Buffalo National River Encourages Visitors to Explore Safely This Fall
Buffalo National River invites visitors to take advantage of cooler fall temperatures and safely explore the park’s many hiking trails surrounding the river.
Official NPS sourcePERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Travel Archive
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
2026-09-29
1 STORIES2026-09-28
1 STORIESCelebrate Hot Springs’ Famous Water at the Hot Springs Water Festival
Hot Springs National Park will host the annual Hot Springs Water Festival on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the Arlington Lawn near historic Bathhouse Row.
Official NPS source2026-09-22
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park awards new concession contract for Buckstaff Bathhouse
Hot Springs National Park today announced a new 10-year concession contract that will expand visitor access to traditional bathing services at Buckstaff Bathhouse, including longer operating hours and advance reservations.
Official NPS source2026-09-14
2 STORIESLocal Youth Conservation Corps Members Build Skills While Preserving Fort Smith National Historic Site
Seven local Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) members spent the summer gaining hands-on work experience while helping to preserve and maintain Fort Smith National Historic Site. This opportunity was funded in part by the National Park Foundation, and the crew worked alongside National Park Service staff on projects that introduced participants to preservation trades and maintenance skills.
Official NPS sourceAgricultural Special Use Permit Application Period Opens September 15
The National Park Service will accept public bid applications September 15 through October 15, 2026, for twenty-four Agricultural Special Use Permits for haying of specific designated fields located within Buffalo National River in portions of Newton and Searcy Counties.
Official NPS source2026-08-31
1 STORIES69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Little Rock Nine Program Series
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site will host a series of programs September 17–25 commemorating the 69th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine and exploring themes of constitutional rights, citizenship, civic engagement, and the continuing pursuit of equality.
Official NPS source2026-08-14
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School National Historic Site to Host Performance on the Life and Leadership of Daisy Gatson Bates
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site will present “Something in the Soil,” a free documentary-style, one-woman performance about the life and work of civil rights icon Daisy Gatson Bates, featuring actress Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, on Wednesday, August 26, at 6 p.m. at First Missionary Baptist Church.
Official NPS source2026-07-27
1 STORIESFamily Day on Little Rock Nine Way
Family Day on Little Rock Nine Way will feature hands-on activities for children and families, student-led programs, community resource booths, and food trucks. The free event is open to the public and will also include performances by local poets, live music, a DJ, and a variety of food truck vendors.
Official NPS source2026-06-29
1 STORIESHot Springs Celebrates America's 250th Birthday with Red, White, and YOU: Picnic and Parade
Hot Springs National Park will celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a full day of patriotic festivities on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Hosted in partnership with the Friends of Hot Springs National Park and America’s National Parks, the celebration features a community parade along Bathhouse Row, and the “Red, White & YOU” picnic on Arlington Lawn with live performances, games, activities, and more. All events are free and open to the public.
Official NPS source2026-03-09
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Seeks Feedback on Preliminary Management Strategies in the Development of the Draft River Management Plan
Buffalo National River is preparing to launch the second step in the public planning process for an updated River Management Plan. The park is seeking a second round of civic engagement during a 30-day public comment period, open March 9 through April 10, 2026.
Official NPS source2026-02-19
1 STORIESPea Ridge National Military Park Announces Prescribed Burns
Pea Ridge National Military Park will conduct prescribed fire operations Friday through Sunday, February 20 to 22, subject to weather conditions falling within the parameters of prescribed fire prescriptions.
Official NPS source2026-02-12
1 STORIESPrescribed Burn Scheduled for the Lower Wilderness – Temporary Closure Announced
Temporary closures in place for a prescribed burn in the Lower Wilderness.
Official NPS source2026-01-15
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Implements Campground Changes for 2026 Season
Buffalo National River will be implementing changes to the park's reservation system in 2026.
Official NPS source2025-09-18
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park Announces Advance Site Visit for Interested Concessioners
The National Park Service has scheduled a one-day site visit on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, for organizations interested in bidding on the new ten-year Concession Contract No. CC-HOSP002-27 to provide traditional bathhouse and massage therapy services within Hot Springs National Park here.
