This promises not to be a cold summer. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center has taken action 36 states for above normal temperaturesAfter a record-breaking heat wave in March, forecasters are calling it one of the hottest events in years. Arkansas is right in the warm zone.
Good news: the Natural State is basically built to beat the heat. Spring-fed lakes, cave systems that stay in the 50s and 60s year-round, and undammed rivers you can float on for hours. Here are eight getaways worth the drive when your AC starts waving a white flag.
Parrot Island Water Park
In Fort Smith, Parrot Island Water Park is the best choice if you have kids in tow. It features the area’s only two-lane FlowRider, a wave pool and expansive water play area, plus Tiny Turtle Island for the littlest swimmers and an activity pool for water polo and basketball.
End the day in Fort Smith itself: the US Marshals Museum and a good restaurant scene are minutes away.
Eureka Resources
Hidden in the Ozarks, Eureka Resources is the kind of city that photographs itself. The historic center sprawls over the hill and the nightlife punches well above its weight: a whiskey bar, cocktail lounges and the Top of the Crest rooftop bar, located on the 1886 Crescent Hotel.
This was a Victorian resort built around the cold springs, and you can still enjoy it the old-fashioned way at the Palace Bath House. Sandwiched between two rivers and a lake, it is an excellent area for paddling, floating and fishing.
Petit Jean State Park
Home to the 100-foot Cedar Falls and shaded canyon trails. The state park system here is truly world class – worth a deeper dive Arkansas State Parks.
Siloam feathers
Just 30 miles from Fayetteville, Siloam feathers is a low-key charmer. Sager Creek cuts through a walkable downtown full of fountains, historic storefronts and independent shops.
The real draw is the Siloam Springs Kayak Park – a landscaped whitewater course with sections for both beginners and seasoned paddlers. Do you really want to escape the sun? The Cosmic Cave in nearby Berryville remains steadfast 62°F all year round.
Beaver lake
The largest reservoir in northwest Arkansas, Beaver lake is a magnet for swimmers, snorkelers and divers. Not a water person?
There are opportunities for fishing, boating and hiking along the coast, plus modern campsites and picnic areas dotted around the surrounding parks. It’s the rare place that feels both wild and easy to base yourself in for a long weekend.
Mountain house
Mountain house delivers exactly what it promises: a cozy town surrounded by lakes and hills. It’s one of Arkansas’ original water resort areas and is bursting with opportunities for canoeing, fishing, and lounging by the lake.
Dive into Bull Shoals Caverns to see stalactites and stalagmites, browse the local quilt shop and sleep in a cabin or luxury lodge.
Buffalo National River
America’s first national river, the Buffalo is one of the last undammed rivers in the Lower 48. Paddle calm stretches or take on some real whitewater, then hit trails that range from easy to breathtaking. The best part: it’s a… International Dark Sky ParkSo camping means a night sky that most of us will never see again.
Hot springs
Yes, jumping in the hot springs in July is a hard sell, but Hot springs has much cooler sensations. Magic Springs Theme and Water Park provides adrenaline with thrilling rides, a wave pool, splash zone and a soaring slide tower. There’s live music all year round and you can even rent a cabana to spend the afternoon in style.
Blanchard Springs Caverns (fifty-six)
A living cave system floating around 58°F no matter how brutally it surfaces. The crystal formations and underground stream make it one of the most striking natural air conditioners in the state.
Lake Ouachita
Arkansas’s largest lake Lake Ouachitais a playground with clear water where you can swim, dive, kayak and water ski. Take a beautiful boat trip or join a ranger-led swimming cruise to hidden swimming bays. The fully equipped cabins make it an easy overnight stop.
The takeaway: When temperatures rise, Arkansas gives you a long list of ways to cool off: lakes, rivers, caves and water parks, often involving hiking and stargazing.
A few places worth adding to the list
As you work your way through this list, here are the underrated choices worth working into the itinerary.
Greers Ferry Lake (Heber Springs) – Crystal clear water, swimming beaches and the photogenic Little Red River below the dam, which stays cold all year round thanks to the dam’s deep water discharge. A favorite for trout fishing.
Mount Magazine State Park – The highest point in Arkansas at 2,753 feet, where the elevation alone reduces the heat in degrees. Add to that hang gliding, cliffside lodge rooms and some of the best views in the south.
Cossatot River State Park Natural Area – Nicknamed “skull crusher,” this is the wildest whitewater in the state. For experienced rowers, it’s a bucket list run; for everyone else, the swimming holes along the river are a must on a hot day.
Norfork Lake – A huge, tranquil lake on the Missouri border with crystal clear water, dive-friendly visibility and far fewer crowds than the main destinations.
