7 Arkansas National Parks to Visit on National Arkansas Day
Published:
December 15, 2023
Contributor:
Sarah Shelton
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7 Arkansas National Parks to Visit on National Arkansas Day
Arkansas National Parks
Arkansas is home to 6 National Park Historical Sites that are protected by the U.S. Government, plus a very famous National Park with breathtaking views and natural beauty.
1. Arkansas Post National Memorial
Arkansas Post National Memorial is a national memorial located in Gillett, Arkansas in the lower Mississippi River Valley. This memorial preserves the settlement called the Arkansas Post. It was the first European settlement established by French explorers.
History of the Park
This settlement was originally an American trading post turned into a frontier community and then designated as the capitol of the Arkansas Territory in 1819. It changed many hands and was ran by France, Spain, the Confederate Army, the Union Army and finally, in 1964 it became a national memorial.
Two battles of the American Revolution were fought here and the 1864 Battle of Fort Hindman before it was known as the Arkansas Post.
Things to Do
Visit the ruins of the Arkansas Post that have been restored to its original appearance as a 17th century French settlement. There are guided tours by a park ranger, a visitor center and a museum.
Watch the historic weapons demonstrations with muskets and cannons. Take a family walk on one of the trails or have a picnic or go fishing and view wildlife.
2. Buffalo National River
Buffalo National River is a national river in Northern Arkansas. The 135 mile river flows through the Ozark mountains
History of the Park
In 1972, the National Park Service made the Buffalo River the first national river in America. It is one of the few undammed rivers in the United States.
Things to Do
This river is great for outdoor enthusiasts. Take your family canoeing, tubing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, back country backpacking, horseback riding and bird watching.
Visit a 19th century mining town, and the Buffalo Outdoor Center to take guided tours and rent outdoor equipment. There are breathtaking mountain views and scenic overlooks.
3. Fort Smith National Historic Site
Fort Smith National Historic Site is a historical site in Fort Smith, Arkansas. It is home to two 19th century military forts. Fort Smith and Fort Arbuckle played important roles in the 1830s and 1840s to help tame the western frontier with law and order. They also helped to protect settlers from Native American attacks.
History of the Park
The Fort Smith National Historic Site became listed as a National Historic Landmark on December 19, 1960. In 1986 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Things to Do
If you are learning about Westward Expansion and the Wild West in your homeschool, this is a wonderful field trip!
Experience the real Old West by touring the Federal Court and gallows where many outlaws were hung. Tour the forts and historical buildings, an old jail, and historical exhibits on deputies and outlaws.
4. Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site is a special historical site located in Little Rock, Arkansas that was home to a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement in 1957. Today, it is the only operating school that is preserved as a National Park.
History of the Park
On September 23, 1957, nine African American students known as The Little Rock Nine, made the historic walk through a mob of protestors denying them entry. President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered the 101st Airborne Division to escort the nine students into the school.
These students were the first African American students to attend an all white high school in the South. This moment was one that tested the Supreme Court’s Brown vs. Board of Education ruling.
Things to Do
This is a great place to take a field trip if you are learning about the civil rights movement and segregation. The school is still in operation, but you can take ranger led tours and educational programs.
You can tour the school, which is still in operation and visit the Visitor Center that features exhibits on the history of the school and the Civil Rights Movement.
5. Pea Ridge National Military Park
Pea Ridge National Military Park is a national military park in Pea Ridge, Arkansas which is in Northwestern Arkansas. It is home to one of the largest Civil War battles west of the Mississippi River.
History of the Park
This park preserves the Battle of Pea Ridge fought in 1862, which was a huge victory for the Union Army. In 1956, Congress created an act to preserve the battlefield. It was dedicated as a national park during the American Civil War Centennial in 1963.
Things to Do
Take a guided tour or ranger led programs. Visit the visitor center with a movie about the battle, exhibits on the history of the battle and the people who fought it. Take a hiking trail that leads to historic landmarks including Elkhorn Tower which was a field hospital and command center for the battle.
There is also a self guided auto tour of the route that will take you through the major areas of the battle with exhibits and monuments.
6. President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home
President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home is the birthplace home of the 42nd President, Bill Clinton. It is a small, historic site located in Hope, Arkansas.
History of the Park
This site preserves the birthplace home of our 42nd President. This Victorian house was built in 1917, and was officially recognized as a National Park Service site in December 2010.
Things to Do
If you are learning about the presidents, and are in the area, this is a nice, short field trip. You can take a guided 25 minute tour of the home, and see exhibits in the visitor center next door. There is even a replica of the oval office!
7. Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park is a must visit for the natural wonders of the ancient thermal springs. This park is also called “America’s Spa” and contains several bathhouses called “Bathhouse Row”. It is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas with scenic views of the Ouachita Mountains.
History of the Park
Hot Springs National Park became United States territory with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. In 1807, permanent settlers realized the health potential of the natural resources in the hot springs. In 1820, the Arkansas Territorial Legislature set the springs and the mountains aside as a federal reservation to protect them.
On April 20, 1832, President Andrew Jackson signed the legislation to set aside 4 sections of the land and the hot springs for the United States. Hot Springs National park is technically the oldest national park in the United States, but it didn’t become official with governing administration until March 4, 1921.
The park survived a great fire, and many updates to its bathhouses which were frequented by gangsters like Al Capone, and many famous people.
Things to Do
Tour the Historic Bath House Row and you can even take a soak in two of the bathhouses that are still in operation. To preserve its natural state, you can not soak in them outdoors, but you can touch the thermal water in a few different places in the park. There are thousands of acres of beautiful scenery, and miles of hiking trails.
You can even fill up your water bottles with water fountains that dispense fresh, clean water from the cool springs. This is a memorable vacation where you can learn the history of the springs and take in nature at the same time. The wildlife viewing and birdwatching is spectacular.
There are educational presentations, tours and many camping and picnic areas for your whole family to enjoy.
Free Field Trip Journal Pack
This Field Trip Journal Pack is a great way for kids to keep a record of what they learned and saw when visiting a national park or historical site. They will enjoy recording where your family has visited and what they liked about it the most.
What’s in the Field Trip Journal Pack?
There are 14 pages of field trip journaling fun in this printable pack. Your children can record their field trip as if it was a story, or they can sketch out what they saw.
Record the 5 senses they experienced while on their trip. There is a map of all 50 states to color in which states you have gone on field trips to.
There are even fun bucket lists of field trips you want to take, and a list to keep track of the field trips your family has already been on.
Field Trip Journal Pack
Turn your fun field trips into school portfolio work with this 14 page notebooking pack. Go explore, have fun & know they’re learning!
Sarah Shelton
Sarah is a wife, daughter of the King and Mama to 4 children (two homeschool graduates) She is a an eclectic, Charlotte Mason style homeschooler that has been homeschooling for over 20 years.. She is still trying to find the balance between work and keeping a home and gardens. She can only do it by the Grace of God, coffee and green juice
