100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Arkansas (AR) sits in the southern United States, known for a diverse landscape of mountains, forests, rivers, and hot springs. The state capital is Little Rock, and the economy leans on agriculture, with rice and poultry among the top commodities. A standout attraction is Crater of Diamonds State Park, where visitors can search for diamonds and keep what they find.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Arkansas Abbreviation AR Capital Little Rock Largest city Little Rock (Population: 203 842) Current time 8:58 Time zone CST (UTC-6), the state observes daylight saving time CDT (UTC-5) Population 3,011,490 (#33 most populous US state) Area 53,178 sqmi (#29 largest US state) Admitted to the Union June 15, 1836 (#25 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Arkansas
The capital of Arkansas is Little Rock, founded on June 1, 1821. It was named after a rocky outcrop jutting from the Arkansas River that served as a key landmark at the time. Little Rock officially became the capital on June 15, 1836, when Arkansas joined the Union. Earlier, starting in 1821, Little Rock had been the capital of the Arkansas Territory.
🏙️ Largest City in Arkansas
The largest city in Arkansas is Little Rock, home to 203,842 people in 2023. The second largest is Fayetteville with a population of 101,680, and the third is Fort Smith with 89,770 residents.
🕒 Time in Arkansas
The current time in Arkansas is 8:58. The entire state is in the Central Standard Time zone (CST, UTC-6), with daylight saving time observed from March to November as CDT (UTC-5).
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Arkansas
In 2023 Arkansas had 3,011,490 residents, making it the 33rd most populous U.S. state.
📍 Area of Arkansas
The total area of Arkansas is 53,178 sqmi, of which 52,035 sqmi is land and the remaining 1,143 sqmi is water. Arkansas ranks as the 29th largest state in the United States.
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Fun Facts About Arkansas
🧩 Which States Border Arkansas
Arkansas borders six U.S. states. To the west is Oklahoma, to the north Missouri, to the northeast Tennessee, to the east Mississippi, to the south Louisiana, and to the southwest Texas.
📅 Date of Arkansas Statehood
Arkansas joined the Union on June 15, 1836 as the 25th state, formed from the original Arkansas Territory.
📛 Arkansas State Nickname
Since the 1970s Arkansas has been nicknamed “The Natural State”, a nod to its state parks, forests, mountains, and other natural beauty that travelers can explore. In 1995 the state officially registered the nickname to promote tourism.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Arkansas
The highest mountain in Arkansas is Mount Magazine in the Ouachita Mountains, its summit sits at 2,753 ft.
🏞️ Rivers in Arkansas
The longest river in Arkansas is the Mississippi River, with a total length of 2,318 mi. It is followed by the Arkansas River (1,469 mi), the Red River (1,361 mi), the White River (722 mi), and the Ouachita River (548 mi).
🎓 Universities in Arkansas
The largest university in the state is the University of Arkansas, with roughly 28,000 students. It was founded in 1871 in the city of Fayetteville. In second place, with about 13,000 students, is Arkansas State University, and the third largest is Arkansas Tech University with just under 11,000 students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Arkansas
Addresses in Arkansas use ZIP codes in the 716xx to 729xx range. You can read more about how they work in ZIP Codes in the USA, and you can look up a code for any address on the USPS website.
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Weather in Arkansas
The best time to visit Arkansas is fall, when temperatures are mild and the scenery still looks beautiful.
Spring in Arkansas is changeable, with temperatures usually between 55 °F and 64 °F. Rain is common, which keeps nature blooming and green. Throughout spring the state faces an elevated risk of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.
Summer in Arkansas is humid and hot, with typical temperatures from 77 °F to 86 °F. Rain remains frequent and is often accompanied by storms. Humidity runs high.
Fall in Arkansas brings cooler weather of 61 °F to 68 °F, storms and rainfall ease up, and the landscape turns to autumn colors. That makes it ideal for hiking.
Winter in Arkansas brings further cooling, though temperatures generally stay above freezing between 41 °F and 50 °F. Snow is rare and usually very light, while rain is more common, especially in the northern part of the state.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Arkansas
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What to See in Arkansas
1️⃣ Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs was first protected as a federal reservation on April 20, 1832, and became a national park on March 4, 1921, making it one of the oldest in the United States. The park is famous for its therapeutic thermal springs, used by Indigenous peoples long before modern times. Visitors can stay in historic bathhouses that offer massages and other treatments.
2️⃣ Thorncrown Chapel
Thorncrown Chapel is a stunning 1980 chapel tucked into the woods near the town of Eureka Springs. The building blends wood and glass, which helps it sit gently in the surrounding landscape, and it was designed by American architect Euine Fay Jones. The chapel’s interior is open to the public.
