Parks and Trails Differentiate the Natural State

Arkansas’ widely diverse geography has always helped the Natural State stand out.

From the heavily forested terrain of the U.S. Interior Highlands to the rolling fields of the Grand Prairie, Arkansas earned its Natural State nickname. State parks and trails from the Ozarks to the Delta generate an economic impact of about $35.8 million and serve more than 8 million visitors annually.

The booming industry sees continual growth and expansion, and state officials have committed to making Arkansas an environmental benchmark.

Parks and Trails as Economic Drivers in Bentonville

In addition to serving as home of the Hogs in Fayetteville, northwest Arkansas is the corporate home to Fortune 500 companies such as Walmart in Bentonville, Tyson Foods in Springdale and J.B. Hunt in Lowell.

Since the early 2000s, however, the region has become renowned for its parks and trails. Northwest Arkansas is a consistent top placer among “most desirable places to live” lists, and Bentonville Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Josh Stacey attributed that to the area’s parks and trails.

Attractions such as Compton Gardens, pictured below, and the many world-class bike trails, pictured here, have helped spur Bentonville’s growth. (Photo provided by Visit Bentonville)

“Parks really create the quality of life people want,” he said. “That is what is attracting people to our area. A lot of that revolves around the outdoor recreation amenities that we have.”

From expansive trail networks to thoughtfully designed neighborhood parks, Bentonville has intentionally made green space accessible. Rather than treating trails as simple infrastructure, the city has worked to integrate them into a broader experience. Today, parks are not only community assets for Bentonville but also economic drivers.

Attractions such as Compton Gardens, pictured here, and the many world-class bike trails, pictured above, have helped spur Bentonville’s growth. (Photo provided by Visit Bentonville)

“People started moving to Bentonville not because they worked for Walmart,” Stacey said. “They came here, experienced the trails and said, ‘This is where we want to be.’”

The city has also prioritized inclusivity, designing spaces for all ages and abilities. Many of the parks in Bentonville include disability-friendly equipment for all ages. Bentonville’s philosophy is simple: Make nature accessible.

“We really try to be a department for your entire life,” Stacey said. “We want everyone to feel like there’s something for them. We say the best trailhead is your front door. We want people to be able to step outside and immediately connect to a park or trail.”

Hitting the Trails Before Soaking in a Bath

Hot Springs has been charming out-of-state visitors long before noted gangsters such as Al Capone and Lucky Luciano made Hot Springs their home away from home during the early 20th century.

The area was called “Valley of the Vapors” by natives and European settlers, and the hot springs that flow from Hot Springs Mountain — and give the city and national park their name — have been attracting visitors for centuries, travelers yearning to soak up the reported healing properties of the water.

Sunset Trail in Hot Springs (Photo provided by Visit Hot Springs)

Today, Spa City sees more than 2 million visitors each year. In addition to the springs, local bike trails and parks are pulling in much tourism. The major draw pairs a downtown environment with the great outdoors, a blend that Bill Solleder, director of marketing at Visit Hot Springs, considers integral for the city’s success.

“We’re called the Natural State for a reason,” he said. “You can roll out of bed and be on a trail and feel complete seclusion, and in a matter of minutes, you can find yourself in the hustle and bustle of downtown Hot Springs.”

Bill Solleder, director of marketing at Visit Hot Springs (Photo provided by Visit Hot Springs)

Solleder has worked at Visit Hot Springs since 2016, promoting the trails and parks that lace the city. The 5,550 acres of Hot Springs National Park are home to mountains, campsites, and scenic trails for hiking and biking, including more than 26 miles of hiking trails surrounding Bathhouse Row.

Spanning experience levels from beginner to upper intermediate, the trails are well marked and, although relatively short, are interconnected, allowing visitors to walk longer loops and visit multiple trails. The longest trail, Sunset Trail, is about 10 miles long and a fan favorite of visitors — and Solleder himself.

“After a long day of work, I can be on a trail in minutes,” Solleder said. “How many people can say that they live in a place where that’s possible?”

In Searcy, a Renewed Focus

The city of Searcy is in the midst of a major transformation driven by a renewed focus on quality of life and community input. According to Richard Stafford, the city’s planning and development director, the shift began with a series of community-led master plans.

“The list of projects we’re building came directly from what residents said they wanted and needed,” he said.

