This region is the spiritual heart of the state. Picturesque
Eureka Springs is renowned for its
Victorian architecture and the grandeur of The Passion Play, performed in an outdoor amphitheater that seats more than 4,000 guests every May through October. The ultra-modern, seven-story tall Christ of the Ozarks, built by one of the sculptors of Mount Rushmore, can be seen from miles around. Under a sapphire sky it’s an inspiring vision. The rugged Ozarks are dominated by the unbroken and mist-shrouded beauty of oak and hickory forests laced with crystal-clear streams, and dense understories of dogwood and redbud that erupt in ecstatic bloom in the spring.
The Buffalo River is one of the few undammed rivers in the U.S., making it a favorite for paddlers. It’s also an excellent dark-sky destination.
The Ozark Highland Recreation Trail is one of the premier long-distance hiking routes in the country. A triumph of organic and religious architecture, the stunning
Thorncrown Chapel is nestled in a pristine wooded setting atop native flagstone. The wooden construction soars 48 feet skyward, contains 425 windows, and 6,000 square feet of glass.
The
Ozark Folk Center State Park, in Mountain View, is dedicated to preserving the music, crafts, and culture of the Ozarks. Stroll through the Heritage Herb Garden, a living classroom of old-time, medicinal herbal remedies. Working artists demonstrate and sell handmade items such as baskets, candles, copper jewelry, knives, leather goods, quilts, and wood carvings at the Craft Village. The mountain sounds of autoharp, dulcimer, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin are a toe-tapping pleasure. The park is also home to Loco Ropes, a state-of-the-art treetop adventure park experience, where you'll find rope course challenges to test your nerve, endurance, agility, and strength. Beyond the Ozarks, in the rolling hills of Crowley’s Ridge, in
Helena and
Jonesboro, white southern gospel music and soul music traditions live on.
Where to Stay:
Convenient
Wanderlust RV Park is just five minutes from downtown Eureka Springs, and has been voted #1 by Reader’s Digest. It features full hookups, Wifi, shower and laundry facilities, a pool, plus a book and DVD swap. Pets are welcome. In Oak Grove, near the Missouri border, the
Ozarks Luxury RV Resort, boasts full hookups, and great amenities including a bathhouse, laundry facilities, a dog park, hot tubs and pools, golf, tennis, and a marina.