With five lakes and four rivers and streams in and around Fayetteville, there are many places to find the perfect fishing spot. Whether you are wanting to fish for small- and large-mouth bass, trout, bream, catfish or trout, you can find a fishing hole nearby.

Explore the Great Outdoors in Fayetteville, Arkansas 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 90 miles of paved and natural trails, three lakes, and more - including the newly-developed public outdoor spaces downtown, The Ramble and The Upper Ramble. 

Fayetteville is home to a vibrant rock climbing scene, known for its strong, supportive sense of community. Just ask Fallon Cardoza and Patrick Randall, co-owners of Boulders and Brews, the city’s climbing gym located in the Dickson Street Entertainment District. “The climbing culture here is just really inclusive,” Cardoza said. “That’s what’s special about it to me.”

One of the most popular reasons everyone comes to Fayetteville is to experience the outdoors in the Ozarks, whether it’s hiking and mountain biking the trail system or birdwatching and picnicking in one of Fayetteville’s 3,000 acres of natural areas and parks. Along with having ample outdoor opportunities within the city, another great aspect of Fayetteville is that the city is surrounded by mountains, forests and rivers that offer a variety of outdoor adventures. Guests can stay in the comforts of a hotel and soon be transported into the natural beauty of Northwest Arkansas with a quick drive — and come back the same day for dining, entertainment and nightlife. The nearby scenic rivers of the Ozarks make for excellent day floats, also offering plenty of opportunities for fishing and hiking. Whether you and your crew are looking for a half-day or full-day float, on canoes or kayaks, there are plenty of options right outside of Fayetteville. Here are a few popular river floats to get you started.

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! 

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.