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Downtown Fayetteville from Old Main 001Fayetteville, #1 on this list · Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0
Arkansas rankings · Outdoors

Best towns for the outdoors in Arkansas

Fayetteville ranks first on outdoors among Arkansas’ 123 towns of 2,500+; 5 of the 123 grade A− or better on outdoors nationally.

The Outdoors grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the share of land conserved and the trail miles per square mile. How grades work

#1

Fayetteville

Washington County · 106,623 people
A

Outdoors grade, better than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #26 of 123 in AR

#2

Little Rock

Pulaski County · 206,427 people
A−

Outdoors grade, better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #91 of 123 in AR

#3

Bentonville

Benton County · 63,057 people
A−

Outdoors grade, better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #6 of 123 in AR

All 123 towns

Outdoors grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank; the overall grade and state rank are beside each.

123 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.

#TownGradeOverall
1FayettevilleWashington County · 106,623 peopleAbetter than 90% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #26 of 123
2Little RockPulaski County · 206,427 peopleA−better than 79% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #91 of 123
3BentonvilleBenton County · 63,057 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #6 of 123
4DardanelleYell County · 4,521 peopleA−better than 78% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #45 of 123
5North Little RockPulaski County · 65,120 peopleA−better than 76% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #102 of 123
6Hot SpringsGarland County · 37,979 peopleB+better than 75% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #90 of 123
7Prairie GroveWashington County · 8,998 peopleB+better than 74% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #21 of 123
8McGeheeDesha County · 3,389 peopleB+better than 68% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #119 of 123
9Van BurenCrawford County · 24,556 peopleBbetter than 63% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #62 of 123
10BerryvilleCarroll County · 5,813 peopleBbetter than 63% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #99 of 123
11BarlingSebastian County · 5,452 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #56 of 123
12BlythevilleMississippi County · 12,227 peopleBbetter than 61% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #115 of 123
13Mountain HomeBaxter County · 13,373 peopleBbetter than 61% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #74 of 123
14ArkadelphiaClark County · 9,916 peopleBbetter than 59% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #68 of 123
15OzarkFranklin County · 3,628 peopleBbetter than 58% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #64 of 123
16MaumellePulaski County · 19,780 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #24 of 123
17RussellvillePope County · 29,521 peopleB−better than 54% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #67 of 123
18CrossettAshley County · 4,454 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #116 of 123
19Bald KnobWhite County · 2,548 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #89 of 123
20Helena-West HelenaPhillips County · 8,216 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #120 of 123
21Pine BluffJefferson County · 38,213 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #117 of 123
22Walnut RidgeLawrence County · 5,478 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #87 of 123
23HopeHempstead County · 8,445 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #112 of 123
24El DoradoUnion County · 16,609 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #88 of 123
25Cherokee VillageSharp County · 4,981 peopleB−better than 48% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #58 of 123
26JacksonvillePulaski County · 29,460 peopleB−better than 47% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #108 of 123
27Fort SmithSebastian County · 90,855 peopleB−better than 47% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #78 of 123
28DeWittArkansas County · 2,791 peopleB−better than 47% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #82 of 123
29RogersBenton County · 76,956 peopleB−better than 46% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #22 of 123
30AlmaCrawford County · 6,071 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #83 of 123
31WynneCross County · 7,884 peopleC+better than 44% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #107 of 123
32TrumannPoinsett County · 7,527 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #98 of 123
33HarrisonBoone County · 13,802 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #39 of 123
34SearcyWhite County · 24,351 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #76 of 123
35ClarksvilleJohnson County · 9,632 peopleC+better than 42% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #93 of 123
36JonesboroCraighead County · 83,296 peopleC+better than 41% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #109 of 123
37Bella VistaBenton County · 34,518 peopleC+better than 41% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #4 of 123
38PrescottNevada County · 2,949 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #103 of 123
39SherwoodPulaski County · 33,620 peopleC+better than 40% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #46 of 123
40ParisLogan County · 3,357 peopleC+better than 39% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #41 of 123
41OsceolaMississippi County · 6,450 peopleC+better than 38% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #113 of 123
42GentryBenton County · 4,899 peopleC+better than 37% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #20 of 123
43NashvilleHoward County · 3,945 peopleC+better than 37% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #84 of 123
44BrooklandCraighead County · 4,697 peopleC+better than 37% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #42 of 123
45NewportJackson County · 8,193 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #114 of 123
46PocahontasRandolph County · 7,622 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #92 of 123
47LonokeLonoke County · 4,299 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #81 of 123
48FordyceDallas County · 3,141 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #106 of 123
49GreenwoodSebastian County · 9,793 peopleC+better than 36% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #12 of 123
50BonoCraighead County · 2,858 peopleC+better than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #77 of 123
51GreenbrierFaulkner County · 6,645 peopleC+better than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #19 of 123
52TexarkanaMiller County · 29,123 peopleC+better than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #118 of 123
53StuttgartArkansas County · 7,525 peopleCbetter than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #110 of 123
54Lake CityCraighead County · 2,796 peopleCbetter than 35% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #48 of 123
55West MemphisCrittenden County · 23,336 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #105 of 123
