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Arkansas Tourism Sets New Records with 54.3 Million Visitors, $17.4 Billion Economic Impact
ROLAND, Ark., Arkansas welcomed more visitors than ever before in 2025, setting new records for visitation, visitor spending, tourism tax collections, and statewide economic impact, according to the annual Arkansas
New AGFC Permit Now Required for Many Hikers, Paddlers and Birdwatchers
*A $10.50 annual fee applies at dozens of wildlife management areas and lakes across Arkansas,
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Arkansas Tourism Sets New Records with 54.3 Million Visitors, $17.4 Billion Economic Impact
ROLAND, Ark., Arkansas welcomed more visitors than ever before in 2025, setting new records for visitation, visitor spending, tourism tax collections, and statewide economic impact, according to the annual Arkansas Tourism Economic Impact Report released Thursday at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that Arkansas attracted 54.3 million visitors during 2025, generating $10.2 billion in direct visitor spending and a total economic impact of $17.4 billion. The report, prepared by Tourism Economics, also found that tourism directly supported 71,860 jobs across the state and generated enough state and local tax revenue to reduce the annual tax burden
Arkansas Tourism Sets New Records with 54.3 Million Visitors, $17.4 Billion Economic Impact
ROLAND, Ark., Arkansas welcomed more visitors than ever before in 2025, setting new records for visitation, visitor spending, tourism tax collections, and statewide economic impact, according to the annual Arkansas Tourism Economic Impact Report released Thursday at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that Arkansas attracted 54.3 million visitors during 2025, generating $10.2 billion in direct visitor spending and a total economic impact of $17.4 billion. The report, prepared by Tourism Economics, also found that tourism directly supported 71,860 jobs across the state and generated enough state and local tax revenue to reduce the annual tax burden
New AGFC Permit Now Required for Many Hikers, Paddlers and Birdwatchers
*A $10.50 annual fee applies at dozens of wildlife management areas and lakes across Arkansas, but not all of them* LITTLE ROCK, Arkansans who hike, paddle, camp, or birdwatch on
WOKA Whitewater Park Hosts National Youth Development Camp as Region Eyes Olympic Future
WATTS, Okla. Some of North America’s most promising young paddlers will converge on the Arkansas and Oklahoma border this week as WOKA Whitewater Park, operated by the Grand River Dam
New AGFC Permit Now Required for Many Hikers, Paddlers and Birdwatchers
*A $10.50 annual fee applies at dozens of wildlife management areas and lakes across Arkansas, but not all of them* LITTLE ROCK, Arkansans who hike, paddle, camp, or birdwatch on
WOKA Whitewater Park Hosts National Youth Development Camp as Region Eyes Olympic Future
WATTS, Okla. Some of North America’s most promising young paddlers will converge on the Arkansas and Oklahoma border this week as WOKA Whitewater Park, operated by the Grand River Dam
Climbing
Forest Service Proposes First National Climbing Policy for Federal Lands
For decades, rock climbing on federal lands has been managed through a patchwork of local plans, forest-specific guidance, and agency interpretations of existing laws. Now, the U.S. Forest Service is
5th Annual Arkansas Climbers Festival Returns to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in 2026
The 5th Annual Arkansas Climbers Festival returns to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in Jasper from Friday, March 27, through Sunday, March 29, 2026. This three-day celebration of climbing culture brings together
New Climbing Area at Petit Jean State Park
Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich history. Now, this beloved park is adding a new chapter to its legacy: rock climbing. For
Hiking & Backpacking
Get Out There: Enjoying Arkansas Summers Without the Itch
Arkansas is a paradise for outdoor lovers in the summer. From the misty peaks of the Ozark Mountains to the forests of the Ouachita National Forest, from the clear waters
How to Protect Your Dog from Summer Heat on Outdoor Adventures in Arkansas
With another scorching Arkansas summer underway, the trails, rivers, and parks of the Natural State are calling. If you are bringing your dog along, a little preparation goes a long
Bear Aware in Arkansas: How to Avoid Bear Encounters While Hiking and Camping in Bear Country
Arkansas earned the nickname The Bear State long before it became known as The Natural State, and today that nickname once again fits. After black bears were nearly wiped out
Paddling
WOKA Whitewater Park Hosts National Youth Development Camp as Region Eyes Olympic Future
WATTS, Okla. Some of North America’s most promising young paddlers will converge on the Arkansas and Oklahoma border this week as WOKA Whitewater Park, operated by the Grand River Dam
Remmel Dam Recreational Releases Resume Just in Time for the Fourth of July
After weeks of suspended flows during one of the region’s driest stretches in recent memory, paddlers and tubers finally have something to celebrate heading into the holiday weekend: recreational water
Your Complete Guide to Planning a Day of Paddling on the Buffalo National River
Everything you need to know before launching on America’s first national river. The Buffalo National River winds through the heart of the Arkansas Ozarks, flowing freely for 151 miles past
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