Some may think that the only jewels in Arkansas can be found at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, but the real gem is the state’s splendid natural beauty. From the Arkansas River Trail
in Little Rock and a presidential garden in
Fayetteville to the Buffalo River deep in the Ozarks and Crowley’s Ridge in the Delta, groups are presented with unlimited opportunities to meet and play outdoors.
Central Arkansas
The state’s busiest metro area still has a strong connection with nature, according to Gretchen Hall, director of merchandising and communications for the Little Rock CVB.
"We have the best of both worlds," she says. "We’re not just a metro area, we also have that natural beauty. Here in downtown, we’re just a walk across the street from the Arkansas River and the River Trail."
The Arkansas River Trail will eventually connect Little Rock and North Little Rock with Pinnacle Mountain State Park and Rebsamen Park. When completed, the trail will be 24 miles of paved walking, biking and recreation area overlooking the Arkansas River. As the trail nears completion, it is already used by groups looking for an outdoor venue for events and receptions, according to Hall.
"We’ve hosted events on our pedestrian bridges," she says, adding that the Junction Bridge is perfect for parties and receptions, or groups can use the larger Big Dam Bridge, which spans the river.
The Clinton Presidential Library will also have an outdoor venue when the William E. Clark Presidential Park Wetlands is finished later this year. The 13-acre area will have a pavilion for festivals and events.
For a completely unique outdoor garden experience, groups can visit Moss Mountain Farm in west Little Rock, home of noted horticulturalist P. Allen Smith. After a personal tour of the home, grounds and test gardens where Smith tries out new strains and varieties of plants, attendees can enjoy an outdoor dinner served in the garden, which has room for long picnic tables in between rows of crops. The menu includes fresh produce from the very garden surrounding the guests, and Smith is available as a dinner speaker.
Attendees can work off that gourmet meal the next day with a trip to Pinnacle Mountain State Park, located just west of Little Rock. Hiking trails lead up to the top of the mountain or visitors can explore the 71-acre Arkansas Arboretum, filled with native plants and flowers. Special interpretive tours can be arranged, and boat tours up the Big and Little Maumelle rivers are available through the park service.
Parks play a major role in outdoor fun in nearby Conway as well. Woolly Hollow State Park is just a few minutes from Conway and is an excellent spot for fishing tournaments or picnics.
Northwest/Ozarks
Breathtaking scenery is easy to find in the lush, green Ozark hills of northwest Arkansas. The area boasts one of the clearest, largest lakes in the state, Beaver Lake, which remains largely undeveloped, yet meeting in Bentonville, Rogers or Eureka Springs means that Beaver Lake is just minutes away. Fishing is a top sport on this 28,000-acre lake, where bass is plentiful. Area CVBs are happy to help planners set up fishing tournaments, catered picnics or canoe trips along nearby White River. In October, all eyes scan the skies for the annual return of bald eagles. The Belle of the Ozarks offers eagle watching cruises for groups of 20 to 50.
In Fayetteville, the former home of President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is now the Clinton House Museum. The museum recently opened the First Ladies Garden, displaying favorite flowers of each of the country’s first ladies. The garden is open for receptions, or the whole house and grounds can be rented for a down-home barbecue. Located within 100 feet of Fayetteville’s 129-mile walking trail system, the Clinton House makes a perfect dinner site after an afternoon hike.
The Victorian-era village of Eureka Springs has several unique outdoor venues. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge has public spaces that are tailor-made for conference cookouts and team-building games. In the early evening,
attendees can receive a guided tour of the habitats at feeding time. Another outdoor option, the 1,600-acre Lake Leatherwood City Park, offers fishing, swimming, biking and hiking. Blue Spring Heritage Center features historic Native American sites, lovely botanical gardens and the majesty of Blue Spring itself.
Just one hour east is Harrison, the gateway to the Buffalo National River. The 135-mile river draws millions of visitors each year for camping, canoeing, hiking and fishing. The closest point of the river is 17 miles from Harrison, a quick drive for team-building events like rafting, or just to enjoy some needed downtime.
"We’ve had the outdoor appeal for years," says Chris Ramsey, director of sales for the Harrison CVB. "Now we have the facilities to support small to medium groups on the meeting side, as well as offer tremendous outdoor and educational experiences."
One of those experiences is the new Ozark Medieval Fortress under construction in northern Boone County near Lead Hill. For groups, special demonstrations or jousting tourneys can be arranged along with a catered lunch.
River Valley/Ouachitas
In western Arkansas, Hot Springs and Fort Smith offer historic outdoor venues and event opportunities amid the grand beauty of the Ouachita Mountains and the Arkansas River Valley.
Much of Hot Springs’ history has relied on nature since the thermal springs were discovered in 1804. Hot Springs National Park offers hiking trails, an observation tower overlooking the hills and a chance to explore some of the 47 historic springs, according to Steve Arrison, CEO of the Hot Springs CVB.
Group events can be arranged on Lake Hamilton, Lake Catherine or Lake Ouachita. Another top spot is Garvan Woodland Gardens, featuring a covered amphitheater and facilities to handle small receptions or large banquets.
Fort Smith, home to the Wild West historic courtroom, jail and gallows of "Hangin’" Judge Parker, also offers a gentler outdoor venue for groups: the Park at West End. Filled with fully restored amusements like the Ferris wheel from the 1935 World’s Fair and a carousel, the park is a charming and unique outdoor venue.
Timberlands
In the southwest corner of Arkansas are thick forests of pine trees, clear lakes and the Arkansas River, a picturesque setting for meetings in Pine Bluff and Texarkana.
Waterfront venues are Pine Bluff’s specialty. The Lakeview Amphitheater, located along the shoreline of Lake Langhofer, provides outdoor space for large, theater-style meetings up to 4,500. The amphitheater is part of the Regional Park Complex, which combines the appeal of the lake and Arkansas River with four softball fields, an 18-hole golf course, a clubhouse and the Delta Rivers Nature Center, which can also accommodate 100 guests. Another outdoor event complex, Saracen Landing, is located on the shore of Lake Saracen and has lakeside views from all three outdoor pavilions.
In Texarkana, Lake Millwood is a popular choice for fishermen and perfect for downtime boat excursions.
Just a short drive from Texarkana is the famed Crater of Diamonds State Park, where attendees try their luck at digging up some true riches, a rewarding activity. More than 28,000 diamonds have been found since 1972. The park also offers a pavilion and the Diamond Springs Water Park, both available for events.
Delta
The eastern Delta region of Arkansas is a mix of vibrant woodlands, bayous and rich, dark Mississippi River soil. One distinctive feature of the Delta is Crowley’s Ridge, an unusual geological formation that runs through the Delta plain. Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center, located near Jonesboro, offers trails through the forest, prairie and wetlands, giving visitors a deeper, diverse understanding of the area’s natural charms. Planners can arrange special interpretive tours or just a fun reception against the scenic backdrop.
In West Memphis, the Tilden Rogers Sportsplex and Park is ideal for everything from a corporate softball game to fishing off the pier. A pavilion is available for picnics and outdoor meetings. Just outside the city is Horseshoe Lake, the state’s second-largest natural lake and first choice for many anglers, although fishing for bass and catfish may not beat the view of some of the oldest stands of cypress trees in the region.
Freelancer Beth Bartlett spends her spare time chasing minnows under the waves of Beaver Lake.
