Buckner ArkansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Buckner, Arkansas.
1. Steve's Outdoor Sports
ADVENTURE GEAR AND ACTIVITIES
Steve's Outdoor Sports is a highly-rated outdoor recreation shop in Buckner that has earned a perfect 5.0 rating from visitors. The store offers a wide range of outdoor gear, equipment, and accessories for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Knowledgeable staff provide expert advice on local outdoor recreation opportunities in the Buckner area.
2. Logoly State Park
NATURAL SPRINGS AND TRAILS
Logoly State Park is Arkansas's first environmental education state park, located near Buckner with a 4.6 visitor rating. The park features natural springs, interpretive programs, and several hiking trails through its beautiful forested landscape. Visitors can explore the educational center to learn about conservation and the region's unique ecology.
3. Hempstead Hall
EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
Hempstead Hall serves as a premier event and entertainment venue near Buckner with a perfect 5.0 rating from visitors. The facility hosts a variety of performances, concerts, theatrical productions, and community events throughout the year. Its modern amenities and excellent acoustics make it a cultural hub for the surrounding area.
4. Bob's Antiques
VINTAGE TREASURES AND COLLECTIBLES
Bob's Antiques is a charming antique shop in Buckner that has earned a perfect 5.0 rating from visitors. The store features a carefully curated collection of vintage items, collectibles, and unique treasures from various time periods. Treasure hunters and history enthusiasts alike enjoy exploring the ever-changing inventory of distinctive pieces.
5. Hope Visitor Center
TOURIST INFORMATION HUB
The Hope Visitor Center welcomes travelers to the region near Buckner with a 4.4 visitor rating. Staff provide maps, brochures, and information about local attractions, dining options, and accommodations in the area. The center also houses exhibits on local history and culture, including information about Hope's famous native son, President Bill Clinton.
6. Columbia County Farmers Market
FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE
The Columbia County Farmers Market brings together local farmers and artisans near Buckner to offer fresh, seasonal produce and handcrafted goods. Visitors can browse stalls filled with fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and specialty items produced in the region. The market creates a vibrant community gathering place while supporting local agriculture and small businesses.
7. Fordyce On The Cotton Belt Festival
ANNUAL COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
The Annual Fordyce On The Cotton Belt Festival is a popular event near Buckner that celebrates the region's rich history and cultural heritage. The festival features live music, food vendors, arts and crafts, carnival rides, and various competitions that draw visitors from across the state. This family-friendly celebration typically takes place in late spring, offering entertainment for all ages.
8. Historic Washington State Park
LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM
Historic Washington State Park preserves a 19th-century town that once served as a key stop on the Southwest Trail and briefly as Arkansas's Confederate capital. Visitors can tour dozens of beautifully restored historic structures, including homes, courthouses, and blacksmith shops that showcase period architecture and furnishings. The park offers guided tours, living history demonstrations, and special events throughout the year that bring the past to life.
9. Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Conservation Education Center
WILDLIFE AND OUTDOOR EDUCATION
The Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Conservation Education Center offers visitors a chance to explore one of the last remaining segments of blackland prairie ecosystem. The center features hiking trails, wildlife observation areas, and educational programs focused on conservation and natural history. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy activities like fishing, bird watching, and photography while learning about this unique ecological treasure.
10. White Oak Lake State Park
FISHING AND RECREATION PARADISE
White Oak Lake State Park surrounds a 1,700-acre fishing lake known for its bass, crappie, catfish, and bream populations. The park offers camping facilities, boat rentals, picnic areas, and three miles of hiking trails through beautiful woodlands. Nature lovers appreciate the diverse wildlife viewing opportunities and peaceful setting for outdoor recreation activities.
11. Old Washington Farmers Market
LOCAL GOODS AND PRODUCE
The Old Washington Farmers Market provides a charming venue near Buckner for local farmers and craftspeople to sell their products directly to consumers. Shoppers can find seasonal fruits and vegetables, homemade preserves, baked goods, and handcrafted items in this historic setting. The market helps preserve agricultural traditions while offering visitors a taste of authentic local flavors and culture.
12. Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources
OIL AND BRINE HISTORY
The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources tells the fascinating story of south Arkansas's oil and brine industries that transformed the region. Interactive exhibits, historical artifacts, and outdoor displays including a recreated oil field demonstrate how these natural resources shaped the economy and culture of the area. Visitors can explore both the environmental and human history of resource extraction through engaging presentations and hands-on learning opportunities.
13. Crater of Diamonds State Park
HUNT FOR REAL DIAMONDS
Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only diamond-producing site in the world open to the public, located within driving distance of Buckner. Visitors can search a 37.5-acre plowed field for diamonds and other gemstones, keeping whatever they find regardless of value. The park also features a water park, camping facilities, and an interpretive center explaining the area's unique geological features.
14. Southern Arkansas University
EDUCATION AND CULTURAL HUB
Southern Arkansas University offers cultural enrichment opportunities for visitors to the region near Buckner through its art galleries, performing arts events, and public lectures. The university's beautiful campus features notable architecture, scenic green spaces, and facilities like the Magale Library and Greek Amphitheater. Sports enthusiasts can catch Mulerider athletic events in various NCAA Division II competitions throughout the academic year.
15. Hope Watermelon Festival
FAMOUS FRUIT CELEBRATION
The Hope Watermelon Festival celebrates the area's famous jumbo watermelons with a multi-day event featuring watermelon-themed activities, contests, and plenty of the sweet fruit to sample. Visitors enjoy live music, arts and crafts vendors, a parade, and the chance to see record-breaking giant watermelons weighing over 200 pounds. This beloved annual tradition has been drawing crowds for over 40 years and typically takes place in August near Buckner.