Official NPS source2025-09-09
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School NHS Hosts 68th Anniversary of the Little Rock Nine
Commemoration honors the courage of nine Black students who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957, a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.
Official NPS source2025-08-19
1 STORIESNational Park Service breaks ground on historic Maurice Bathhouse rehabilitation
The National Park Service (NPS) today celebrated the groundbreaking of the Maurice Bathhouse rehabilitation project at Hot Springs National Park, marking a major milestone in the preservation of one of the park’s most iconic historic structures. The project is made possible through an investment of $31.6 Million from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund.
Official NPS source2025-07-01
1 STORIESCommunity Partners Host Day of Giving and Family Day at Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
The free, public event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site and Bullock Temple CME Church. The day will feature youth activities, performances by local artists, 20-minute interpretive tours, a tree planting, and a time capsule burial.
Official NPS source2025-06-30
1 STORIESFireworks Prohibited at Buffalo National River
Fireworks are prohibited at Buffalo National River.
Official NPS source2025-05-27
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School NHS Shifts to Summer Hours on June 3
Beginning Tuesday, June 3, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site will transition to its summer operating schedule.
Official NPS source2025-03-08
1 STORIESPea Ridge National Military Park Announces Prescribed Burns
Pea Ridge National Military Park will conduct prescribed fire operations Monday and Tuesday, March 10-11, 2025, subject to weather conditions falling within the parameters of prescribed fire prescriptions.
Official NPS source2025-02-13
1 STORIESThe National Park Service invites the public to Pea Ridge National Military Park on Saturday, March 8, from 9:45 AM to 3:15 PM to attend programs commemorating the 163rd anniversary of the Battle of Pea Ridge.
The National Park Service invites the public to Pea Ridge National Military Park on Saturday, March 8, from 9:45 AM to 3:15 PM to attend programs commemorating the 163rd anniversary of the Battle of Pea Ridge. The Battle of Pea Ridge was fought on March 7-8, 1862, by over 23,000 Union and Confederate soldiers. It was the largest battle fought west of the Mississippi River and was a major turning point, helping Union forces maintain physical and political control of the state of Missouri. Visitors are invited to experience programs presented by staff and volunteers as they share accounts of what happened during the battle. Attendees will hear the crash of musketry and the roar of cannon and see how these weapons were used. Volunteer living historians will be giving programs at Tour Stop Four, Leetown Battlefield, and Tour Stop Eight, Elkhorn Tavern, while others will be portraying a cannon detachment at the Visitor Center. The full program schedule is available on the park website and social media pages. All program times and locations are subject to change. There are no entrance fees to Pea Ridge National Military Park. Water, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Official NPS source2025-01-22
1 STORIESCave Mountain Road Temporary Closure
Newton County, in coordination with Buffalo National River, will be closing a section of Newton County Road 5, also known as Cave Mountain Road, starting Wednesday, January 22, 2025, for road improvements.
Official NPS source2025-01-03
1 STORIESRemembering Nikki Giovanni
First Tuesdays Poetry Night will honor the late Nikki Giovanni on January 7, 2025.
Official NPS source2024-12-18
1 STORIESPulitzer Prize-winning author, historian Taylor Branch to present in the NPS Speaker Series
Author and historian Taylor Branch will speak as part of the NPS Speaker Series on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. CST in Little Rock. The event, a partner program hosted at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, will highlight Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s lasting impact on American society.
Official NPS source2024-12-06
1 STORIESFreedom and Heritage Literary Series announces December 2024 Public Program
Dr. Johnson-Dias will inspire attendees with insights on raising purposeful and resilient children while energizing the parental role in community engagement.
Official NPS source2024-12-02
1 STORIESPhyllis Brown to present on her life of social activism - "A Brown Sister Speaks"
Phyllis Brown is a lifelong advocate for equality and justice. Educated in Little Rock’s segregated public schools, she went on to earn a B.S. in Mass Communication from Southern Illinois University. A former member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Brown has dedicated her life to social activism, education, and the arts, using her voice to speak truth to power. Phyllis’s sister, Minnijean Brown Trickey, is one of the Little Rock Nine.
