Things to Do

Hiking at Pea Ridge National Military Park is a great way to understand the true scope of the park, both in size and meaning. It is also a wonderful opportunity to experience the quiet peace of nature in bustling Northwest Arkansas.

The trail commemorates the forced removal of Cherokee from their homelands; the paths that 17 Cherokee detachments followed westward; and the revival of the Cherokee Nation. We encourage you to retrace the trail on foot—to sacred sites that tell the story of suffering and intolerance, but just as important, one of survival. There are a variety of hiking opportunities across the full length of the trail, but we've selected a few places for you to experience.

Perhaps two of the most awe-inspiring sites along the Natchez Trace Parkway are Jackson Falls (milepost 404.7) and Fall Hollow (milepost 391.9) located in Tennessee. Though both falls are equally picturesque, each fall offers a unique experience. Both provide beautiful scenery, but also offer opportunities to see wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife.

The picturesque Hemmed-in Hollow Falls cascades nearly 210 feet over rugged Ozark bluffs, making it the highest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians. This waterfall only flows after a considerable amount of rain, so please be mindful of recent precipitation before you attempt this difficult hike. The Hemmed-in Hollow Trail is an extremely steep and strenuous trail that will humble even the most experienced hiker.

A long and difficult hike, the Buffalo River Trail between Woolum and Dillards Ferry stretches a majority of the middle district of Buffalo National River.

The Buffalo River Trail (BRT) winds along the bluffs and ridgelines on the south side of the river, traversing the Ponca Wilderness past scenic overlooks, old home sites, and cascading creeks. This portion of the BRT is 37 miles long and is a popular thru-hiking destination for backpackers. Day hikers can access the BRT in several locations for shorter out-and-back or point-to-point hikes.

This 36-mile contiguous section of the Florida National Scenic Trail is the southernmost portion of trail. This moderately strenuous hike can be difficult to traverse at certain times of year. The trail can be under up to 3 to 4 feet of water in the rainy season. During the dry season, there can be little to no water along the trail.

Find trails in all sections of the park to explore.

The Lost Valley Trail is an easy to moderate hike through a box canyon sculpted by Clark Creek. At 2.4 miles round-trip, this trail features caves, waterfalls, a Native American bluff shelter, and breathtaking groves of American beech trees.

The Natchez Trace Parkway has trails from 200 feet to 27 miles long. There are many short nature trails, and the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail (www.nps.gov/natt) is totally contained within the Parkway boundaries. 

Birding on the Natchez Trace Parkway

More than 280 species of birds have been sighted in Gulf Islands National Seashore, which is featured on Florida and Mississippi birding trails. Whether you are a beginning birder or an avid ornithologist, you'll enjoy the abundant wildlife found at Gulf Islands.

Learn about how and where to hunt for waterfowl at Gulf Islands.

Want to experience Louisiana's wetlands? Walk the trails at the Barataria Preserve.

An easy 1.1 mile interpretive trail with 13 wayside exhibits explores this pre-historic village.

The Trail of Tears began in May 1838 when Federal troops and state militias began to round up the Cherokee into stockades. In spite of warnings to troops to treat the Cherokee kindly, the round up proved harrowing. Families were separated and people were given only moments to collect cherished possessions. White looters followed, ransacking homesteads as Cherokee were led away. The Trail of Tears crosses the Natchez Trace Parkway in several locations in Alabama and Tennessee.

The Elizabeth Eckford Bus Bench, the grounds of Little Rock Central High School, and the Commemorative Garden are integral parts of the park experience and provide places to learn about and reflect on the story of the Little Rock Nine.

Start your visit to Little Rock Central High School NHS at the park visitor center - featuring a detailed exhibit with interviews, news footage, and audio/video recordings of those directly involved plus a new park interpretive film, accessible restrooms and a Jefferson National Parks Association (JNPA) bookstore.

Cycling at Pea Ridge National Military Park is a great way to discover the true scope of the park, both in size and meaning. It is also a wonderful opportunity to experience a quiet peaceful place of nature in bustling Northwest Arkansas.

The loop around the Parade Ground is one quarter of a mile. It was the center of life at the fort from 1838 - 1871.

Purchase souvenirs and more pages for your passport at this bookstore located within historic Fort Pickens.

As the oldest building still standing in Ste. Genevieve, Green Tree Tavern has had a rich history. It has served as a home, a business, and a Masonic Lodge over the years. Grounds are open dawn to dusk. Attend a ranger-led tour to visit the inside of this historic structure.

Built in 1794, the Jean Baptiste Vallé House was home to the last Commandant of Ste. Genevieve. Jean Baptiste Vallé oversaw the transition from colonial town to a part of the United States after the Louisiana Purchase.

