5. Finally, at number five on our list of the five most scenic locations to visit in Arkansas, we look at Hawksbill Crag. Located deep in the Boston Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, Hawksbill Crag is a common scene for hikers as well as nature photographers. The name Hawksbill comes from the shape of the rock formation or “crag,” as it protrudes out from the rest of the cliff face in the shape of a hawk beak. Hawksbill Crag is located within a bowl made by the Boston mountains of the Ozark Plateau, making the Crag stick out like a sore thumb. Hawksbill Crag is part of the Whitaker Point Trailhead. This trail is beautiful at all points, and not just the highlighted section of Hawksbill Crag.

4. In the west central part of the state, about an hour west of Hot Springs, one can find the Hickory Nut Mountain Lookout. Hickory Nut Mountain’s peak may barely reaches 1,200 feet up, however, the view that the peak provides is breathtaking. Part of that is because the lookout was man made at the preferred spot on the peak. As part of the Ouachita Mountain Range, Hickory nut Mountain runs East to West. This makes the mountain parallel to Lake Ouachita, the largest lake in the state by total shoreline mileage. The great view of Lake Ouachita and easy drive up make this a popular spot for visitors. Wildlife is abundant on the trail up the mountain and the chances of seeing a deer or turkey are very high.

one can find the Hickory Nut Mountain Lookout. Hickory Nut Mountain’s peak barely reaches 1,200 feet up, however, the view that the peak provides is breathtaking. As part of the Ouachita Mountain Range, Hickory nut Mountain runs East to West. This makes the mountain parallel to Lake Ouachita, the largest lake in the state by total shoreline mileage. The great view of Lake Ouachita and easy drive makes this a popular visitors spot.

3. Many people know what the Grand Canyon is, but not many people know about the Grand Canyon that we have in Arkansas. The Arkansas Grand Canyon, located near the Boston Mountain town of Jasper, may not be near the size of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, but it still provides a beautiful sample size. As the Boston Mountains shrink quite a bit going towards the Missouri border from the main range, the descent of the mountains create the scene of a canyon. The best view of this canyon is from the main range, just before the descent northward begins. The green scenery of the spring and summer make the range unique versus the canyons in western United States.

2. Rich Mountain is located near the town of Mena, Arkansas in far western Arkansas, near the Oklahoma border. Rich Mountain is the second highest peak in the state, and is also part of the Ouachita mountain range. Rich Mountain reaches 2,681 feet tall and boasts other spectacular mountains to it’s parallel. Rich Mountain has a fire tower open to the public to take an already great view into a better one. Videographers have been known to take stunning 360 degree panoramic shots from the fire tower. Rich Mountain’s ridgeline runs into the state of Oklahoma. The mountain has a well kept highway that runs atop the ridgeline as well.

1. At number one on our list, we have the infamous Mount Magazine. Located near Paris, Arkansas, the mountain is just south of the Arkansas river. The mountain is located parallel to the Arkansas river valley region of the state. Mount Magazine is not only the highest peak in the state of Arkansas at 2,753 feet, but it is also the highest peak between the Appalachian Mountains to the east and the Rocky Mountains to the west. The mountain has a great lodge at the peak with dining and living. The mountain tends to be 10 degrees cooler at the peak versus at the base. Many off road and hiking trails litter the mountain. It is truly a getaway.