Official NPS source2024-11-14
1 STORIESPea Ridge National Military Park Announces Prescribed Burns Fall 2024
Pea Ridge National Military Park will conduct prescribed fire operations between November 20, 2024 and December 31, 2024 subject to weather conditions meeting prescriptions. To assure visitor safety, some areas inside the park, including roads and trails, may be closed while fire operations are taking place and for a short period after completion.
Official NPS source2024-11-08
1 STORIESFlood Waters Damage Buffalo National River Facilities
Many roads and facilities within Buffalo National River were damaged in the heavy rains that the area experienced earlier this week. Several inches of rain fell across the watershed between November 3rd and 5th, 2024.
Official NPS source2024-11-07
2 STORIESNew program manager selected for NPS Regions 6, 7, 8 National Trails Office
The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Patrick Malone as program manager of Region 6, 7 and 8 National Trails Office. In this role, Malone will administer the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail, California National Historic Trail, El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail, Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, Old Spanish National Historic Trail, Oregon National Historic Trail, Pony Express National Historic Trail, Santa Fe National Historic Trail, Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, and the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program.
Official NPS sourceBuffalo National River Announces Canoe & Kayak Rental with Transportation Services Concession Business Opportunity Application Process Open
The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a prospectus soliciting proposals to provide canoe rentals and transportation (shuttle) services to visitors at Buffalo National River. The NPS intends to award twelve (12) concession contracts. The new contracts will be for a term of ten (10) years.
Official NPS source2024-10-31
1 STORIESDr. Brian Mitchell to present "A Conversation on the Elaine Massacre"
The program will examine the catalysts behind the Elaine Massacre of 1919, providing detailed accounts of the events and exploring how and why knowledge of the massacre was suppressed. It will also highlight primary sources to educate attendees about the racialized violence of the Red Summer, offering a forum to discuss the massacre’s lasting impact on our national history.
Official NPS source2024-10-23
1 STORIESFire Ban at Buffalo National River
Effective immediately, lighting or maintaining a fire within the boundaries of Buffalo National River is prohibited.
Official NPS source2024-10-22
1 STORIESPea Ridge National Military Park 2024 Winter Hours
Pea Ridge National Military Park will begin winter hours of operation on November 17, 2024. The visitor center will be open Thursdays through Mondays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 8, 2025. The visitor center will return to operation seven days per week on March 9, 2025.
Official NPS source2024-10-20
1 STORIESThelma Mothershed Wair, Civil Rights Pioneer and Educator, Dies at 83
Wair, a courageous member of the historic Little Rock Nine, played a pivotal role in desegregating Little Rock Central High School in 1957.
Official NPS source2024-10-18
1 STORIESFire Restrictions at Buffalo National River
Due to the continued dry conditions across the Ozarks, as of October 17, 2024, fire restrictions have been put in place.
Official NPS source2024-10-10
1 STORIESDr. Sybil Jordan Hampton to present "A Conversation on Desegregation at Central High School after the Crisis"
Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton, lifelong educator, social justice foot soldier, and the first three-year African American graduate of Little Rock Central High School in 1962, will present "A Conversation on Desegregation at Central High School after the Crisis" on Saturday, October 26, 2024.
Official NPS source2024-10-04
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Announces the Cancellation of the Canoe & Kayak Rental with Transportation Services Concession Business Opportunity
The National Park Service (NPS), per 36 CFR § 51.11 has cancelled Solicitation CC-BUFFXXX-25B for a Concession Business Opportunity for Canoe & Kayak Rental with Transportation (Shuttle) Services at Buffalo National River.
Official NPS source2024-09-20
1 STORIESSteel Creek Area Open and Amenities Restored
A new water line has been installed at Steel Creek and all amenities have now been restored to the area. The Steel Creek Campground, launch and all restroom facilities will reopen starting on Friday, September 20, 2024.
Official NPS source2024-08-30
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School National Historic Site and Partners to Host Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Isabel Wilkerson
Isabel Wilkerson, a Pulitzer Prize and National Humanities Medal-winner, and the New York Times bestselling author of The Warmth of Other Suns and Caste: The Origins of our Discontents, will join Superintendent Robin White of Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site for a special evening as part of the 67th anniversary events commemorating the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School.