3️⃣ Crater of Diamonds State Park
Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only public place in the world where visitors can try their luck at finding diamonds. If you find one, you can keep it. The park sits in the southwest of the state and also offers several hiking trails.
4️⃣ Arkansas Air and Military Museum
This museum in Fayetteville holds a rich collection of historic aircraft and military artifacts. Visitors can see World War II aircraft and interactive exhibits about military conflicts.
5️⃣ Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
The Ozark-St. Francis National Forest covers 1,812.18 sqmi and offers a wide range of outdoor activities. The most popular is the Ozark Highlands Trail, which stretches 218 mi and delivers beautiful views of forests and waterfalls.
6️⃣ Magic Springs Theme & Water Park
Magic Springs Theme and Water Park offers family fun, with adrenaline roller coasters alongside gentler rides for young children. During the warm months, pools and water slides provide a welcome cool-down. The park is near the city of Hot Springs.
7️⃣ Buffalo National River
The Buffalo River was designated the first national river in the United States to protect its clear water and rich wildlife. Several hiking trails run along the river, offering great views of waterfalls and caves. The river is also suitable for kayaking or rafting, and anglers will find plenty to enjoy.
8️⃣ Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
This museum in Bentonville focuses on American art by artists like Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell, and Georgia O’Keeffe. Founded by Walmart heiress Alice Walton, the architecturally striking museum is open year-round.
9️⃣ Eureka Springs
This historic town on the Missouri border is known for its healing springs, charming streets, art galleries, and Victorian architecture. Eureka Springs hosts several galleries and culturally interesting festivals throughout the year.
🔟 Devil’s Den State Park
Devil’s Den State Park lies in the Ozarks and includes one of Arkansas’s most popular hiking trails. Walk it to see rock bluffs and waterfalls, or take a swim in one of the small pools.
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Largest Cities in Arkansas
The table lists the ten largest cities in Arkansas in 2023. The source of the data is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary task is the decennial census.
City County Population 1 Little Rock Pulaski 203,842 Map of Little Rock 2 Fayetteville Washington 101,680 Map of Fayetteville 3 Fort Smith Sebastian 89,770 Map of Fort Smith 4 Springdale Washington, Benton 88,224 Map of Springdale 5 Jonesboro Craighead 80,650 Map of Jonesboro 6 Rogers Benton 74,035 Map of Rogers 7 Conway Faulkner 69,580 Map of Conway 8 North Little Rock Pulaski 64,531 Map of North Little Rock 9 Bentonville Benton 59,471 Map of Bentonville 10 Pine Bluff Jefferson 39,123 Map of Pine Bluff -
Sports Teams in Arkansas
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
Arkansas does not have a team in the National Hockey League.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
There is no Arkansas team that plays in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
No team from Arkansas competes in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
No Arkansas team plays in Major League Baseball.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
There is no Arkansas team in Major League Soccer.
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Arkansas State Symbols
Arkansas has dozens of official symbols, and only some of them are listed below.
Flag of Arkansas
The state flag of Arkansas contains several symbols. The diamond shape represents that Arkansas was the only U.S. state where diamonds were mined. The 25 stars mark Arkansas as the 25th state to enter the Union. The three larger stars below the name carry several meanings, one of which references the fact that Arkansas historically belonged to France, Spain, and the United States. The single star above the name symbolizes the unity of Arkansas.
Arkansas State Seal
The current version of the Arkansas state seal was adopted in 1907. Its dominant element is an eagle holding a scroll in its beak and an olive branch and a bundle of arrows in its talons. A prominent feature is the figure of the goddess Liberty with her hand on a shield.
State Bird
Since 1929 the state bird of Arkansas has been the northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), which is common throughout the state.
State Flower
One of Arkansas’s symbols since 1901 is the apple blossom, even though the crop’s importance in the state has steadily declined.
State Gemstone
The official gemstone of Arkansas has been the diamond since 1967, and its deposits are accessible within one of the state parks.
State Tree
Arkansas’s state tree has been the pine since 1939, without a specific species designated. Both shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) are common in the state.
State Mammal
The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) became an official state symbol in 1993. An estimated one million white-tailed deer live in Arkansas.
State Insect
The honeybee became the official state insect in 1973. Compared with many other U.S. states, Arkansas is a notable producer of honey.
State Grain
Arkansas also has an official state grain. In 2007 it designated rice, and the state grows about 40 percent of all rice produced in the United States.
State Folk Dance
Square Dance incorporates elements of English and French folk dances, and it was adopted as one of Arkansas’s symbols in 1991.
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