56BryantSaline County · 22,815 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #14 of 123
57HuntsvilleMadison County · 3,576 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #54 of 123
58Siloam SpringsBenton County · 21,298 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #28 of 123
59GravetteBenton County · 3,889 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #15 of 123
60CorningClay County · 3,065 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #34 of 123
61PiggottClay County · 3,508 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #60 of 123
62CentertonBenton County · 27,176 peopleCbetter than 33% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #3 of 123
63ManilaMississippi County · 3,773 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #44 of 123
64MorriltonConway County · 7,195 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #85 of 123
65SpringdaleWashington County · 90,685 peopleCbetter than 30% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #61 of 123
66MariannaLee County · 3,253 peopleCbetter than 29% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #123 of 123
67BeebeWhite County · 9,377 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #43 of 123
68MagnoliaColumbia County · 10,660 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #63 of 123
69BoonevilleLogan County · 3,836 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #65 of 123
70ClintonVan Buren County · 2,511 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #70 of 123
71Cave SpringsBenton County · 6,701 peopleCbetter than 28% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #5 of 123
72HoxieLawrence County · 2,568 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #95 of 123
73Rockwellunincorporated, Garland County · 3,986 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #73 of 123
74MarionCrittenden County · 13,378 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #79 of 123
75MonticelloDrew County · 8,269 peopleCbetter than 27% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #104 of 123
76ConwayFaulkner County · 72,328 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #52 of 123
77WaldronScott County · 3,387 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #100 of 123
78FarmingtonWashington County · 10,658 peopleCbetter than 26% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #7 of 123
79Heber SpringsCleburne County · 7,323 peopleCbetter than 25% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #66 of 123
80MenaPolk County · 5,607 peopleC−better than 24% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #36 of 123
81Mountain ViewStone County · 2,940 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #72 of 123
82JohnsonWashington County · 3,684 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #17 of 123
83BatesvilleIndependence County · 11,860 peopleC−better than 23% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #71 of 123
84MalvernHot Spring County · 11,144 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #80 of 123
85CamdenOuachita County · 10,127 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #111 of 123
86ParagouldGreene County · 31,135 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #96 of 123
87SheridanGrant County · 5,406 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #51 of 123
88CabotLonoke County · 27,711 peopleC−better than 22% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #32 of 123
89CharlestonFranklin County · 2,760 peopleC−better than 21% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #29 of 123
90BentonSaline County · 38,898 peopleC−better than 21% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #31 of 123
91ElkinsWashington County · 4,184 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #10 of 123
92East Endunincorporated, Saline County · 6,912 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #57 of 123
93Green ForestCarroll County · 3,246 peopleC−better than 20% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #69 of 123
94AshdownLittle River County · 4,135 peopleC−better than 19% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #86 of 123
95DumasDesha County · 3,476 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #121 of 123
96De QueenSevier County · 6,045 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #47 of 123
97GosnellMississippi County · 2,663 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #49 of 123
98Horseshoe BendIzard County · 2,623 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #94 of 123
99LowellBenton County · 12,184 peopleC−better than 18% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #8 of 123
100Salemunincorporated, Saline County · 2,642 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #1 of 123
101Hot Springs Villageunincorporated, Garland County · 16,327 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #50 of 123
102Shannon HillsSaline County · 4,829 peopleC−better than 16% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #33 of 123
103LavacaSebastian County · 2,528 peopleC−better than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #23 of 123
104WardLonoke County · 7,258 peopleDbetter than 15% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #40 of 123
105AtkinsPope County · 2,868 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #37 of 123
106WarrenBradley County · 5,146 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #97 of 123
107Little FlockBenton County · 3,039 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #27 of 123
108Forrest CitySt. Francis County · 12,308 peopleDbetter than 13% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #122 of 123
109White HallJefferson County · 5,532 peopleDbetter than 12% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #55 of 123
110TontitownWashington County · 8,046 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #18 of 123
111PottsvillePope County · 3,326 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #13 of 123
112Elm SpringsWashington County · 2,852 peopleDbetter than 11% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #30 of 123
113Pea RidgeBenton County · 11,233 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #16 of 123
114HaskellSaline County · 4,362 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #11 of 123
115HighfillBenton County · 3,676 peopleDbetter than 9% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #2 of 123
116AlexanderSaline County · 3,801 peopleDbetter than 8% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #59 of 123
117ViloniaFaulkner County · 4,894 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #25 of 123
118Pineyunincorporated, Garland County · 4,458 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #75 of 123
119Gibsonunincorporated, Pulaski County · 4,167 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #35 of 123
120AustinLonoke County · 4,017 peopleDbetter than 5% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #9 of 123
121Landmarkunincorporated, Pulaski County · 3,948 peopleD−better than 3% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #53 of 123
122North Crossettunincorporated, Ashley County · 2,556 peopleD−better than 3% of U.S. towns·Overall D− · #101 of 123
123SouthsideIndependence County · 4,274 peopleD−among the lowest in the U.S.·Overall C+ · #38 of 123
Quick answers