Official NPS source2024-08-29
1 STORIESFreedom and Heritage Literacy Series Announces September 2024 Events
By embracing diverse voices, the program aims to expand perspectives and create opportunities for exploration and growth.
Official NPS source2024-08-28
1 STORIESJoseph McGill, Jr. to present as part of the NPS Speaker Series
The conversation will explore the need to confront difficult history, ensure inclusive narratives, engage communities in preservation, and raise public awareness of the lives and contributions of enslaved people.
Official NPS source2024-08-20
1 STORIESEmpowering Minds Through Freedom and Heritage: 2024 Freedom Heritage Literacy Series
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, in partnership with Say it Loud! Readers and Writers, invites the public to participate in the Freedom and Heritage Literacy Series. This event celebrates the transformative power of education across diverse genres, emphasizing the importance of youth empowerment and creative expression.
Official NPS source2024-08-16
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Seeks Public Comments for Development of a Draft River Management Plan
Buffalo National River is preparing to launch a public planning process for an updated river management plan and is seeking public input during a 30-day public comment period August 16 to September 15, 2024. The project, in part, is the result of feedback from the local community, landowners, and river users who have expressed a desire to plan for increasing and changing use of this beloved recreation corridor.
Official NPS source2024-08-09
2 STORIESBuffalo National River to Begin Restoration of the Lower Tyler Bend River Access
Buffalo National River will begin renovations to the Lower Tyler Bend River Access beginning Monday August 12th, 2024. To facilitate the renovation process, the lower access will be closed for the duration of the project.
Official NPS sourceClinton Birthplace NHS celebrates Bill Clintons 78th Birthday
Clinton Birthplace NHS Celebrates Bill Clinton's 78th birthday with a jazz concert.
Official NPS source2024-08-08
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Temporarily Closes Steel Creek Area for Water Line Construction
Buffalo National River will close the Steel Creek Area starting Monday August 12th, 2024, to accommodate further construction to the Steel Creek Water line.
Official NPS source2024-07-29
2 STORIESNew NPS Speaker Series begins in August 2024 at Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
The NPS Speaker Series is an inspiring initiative aimed at fostering awareness and dialogue on critical issues and historical moments.
Official NPS sourceBuffalo National River Update on Beaver Jim Villines’ Boyhood Home
Buffalo National River continues work on the Beaver Jim Villines' Boyhood Home.
Official NPS source2024-07-26
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Intermittently Closes Steel Creek Road for Water Line Construction
Buffalo National River will be installing a new water line to Steel Creek.
Official NPS source2024-07-23
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Rehabilitates Beaver Jim Villines Boyhood Home
Buffalo National River is currently rehabilitating the Beaver Jim Villines Boyhood Home so visitors can safely view and enter the structure.
Official NPS source2024-07-12
1 STORIESArtillery Demonstrations
The National Park Service invites the public to Pea Ridge National Military Park on Saturday, July 20, to attend Civil War artillery programs. Demonstrations will take place behind the park Visitor Center at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. Artillery cannons from Pea Ridge National Military Park and Fort Smith National Historic Site will be featured.
Official NPS source2024-06-28
1 STORIESBuffalo National River seeks public comments for a plan to improve accessibility to visitors with disabilities
Buffalo National River is seeking comments on a draft plan that provides for more inclusive experiences for visitors with disabilities.
Official NPS source2024-06-27
1 STORIESWater Outage at Steel Creek, Buffalo National River
The water system at Steel Creek is out of order. Flush restrooms will be unavailable during this time, and the campground will not be accepting any new reservations.
Official NPS source2024-06-12
1 STORIESCherokee Nation Remember the Removal Bike Riders to Visit Trail of Tears Path through Pea Ridge National Military Park
On June 19, at approximately 11 a.m., Cherokee Nation’s twelve Remember the Removal Bike Riders will cycle into Pea Ridge National Military Park to honor their ancestors by visiting a portion of the route more than 10,000 Cherokee traveled in the late 1830s as they were forcibly removed from their ancestral homelands. Today known as the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, one of the best-preserved sections of the path lies along the Telegraph Road near Elkhorn Tavern. The riders will also visit Ruddick’s Field, where some removal contingents camped along the route.
