Introduction
El Dorado is the perfect destination for your next getaway. With so many things to do in El Dorado Arkansas, you might want to spend a full week here!
Park your RV at Lake Ouachita State Park
Lake Ouachita State Park has a large campground with cabins and RV sites, so you can sleep in your own bed on one end of the park and then drive to the other end to enjoy all of its amenities. The campgrounds are open year-round and each has a heated bathroom facility with showers and flush toilets.
You can rent an RV site that comes with electricity or opt for tent camping, where you’ll pitch your tent on the ground yourself. You’ll also need to bring your tent if you decide not to rent one from Lake Ouachita State Park.
Lake Ouachita is perfect for fishing, swimming (in pools), boating (on Lake Ouachita), hiking trails that offer views across land or water, playgrounds for kids who want something fun but more low-key than zip lines or ropes courses, picnic areas near lakeside dining tables where you can sit back and watch swimmers take their turn at jumping off rocks into the cool water below them; there’s even carriage rides available if you’re looking for something romantic!
Spend The Day At Emerald Park
Emerald Park is a great place to spend a day. There are many things to do there, including:
- Go-karts
- Miniature golf
- Bowling alley
- Go swimming at the pool
Go Hunting In Degray Lake Resort State Park
If you’re an outdoorsy kind of person, there are plenty of opportunities in El Dorado to get your fix. First and foremost on the list is DeGray Lake Resort State Park. The park offers a wide variety of activities for all skill levels, including hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking.
If you’re looking for something more intense than just fishing or camping at DeGray Lake Resort State Park then maybe rock climbing might be right up your alley! There’s no shortage of rocks around here—from granite boulders to sandstone cliffs—and people have been scaling these formations since before they were officially called “rock climbers.” If you’re interested in learning how to climb but don’t want to commit yourself just yet or don’t know where to start with this sport, then try out a class at one of two local gyms: Rock Town Climbing Gym or Beasley’s Bouldering Gym!
Head To Crystal Springs For A Swim
Crystal Springs is a relaxing and fun place to be. There’s a swimming pool fed by the spring, nature trails through the woods that are great for walking, canoe rentals with which you can paddle around the lake, or you can simply take a picnic to the beach.
Try Water Skiing At Arkansas’s Only Ski Park
Arkansas’s only ski park is located on Lake Ouachita, where you can rent equipment and take lessons. If you don’t want to ski or snowboard, there are also opportunities to rent boats and kayaks at the park.
Visit The Caddo River And Go White Water Rafting And Canoeing
The Caddo River is one of the most popular rivers for white water rafting in Arkansas. It’s a great family activity and you can choose from several outfitters to rent canoes or kayaks and explore the river on your own.
Take A Scenic Drive Along The El Dorado Country Club Loop
El Dorado Country Club Loop: This scenic drive around the city takes you through many of its neighborhoods and parks, but it’s also a great way to see some of the histories of El Dorado. The loop is about 18 miles long and is mostly on surface streets. The drive will take about 20 minutes if you’re driving at a leisurely pace but plan for more time if you want to stop off at any of the sites along the way.
Camp overnight at the Henry Gray Hurricane Lake Wildlife Management Area
Camping is allowed in this park. There are no RV hookups and the campground only has a small picnic shelter, but if you’re looking for a free place to set up your tent or hammock, this is it.
The boat ramp at Hurricane Lake is also a great spot to pitch a tent or hang out in your hammock overnight. It’s located off Highway 65 and has restrooms close by for convenience.
If camping isn’t your thing and you’d prefer to sleep indoors, there are several hotels within ten minutes of Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA that offer very inexpensive rates (starting around $39/night) such as Days Inn Arkansas City Hotel & Suites (1-870-993-2937), Super 8 Motel – North Little Rock Area North Little Rock/Little Rock Area-North Little Rock 77151 AR U$55/NIGHT (1-501-219-9828), Courtyard by Marriott North Little Rock/Little Rock Area 71109 AR U$112/NIGHT AND MORE!
Learn About History At The Union County Heritage Museum
The Union County Heritage Museum is located at the Union County Courthouse and offers exhibits on local history, Civil War history, and natural history.
The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, and admission is free.
Go shopping in Downtown El Dorado or the Promenade Shopping Center
El Dorado is a great place to shop. The city of El Dorado has two popular shopping centers, the Downtown, and the Promenade Shopping Center. The Downtown is smaller and has a more intimate feel with boutique stores, cafes, and restaurants. You can get an idea of what’s available by checking out their website here: https://www.downtowneldoradoar.com/.
The Promenade Shopping Center is a larger complex that has over 80 retail shops, restaurants, and other businesses in one location! There’s something for everyone here from clothing stores like Gap & Chico’s to Zumiez skate shop all under one roof! For more info on the Promenade check out their site here: http://www.shoppromenadearkansas.com/
Visit Murfreesboro, the Crater of Diamonds, and ATV trails all in one day trip!
Murfreesboro is only an hour and a half drive from El Dorado. We highly recommend that you take your time getting there, as the ATV trails are located in the middle of nowhere. So unless you want to spend half of your day searching for parking and then walking through brush, it is best to leave early in the morning!
Once you get to Murfreesboro, make sure to check out the Crater of Diamonds State Park (it’s free!) before embarking on your ATV adventure. This park has been visited by thousands of people since 1906 when it was first discovered that diamonds could be found here in abundance!
It has since become one of Arkansas’ most popular tourist draws but remains relatively unknown outside the state itself due to its location within the Ozark Mountains region rather than along any major interstate highway routes like other popular attractions such as Hot Springs National Park or Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art (just two hours south).
Take your pick of great places to eat!
El Dorado is home to many great restaurants, and you have no shortage of options when it comes to finding a place to eat. If you’re looking for something sure to please everyone, try the Southside Café in the downtown area. They serve up Southern favorites like grits and fried chicken alongside local brews from Arkansas’ oldest brewery, Diamond Bear Brewing Company.
In addition to their barbeque classics like ribs or smoked brisket sandwiches on rolls with fries or potato salad, they offer several other specialty dishes such as macaroni & cheese made with smoked pork belly (a type of bacon) or pulled bologna on a pretzel bun with shredded cabbage slaw. And if it’s breakfast that gets your appetite going first thing in the morning, then stop by The Breakfast House; this family-run business offers an extensive menu featuring everything from waffles topped with fruit syrups and whipped cream to omelets filled with cheese, ham, and peppers.
For those who prefer something more traditional but still want good value for their money—all while enjoying views of nearby Lake Norfork—then head over to Bootsie’s Steakhouse where fresh seafood accompanies steaks cooked over mesquite coals on an open grill right at your table! For dessert? Try some “Banana Boat” pie made with bananas dipped in caramel sauce before being wrapped in chocolate syrup-soaked tortillas which are then topped off with whipped cream
With so much to do you may want to spend a whole week in this Arkansas town!
You will find so much to do in El Dorado, you may want to spend a whole week here! This Arkansas town is great for family vacations and getaways with friends. Whether you’re looking for the perfect spot for a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, El Dorado has something for everyone.
There’s no shortage of things to do in El Dorado! The city offers attractions like the River Mountain Heritage Museum, where you can learn about local history; and the Arkansas Wildlife Refuge Center, which features exhibits on wildlife native to this part of Arkansas. There’s also fun-packed family entertainment at Toy Train Valley Railroad and Splash Kingdom Waterpark!
Conclusion
There are so many things to do in El Dorado, Arkansas that you may want to spend a week there. We hope this list helps you plan your next trip and make the most out of your time in this beautiful area!