Questions people ask

Which Arkansas town is best for the outdoors?

Fayetteville (Washington County) ranks first on outdoors among 123 towns, with an A; Little Rock and Bentonville follow.

How are these towns ranked?

The Outdoors grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the share of land conserved and the trail miles per square mile. Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.

Why isn’t my town on this list?

The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a outdoors grade (123 in Arkansas). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Arkansas page.

Go deeper

More Arkansas lists

Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.

All Arkansas rankings →
Best places to live123 towns · #1 SalemBest small towns83 towns · #1 SalemMost affordable towns123 towns · #1 LonokeSafest towns105 towns · #1 Cave SpringsTowns with the best schools123 towns · #1 GreenbrierHealthiest towns123 towns · #1 Cave SpringsBest towns for jobs & income123 towns · #1 JohnsonMost walkable towns123 towns · #1 FayettevilleTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk123 towns · #1 BentonvilleMost historic towns123 towns · #1 Hot SpringsTowns with the most civic life114 towns · #1 El DoradoTowns with the least snow113 towns · #1 OzarkDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns113 towns · #1 GravetteDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters126 towns · #1 Crossett and 3 moreDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers126 towns · #1 Barling and Van BurenDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers126 towns · #1 Green Forest and HuntsvilleDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes123 towns · #1 Cave SpringsDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes123 towns · #1 PrescottDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns111 towns · #1 TontitownDescribed, no letters
Other states

Best towns for the outdoors in other states

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