Arkansas – Eloray

William J. Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock (Carol M. Highsmith, Wikimedia Commons)

Let’s Visit Arkansas

Join our virtual tour highlighting the top attractions in Arkansas
For an overview of the state, see: National Geographic Kids. Arkansas

Highlights

Blanchard Springs Caverns, Arkansas (Dave Bunnell, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in Arkansas.

Hot Springs National Park (Hot Springs) – Famous for its naturally heated thermal springs and historic bathhouses along Bathhouse Row.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (Bentonville) – Known for its impressive collection of American art and stunning architecture, surrounded by beautiful nature trails.
Buffalo National River (Northern Arkansas, near Jasper) – Celebrated for being one of the few undammed rivers in the U.S., offering pristine waters and scenic landscapes for canoeing and hiking.
Ozark National Forest (Northern Arkansas) – Famous for its vast wilderness, hiking trails, and stunning waterfalls, offering outdoor enthusiasts a variety of activities in a scenic environment.
Clinton Presidential Library and Museum (Little Rock) – Known for showcasing the presidency of Bill Clinton with historical exhibits, documents, and interactive displays.
Mount Magazine State Park (Paris) – Famous as the highest point in Arkansas, offering breathtaking views, hiking trails, and activities like rock climbing and hang gliding.
Blanchard Springs Caverns (Fifty-Six) – Known for its stunning underground formations, this living cave system offers impressive guided tours.
Thorncrown Chapel (Eureka Springs) – Celebrated for its breathtaking architecture by E. Fay Jones, this glass-and-wood chapel is a serene and iconic piece of modern design.
Petit Jean State Park (Morrilton) – Famous for its dramatic landscapes, hiking trails, waterfalls, and being the first state park in Arkansas.
Crater of Diamonds State Park (Murfreesboro) – The only public diamond-producing site in the world, where visitors can search for and keep any diamonds they find.

Intriguing mysteries and weird facts

Giant watermelon, Hope, Arkansas (Billy Hathorn, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Discover these little-known facts about Arkansas.

The Only Public Diamond Mine in the World
Arkansas’s Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only place on Earth where anyone can dig for diamonds and keep what they find. People have discovered thousands of diamonds, including a 40-carat one.
It’s Home to a Ghost Town for Zombies
The town of Rush in the Ozarks is a real-life ghost town, abandoned after its zinc mines closed. The eerie, deserted buildings give off spooky vibes, perfect for ghost stories or zombie-themed adventures.
World’s Largest Watermelon
The town of Hope in Arkansas holds the record for the world’s largest watermelon. One grew to a jaw-dropping 268.8 pounds, bigger than most humans.
Famous for Cheese Dip
Cheese dip was invented in Arkansas and there’s even an annual World Cheese Dip Championship.
The Fiddle is the Official State Instrument
Arkansas is big on folk music, and the fiddle is so important that it’s the official state instrument. So, if you love folk or country music, Arkansas has deep roots in the tradition.
A Town with No Traffic Lights
Eureka Springs, a quirky and historic town in Arkansas, has zero traffic lights. It’s known for its steep, winding streets and Victorian-era architecture.
The Natural State’s Meteorite Shower
Arkansas is no stranger to space debris. In 1930, the Paragould meteorite, weighing 850 pounds, crashed into Arkansas and remains one of the largest meteorites ever found in North America.
Feral Hogs Everywhere
Arkansas has a large population of wild, feral hogs that roam the countryside. They’re considered a nuisance because they can be destructive, but some locals enjoy hunting them.
A Town with a UFO Connection
In 1973, a UFO sighting was reported in the town of Piedmont, Arkansas. Since then, it has become a local legend, and people still claim to see strange lights in the sky.
Arkansas Has a Bigfoot Legend
The Fouke Monster, Arkansas’s version of Bigfoot, has been a local legend since the 1970s. Stories of sightings around Boggy Creek have inspired horror movies like “The Legend of Boggy Creek.”

Notable People

Here are 10 famous men and women from Arkansas.