Official NPS source2024-06-11
1 STORIES2024 Junior Ranger Camp
President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site and The University of Arkansas at Hope-Texarkana will offer a Junior Ranger Explorer Summer Camp July 15th – 18th, 2024. The Junior Ranger Explorer Camp connects participants to their national parks through many hands-on guided activities. The camp is open to all area students 9 – 13 years of age and registration and participation are FREE.
Official NPS source2024-05-23
1 STORIESDrowning at Carver, Buffalo National River
On May 19th, 2024, a woman drowned after her kayak overturned.
Official NPS source2024-05-03
1 STORIESCentral High School NHS to partner with Children's Book Week 2024 Literary Celebration
Central High School NHS is partnering with Say It Loud! Readers and Writers for Children's Book Week 2024, an event to promote and encourage young people to read, write, and use their voice and communication skills to improve their lives and the communities where they reside.
Official NPS source2024-04-25
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School National Historic Site announces 2024 Civil Rights Educator Institute
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site will host a Civil Rights Educator Institute (CREI) from Monday, June 24 through Friday, June 28, 2024. The CREI is open to educators; requests to participate in this program will be accepted until all openings are filled. Educators who attend the full CREI will receive professional development credit.
Official NPS source2024-04-23
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park to co-host new public health program series, "Hike to Health" with CHI St. Vincent
In partnership with CHI St. Vincent – a regional health network serving central and southwest Arkansas – Hot Springs National Park is thrilled to introduce a seasonal health promotion program series called “Hike to Health.” The first event will be held on Sat., April 27 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Whittington Park.
Official NPS source2024-04-17
2 STORIESNational Park Service opens call for Lower Mississippi Delta Initiative cultural heritage preservation grant applications
On April 15 2024, the National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Jefferson National Parks Association (JNPA), will begin accepting applications for the Lower Mississippi Delta Initiative (LMDI) grants for cultural heritage and educational projects in the Delta region, spanning Southern Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico. Applications are due by May 31, 2024.
Official NPS sourceWhite-tailed Deer Tests Positive for Chronic Wasting Disease in Pea Ridge National Military Park
During recent white-tailed deer herd health sampling at Pea Ridge National Military Park, the National Park Service (NPS) received positive test results for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). One male deer tested positive, which is the first CWD-positive detection within the Military Park. However, CWD has been present in Arkansas since 2016 and in Benton County since 2018. In accordance with the park’s Deer Management Plan, the Military Park will begin deer reduction operations in the fall. Pea Ridge National Military Park and others in the region reduce deer populations to protect and restore native plants, promote healthy and diverse forests, and preserve historic landscapes, in addition to slowing wildlife disease transmission rates. There is currently no evidence that CWD can infect humans, pets, or livestock. However, it is recommended that tissues from CWD-infected animals not be eaten. The venison from the deer that tested positive for CWD was destroyed.
Official NPS source2024-03-22
1 STORIESExperience the Total Eclipse at Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park anticipates large crowds and heavy traffic in the days before, during, and after the eclipse on April 8, 2024. Starting Thursday, April 4, and extending through Monday, April 8, the park will host special events and community programs, and implement select road closures to ensure visitor safety and resource protection.
Official NPS source2024-03-14
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Announces Canoe & Kayak Rental with Transportation Services Concession Business Opportunity Application Process Open
The National Park Service has issued a prospectus soliciting proposals to provide canoe rentals and transportation (shuttle) services to visitors at Buffalo National River. The NPS intends to award twelve (12) concession contracts.
Official NPS source2024-02-23
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park Plans for Prescribed Fires
Hot Springs National Park is planning to conduct prescribed burns on portions of Hot Springs Mountain on Monday, February 26 and West Mountain and a portion of Whippoorwill on Thursday, February 29, 2024, if weather conditions remain favorable.
Official NPS source2024-02-22
2 STORIESPea Ridge National Military Park Announces Prescribed Burns
Pea Ridge National Military Park will conduct prescribed fire operations on Saturday and Sunday, February 24 and 25, 2024, subject to weather conditions falling within the parameters of prescribed fire prescriptions. To assure visitor safety, the horse trail will be closed at dusk on Friday. Some other areas inside the park, including roads and hiking trails, may also be closed while fire operations are taking place and for a short period after completion.
