Hot Springs National Park, Petit Jean State Park, Crater of Diamonds State Park: explore the pristine landscapes and unique natural phenomena of the beautiful state of Arkansas.
| Capital: | Litte Rock |
| Area: | 138,000 km² |
| Population: | about 3 million |
| Location: | South of the USA |
| Nickname: | The Natural State |
| Hotspots: | Hot Springs National Park, Petit Jean State Park |
| Time zone: | UTC -6 (Central) |
Arkansas is one of the southern states of the USA and has a total of six neighbors: Missouri to the North, Tennessee, and Mississippi to the East, Oklahoma to the West, Louisiana to the South, and Texas to the Southwest. The Natural State has no coastline, but the Mississippi River forms most of the Eastern state border.
With about three million inhabitants, Arkansas ranks 32nd among the 50 US states when it comes to population size. In terms of population density, it is also in the middle of the pack, ranking 34th with about 22 inhabitants per km². The largest population group living in Arkansas are whites, with a share of 73 %, followed by African Americans (16 %) and Hispanics (9 %)
The urban clusters of Arkansas are located in the center of the state in and around Pulaski County as well as in the Northwest in Benton County and Washington County. The largest cities in Arkansas are:
| City | Population |
|---|---|
| Little Rock | 203,000 |
| Fayetteville | 94,000 |
| Fort Smith | 89,000 |
| Springdale | 84,000 |
| Jonesboro | 79,000 |
In general, Arkansas can be divided into two landscapes: the lowlands in the Southeast and the highlands in the Northwest. The lowlands stretch along the Mississippi floodplain and across the adjoining hilly landscape in the Southeastern part of the state. The highlands include the Ozark Mountains and the Ouachita Mountains. Everywhere in Nature State Arkansas, you will find large nature parks and wilderness areas, along with a multitude of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
The climate in Arkansas is subtropical. Although the state is not located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, the weather is still strongly influenced by it. Summers in Arkansas are hot and humid, with daily highs above the 30 °C thresholds. Winters are mild to chilly, with the thermometer sometimes dropping to below 0 °C from December to January. As Arkansas lies within North America's Tornado Alley, extreme weather conditions such as (ice) storms, hail, and tornadoes may occur.
Do you want to experience nature in all its glory? We recommend a journey to Arkansas in spring or autumn!
Although the weather in April and May can still be a bit rainy at times, the temperatures are mild, and the country comes to life. Now, the wildflowers blossom, and the melting snow brings the rivers to a high water level. It's the perfect time for hiking, canoeing, and other outdoor activities! A unique spring event is the "Magnolia Blossom Festival," which is an art festival and a steak grilling competition at the same time.
Without a doubt, the most beautiful views of Arkansas can be enjoyed in autumn, when the trees shine in glorious colors. The summer heat has dissipated, but the skies are usually clear and bright blue. Autumn is also the time to mingle with the locals at various music festivals. Check out the "Ozark Folk Festival," the "Depot Days Music Festival," or the "Spanker Creek Farm Arts And Crafts Festival."
Close to the capital Little Rock, you will find the largest airport in Arkansas, Clinton National Airport. Another important hub for air traffic in the Natural State is Northwest Arkansas National Airport near Fayetteville.
If you are traveling to Arkansas on an international flight, you will probably arrive at the airport in Little Rock. From Frankfurt am Main, you can choose between several airlines: KLM, British Airways, and American Airlines will take you to Little Rock and back for a ticket price of around € 500. Each connection includes one stopover in Charlotte, Dallas, or Atlanta.
You can also fly to Arkansas from London with American Airlines. This connection also includes a stop and costs around € 600. The cheapest flights from Tokyo in Japan can be found with United Airlines. With a stopover in Denver, you can fly to Little Rock for around € 1,200.
Don't forget: If you are not a US citizen or Green Card holder, you will need a visa or ESTA to enter Arkansas.
With an ESTA, you can stay 90 days visa-free in the USA. Apply online now!
Little Rock Airport is located five kilometers southeast of the city center. Once you arrive, you have several options to get to your accommodation:
Airport Line 12 of the Rock Region Metro connects Clinton National Airport with downtown Little Rock. A one-way public transport ticket costs $ 2.70, and you can also buy a ten-ride ticket for $ 25.
If you are staying at a hotel, chances are they offer a free shuttle service. It's best to check with your hotel directly. The Little Rock Airport shuttle stop is located in front of exit D.
Taxis are waiting for you at exit H near baggage claim. You pay the base fare of $ 5.00 and $ 1.24 for each kilometer traveled.
