Moro ArkansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Moro, Arkansas.
1. Moro Bay State Park
WATERFRONT RECREATION PARADISE
Moro Bay State Park is one of the most popular locations for fishing and water sports in south central Arkansas, located at the convergence of Raymond Lake, Moro Bay, and the Ouachita River. The park offers 23 Class AAA campsites, trails, picnic sites, a pavilion, and a playground for visitors to enjoy. It's the perfect spot for those seeking seclusion, no crowds, and a few days to reconnect with nature.
2. Moro Bay Ferry Exhibit
HISTORIC TRANSPORTATION DISPLAY
The Moro Bay Ferry Exhibit showcases the historic ferry that served the area for nearly 150 years, transporting people, horses, wagons, livestock, and vehicles. Visitors can walk on the old ferry and observe the original ferry helm in the visitor center. The exhibit provides a fascinating glimpse into how life once was at Moro Bay, with estimates suggesting the ferry made approximately 150 trips per day during its peak operation.
3. Moro Bay Marina
BOATING AND FISHING HUB
Moro Bay Marina offers boat and slip rentals, gas, and a store, making it an excellent spot for boaters and anglers. It stands as the only place on the Ouachita River in Arkansas that sells gas, providing a crucial service for river travelers. The marina allows large houseboats and barges to dock and hook up to electricity and water, serving as a gateway for adventurous travelers following the river system all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
4. Louisiana Purchase State Park
HISTORIC LAND ACQUISITION SITE
Louisiana Purchase State Park preserves a significant historical landmark related to the 1803 land purchase that doubled the size of the United States. The park features a commemorative marker at the initial point from which all surveys of the Louisiana Purchase Territory began. Visitors can walk along a boardwalk through a headwater swamp to reach the site, experiencing both history and unique wetland ecology.
5. Mississippi River State Park
RIVERSIDE NATURAL BEAUTY
Mississippi River State Park offers visitors spectacular views of the mighty Mississippi and access to its shores within St. Francis National Forest. The park features camping facilities, hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and wildlife viewing across its diverse habitats. Its location provides a unique blend of river views and forest experiences, making it a draw for nature enthusiasts in eastern Arkansas.
6. East Arkansas Community College Fine Arts Center
CULTURAL ARTS VENUE
The East Arkansas Community College Fine Arts Center serves as a cultural hub for the region, hosting a variety of performances, exhibitions, and events. The center features a modern theater, gallery spaces, and educational facilities that support both student and community artistic endeavors. It brings quality entertainment and cultural enrichment opportunities to residents of eastern Arkansas who might otherwise need to travel to larger cities for similar experiences.
7. Moro Bay State Park Cabins
LUXURY IN NATURE
Moro Bay State Park Cabins offer five fully equipped accommodations that feature two bedrooms, two baths, a kitchen, and screened deck overlooking Moro Bay. These cabins are considered some of the best in the Arkansas state park system, providing comfortable lodging in a serene natural setting. Each cabin includes an outdoor living area that allows guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of the surrounding environment while enjoying modern amenities.
8. Ouachita River Water Trail
SCENIC PADDLING ROUTE
The Ouachita River Water Trail offers paddlers and boaters a scenic journey through the pristine wilderness of south Arkansas. The river winds through forests and wetlands, providing opportunities to observe wildlife including river otters, mink, numerous bird species, and occasionally alligators. Moro Bay serves as an excellent access point and rest stop along this waterway that eventually connects to the Mississippi River system.
9. Raymond Lake
TRANQUIL FISHING WATERS
Raymond Lake joins with Moro Bay and the Ouachita River to create one of south-central Arkansas's premier fishing destinations. The lake is known for its abundance of bass, crappie, catfish, and other freshwater species that attract anglers year-round. Its relatively secluded location ensures a peaceful fishing experience even during peak seasons.
10. St. Francis National Forest
DIVERSE WOODLAND ECOSYSTEM
St. Francis National Forest encompasses over 20,000 acres of diverse woodland habitat between the Mississippi and St. Francis Rivers in eastern Arkansas. The forest offers hiking, hunting, wildlife viewing, and camping opportunities across its varied landscape of bottomland hardwoods and upland areas. Its unique position as the only national forest that touches the Mississippi River gives visitors access to both forest and river environments in one location.
11. Moro Bay Wildlife Viewing Area
BIRD WATCHER'S PARADISE
The Moro Bay Wildlife Viewing Area provides dedicated spaces for observing the rich biodiversity of this unique ecosystem where rivers and lakes converge. Visitors can spot numerous wading and diving birds, songbirds, upland game birds, and birds of prey that make the area a bird lover's paradise. The viewing areas also offer chances to see mammals like deer, fox, and occasionally river otters going about their daily activities in their natural habitat.
12. Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge
WETLAND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge covers over 65,000 acres of wetlands, upland forests, and waterways near the Ouachita River system. The refuge is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife including over 200 bird species, numerous mammals, reptiles, and amphibians that thrive in this protected environment. Visitors can enjoy fishing, hunting, wildlife photography, and boating while exploring one of the largest flooded bottomland hardwood forests in North America.
13. Delta Heritage Trail State Park
HISTORIC RAIL-TO-TRAIL
Delta Heritage Trail State Park follows the former Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way, converted into a premier hiking and biking path through the Arkansas Delta. The trail takes visitors through some of the most remote and scenic areas of eastern Arkansas, including bottomland hardwood forests and farmland. When completed, this rails-to-trails project will stretch 84.5 miles from Lexa to Arkansas City, connecting multiple communities and natural areas.
14. Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources
OIL AND BRINE HISTORY
The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources tells the story of south Arkansas's oil and brine industries that transformed the region's economy and culture. Interactive exhibits, historical equipment, and multimedia presentations bring to life the 1920s oil boom that created instant wealth and boomtowns throughout the area. The museum's outdoor park includes a recreated oil field with derricks, equipment, and buildings that show visitors how these natural resources were extracted and processed.
15. Great River Road Scenic Byway
MISSISSIPPI RIVER JOURNEY
The Great River Road Scenic Byway follows the mighty Mississippi River through eastern Arkansas, offering spectacular views and access to river towns, historic sites, and natural areas. This designated National Scenic Byway connects visitors to the cultural heritage of the Mississippi River Delta region through interpretive centers, museums, and historic landmarks. Travelers can explore the unique landscape, architecture, and traditions shaped by centuries of life along America's greatest river.