Built in 1792, the Bauvais-Amoureux House stands as an architectural gem with a rich past. Here, Pélagie Amoureux, a woman who was formerly enslaved, and her husband Benjamin, a Frenchman, raised their family. Attend a ranger-led tour to learn more about the remarkable lives of those who called this place home.

Collecting stamps, also known as cancellations, is a fun way to commemorate your visit to a new place. Learn where to get your passport stamped at Gulf Islands.

More than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers fought in and around Tupelo, Mississippi between the morning of July 14 and the evening of July 15, 1864. This is known as the Battle of Tupelo or the Battle of Harrisburg.

Learn how your pet can become a BARK Ranger!

Complete the Fort Smith BARK Ranger booklet so your pet can become an official BARK Ranger!

The historic site grounds are open during standard operating hours (9:00AM to 5:00PM). Explore the quarter-mile walking trace, read the wayside markers, and visit four historic outbuildings on the property.

HEY DOGS!!! Do you want to proudly wear the BARK Ranger dog tag? We made it easy for a human to help you get one, and you both can have fun while earning it. 

Paddling with your pet can be an enjoyable activity at Buffalo National River. Here are some trip suggestions along with helpful tips to make your time at the river a safe and pleasant experience. Share the river with your four-legged buddy!

Pets in the Park

Kids visiting Hot Springs National Park may earn a Junior Ranger badge by completing a number of activities as they explore the park. The Junior Ranger booklet is available at the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center.

This program is designed for children making a visit to Vicksburg National Military Park. Children can explore the park and learn about Vicksburg through activities of varying difficulty. The Junior Ranger Program is available upon request at the Visitor Center.

Complete a Junior Ranger booklet to earn an official Fort Smith Junior Ranger badge!

The Junior Ranger program is a great way to learn more about President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site. Anyone can become a Junior Ranger by completing activities either during a visit to the park or by mail.

Learn about the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and earn your junior ranger badge! This activity can be completed virtually or after visiting a site along the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. Booklets can be submitted either electronically or by mail. Take a look and start exploring the trail today!

Designed for visitors 5-18 (but open to all!) the Junior Ranger program is designed to help young visitors learn more about the people, places and events related to St. Louis history and westward expansion in the 1800s.

Do you care about exploring, learning about, and protecting the Natchez Trace? If yes, become a Junior Ranger! There are many ways to be a Junior Ranger badge at Natchez Trace Parkway, and this fun activity book is a great place to start.  

Become a Shiloh Junior Ranger.

The Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center Junior Ranger Program. Earn your badge and certficate today!

The Junior Ranger program helps kids get involved and learn more about Ulysses S. Grant's life and times. Anyone can become a Junior Ranger by completing activities during a park visit.

Canoe, kayak, or paddleboard in the beautiful blue-green waters and calm bayous of Gulf Islands National Seashore.

This reach is about 12 miles which makes it one of the less crowded sections of the river.

Downstream from the hustle and bustle of Kyles Landing, one can find solitude among this comparatively quiet, 5.7-mile stretch of river snaking through the Ponca Wilderness. Paddlers will cruise through adrenaline-inducing shoals, tranquil pools, and haystack waves on this section with fascinating sandstone formations adorning the banks.

Hands-down the most beloved and popular section of the upper river, the 8-mile section from Steel Creek to Kyles Landing meanders through the heart of the Ponca Wilderness past towering bluffs, hidden side canyons, and relics of early settlement. Alternating between tumbling rapids and long, cerulean pools, paddlers will delight in the variety of pace and challenge.

Ride the to Pensacola Beach, Fort Pickens, or Ship Island.

Paddling with your pet can be an enjoyable activity at Buffalo National River. Here are some trip suggestions along with helpful tips to make your time at the river a safe and pleasant experience. Share the river with your four-legged buddy!

Fishing is a great way to spend the day by yourself or with a friend or two. Fishing is allowed all along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Follow the fishing regulations for the state where you fish.

This typically quiet and calm piece of river takes you past Maumee Bluff and Schoolhouse Ridge before approaching Spring Creek itself, Spring Creek Bluff, and the Spring Creek access point and primitive campground. This 4.7-mile stretch of river has a decent shuttle trip of approximately 45 minutes (20 miles).

This friendly, 4.6-mile paddle is great for folks that want to get a good feel for the river, but don't want to be out all day. You will paddle by Jackpot, Kimball, and Stairstep Bluffs as you make your way towards Water Creek, a great place to park the boat and get out and explore. This river trip ends at Dillards Ferry, the Highway 14 bridge.

The float between Dillard's Ferry and Buffalo Point is a short trip for those that have a very limited amount of time. The highlight of the trip is floating by Skull Rock. Be aware that there is not a road on the gravel bar at Buffalo Point so all vessels will need to be carried up the gravel bar to the parking lot. Shuttle time between Dillard's Ferry and Buffalo Point is 12 minutes (5.5 miles).