Official NPS sourceCentral High School NHS to partner on program highlighting literary arts projects and activities
Central High School NHS is partnering with Say It Loud! Readers and Writers and author Brentom Jackson for Books and Literary Art Can Save Boys: Intentionality is Imperative, a free public literary event to promote the importance of boys participating in literary arts projects and programs.
Official NPS source2024-02-15
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Prepares for 2024 Eclipse
Buffalo National River prepares for the April 8th 2024 total solar eclipse. If you are planning to experience this celestial phenomenon from within the park or in one of the surrounding communities, be sure to plan ahead and be prepared.
Official NPS source2024-02-06
1 STORIESPea Ridge National Military Park Announces Prescribed Burns
Pea Ridge National Military Park will conduct prescribed fire operations between February 11th and March 15th, 2024, subject to weather conditions falling within the parameters of prescribed fire prescriptions. To assure visitor safety, some areas inside the park, including roads and trails, may be closed while fire operations are taking place and for a short period after completion.
Official NPS source2024-01-24
1 STORIESPea Ridge National Military Park Announces 2024 Visitor Center Winter Hours
Pea Ridge National Military Park will begin winter hours of operation on February 1, 2024. The visitor center will be open Thursdays through Mondays, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through March 23, 2024. The visitor center will return to operation seven days per week on March 24, 2024.
Official NPS source2024-01-17
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School NHS to host public program on equity in education
Little Rock Central High School NHS and the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College (UA-PTC) will present a panel discussion on “Equity in Education” on Wednesday, January 24, 2024; the event also will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Panelists include Dr. Terrence Roberts, clinical psychologist and member of the Little Rock Nine; Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton, higher education administrator and the first African American three-year graduate at Little Rock Central High School; and Brenda Bradley, UA-PTC Instructor of History.
Official NPS source2024-01-02
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park to conduct hazard tree removal
Beginning January 8, 2024, crews from Hot Springs National Park will be conducting hazard tree removal on all park-maintained roadways.
Official NPS source2023-12-11
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Announces the Cancellation of the Canoe & Kayak Rental with Transportation Services Concession Business Opportunity.
The National Park Service has cancelled Solicitation for a Concession Business Opportunity at Buffalo National River.
Official NPS source2023-11-06
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Announces Canoe & Kayak Rental with Transportation Services Concession Business Opportunity Application Process Open
The National Park Service has issued a prospectus soliciting proposals to provide canoe rentals and transportation services to visitors at Buffalo National River.
Official NPS source2023-11-02
1 STORIESCentral High School NHS to offer free film screening of Till, the critically acclaimed movie on the life of Emmitt Till and Mamie Till-Mobley
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, in partnership with Mosaic Templars Cultural Center and Jefferson National Parks Association, announces a free screening of the film “Till” on Thursday, November 16 at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (501 W. Ninth Street in Little Rock). The screening will begin in the ballroom at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center at 6:00 p.m.; doors open at 5:00 p.m.
Official NPS source2023-11-01
1 STORIESCentral High School NHS announces Children's Book Week 2023, a partner program in Little Rock
Central High School NHS is partnering with Say It Loud! Readers and Writers for Children's Book Week 2023, an event to promote and encourage young people to read, write, and use their voice and communication skills to improve their lives and the communities where they reside.
Official NPS source2023-10-13
1 STORIESWhittington Creek bank stabilization project to begin October 13
For the next 6 months, crews will be working to restabilize the banks along Whittington Creek on the West side of Whittington Park. Work on the project will begin on Friday, October 13 and is expected to continue through March 11, 2024, while the historic rock walls along the bank are deconstructed, reinforced, and replaced.
Official NPS source2023-10-12
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park to plant magnolia trees on Bathhouse Row
Hot Springs National Park is dedicated to preserving the historic Magnolia Promenade and ensuring that the Southern Magnolia trees can continue to safely thrive for generations to come. Starting on October 15, five Southern Magnolia trees, Magnolia grandiflora, will be planted to replace five hazardous trees that will be removed.
