The Netflix series Ozark has drawn international attention to our little corner of the world. The Arkansas Ozarks are nestled within the rugged terrain of the St. Francois and Boston Mountains that stretch across Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The Ozarks are rich in natural beauty, history, and unique cultural heritage. The thick woods and mind-ya-business attitude also apparently provide a convenient place to hide if you’re a money launderer or moonshiner.
Questionable legal practices aside, for those looking to immerse themselves in the distinctive culture of the Arkansas Ozarks, the area provides a treasure trove of experiences. From the ancient roots of Native American civilizations to vibrant folk traditions, the Ozarks are a memorable vacation destination!
Let Us Teach You!
Here at Arkansas Frontier, we’re experts on… well…frontier life in Arkansas! Located in Quitman, at the edge of the Ozarks, we open our farm and pumpkin patch to little frontiersmen every October. Founded by teachers, and dedicated to preserving the history of this region. Our period-dressed experts will guide you through our one-room frontier schoolhouse, an Indian Village, and a Pioneer Homestead where you can test your 19th-century agricultural skills!
The Settlement of the Arkansas Ozarks
The Ozarks have a storied past, shaped by waves of settlers who found their way from the Lower Appalachians. Long before European explorers, Native American tribes, including the Osage, Quapaw, and Caddo, made their homes here. These early inhabitants developed rich cultures, deeply connected to the land, which are still evident in the archaeological sites scattered across the region.
European settlement began in earnest during the early 19th century, as pioneers, many of Scots-Irish descent, moved westward in search of new opportunities. They reportedly settled in the region because the rolling green mountains reminded them of the Munros of the Scottish Highlands.
As these settlers established their roots, they brought cultural practices from their homelands, blending them with the traditions of the Native American tribes they encountered. This melding of cultures created the distinctive Ozarks identity, which is still celebrated today.
Fun Fact: The name “Ozarks” reportedly comes from French Explorers who dubbed it “Aux Arcs.” The etymology is debated to mean either “with bows” (referring to the armed Indians in the area) or “toward the arches,” (referring to the natural caves and bridges in the region).
The Unique Culture of the Arkansas Ozarks
Music plays a central role in Ozark culture. The region is renowned for its folk music, characterized by lively fiddles, banjos, and the mountain dulcimer. Traditionally, the music was accompanied by storytelling that reflected the trials, triumphs, and humor of life in the Ozarks.
The Ozarks are also known for their craftsmanship, particularly in woodworking, quilting, and jewelry making. These crafts are not just hobbies but essential skills that have been honed over generations. Many artisans in the region continue to create beautiful, functional pieces that reflect the ingenuity and resourcefulness of their ancestors.
Nature is another key element of Ozark culture. The Ozark National Forest, with its dense foliage, clear streams, and rolling hills, is not just a backdrop but a defining feature of life here. Once integral to the way of life, outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and foraging are still top recreational choices.
How to Enjoy the Culture of the Arkansas Ozarks
Experiencing the culture of the Ozarks is about immersing yourself in the traditions, music, art, and stories that make this region so special. Whether you’re exploring historic sites, attending a local festival, or hiking through the beautiful landscape, there are countless ways to connect with the spirit of the Ozarks. Here are a few fantastic options to round out your Arkansas Ozarks itinerary!
1. Eureka Springs
This charming town is known for its well-preserved Victorian architecture and vibrant arts scene. Stroll through the historic district, visit the many art galleries, pop in Thorncrown Chapel, and check out the funky boutiques. There are several sights on our list in or near Eureka Springs, and it works well as a hub for your venture into the Arkansas Ozarks.
For those who love a paranormal vibe, or just a great view, consider staying in “the most haunted hotel in America,” 1886 Crescent Hotel, and join one of their nightly ghost tours!
2. Ozark Folk Festival
The Ozark Folk Festival in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is the longest-running folk festival in America, featuring three days of music, workshops, and the Barefoot Ball. Highlights include multiple stages of great Ozarks fiddlers, workshops on fingerpicking, mandolin, and jig dancing, and craft workshops by local artisans. The festival also hosts a songwriting competition, bringing together talented songwriters from across the country. The festival runs from September 5-8th, 2024. Check the website for full events and performer listings!
3. Hillberry Music Festival
Held annually in Eureka Springs, this festival is a celebration of music, community, and the natural beauty of the Ozarks. With five nights and two stages featuring a lineup of bluegrass, folk, and funk bands, it’s a great way to experience the region’s musical heritage. The 2024 festival is October 2-6! Get your tickets now!
