Thanks to its location in the Ozark Mountains, Fayetteville is surrounded by outdoor beauty, which makes for spectacular cycling, river floats, hiking trails and pretty much everything you like to do in nature. This also includes scenic car and motorcycle rides, as Northwest Arkansas is home to some of the most memorable backroads and highways in the country.

Whether you’re making your first trip to Fayetteville or you’re a lifelong native of the area, there is no better way to get a true picture of the vibrant and beautiful community than to carve out a few hours to take in the local trail system. The southernmost section of the Razorback Greenway, a 37.6 mile shared-use trail that traverses some of the prettiest countryside in Northwest Arkansas, runs through the heart of Fayetteville and alongside an array of unique stops that will turn a 10-mile local ride into a fantastic all-day adventure.

In case the secret wasn’t already getting out about the beauty of the Ozarks surrounding Fayetteville and nearby communities, an Architectural Digest feature about the filming of HBO’s True Detective Season 3 definitely puts the region in the spotlight.

People visit and stay in Fayetteville for a lot of reasons, from shows on Dickson Street to Razorbacks games to weekend getaways with friends and family. One of the most popular things to do in Fayetteville is enjoying the outdoors, since Fayetteville has so many offerings for those wanting to play outside and get in touch with nature.

One of the most popular reasons everyone comes to Fayetteville is to experience the outdoors in the Ozarks, whether it’s hiking and mountain biking the trail system or birdwatching and picnicking in one of Fayetteville’s 3,000 acres of natural areas and parks. Along with having ample outdoor opportunities within the city, another great aspect of Fayetteville is that the city is surrounded by mountains, forests and rivers that offer a variety of outdoor adventures. Guests can stay in the comforts of a hotel and soon be transported into the natural beauty of Northwest Arkansas with a quick drive — and come back the same day for dining, entertainment and nightlife. The nearby scenic rivers of the Ozarks make for excellent day floats, also offering plenty of opportunities for fishing and hiking. Whether you and your crew are looking for a half-day or full-day float, on canoes or kayaks, there are plenty of options right outside of Fayetteville. Here are a few popular river floats to get you started.

With cooler weather upon us, the fall season is in full swing. For visitors to Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas, one of the most popular activities to do during this time of year is enjoying the fall foliage. From mid-October to early November in the Ozarks, the leaves change color in spectacular fashion, making for breathtaking views throughout wooded paths, scenic overlooks and even inside the city, considering how green Fayetteville is during the spring and summer months.