Majestic mountains, vast woodlands, enchanting lakes, hot springs: Arkansas lives up to its nickname, The Natural State. Here are our tips for all adventurers and nature lovers:
Hot springs, wooded hiking trails, rushing streams, and a magnificent view of the peaks of the Ouachita Mountains – and all of it in the middle of the city! Hot Springs National Park stretches along the Northern end of the city of Hot Springs and impresses with its unique blend of nature and historical heritage. Take a photo tour along the green hillsides and visit the preserved buildings of Bathhouse Row. Tip: The Fordyce Bathhouse Museum has a visitor center, where you can talk to a ranger and learn about the history of this special place.
Rugged rock faces, extensive cave formations, thundering waterfalls, and unique viewpoints: Petit Jean State Park, West of the town of Conway, is one of the most scenic places in Arkansas. Explore the miles of pristine wilderness on the hiking trails until you reach the summit of Petit Jean Mountain. After taking in the views of Arkansas' first state park, relax on Lake Bailey while taking a boat ride or fishing trip.
What could be better than admiring the wilderness on the riverbank from a canoe? When you paddle down the crystal clear Buffalo National River in Arkansas, you'll be amazed! To your right and left rise the peaks of the Ozark Mountains and the Salem Plateau, and with a little luck, you'll spot deer, elk, bobcats, and many other wild animals on your boat trip.
It's probably no surprise that most of Arkansas' attractions can be found in nature. Did you know about these ten extraordinary places?
Amidst the beautiful landscapes of the Natural State, the cities of Little Rock and Fayetteville await you with many cultural and culinary highlights.
Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas, is also its cultural center, with many interesting museums and historical sites waiting for you. Visit the arts center, the Repertory Theatre, the Arboretum, the Wildwood Parks of Arts and mingle with locals at lunchtime at the River Market, where you can sample street food from Arkansas and around the world.
These city highlights await you in Little Rock:
Fayetteville is also known as the "Athens of the Ozarks" because of its first-class educational institutions and innovative ideas. As a typical college town, Fayetteville offers a pleasant lifestyle and is characterized by many restaurants, bars, clubs, cafés, and parks. Tip: If you're a bookworm, you'll be in the right place at the famous Dickson Street Bookstore, which offers more than 100,000 hard-to-find books.
Get inspired by these city highlights in Fayetteville:
Our road trip through Arkansas takes us to some fascinating places. For example, Arkansas is the only US state with a diamond field. What is now Crater of Diamonds State Park is located in the Southwest of the Natural State near Murfreesboro. More than 33,100 diamonds have been discovered in the field since 1972. So if you're in the mood for a different kind of leisure activity during your Arkansas trip, you can book an appointment for "diamond mining" via the park administration's website. Everything you find is yours to keep!
You'll also make exciting discoveries at Blanchard Springs Caverns in Northern Arkansas. The caves in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest were first explored in the 1950s and contain spectacular formations of stalagmites and stalactites. Take a guided tour to venture into the underworld of Arkansas.
Are you more interested in the cultural highlights? Then definitely pay a visit to the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock. Opened in 2004, the building is a library, museum, and event venue. Learn all about the life and work of the 42nd President Bill Clinton and admire the authentic replica of the Oval Office, the presidential limousine from the 1990s, and much more.
Do you want to share your adventures in beautiful Arkansas with your friends and followers? Your photos from our five Instagram hotspots are sure to leave a strong impression.
Whether you prefer savory or sweet, Arkansas' Southern dishes will delight your senses. Be sure to try these signature dishes:
Do you want to marvel a little more about Arkansas? You may not have heard these interesting facts about the Natural State:
Have you been so enchanted by the landscapes in Arkansas that you want to stay forever? The following tips will help you to get one step closer to your expat dream.
Traditionally, Arkansas has been a state dominated by agriculture and forestry. To this day, it is a major producer of rice, cotton, soybeans, softwood lumber, chicken, turkey, and fish. There are also many jobs in the industrial sector, especially in the production of electrical appliances, metal products, machinery, paper products, and car parts. Another important sector is tourism. The Natural State is home to six Fortune 500 companies: Walmart, Tyson Foods, J.B. Hunt, Dillard's, Murphy USA, and Windstream.
Life in Arkansas is pleasant – not only because you're so close to nature but also because you can live on a low budget. According to the Cost of Living Index, expenses here are a whopping 20 % below the US average! Especially in the rural areas, you can save a lot on housing and transport costs. If you're searching for the perfect city to settle in, we recommend Bentonville, Cammack Village, Centerton, Johnson, and Fayetteville.
Are you happy in the midst of Arkansas' nature? In this case, you need a Green Card to be allowed to live and work in the USA indefinitely. The US government's Green Card Lottery gives away a total of 55,000 of the popular immigrant visas every year. Sign up and take your chance!
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