Oakhaven ArkansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Oakhaven, Arkansas.
1. Oakhaven Trail of Holiday Lights
FESTIVE CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAY
The Oakhaven Trail of Holiday Lights features a street with beautifully decorated yards that illuminate the town during the holiday season. One particular yard's lights are synchronized to dance to music played on an FM radio station, creating a magical audio-visual experience. The lights are typically displayed from December 10th through January 1st, with special Luminary nights featuring appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
2. Queen Wilhelmina State Park
MOUNTAIN-TOP NATURAL PARADISE
Queen Wilhelmina State Park sits atop Rich Mountain, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Ouachita Mountains. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, lodging facilities, and recreational activities in this picturesque natural setting. The park is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking to experience the beauty of Arkansas's landscapes.
3. Mountain Glory Station
SCENIC MINIATURE TRAIN RIDE
Mountain Glory Station offers a delightful miniature train ride atop Rich Mountain within Queen Wilhelmina State Park. Passengers are treated to stunning panoramic views as they travel through the scenic landscape surrounding the park. This family-friendly attraction combines the charm of a miniature railway with the natural beauty of the Ouachita Mountains.
4. Mena KCS Historic Depot & Museum
RAILWAY HISTORY PRESERVED
The Mena KCS Historic Depot & Museum preserves the rich railway heritage of the region in a beautifully maintained historic train station. Constructed during the passenger train era, the depot now houses Mena's Historical Museum with exhibits showcasing the area's past. Visitors can step back in time and experience the golden age of rail travel while learning about local history.
5. Ouachita National Forest
HISTORIC WOODLAND WILDERNESS
The Ouachita National Forest is the oldest National Forest in the southern United States, covering an impressive 1.8 million acres. This vast woodland offers endless recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife observation. Nature enthusiasts can explore forested mountains, sweeping valleys, and clear-running streams throughout this protected wilderness area.
6. Ouachita National Recreational Trail
EPIC LONG-DISTANCE HIKING PATH
The Ouachita National Recreational Trail spans an impressive 204 miles across the Ouachita Mountains with elevations ranging from 600 to 2,600 feet. Hikers on this long-distance trail pass through diverse landscapes featuring forested mountains, sweeping valleys, and clear-running streams. As the longest trail in the Ouachitas, it provides an immersive wilderness experience for outdoor adventurers seeking to connect with nature.
7. Wolf Pen Gap
PREMIER ATV TRAIL SYSTEM
Wolf Pen Gap offers 41 miles of loop trails specially designed for All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) enthusiasts to explore the natural beauty of the region. The trail system features high mountain vistas, a unique two-foot-tall oak tree, and an abandoned mine shaft among its points of interest. Adventure seekers can experience nature up close while navigating the thrilling terrain of these popular recreational trails.
8. Talimena National Scenic Byway
SPECTACULAR MOUNTAIN DRIVE ROUTE
The Talimena National Scenic Byway is a breathtaking drive that traverses the crest of Rich Mountain and the Ouachita Mountains. This renowned roadway offers spectacular vistas, particularly during fall when the foliage transforms into a vibrant display of autumn colors. Travelers can enjoy numerous scenic overlooks along the route that showcase the natural beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
9. Cossatot River State Park
WILD RIVER ADVENTURE DESTINATION
Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area preserves a wild and scenic river famous for its challenging whitewater rapids and natural beauty. The park features the Cossatot River as it cuts through a spectacular mountain corridor in the Ouachita Mountains. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy kayaking, fishing, hiking, and wildlife observation in this rugged natural setting.
10. Hot Springs National Park
HISTORIC THERMAL SPRINGS RETREAT
Hot Springs National Park preserves 47 natural hot springs that have been used for therapeutic bathing for centuries. The park's Bathhouse Row features eight historic bathhouses built in the early 1900s, with several now serving as museums, art galleries, and even a brewery. Visitors can experience the thermal waters through traditional bathing facilities or by collecting the mineral-rich spring water from public fountains throughout the park.
11. Fort Smith National Historic Site
FRONTIER JUSTICE HISTORY
Fort Smith National Historic Site preserves the remains of two frontier forts and the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas. The site tells the story of justice on America's frontier, including tales of notorious outlaws, dedicated lawmen, and Judge Isaac C. Parker, known as the "hanging judge". Visitors can explore the reconstructed gallows, historic jail cells, and exhibits that bring to life the complex history of law enforcement in the American West.
12. Fort Smith Museum of History
REGIONAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Fort Smith Museum of History showcases the rich cultural heritage of the region from its frontier days to the present. Housed in a historic warehouse building, the museum features extensive collections of artifacts, photographs, and exhibits that tell the story of Fort Smith's development. Visitors can experience an authentic 1920s soda fountain, explore a detailed recreation of a late 1800s drug store, and discover the diverse influences that shaped this important gateway to the American West.
13. Chaffee Crossing Historic District
MILITARY HERITAGE AREA
The Chaffee Crossing Historic District preserves a significant portion of the former Fort Chaffee military installation with buildings and sites dating back to the 1940s. This historic area gained fame as the location where Elvis Presley received his first military haircut in 1958, an event commemorated in the Chaffee Barbershop Museum. The district now blends preserved military heritage with new development, creating a unique cultural and recreational destination.
14. Chaffee Barbershop and Military Museum
ELVIS'S FAMOUS HAIRCUT SITE
The Chaffee Barbershop and Military Museum preserves the historic barbershop where Elvis Presley received his first military haircut in 1958. The museum features memorabilia from this famous event along with exhibits on military life at Fort Chaffee. Visitors can see the original barber chairs and equipment while learning about both Elvis's military service and the broader history of this important military installation.
15. Crater of Diamonds State Park
DIAMOND HUNTING ADVENTURE
Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only diamond-producing site in the world open to the public, allowing visitors to search for and keep any diamonds they find. The park sits on a 37.5-acre plowed field that is actually the eroded surface of an ancient volcanic crater containing diamonds and other gemstones. In addition to diamond hunting, visitors can enjoy hiking trails, picnic areas, and a water park during summer months.