By Evelyn Pensamiento
Photography Credits: Gabby Friedhoff
Nestled in the southwest corner of the Boston Mountains of the Ozarks, Northwest Arkansas is home to several natural wonders. The unique landmarks of the region make it a beloved natural attraction for tourists.
Hobbs State Park in Rogers is another remarkable spot that is located on the outskirts of Beaver Lake. One of Arkansas’s major rivers, the White River, runs through Bentonville and sources the lakes that are staples to NWA.
The Fayetteville landscape also captures the Arkansas scenery. Ranging from rivers and lakes to trails and gardens, Fayetteville offers beautiful sightseeing. Its diverse landscape makes it a hotspot for outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, kayaking and fishing.
Freshman Adara Bankson, a native of Rogers, is an outdoors fanatic. She participates in a variety of outdoor recreational activities such as paddleboarding, camping, hiking and trail running.
For Bankson, nature is her “happy place”.
“I feel like my head is clear and I think better,” Bankson said. “It’s just super good for you mentally and physically.”
Bankson lives next to Beaver Lake, a popular spot for camping and swimming. She said she prefers outdoor water activities, which is why she loves living next to the lake.
For Lauren Linville, sophomore from Mansfield, Texas, moving to NWA was a stark change in scenery. “There are trails like the Greenway, 30 miles of concrete trail, which we don’t have in Mansfield,” Linville said.
Some distinctive features she loves about Fayetteville are its trees and rocks, Linville said.
“You kind of go into Devil’s Den and it creates all those cliffs and all that sort of sandstone,” Linville said. “So, it’s all really pretty.”
Trail hiking is a common recreational activity among Arkansas residents. Popular trails in Fayetteville are located throughout Kessler Mountain, Lake Fayetteville and Finger Park Trail.
When going on the bigger trails of Bentonville, Linville said she makes sure to bring a water bottle, a charger, a GoPro and food if she decides to picnic.
Linville said nature is freeing for her.
“There’s no limits to it,” she said. “But at the same time, I feel like you’re kind of breaking free from your own limits.”
