Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. All photography is ours.
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Arkansas National Parks
The Natural State is known for its outdoor adventure, but Arkansas’s National Parks have some remarkable U.S. history to explore as well. Come #FindYourPark in Arkansas.
National parks guide · Updated October 2026
Every NPS site in Arkansas
7
National Park Service sites in Arkansas
There are seven National Park Service sites in Arkansas: three national historic sites, a national memorial, a national river, a national park, and a national military park. Tap any of them to jump to its details.
At a glance
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Arkansas Post National Memorial
Arkansas Post lies near the confluence of two great rivers, the Arkansas and Mississippi. Over hundreds of years, this area has been an important strategic location for its inhabitants. Its establishment goes all the way back to 1686. From there, Arkansas Post has been the site of the only battle of the Revolutionary War in Arkansas, became part of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, served as the first capital of Arkansas Territory from 1819 to 1821, and was a Confederate stronghold during the American Civil War. For these reasons, Arkansas Post National Memorial stands as an important reminder of the history that has taken place here.
Visitors to the site can explore the Visitor Center where they can watch a short film, hike around the nearby trails through the forest, watch historic weapons demonstrations, and enjoy fishing in and around the park. Arkansas Post National Memorial is about an hour from Pine Bluff, AR.
Buffalo National River
The Buffalo River is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 United States. Buffalo National River was established in 1972 and protects 135 of the river’s roughly 153 miles. Paddling and canoeing are very popular of course, but so is hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and night sky viewing. There are several access points along the river, and guided tours are available. For those who are Scouters, Camp Orr is the only Scout Camp and High Adventure Base located entirely within a National Park and sits along the Buffalo River.
Fort Smith National Historic Site
Fort Smith was established on Christmas Day in 1817, was eventually converted into a Federal Courthouse, and was finally decommissioned in 1896. In its early years, the Fort served as a home and barracks for the U.S. Army. In its later years, Fort Smith had Federal jurisdiction over Indian Territory and modern-day Oklahoma.
Today, visitors to Fort Smith National Historic Site can explore Belle Point (site of the first Fort Smith), the Trail of Tears Overlook and River Walk, and stand on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, the Commissary and Second Fort Smith Grounds, and the Historic Barracks/Courthouse/Jail Buildings where the Visitor Center is also located.
Hot Springs National Park
On April 20th, 1832, President Andrew Jackson signed legislation to federally protect Hot Springs, effectively making it the first National Park and predating Yellowstone by 40 years. However, since the National Park system was not yet created, it wasn’t until 1921 that it officially became Hot Springs National Park. Hot Springs National Park protects the beautifully restored bathhouses along Central Avenue in downtown. Here, you’ll find the Park Visitor Center, shops, and a fully restored Edwardian bathhouse. Not only have the bathhouses been restored to their former glory, a few still offer traditional baths using water from the springs.
Even though it’s one of the smallest National Parks in the system (that honor now goes to Gateway Arch National Park), it has a quirky and fun factor that’s different from many of the other parks. The park also includes 26 miles of hiking trails through the surrounding forest and mountains that visitors can explore. A stroll down the Grand Promenade is a must – just like guests did during the Edwardian Era at its prominence. For some great views of the Ouachita National Forest, take a ride up the 216-ft. Hot Springs Mountain Tower.
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
In 1957, Little Rock Public Schools decided to desegregate, setting into motion a series of events that would change the Nation. The Little Rock Nine, as they were called, were nine African American students who arrived at Little Rock’s Central High School for class that fateful day and are now considered civil rights activists.
The Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site remembers the courage of these young students and educates visitors on what it was like during that turbulent time in America’s history. It also serves to interpret the role of these events in the development of the Civil Rights Movement in America. Guided tours of the school are available on a limited basis, and reservations must be made well in advance of your visit. The Visitor Center is open daily and provides information, exhibits, and is where you meet for your tour if you have one.
Central High School in Little Rock is the only operating high school in the Nation to be designated as a National Historic Site.
Pea Ridge National Military Park
This 4,300-acre battlefield honors the 23,000 soldiers who fought in the Battle of Pea Ridge, one of the most pivotal battles fought in the West during the American Civil War. The battle was ultimately won by the Federal Army, and it proved to be a decisive one for the war.
Pea Ridge National Military Park is one of the most intact battlefields in the United States. Visitors can drive the 7-mile tour road or hike the trails that lead through both historic and natural areas of the park. Horseback riding and bicycling are also available. An annual battle anniversary event with living history is a chance for visitors to see demonstrations and learn more about the battle.
President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site
President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site preserves the childhood home of America’s 42nd President. The Visitor Center offers guests an opportunity to explore Clinton’s early years growing up in Hope, Arkansas, and guided tours of the home leave every thirty minutes. Hope is about two hours southwest of Little Rock.
Partners of the Park Service
NPS-affiliated sites in Arkansas
These sites aren’t run by the National Park Service, but they’re part of the NPS family through national trails and heritage areas.
Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail
The Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail follows the route of the Butterfield Overland Mail, which carried passengers and mail by stagecoach between St. Louis, Memphis, and San Francisco from 1858 to 1861. The route swung across the southern United States through Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Congress added it to the National Trails System in 2023, so it is one of the newest sites in the NPS family and visitor facilities are still being developed. In Arkansas the trail came in from the Memphis branch, crossed the state, and met the Missouri branch at Fort Smith before heading into Indian Territory.
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail commemorates the forceful removal of the Cherokees from their homes in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and North Carolina to Indian Territory in Oklahoma. States participating in the Trail are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. More than 16,000 Cherokee were relocated between 1838 and 1839, and the trail documents their stories of suffering, illness, and death, but also preserves their routes and important sites along the Trail.
Good to know
Arkansas national parks questions
Arkansas has one national park: Hot Springs National Park. It also has six other National Park Service sites.
There are seven NPS sites in Arkansas: three national historic sites, a national memorial, a national river, a national park, and a national military park. Two more NPS-affiliated sites, like Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, round out the list.
So far we’ve visited Buffalo National River and Hot Springs National Park.
Keep exploring
National parks in nearby states
There’s more to explore in these nearby states.
