early explorers named the falls “Short Grotto” due to their surprisingly compact yet captivating appearance compared to other, more expansive waterfalls.
The falls are accessible via a short but invigorating hiking trail that winds through the lush forest. Along the way, you can enjoy bird-watching and wildlife sightings. You can picnic near the water at the falls, take incredible pictures, or sit and soak up the tranquility. Short Grotto Falls has an entry fee of just $5.
Blanchard Springs Caverns
The cave was found in the 1950s and opened to the public in 1973; it is a “living” cave featuring beautiful formations of flowstones, stalactites, and stalagmites with an underground river flowing through. A guided tour — necessary to see the cavern since you can’t go in otherwise — will impress with a modest entry fee of $10 for adults and $5 for children.
The primary Dripstone Trail tour is designed to be accessible for all ages and covers approximately 1.2 miles of breathtaking underground beauty. The Wild Cave Tour, designed for the more adventurous soul, will take you to unmarked and undeveloped cave sections—reviews on sites like TripAdvisor and Google rate the caverns 4.8 out of 5 stars.
The Quigley’s Castle
Elise Quigley built Quigley’s Castle in the 1940s. She envisioned a home that blurred the lines between nature and living space. She built it from the ground up, using materials like stones and shells she had collected since childhood.
Wander through lush gardens filled with more native stones, antique bottles, and whimsical sculptures. Inside, you’ll find a rainforest-like environment where over 400 thriving tropical plants take root, some growing through the actual house. Admission to Quigley’s Castle is $7.00 for adults and $2.00 for children under 14. It is open seasonally from March to November.
The Old Mill in North Little Rock
The Old Mill, or T.R. Pugh Memorial Park, was built in 1933 to honor the Arkansas pioneers. You might remember it most from its fleeting but unforgettable cameo in the iconic opening credits of the 1939 film Gone with the Wind.
Although it looks like an old grist mill from the 1800s, it’s a replica designed to evoke nostalgia and charm. Visitors can explore cozy walking paths through beautifully landscaped gardens with stone bridges and large sculpted mushrooms. The mill building features detailed wooden gears and millstones. There’s no entry fee.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
The only diamond-producing site in the world open to the public, Crater of Diamonds is a 911-acre park that officially became an Arkansas state park in 1972. However, its history dates back to 1906, when John Huddleston discovered diamonds on his farm. Since then, visitors have found more than 75,000 diamonds. Amethyst, garnet, jasper, agate, and other minerals may also be found.
Some of its most significant finds include the 8.52-carat Esperanza Diamond and the mammoth 40.23-carat Uncle Sam diamond, which is the largest ever found in America. With your $10 entry fee for adults (and $6 for children aged 6-12), you can access 37 acres of plowed field. If needed, you’ll be equipped with a trusty rental kit comprising a shovel, bucket, and screen set to aid your treasure hunt.
Thorncrown Chapel in the Ozark Mountains
A surreal union of nature and human craft, this architectural masterpiece from Frank Lloyd Wright protégé E. Fay Jones is a work of art. Former schoolteacher Jim Reed came up with the idea for the chapel, which was built in 1980. The structure comprises over 6,000 square feet of glass and stands 48 feet high, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding forest.
The chapel has received numerous design awards, including the American Institute of Architects Twenty-five Year Award, and is ranked fourth on the AIA’s top buildings of the 20th century. Bathed in natural light, the interior provides a serene, almost holy experience. The chapel is free and open to the public. Of course, donations are more than welcome to help preserve this architectural marvel.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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