Our Favorite Natural Gardens & Springs in Northwest Arkansas

Natural gardens and springs are a great way to connect with nature, relax, and even work remotely or study. Natural gardens are also a great place to visit year-round. In the Winter months, many gardens and springs in Northwest Arkansas decorate for the holidays and have festivities celebrating them. While in the Spring, you can expect to see the flora and fauna blooming. As the blooms continue through the Summer, hundreds of butterflies and other pollinators are drawn to Northwest Arkansas. No matter the season, natural gardens and springs of Northwest Arkansas will have something to offer. So here are some of our favorites: 

Fayetteville

The Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks is one of the largest natural gardens in Northwest Arkansas. The garden has a beautiful trail system that connects to the Razorback Greenway with many different attractions, like a koi pond and butterfly garden and house (the largest in Arkansas). There is a fee charged for entering, but it is worth it for access to such a unique location.

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks also features a unique collection of twelve themed "backyard" gardens, which helps teach residents and visitors about gardening in the Northwest Arkansas environment and provides inspiration for home gardens.

Learn more about the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks here.

Bentonville

Compton Garden & Arboretum  is a fantastic natural garden in the heart of Downtown Bentonville. The Compton Gardens connect to the Burns Arboretum, making for a perfect walk or bike. The Gardens are gorgeous year-round but are stunning in the fall when the trees start to change. The trail also takes you straight to Crystal Bridges gardens and down to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

To get there, hop on the Heading Home Trail at the gardens, and it will lead you to Crystal Bridges. There you will find their world-class collection of American art with over 50,000 different pieces making it a great way to get immersed in art and culture. 

If mountain biking is more your style, you can access the Slaughter Pen Mountain Bike Trail  from the Peel Compton Gardens. This is a 40-mile-long mountain bike trail system with trails for all riders, from seasoned veteran mountain bikers down to beginners. 

A short walk from the Compton Gardens along the Razorback Regional Greenway will lead you to Downtown Bentonville where you can shop, dine at some world-famous restaurants, stop at the city square, and even explore the Walmart Museum. Check out Visit Bentonville  for all other things to do in the area. 

Osage Park  in Bentonville is one of the more unique natural areas on this list. Osage Park in Bentonville is a thriving wetland ecosystem and visitors of the park can enjoy and view these wetlands on a trail system of boardwalks. This 12-acre park also has a lot of amenities, such as the Quiver Archery Range and a variety of food trucks. 

Rogers

The Butterfly Park at the Railyard in Rogers makes our list of favorite natural gardens due to its ease of access to Downtown Rogers. This small but cute butterfly garden is located at the corner of E. Cherry and 1st Street in Rogers and is a small butterfly garden with native plants to help pollinators of the area. The garden has shaded seating nearby and even the Centennial Caboose. 

Other fun things available nearby: 

• Splash Pad and Playground (a cool area for kids).
• Downtown Rogers Farmers Market  on Saturdays.
• If you are into biking, the Railyard Bike Park  is near the natural gardens.

There are many more options  available in Downtown Rogers for dining, shopping and more, so don't forget to check them out.

 

Siloam Springs

Memorial Park in downtown Siloam Springs is must stop location on your visit to Siloam Springs. Memorial Park's landscaping and lush green grass areas are perfect for families looking to be outdoors and in nature. Memorial Park has cool features like an amphitheater where concerts and plays are held year-round. There is also a splash pad and a water feature that is great for kids to cool off in the summer heat. Memorial park also is the venue for the summer farmer's market, so if you are in town on a Saturday morning be sure to check that out. 

Twin Springs Park in Siloam Springs  is another natural garden and spring that is a must-visit. Located about 45 minutes away from the University of Arkansas campus Twin Springs Park is an excellent stop on your day trip to Siloam Springs. The park has a natural garden in the center, with native Arkansas flora which blooms throughout the Spring and Summer months. Surrounding the park is a multitude of water fountains and one of the original springs that drew some of Northwest Arkansas's earliest tourists to the area because of its believed medicinal healing qualities. A gazebo overlooks the springs and gardens, which makes for a great place to sit, get in the shade, and take in the serenity of Twin Springs Park. 

 

Other fun things available nearby:

• The Siloam Springs Kayak Park is an engineered whitewater kayak park that provides the opportunity to kayak white waters most of the year without worrying about low water levels. The kayak park is great for canoes, kayaks, and even tubing, but a life vest is always encouraged. A swimming hole is also located along the park's shores, which is a great place to take the family and get in the water.
• Some great dining and shopping options are located within walking distance of the gardens

Eureka Springs

The Gardens at Blue Spring Heritage Center  in Eureka Springs has over a mile of trails that wind through gardens with native plants and flora. The area is rich with history and heritage and provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the area's past while enjoying the scenery and beauty of the Ozarks. In the gardens is Blue Spring, a gorgeous spring with vibrant blues and makes for a great place to sit at one of the nearby benches. 

Other fun things:

• Downtown Eureka Springs  is a great place to head after visiting the gardens. Downtown Eureka Springs has a lot of amenities like shopping and delicious food from local restaurants; there is even Harding Spring which is a fantastic place to sit and see the bluffs that overhang the park. 
• If you are looking to continue your outdoor adventures, then Lake Leatherwood  is where you will want to head. Lake Leatherwood has over 25 miles of trails for hiking and biking, where visitors can enjoy creek beds, springs, and a lot of wildlife. Additionally, Lake Leatherwood is a popular place for kayaking, paddle boarding, and even swimming in the summer months. 
• If you happen to be visiting around the Holidays, then downtown Eureka Springs is lit up with Christmas lights and usually has a tree lighting ceremony

 

Despite what time of year, the natural gardens and springs of Northwest Arkansas will have something for you to do and get involved in nature. Whether you are seeking an outdoor adventure, a place to quietly relax, or looking for a place to take your family out on the weekend, then visit one of your local natural gardens!