It's easy to find adventures in Arkansas because there are so many of them. With 52 state and seven national parks (home to the first national park), nine Arkansas Game and Fish Nature and Education Centers, and mountains, caves, rivers, and hot springs, you'll be hard-pressed to find yourself bored when you visit this state.
They seriously have it all — two mountain ranges, limestone caves, diamond-filled craters, and nearly three million acres of protected forest. After you've adventured with all of these operators and are ready to suck your bones, visit the smallest and oldest national park in the United States, Hot Springs National Park.
Read on to find out which operators we contact when we visit Arkansas.
about them:
Steve Kirk
Meet Adventure Climbing Guide Steve Kirk. Steve is an AMGA Certified Coach and AMGA Certified Junior Rock Mentor. He lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, and started climbing in 1984, and has climbed all over the US and a bit in Canada. His passion is long route climbing in the mountains, but he also loves other climbing disciplines, including commercial, sport, ice, mixed, and alpine. Steve loves helping new and experienced climbers achieve their goals. Steve is the Central Arkansas Division Chief for the Alpine Club of America and a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Courtney Kirk
Meet Adventure Climbing Guide Courtney Kirk. Courtney is an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor from Little Rock, Arkansas. She has been an active outdoorsman since the day she was born, zipping around the United States. About six years ago I started sport climbing and haven't looked back since. Everything about her makes her crave her more. Last year, you started traditional climbing and you think it's as good or better than sport climbing. The thrill of being able to put on her own gear is what makes her so exciting. Courtney is currently studying biology at Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas and plans to go to outdoor education graduate school. She has a strong sense of the mountains and understands a lot of the biology of the outdoors. She is currently a single court climber but hopes to quickly learn how to climb a big wall. As an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Courtney hopes to become a rock guide and eventually a fully certified IFMGA Mountain Guide. She is also a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Site:
North Little Rock, Arkansas
A trip we want to take with them:
Adventure Climbing Guides offers full- and half-day guided trips to destinations in Arkansas. These treks are perfect for first-time climbers or gym climbers who want to get outside. For experienced climbers wanting to expand their knowledge of climbing, they offer several options and skill training to help you excel and gain confidence in climbing.
What to bring:
They don't list what they offer, so be sure to ask. Here's the typical climbing gear needed (it varies depending on what you're doing)
- climbing shoes
- Chalk bag and climbing chalk
- harness
- Belay device and carabiner lock
- Helmet
- climbing package
- Essential accessories like climbing bar and climbing brush
- nut tool
- slings and carabiners
- climbing rope
- quickdraws
- cruiser rack
- crash pad
cost:
- One person: $250
- Two people: $185 each
- Three people: $155 each
- Four to six people: $140 each
Social links:
You can find them here:
http://adventureclimbingguides.com
about them:
Cosmic Cavern in Berryville, Arkansas is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the state. Cosmic Cavern was discovered in 1845, but not developed until 1927. The cave features a 9-foot tall soda straw, the longest known in the Ozarks, and two bottomless cavern lakes. The first lake, South Lake, has had trout for nearly 50 years. Some salmon became blind and most lost their color. One of the lakes was discovered in 1993 in the "Silent Splendor" section which made national news. This was the most accurate find in Arkansas. No bottom or end of these lakes has been found. The newly discovered "Silent Splendor" has been hailed as a must-see Arkansas attraction. It is so pure and untouched that many beautiful formations are translucent.
Site:
Berryville, Arkansas
A trip we want to take with them:
It is rarely seen looking exclusively at parts of the cave.
What to bring:
- Long-sleeved shirt (thin so you don't get too hot)
- Unbuttoned jeans, pants, or coats (no dresses or skirts!)
- Hiking shoes or boots, or tennis shoes (must have good grip for climbing and mud)
- Flip flops, sandals, or slip-ons (for walking again on the trails)
- Extra change of clothes (for the trip home in the car)
- Camera (it will get a little muddy)
- Small water bottle
- money for the tour
- Good manners and a sense of adventure is always a plus!
- A signed statement form for everyone doing the tour! (bottom of this page)
- You must have already taken the regular tour before taking the wild tour (keep your ticket from the time you take the normal tour)
cost:
Unlisted
Social links:
You can find them here:
about them:
Ouachita Kayak Tours started organically. In 2014, they circumnavigated the 700-mile shoreline of Lake Ouachita. As that journey progressed, people began to want to come. Shortly after completing their trip, they had the opportunity to purchase everything they needed to start operating as a tour company. We have been leading tours since 2015.
Site:
Lake Ouachita, Arkansas
A trip we want to take with them:
4 hour tour of the Rabbit Tail Water Trail
This is a quiet ride in a more remote area of Lake Ouachita where you can see eagles often.