Famous Men

President William J. Clinton (Bob McNeely,, Wikimedia Commons)

1. Bill Clinton (1946– ) is famous for serving as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001, and as the Governor of Arkansas before his presidency. He played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. politics during the 1990s.

2. Johnny Cash (1932–2003) became a legendary country music singer and songwriter, with iconic songs like “Ring of Fire” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” Raised in Dyess, Arkansas, he is regarded as one of the most influential musicians in American music history.

3. Sam Walton (1918–1992) was the founder of Walmart, one of the largest retail chains in the world. Walton revolutionized the retail industry, and his company remains headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas.

4. Scottie Pippen (1965– ) is best known as a Hall of Fame NBA player, particularly for his time with the Chicago Bulls, where he won six NBA championships alongside Michael Jordan. Pippen, from Hamburg, Arkansas, is regarded as one of the greatest small forwards in basketball history.

5. Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) was a five-star general who played a significant role in World War II and the Korean War. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, he became one of the most famous military leaders in U.S. history.

Famous Women

Maya Angelou (Clinton Library, Wikimedia Commons)

1. Maya Angelou (1928–2014) was a renowned poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. Raised in Stamps, Arkansas, she is famous for her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and her numerous works advocating for equality and justice.

2. Hattie Caraway (1878–1950) became the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate, representing Arkansas from 1931 to 1945. She broke barriers for women in politics and made significant contributions during her time in office.

3. Mary Steenburgen (1953– ) is an Academy Award-winning actress, known for her roles in films like Melvin and Howard, Back to the Future Part III, and Step Brothers. She was born in Newport, Arkansas, and has had a long and successful career in film and television.

4. Helen Gurley Brown (1922–2012) was a pioneering magazine editor and author, famous for transforming Cosmopolitan magazine into a popular publication for modern women. Her book Sex and the Single Girl was a key influence during the sexual revolution.

5. Daisy Bates (1914–1999) was a civil rights activist and mentor to the Little Rock Nine, the group of African-American students who integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Bates played a critical role in the fight for desegregation and civil rights in the South.

Date of Ratification of the Articles of Confederation/
Admission to the Union

June 15, 1836 (25th)

State Capital and Government

Arkansas State Capitol Building in Little Rock (Daniel Schwen, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)

Little Rock
Government of Arkansas

Area and Total Population

Area: 52,035 square miles

Total Population: 2,966,000

Major cities and their population

City	Population
Little Rock	204,000
Fayetteville	104,000
Fort Smith	90,000
Springdale	89,000
Hot Springs	38,000

Education

University of Arikansas (EEJCC, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)

Educational Resources

Twinkl. Arkansas

Fairs and festivals

Arkansas State Fair

Flag

The diamond shape in the center of the Arkansas flag emphasizes that the has the only diamond mine in the Unio. The 25 stars bordering the diamond reflect that Arkansas was the 25th state admitted to the Union. The three stars below the word “Arkansas” have a double meaning: Arkansas has been part of three countries (Spain, France, and the United States) and it was the third state to come out of the Louisiana Purchase. The star on top of the word “Arkansas” was added in 1923 to represent the Confederacy.

Geography

Location

Google map of Arkansas

Key Historical Events

Fort Carlos (Sidney E King, 1906-2002, Wikimedia Commons)

Arkansas history

Breathtaking Landscapes

Check out these amazing landscapes and wildlife of Arkansas.

National Landmarks and Historic Sites

National Historic Landmarks. Arkansas

National and State Parks

Devil’s Den State Park, Arkansas (jaystout, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Sports

Arkansas Razorbacks versus Alabama Crimson Tide football game (Brandonrush, Wikimedia Commons)

NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) Division I Teams

State Motto

Regnat Populus, Latin for “the people rule.”

State Nickname

The Natural State

State Symbols

Official state symbols. Arkansas

Seal

The state seal of Arkansas contains an Angel of Mercy, Sword of Justice and Goddess of Liberty around a bald eagle. It was adopted in 1864 and changed to its present style on May 23, 1907.

License Plate