The result is a roughly $100 million investment in parks, trails and recreation. Rather than focusing on a single project, the city chose to spread improvements across multiple areas to bolster a “community feel.”

“We wanted everybody to feel like they had some skin in the game,” he said, “so we tried to touch as many priorities as possible.”

The largest project is a 100,000-square-foot community center featuring basketball and pickleball courts, fitness space, meeting rooms, and direct integration with the city’s trail system.

“The trail will actually go through the building on the second floor and connect back out,” Stafford said. “That’s a pretty unique feature.”

Searcy’s new municipal baseball complex (Photo provided by city of Searcy)

Searcy is also building an outdoor aquatic facility, expanding sports complexes with new turf fields and redesigning parks across the city. At Berryhill Park, a new inclusive playground and splash pad are nearing completion.

“We’re having to ask people not to play on it yet,” Stafford said. “That’s how excited people are.”

One of the most significant long-term investments is at Riverside Park, a 200-acre space along the Little Red River that has remained largely undeveloped.

“It’s really an untapped gem,” Stafford said. “We’re starting with 11 1/2 miles of mountain bike and hiking trails, but that’s just the first phase.”

City leaders see Riverside as a future destination for outdoor recreation with potential for climbing, fishing and camping. Beyond individual projects, connectivity is a major priority. Searcy currently has about 5.5 miles of paved trails and plans to expand and link key destinations.

“When you connect these places with trails instead of vehicles, that’s when they really take off,” Stafford said.

With multiple projects underway and more nearing completion, Stafford says the city is entering a pivotal moment.

“It’s a great time to be in Searcy,” he said. “A year and a half from now, it’s going to look a whole lot different.”

Razorback Greenway Keeps on Giving

The Razorback Greenway is a defining feature of life in northwest Arkansas, serving as both a recreational destination and a vital piece of regional infrastructure.

Managed through the Northwest Arkansas Razorback Regional Greenway Alliance, the 40-mile trail connects seven cities — Fayetteville, Johnson, Springdale, Lowell, Rogers, Bentonville and Bella Vista — under a shared
vision.

“The Greenway Alliance’s primary objective is to help standardize everything so that all 40 miles are consistent, no matter which city you’re in,” said Tristan Hill, vice chairman of the Razorback Greenway Alliance.

Since its completion in 2015, the Greenway has become a major driver of tourism. A study from the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business in Fayetteville highlights the millions of dollars bicycle tourism brings to the region.

The Razorback Greenway is popular among families and riders (Photo provided by Razorback Greenway Alliance)

“The Greenway was kind of the catalyst for that,” Hill said. “It’s really become cemented as part of the way of life here in northwest Arkansas.”

Beyond tourism, the trail has helped shape the region’s cultural identity and development patterns. Cities intentionally routed the Greenway through downtown areas to connect users with local businesses and community spaces. Most of these trails either run through downtown or are located in close proximity to downtown.

“Downtowns have really had a good opportunity to thrive,” Hill said. “It’s been huge for local businesses like restaurants and bars.”

While originally envisioned as a recreational amenity, the Greenway has taken on a broader role over time. Serving as a transportation alternative, the path can be used by the community as a conduit to the office, a local coffee shop or even the museums that sit along its route. Residents use the trail not only for leisure but also for commuting, a shift that has inspired cities to expand local spur networks connecting neighborhoods, parks and workplaces.

That impact is especially visible at major employment centers such as Walmart, where its new corporate campus is connected to the Greenway to support alternative transportation.

“Ten or 15 years ago, it was more of a pie-in-the-sky vision — families, strollers, bikes,” Hill said, “but once it opened, we realized it could be an amazing transportation alternative, as well.”

The Razorback Greenway is popular among families and riders (Photo provided by Razorback Greenway Alliance)

In 2023, the Greenway received national recognition as a designated National Recreation Trail, further elevating its profile and cementing northwest Arkansas as a premier destination.

“To be one of just a handful of trails in the country recognized that year is a pretty incredible feat,” Hill said. “It puts Arkansas on the map in a good way.”

Ultimately, the Greenway’s success reflects the level of regional collaboration in northwest Arkansas.

“It’s been a multifaceted approach across a lot of jurisdictions,” Hill said. “Everyone recognizes the value and has made it happen together.”