Take a Hike in Arkansas, part 1

View of the Ouachita Mountains from Petit Jean State Park

Arkansas's state nickname is the Natural State, and is it ever appropriate. According to the Department of Parks and Tourism website, Arkansas has 52 state parks, 6 national parks, and 2.9 million acres of national forest. Spring is a great time to get out and explore the state - it isn't too hot yet, and the bugs are at a minimum. Here at the State Library, we have many books that you can use to plan a trip, whether you want to go for a day, or a weekend, or something longer.

Bloodroot flowers

Spring is prime waterfall time here in Arkansas, and Tim Ernst's Arkansas Waterfalls Guidebook will help you find some of the best. Ernst is the foremost authority on hiking in Arkansas, and his guidebooks are wonderful resources, no matter your level of hiking ability. For each waterfall hike in the book, he includes the length, difficulty, descriptions of the trail, a beauty rating, and a photograph of the waterfall looking its best.

If you aren't up for strenuous hiking, but still want to get outside and enjoy Arkansas, Arkansas Dayhikes for Kids & Families by Pam and Tim Ernst may be the right guidebook for you. These hikes are all 3 miles or less, and, according to the authors, "kid-tested and Granny-approved." As with all the other Tim Ernst guidebooks, each trail includes a map, description, and difficulty rating.

For more information about any of the State Parks, check out the Arkansas Tourism website.

Up next, books for tent campers and canoers.