Ideal Homes and Neighborhoods Road Trip: Things To Do Outdoors in Eureka Springs

  Located in northwest Arkansas, Eureka Springs is known for the preserved Victorian buildings in its Historic District. These include the Basin Park Hotel, the Palace Bath House, and the reputedly haunted Crescent Hotel, all of which are built around the town’s natural springs. An especially great place to visit right now, while health officials recommend avoiding crowded indoor venues, Eureka Springs offers a lot of fun outdoor adventures in and around the town itself. In fact, one of the best ways to see and experience Eureka Springs may well be via scooter (moped). At Black Jack Adventures you’ll get a 12-minute scooter tutorial before taking off to see all of the beauty the town has to offer. Reservations are recommended. A 459-acre sanctuary for abused, abandoned, and neglected big cats with an emphasis on tigers, lions, leopards, and cougars, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is just 16 minutes outside Eureka Springs and currently houses 100 animals, including bears. It offers lodging, like family-friendly tree houses, adult safari lodges, and RV and tent spaces. Plus, day camps and fun days for kids, as well as enrichment workshops, exclusive tours, and other visiting options are offered.

If you’re interested in taking your family on a relatively short car trip, you might want to consider visiting Eureka Springs, Arkansas. After all, it typically only takes a bit more than four hours to drive from most Ideal Homes and Neighborhoods in Oklahoma to this Ozark Mountain jewel.

Available on nearby Beaver Lake, stand up paddle (SUP) boarding is a surface water sport, where the person standing on the board moves through the water using a paddle. Each SUP board is large enough for two adults, plus the family dog, to enjoy a day in the sunshine while social distancing from others and relaxing on a beautiful lake. Basically extra-long and buoyant surfboards, stand-up paddleboards provide the sensation of walking on water. The main difference between SUPing and surfing is that SUP doesn’t require a wave. Rentals, lessons, eco-tours, and even SUP Yoga instruction are all available at SUP Outfitters. Offering what they describe as the highest and longest ziplines in Arkansas, Ozark Mountain Ziplines is just two minutes outside Eureka Springs, provides 10 zip lines and the opportunity to cross one swinging bridge while standing on suspended platforms. This zipping experience will take you as high as 250 feet above the forest floor on cables up to 2000 feet long, which is long enough to be able to enjoy the gorgeous scenery. Guides explain the process and how to keep things safe. Ages three and up can participate and the weight limit is 275 pounds. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Numerous boats are available for rent at the Starkey Marina on Beaver Lake. Fishing and/or tubing is allowed on some. Rentals are available for full days (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.) or half-days (10 a.m. – 2 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.). The marina also offers food at its snack bar. Several guides take people with all levels of expertise out fishing on local Beaver Lake and nearby White River for various lengths of time. Learn more here. Access Pivot Rock and Natural Bridge, just seven minutes outside of Eureka Springs, through its gift shop ($6 admission price). The trail is easy, with a slight grade in some areas, and loops back to the starting point. This hike typically takes around 20 minutes to complete and is appropriate for people at all levels of fitness as there are places to sit and rest along the way. It’s recommended that you check prior to driving to this site to make sure it’s open as it closes on Wednesdays and occasionally at other times, and you have to travel down a long gravel road before seeing a sign that lets you know it isn’t open. Information about additional outdoor activities and attractions in the Eureka Springs area can be found here.