If you’ve ever considered visiting a castle, be sure to make space in your FayettePlans for a journey to Wilson Park! There, you’ll find the whimsical “Castle” sculpture that has drawn visitors to Fayetteville since its completion in 1981.

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.

One of the most popular things to do in Fayetteville is to simply enjoy the natural beauty of the outdoors. To anyone who’s ever visited Fayetteville, that’s no surprise, as we’re a city nestled in the Boston Mountains of the Ozarks, moments away from natural areas no matter where you are in town. The city overflows with nature preserves, parks, and natural wetlands which encompass 3,000 acres of land. Fayetteville alone has 70 parks with more than 40 miles of paved and natural trails, three lakes, and more - including the still-developing public outdoor space downtown, The Ramble.

Horseback riding feels like something you'd do on vacation in a movie. Add it to your bucket list for your next visit to Fayetteville and live out your dreams! Whether you're a seasoned equestrian or sitting in the saddle for the first time, you'll find a great spot to ride horseback in Fayetteville. Check out these popular spots to saddle up and explore the beautiful Ozark Mountain trails in a whole new way.

Fayetteville is nestled in the Ozark Mountains and surrounded by scenic beauty all year long, which makes it a popular destination for nature lovers and travelers seeking outdoor recreation experiences. What’s less obvious is that in addition to the beauty of the great outdoors in Northwest Arkansas, you’re also surrounded by opportunities to round out your nature vacation with one of many agritourism adventures in Fayetteville! 

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks invites you to join them in their mission to enhance education and environmental awareness by celebrating Earth, our common home, and committing to its protection and preservation at their annual Earth Day Festival on Sunday, April 21, from 3 to 6 pm. This outdoor, family-friendly event features interactive activities, educational & environmental booths, live music, food trucks & treats, and the opportunity to enjoy spring in the Garden. Guests can participate in activities at community partner booths, like learning how to recycle & compost, leave no trace, make sun prints, and more. The City of Fayetteville will give away free trees and shrubs while supplies last. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic or grab a snack from local food trucks. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and reusable bottles to fill at the Beaver Water District water trailer. Both members and nonmembers are asked to register for the Earth Day Festival in advance. Register today! Tickets will also be available at the gate.  Click here to learn more about the event and the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.