Fall in Arkansas is pretty special.
The weather begins to cool, the leaves start to change, football season starts…there’s just nothing better!
Here is a list of some of the:
Fantastic Things to do in fall in Arkansas.
Check out the Fall Foliage
Of course one of the very best things you can do at this time of year is to get out in nature and experience the fall foliage! From scenic drives, to amazing hikes, to the state parks in Arkansas there are many great places to enjoy the gorgeous colors of fall.
Here is a post that that will tell you what we think are the best places to see fall color in the state.
Attend a Razorback Football Game
As a lifelong Razorback fan I would say that there is nothing better than calling the hogs while they play any sport. But, there’s something special about football.
We might not win a lot…yet…hope springs eternal in the heart of any true fan. But participating in a tailgate party and attending a game at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville on a cool crisp day is an experience not to be missed.
Search for the Perfect Pumpkin
We have a list of the best pumpkin patches in Arkansas. Searching for the perfect pumpkin is an amazing fall activity in Arkansas. Many of the pumpkin patches also have hay rides or corn mazes to enjoy while you are there.
We also have lists of magical things to do in winter, sensational things to do in the spring, and ways to beat the summer heat.
See Elk in Arkansas
Yes! There are elk in Arkansas and fall is the best time to see them! You can spot them in the fields around Boxley Valley in Northwest Arkansas. The best viewing is along either Arkansas Highway 43 or 21. The elk will be most active at dusk and at dawn.
In fall they are especially impressive because the male elk still have their large antlers.
You can get more information about the elk from the Ponca Elk Education Center in the town of Ponca.
Dig for Crystals…or Diamonds!
Digging for diamonds is a quintessential Arkansas activity. In fact, Crater of Diamonds State Park is this is the only place in the US where you can dig for diamonds and keep what you find.
Fall is the perfect time for this activity as the weather is cooler and you won’t get so hot and tired.
In addition to diamonds you can also dig for quartz crystals and keep what you find! You are much more likely to have something to take home when crystal digging.
In the Ouachita Mountains, especially near the town of Mt. Ida, there are several places where you can dig for crystals. The quartz crystal mines here will allow you, usually for a small fee, to dig through the piles left behind by their operations.
And unlike with the diamonds, you will almost always find something.
Check out Ron Coleman Mining or the Wegner Crystal Mines for more information.
Do Something Spooky!
October is “spooky” season. There are some incredible ghost stories in Arkansas, but one of the creepiest is about the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs. This is considered to be the most haunted hotel in the US!
Check out our list of other haunted places in Arkansas as well.
If you love a good jump scare then you might want to think about visiting some of the creepiest haunted houses in the state!
Spend time at one of Arkansas State Parks
Honestly, any time is great time to visit one of our 52 state parks, but visiting during fall in Arkansas is extraordinary. Camping with a nice campfire or staying in a cozy cabin with view just can’t be beat at this time of year.
Then there is hiking through the falling leaves, kayaking, fishing, exploring the bluff overhangs. Fall is such a special time of year to check out the Arkansas state parks.
Take a Hike
After the summer doldrums hikers are ready to hit the trails in the fall. Fall is a great hiking season in Arkansas. As mentioned above many of the state parks have great hiking trails.
We also have a list of some our favorite hikes in the state.
Attend a Fall Festival
There are so many great fall festivals in Arkansas! They begin in September and continue into November when the holiday season kicks off. We have a list of some of our favorite fall festivals in the state!
Shop at a Crafts Fair or Holiday Market
Fall is the best time for crafts fairs and holiday markets in Arkansas. One of our favorites that simply must not be missed is the War Eagle Crafts Fair.
This event is held in Rogers, Arkansas in October and is one of the premiere crafts events in the area. It has been going on since 1954. The booths all have handcrafted items that are displayed by their creators.
We have a list of all of many more Christmas markets in Arkansas that typically begin in November.
Try a Delicious Arkansas Apple
Did you know that there was a point in history during which Arkansas was the most prolific producer of apples in the US? Even though that was many decades ago there are still places where you can go to either buy or pick your own apples in the fall in Arkansas.
Apples grow best in the Ozark Mountains so this is where most of these orchards are located.
We have a list of some of the best apple orchards in Arkansas that you might want to check out!
Fish For a Big Brown Trout in the Fall in Arkansas
You can fish for trout at any time of year but fall is the best time to catch the elusive big brown.
There are four rivers that have trout year round in the state. These are the Little Red River, the White River, the Norfork River and the Spring River.
We love them all but have to say that Gaston’s Resort on the White River is a long time favorite of ours!
Eat Some of the Best Arkansas Food (including cheese dip!)
Fall is the time of year when you want to hunker down and try some delicious foods.
You may be surprised to learn that cheese dip was created in Arkansas. It is a food that is ubiquitous in Arkansas restaurants. You can attend the World Cheese Dip Championship in Little Rock in November.
In addition to cheese dip there are some other foods that Arkansas is known for that you might want to try such as fried pickles and possum pie.
Have a Beer at one of the Many Breweries in the State
Breweries have become very popular in the state of Arkansas. From small towns to big cities they are popping up everywhere. Many of the breweries will have a special fall brew for you to try.
Here is a list of breweries all over the state from the Arkansas Brewers Guild. And we have a list of the brewpubs and breweries in Little Rock.
Sleep in a Treehouse Among the Fall Foliage
Fall is an amazing time to stay in a treehouse! Check out this list of some of our favorite treehouse accommodations in the state!
Zipline Through the Colorful Trees
There are several places where you can zipline in Arkansas.
One of our favorites is the zipline tour offered by the Buffalo Outdoor Center. Ziplining through the fall foliage in the Ozark Mountains is an amazing experience.
I hope that you enjoyed learning more about all the great things to do in Arkansas in the fall!
Thanks for stopping by.
