While the majority of the Ozarks are in Missouri, they also extend into the northwest corner of Arkansas. The whole area is known for the abundance of water – both rivers and lakes – and the rocky terrain. While there is not a lot of elevation gain – with the highest plateaus sitting at 2500 feet above sea level – there are a lot of sinks (known as karsts) that create waterfalls, caves, and caverns. 

What I appreciated about the area was being able to find beautiful sights without a lot of effort.  For only the effort of driving, Arkansas’ Grand Canyon provides an expansive view of the Ozarks. At the top of Mt. Judea (2169 ft above sea level) is a lookout tower and small gift shop.  Even though it’s just a bit smaller than the famous Grand Canyon (Ha!), the rest area does offer a view of the Buffalo River below and Missouri in the distance.  

For a little more effort, I hiked nearby Round Top Mountain (3.5 mile). This loop trail took me up to a scenic overlook of the Ozarks as well as by the remains of a plane crash.  In 1948, a B-52 Bomber crashed here during a training flight. Debris from the crash still remains accompanied by a small memorial plaque honoring the five men who lost their lives. 

One of the most popular hikes in the area – for good reason – is the Lost Valley Hike in the Buffalo National River section of the Ozarks. It’s an easy 2.5 mile (out and back) hike to Eden Falls and Eden Falls Cave. Most of the trail has been groomed to be accessible for all; however, access to the falls and the cave requires a climb. While I was there in April, when the temperatures were on the milder side, I can imagine people enjoying a dip in the swimming holes along the way during the warmer months. 

I had another waterfall hike planned, but the red clay mud of the backcountry roads and my rental car didn’t quite mesh.  I have to thank a local for telling me I should give up and turn around before I got myself stuck. Instead I spent a fair amount of time at a local car wash trying to free my car of the clay before I continued on my way. 

To explore the depths of the area, I made my way over to War Eagle Cavern. Situated on the shores of Beaver Lake, War Eagle Cavern is the largest natural cavern entrance in Arkansas. It offers a one hour tour for the general public and a longer three hour tour for the more adventurous. I enjoyed learning about the history of this cavern as well as learning about the scientific elements of caverns in general. I was surprised to find out that this cavern has served as a refuge for people fleeing danger during the Civil War and seeking shelter during the Great Depression.  There was even a waterfall within the cavern. 

Outside of nature exploring, I enjoyed some quirky museum stops as well. When I think of a museum, I think of a curated collection of artifacts housed in a formal setting set to educate the public. While the two museums I visited are curated, they definitely didn’t align with my other expectations for a museum. Still, they were fun stops along my road trip in the area.

The Memory Lane Museum in Berryville is set up to mimic a city from the 30s-60s. In reality, it’s more a collection of old road signs and advertising figurines but the famous cardboard cutouts manning the jail, diner, and the like are great for a chuckle. 

Emma’s Museum of Junk in Jasper is really just a thrift shop, but I enjoyed looking through the random Americana items from both the past and present. There were also a few other stores and cafes in this small town.

While I was in the area, I stayed at a working farm that allowed me to enjoy not only the rural beauty of the area, but also the history of the area. During my stay, I was fortunate enough to talk with one of the owners about her family’s history in regards to the Civil War.  She talked about how some of her relatives moved to the North before the Civil War so ended up having to fight their Southern relatives. She also talked about how her family built the houses on the farm and have farmed this land throughout the last century. It is conversations like this that remind me why I’m putting in the effort to explore all fifty states.  

Places mentioned in this post appear in red in the map below