4. The Great Passion Play
Held in Eureka Springs, this outdoor drama depicts the last days of Jesus Christ and is one of the longest-running passion plays in the country. The park also includes the massive Christ of the Ozarks statue, Noah’s Ark Petting Zoo, A Tour of the Holyland, a replica of Moses Tabernacle, mountain biking paths, a Bible museum, and much more! The Great Passion Play is full day and night of fun.
5. Blue Spring Heritage Center
Just outside Eureka Springs, this beautiful and historic site is home to one of the largest natural springs in the Ozarks. The area has been sacred to the Cherokee for thousands of years and features beautiful botanical gardens, historic bluff dwellings, and a trout-filled lagoon where kiddos can feed the frenzied fish!
6. Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down
This long-running variety show in Eureka Springs is “the hottest show in the Ozarks.” It features a lively mix of country, bluegrass, and comedy. It’s a fun and family-friendly way to experience the musical culture of the Ozarks, and the theatre just got a shiny new makeover!
7. Quigley’s Castle
Not quite a castle, Quigley’s is a quaint mountain home and the passion project of Elise Fioravant Quigley. Built completely by hand with products from Quigley’s land, the home features unique rock art from Mrs. Quigley’s personal collection and acres of lovely gardens.
8. Onyx Cave
Onyx Cave is one of the many show caves in Arkansas and a highlight for outdoor adventurers in the Ozarks. It’s the oldest tour cave in the state and has been wowing guests since 1891.
9. Ozark Folk Center State Park
Moving away from Eureka Springs, Ozark Folk Center State Park is located in Mountain View. The park is a living history museum dedicated to preserving the region’s heritage. Stroll through medicinal herbs in Heritage Herb Garden, listen to live Southern mountain music on Blacksmith Stage, and watch working artisans demonstrate their talents in the Craft Village.
Then, kick your hankering for Southern food at Heirlooms Kitchen or Skillet Restaurant. For more info, the Highlands Theater hosts Ozark Highlands Radio, a weekly show detailing events and happenings in the park. You can access it on iTunes or Soundcloud.
Want information on more amazing Arkansas state parks? Check out this list of some of our favorites!
10. Arkansas Folk Festival
Before the park (1973), there was the festival. Raging since 1960, this annual event in Mountain View is a celebration of Ozark culture. Enjoy traditional music, wood carving, craft demonstrations, and local food, all while soaking in the small-town charm. The festival generally takes place in late April.
11. Blanchard Springs Caverns
Also near Mountain View, Blanchard Springs Caverns is a three-level, premier show cave. The caverns feature a network of spectacular limestone formations, including impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and the world’s largest flowstone. Additionally, the nearby Blanchard Springs Recreation Area offers opportunities for hiking, camping, and enjoying the scenic beauty of the Ozarks.
12. Arkansas Craft School
Located in Mountain View, this school offers workshops in traditional Ozark crafts such as pottery, woodworking, and fiber arts. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artisan, you can learn from skilled instructors and create your own handmade pieces to take home.
13. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Located in Bentonville, this museum houses an impressive collection of American art. Founded by the Waltons, the museum is an architectural marvel and by far the best art collection in the state. Crystal Bridges also offers wonderful temporary exhibits and art fairs as well as highly popular forest light displays.
The Crystal Bridges Trail System: These trails feature outdoor sculptures, bridges, and lush landscapes, making for a relaxing and culturally enriching walk.
14. Pea Ridge National Military Park
History buffs will appreciate a visit to this Civil War battlefield in northwest Arkansas. The park offers visitors guided tours and exhibits that provide insight into the impact of the war on the Ozarks region.
15. Buffalo National River
The first national river in the United States, the Buffalo River offers stunning scenery and outdoor adventures. If you intend to float the Buffalo, you’ll need to go in May or early June. Floating the Lower Buffalo near Ponca is a breeze and includes some of the most beautiful bluffs as well as a short hike to the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians—Hemmed-in-Hollow Falls.
16. Boxley Valley Historic District
Situated along the Buffalo National River near Ponca, this historic district features preserved homesteads, barns, and a historic schoolhouse. You can also visit the nearby Parker-Hickman Farmstead and the frontier ghost town of Rush!
17. Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
Located in Springdale, this museum offers exhibits on the history and culture of the Northwest Arkansas Ozarks, including artifacts from Native American, pioneer, and early 20th-century communities.
18. Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area
This park near Rogers offers a mix of outdoor recreation and education. Explore the visitor center’s exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the Ozarks, hike through the scenic trails, or join one of the park’s many interpretive programs. Hobbs is Arkansas’s largest state park and includes some of our best mountain biking trails!
19. Rogers Historical Museum
Located in Downtown Rogers, this museum offers exhibits on the history of the Ozarks, including Native American artifacts, pioneer life, and the region’s role in the Civil War. The museum’s exhibits are interactive, making it a great destination for families. It’s a small museum, but definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area.
