Stephens ArkansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Stephens, Arkansas.
1. Logoly State Park
NATURAL SPRINGS AND TRAILS
Logoly State Park is a popular natural attraction in Stephens featuring beautiful springs and educational trails. Visitors can enjoy the park's environmental education programs which focus on the natural resources of the area. The park offers picnic areas, hiking opportunities, and is Arkansas's first environmental education state park.
2. Steve's Outdoor Sports
HUNTING AND FISHING GEAR
Steve's Outdoor Sports is a highly-rated sporting goods store in Stephens catering to outdoor enthusiasts. The shop offers a wide selection of hunting, fishing, and camping equipment for locals and visitors alike. With its 5-star rating, it has become a go-to destination for outdoor recreation supplies in the area.
3. Poison Spring State Park
CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD SITE
Poison Spring State Park commemorates the 1864 Civil War battle that occurred at this historic site near Stephens. The park preserves the battlefield where Confederate forces ambushed Union soldiers during the Camden Expedition. Visitors can explore interpretive exhibits and walking trails that tell the story of this significant Civil War engagement.
4. McCollum-Chidester House
HISTORIC CIVIL WAR MUSEUM
The McCollum-Chidester House is a well-preserved historic home dating back to 1847 located near Stephens. This historic building served as the headquarters for Union General Frederick Steele during the Civil War's Camden Expedition. Today, visitors can tour the house museum and view period furnishings and artifacts that showcase life in 19th century Arkansas.
5. Arkansas Highway 57 Bridge
HISTORIC PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
The Arkansas Highway 57 Bridge is a historic structure in Stephens that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Now used exclusively for pedestrian traffic, this bridge represents an important piece of the region's transportation history. Visitors can walk across the bridge and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape while experiencing a piece of Arkansas heritage.
6. Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center
RIVER WILDLIFE EDUCATION CENTER
The Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center is a 16,232 square foot facility overlooking the Arkansas River within Julius Breckling Riverfront Park. Located on 3.4 acres in Little Rock, this nature center provides educational exhibits about Arkansas wildlife and ecosystems. Visitors can learn about conservation efforts while enjoying views of the river and participating in programs about local natural resources.
7. Stephens Paper Corporation
LOCAL INDUSTRY LANDMARK
Stephens Paper Corporation stands as one of the major employers in Stephens, contributing significantly to the local economy. The facility has been an important part of the industrial landscape of southern Arkansas for many years. Visitors interested in local industry can see this operating business that helps sustain the community of Stephens.
8. Security Bank
HISTORIC LOCAL BANKING INSTITUTION
Security Bank is a historic financial institution that has served the Stephens community for generations. Once the publisher of the local newspaper, the Stephens Star, this bank remains an important cornerstone of the local economy. The bank represents the economic heritage of this oil-producing region and continues to serve residents and businesses in the area.
9. Stephens Cemetery
HISTORIC BURIAL GROUNDS
Stephens Cemetery is a historic burial ground located on the western end of town that has been maintained by the Stephens Cemetery Association since 1977. The cemetery serves as the final resting place for many notable citizens and pioneers of the region. Visitors interested in genealogy and local history often visit to explore the headstones and monuments that tell the story of Stephens' past.
10. Fort Southerland
CIVIL WAR FORTIFICATION
Fort Southerland is a National Historic Landmark located on Bradley Ferry Road near Camden, just a short drive from Stephens. This historic fortification was built by Confederate forces and later improved by Union troops during the Federal occupation of Camden in 1864. Visitors can explore this well-preserved Civil War site that played a significant role in the Camden Expedition.
11. Fort Lookout
HISTORIC MILITARY SITE
Fort Lookout is a National Historic Landmark situated on Van Buren Road near Camden, within easy reach of Stephens. Like Fort Southerland, this fortification was constructed by Confederate soldiers and later utilized by Union forces during their occupation of Camden. History enthusiasts can visit this important military site that offers insights into Arkansas's Civil War heritage.
12. Old Washington State Park
CONFEDERATE CAPITOL HISTORIC SITE
Old Washington State Park preserves the historic town that served as Arkansas's Confederate State Capitol during the Civil War. The 1836 structure featured in the park played a prominent role in the strategies of both Confederate and Union armies during the conflict. Visitors can tour numerous restored buildings and learn about 19th century life in this well-preserved historic community.
13. Stephens Oil Fields
WORKING PETROLEUM PRODUCTION
The Stephens Oil Fields comprise four productive oil fields that continue to operate in the twenty-first century. These fields have been crucial to the economy of this important city in southern Arkansas's oil-producing region. Visitors interested in industrial heritage can observe active oil production that has shaped the development and prosperity of Stephens for generations.
14. Prairie D'Ane Battlefield
CIVIL WAR SKIRMISH SITE
The Prairie D'Ane Battlefield near Prescott is a National Historic Landmark where Federal and Confederate forces clashed between April 9-12, 1864. This important battle effectively stopped the Union army's advance toward Louisiana during the Camden Expedition. History buffs can visit this preserved battlefield to learn about a pivotal moment in Arkansas's Civil War history.
15. Elkins Ferry Battlefield
RIVER CROSSING BATTLE SITE
Elkins Ferry Battlefield is a National Historic Landmark located 10 miles north of Prescott on the Little Missouri River. This site commemorates the April 3-4, 1864 battle where Federal troops attempted to cross the river while facing strong Confederate resistance. Visitors can explore this preserved battlefield that marks an important engagement during the Camden Expedition of the Civil War.