What to bring:
- Layered dress
- Wear water temperature
- Avoid wearing cotton
- Wear sunscreen
- Wear fabrics that resist abrasion
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Water shoes or waterproof socks
cost:
$65 per person
Social links:
You can find them here:
https://www.ouachitakayaktours.net
about them:
The Professional Guide Service in Bentonville, Arkansas, offers customized mountain, gravel, and road bike tours, along with mountain bike-specific instruction. Tours and lessons are ideal for individuals, friends and families.
Site:
Bentonville, Arkansas
A trip we want to take with them:
Private full day (7 hours) mountain bike tour
A world-class ride on the best mountain bike trails in Bentonville. Their expert local guides will design an excursion that can include anything from tackling grand climbs to rappelling down tumultuous descents to cruising along flowing paths to plowing through rock gardens.
Guided mountain bike tours are available at the following trails: Slaughter Pen, Coler Preserve, Blowing Springs, Back 40, Little Sugar, Hobbs State Park, The Railyard, Lake Atalanta, The Runway, Lake Wedington, Mt. Fitzgerald, Gregory Park and Mount Kessler.
What to bring:
They serve snacks. You will have to bring everything you need.
cost:
1 person $180
Two people $150 each
3-6 people $120 each
Social links:
You can find them here:
https://www.ozarkbikeguides.com/
about them:
Ozark Mountain Ziplines' expertise stems from years of designing, building and operating zip lines all over the world from as far south as Costa Rica and Ecuador and throughout the United States and Canada.
Their equipment and cables are checked regularly as they adhere to the highest safety standards.
Site:
A trip we want to take with them:
Ozark Mountain Ziplines' hardwood forest canopy features its own birdlife, flora and fauna, whose guided tour is designed to acquaint you as you glide from tree to tree!
What to bring:
They don't specify, but you should probably wear something comfortable and lace-up shoes.
cost:
$89 per person
Social links:
You can find them here:
https://www.ziplineeurekasprings.com/
about them:
Riffletrip Outfitters is a year-round guided travel service composed of Captains Stephen Balogh and David Borgher. Between the two, there are more than 20 years of directing experience in two continents and eight states.
Riffletrip Outfitters is located in Cotter, Arkansas, on the White and Norfork Rivers. While they specialize in trout fishing, Stephen and David always love the chance to get down to the salt. Whether it's redfish in Texas and Louisiana, bonefish and tarpon in the Yucatan, or big bones in the Bahamas, Riffletrip Outfitters has the knowledge to help you visit some of the best fishing spots in the world.
Site:
Cotter, Arkansas
A trip we want to take with them:
Full day on the White River and Norfork River
Full days are 8 hours on the water. The 8-hour trips will generally run from 8am to 4pm, but can be subject to minor changes to hunt down a bite, work around your schedule, or adjust to work around weather or obstetric schedules. Lunch is included - sandwiches, chips and cookies are typical, but on a cold day we can definitely talk about some chili, etc...
What to bring:
Arkansas fishing license and trout seal. Please purchase before meeting your guide. Save time and buy your license online here: https://web.s3licensing.com
cost:
$500.00
Social links:
You can find them here:
https://www.riffletripoutfitters.com
about them:
Skydive Fayetteville offers skydiving for first-time jumpers and experienced skydivers. They run Saturdays, Sundays and all week by appointment.
Site:
Fayetteville, Arkansas
A trip we want to take with them:
Tandem skydiving provides first-time jumpers with all the excitement of skydiving, with an experienced instructor present every step of the way to guide. Free fall from nearly 2 miles above the ground! Then at 5,000 feet, you'll deploy your parachute. See the beautiful Arkansas hills as you parachute across the Fayetteville skyline. Your mentor will then take over the controls and bring you safely back to Drake Field. Experience the thrills for yourself and never look at the sky again.
What to bring:
Jumpers should also bring tennis shoes or lace-up jumping shoes. Dress appropriately for the weather, it's usually 15 to 20 degrees cooler at 10,000 feet.
cost:
Tandem skydive from 10,000 feet: $220
Social links:
You can find them here:
about them:
SUP Outfitters provides a unique experience to attract individuals/groups seeking adventure to explore the natural state of Arkansas. They believe that paddle boarding promotes Arkansas as a destination for discovery, supporting local businesses, while encountering others and experiencing something unique. They promote experience-based education by providing water safety, guided eco-tours and lessons, and SUP Yoga.
Site:
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
A trip we want to take with them:
Guided ecotour
Their guided ECO tour takes approximately two hours of canoeing and swimming along limestone cliffs, potential waterfalls, and wildlife. They think it's a perfect way to connect with yourself and nature without the traditional motorized boats, using your own power to glide through the water.
What to bring:
- Water
- sunblock cream
- If you prefer to use your own PFD (personal flotation device)
- Shoes that you don't mind getting wet will be used to prevent slipping on the rocks when you enter the water.
cost:
$75 per person
Social links:
You can find them here:
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