20. War Eagle Mill
Also in Rogers, this historic working gristmill offers a glimpse into the region’s agricultural history. You can tour the mill, enjoy some grub at the on-site restaurant, and shop for locally-made crafts and food products. With a working water wheel, a massive spillway, and a large array of antique farming equipment, the mill feels like stepping back in time.
The Annual War Eagle Craft Fair, held each October, is one of the largest in the Ozarks and features handmade crafts from artisans across the region.
21. Railyard Bike Park
If historic NW Arkansas was all about farming and fiddling, current-day culture revolves around Razorback sports, craft brew, and biking! Located in Rogers, Railyard Bike Park features trails and jumps that cater to different skill levels, offering an exciting way to experience the Ozarks’ natural beauty and rugged terrain.
After you burn up a sweat, grab your passport and check off a few watering holes on the Fayetteville Ale Trail.
22. Terra Studios
Located near Fayetteville, Terra Studios is an art park and gallery known for its Bluebird of Happiness glass sculptures. The studio offers workshops, a sculpture garden, and a gallery filled with handmade art by local artists. The 6-acre art park is a peaceful and creative place to visit.
23. The Village at Pickles Gap
Between Conway and Greenbrier, in the foothills of the Ozarks, The Village is technically a shopping center. However, it features historic buildings, traditional food markets, and even a homemade fudge factory! There’s also a lovely coffee shop, custom knife store, book store, and even a massage parlor. It’s one of those places that you can’t help but pop into when you drive by. Just be careful, you might stay all day!
24. Ozark Highlands Trail
If you want to spend your vacation in nature, and you’re an avid hiker, we’ve got a doozy for you! The Ozark Highlands Trail traverses more than 270 miles and is still expanding. The most popular portion of this multi-day hike crosses 164 miles of the Boston Mountains through canyons, over ridges, and across numerous rivers and streams. You’ll camp along the way and see some of the Arkansas Ozarks’ best scenery!
25. Mammoth Spring State Park
In northern Arkansas, near the Missouri border, this state park is home to one of the largest springs in the Ozarks. The park offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and exploring the historic mill and Frisco Train Depot, which provide insight into the area’s industrial history.
26. Devil’s Den State Park
One of the oldest state parks in Arkansas, Devil’s Den is known for its unique rock formations, caves, and hiking trails. The park’s CCC-built structures are a testament to the craftsmanship of the 1930s and provide a beautiful setting for exploring the natural and civic history of the Ozarks.
27. Annual Arkansas Fiddlers Convention
Held in Harrison, Arkansas, this event brings together fiddlers from across the region to celebrate traditional Ozark music. The convention includes competitions and jam sessions, offering visitors the best fiddle music in the country. The festival has been active since 1983 and generally takes place in March.
28. Trail of Tears Historic Sites
Scattered throughout the Ozarks, several sites mark the tragic journey of the Cherokee people as they were forced to relocate from their ancestral lands. Visiting these sites offers a sobering reminder of this dark chapter in American history and a chance to reflect on the resilience of the Native American cultures in the region. Check out this interactive map of the National Trail of Tears Sites in Arkansas.
29. Trout Fishing on the White River
Fishing is a huge part of the culture in NW Arkansas, especially trout fishing! The White River and Bulls Shoals Lake are world-renowned for guided trout fishing tours.
30. Hiking in the Ozark National Forest
Hiking is one of the most popular activities in The Natural State, and most of the best hikes in Arkansas are in the Ozarks. You might consider Whitaker Point, Yellow Rock Trail, or Kings Bluff!
While there are numerous trails to choose from, if you want a short, moderate hike to an amusing viewpoint, head to the parking area on Piney Mountain Road between Sand Gap and Hagarville. From there, it’s a very short hike to the Arkansas Sphinx Trailhead. This is a natural monolith, that if you squint hard enough, looks a bit like a tiny version of the Egyptian wonder. The trail is quite strenuous and hard to find, (You’ll need GPS for this one.) but the views are stupendous!
Picnic at Haw Creek Campground or visit the legendary local spot, Hagarville Grocery for a spot of grub. They just had their grand reopening!
Time to Explore the Arkansas Ozarks!
With so many cultural, historical, and outdoor experiences to choose from, the Arkansas Ozarks is a destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in exploring ancient Native American sites, attending lively folk festivals, or simply enjoying the breathtaking natural scenery, the Ozarks provide a rich and rewarding experience for all travelers.
As you plan your visit, allot time for diving into the local culture, meeting the artisans, musicians, and historians who keep the region’s traditions alive, and taking home souvenirs that reflect the unique spirit of the Ozarks.