Official NPS source2023-10-04
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park to host Hot Springs Water Festival to highlight water conservation in the Hot Springs area
Hot Springs National Park will host the Hot Springs Water Festival on October 7th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm on the Arlington Lawn near historic Bathhouse Row.
Official NPS source2023-10-02
1 STORIESArkansas Post National Memorial to conduct prescribed fire
Arkansas Post National Memorial plans to conduct a prescribed fire on portions of the park on Tuesday 10/03/2023 and Wednesday 10/04/2023.
Official NPS source2023-09-27
1 STORIESSteve Akins selected as superintendent of President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site
National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Bert Frost announced the selection of Steve Akins today as the new superintendent of President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site in Hope, Arkansas. Akins currently serves as the Safety Manager for Interior Region 2 (Southeast Region) duty stationed in Hopkins, South Carolina.
Official NPS source2023-09-06
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Contributes to Record Economic Output of the National Park Service
The National Park Service report, 2022 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, has found that Buffalo National River contributed over $78.4 million dollars in economic output in 2022.
Official NPS source2023-08-24
1 STORIESCentral High School NHS announces No Tears Project as part of 66th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine
The National Park Service, Oxford American, and the City of Little Rock are excited to announce a free concert featuring the No Tears Project ensemble on Monday, September 25, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at Ron Robinson Theater (100 River Market Avenue) in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Official NPS source2023-08-10
2 STORIESCentral High School NHS to host local public event on book banning
This free program on Saturday, August 26 will discuss challenges, solutions and advocacy in current censorship climate. Panelists on the program include Nate Coulter, executive director of the Central Arkansas Library System; David Dennis Jr., journalist and co-author of The Movement Made Us; Tiffeni Fontno, director of the Peabody Library at Vanderbilt University; and Tracie D. Hall, executive director of the American Library Association.
Official NPS sourceAngela Boyers selected as superintendent of Buffalo National River
A new superintendent has been selected for Buffalo National River.
Official NPS source2023-07-25
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park announces 2023 Artist-in-Residence
Hot Springs National Park has selected Sofie van Doorn as the 2023 Artist-in-Residence (AIR). van Doorn is a contemporary dancer and choreographer and will be the park’s first such artist selected as an AIR. Since the program’s inception in 2004, the park has hosted 65 different artists, poets, musicians, ceramicists, weavers, quilters, photographers, and writers from across the nation.
Official NPS source2023-06-28
1 STORIESFort Smith National Historic Site receives Great American Outdoors Act funding to restore historic Commissary Building
Fort Smith NHS received funding from the Great American Outdoors Act to restore the historic Commissary Building, the oldest building in Fort Smith, AR.
Official NPS source2023-06-02
1 STORIESNo Tears Project Memphis, a series of civil rights and arts education residency events, to be held in Memphis, Tennessee (June 10-14, 2023)
The multi-day residency triangulates the American Civil Rights Movement legacies of Memphis; Jackson, Mississippi; and Little Rock, Arkansas. Featured events will include concerts with the world premiere of new music by Memphis native Robert “Bobby LaVell” Garner, as well as conversations with civil rights heroes, Dwania Kyles, Elizabeth Eckford, and Reena Evers-Everette.
Official NPS source2023-05-18
1 STORIESSearch for drowning victim concludes
The search for a missing man concluded on May 18th, 2023.
Official NPS source2023-05-17
1 STORIESMan lost at Grinders Ferry, Buffalo National River
On May 16th, 2023, Fidel Angel Salamanca Saravia, a 39 year old male from San Miguel, El Salvador was lost in the Buffalo River.
Official NPS source2023-04-07
1 STORIESCentral High School NHS to increase visitor and program access in April 2023
Beginning Tuesday, April 11, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site will increase public access inside the site’s visitor center and on scheduled ranger-led programming.
Official NPS source2023-03-16
1 STORIESPea Ridge National Military Park will conduct prescribed fire operations starting the week of March 19th, subject to weather conditions meeting prescriptions.
Pea Ridge National Military Park will conduct prescribed fire operations starting the week of March 19th, subject to weather conditions meeting prescriptions. To assure visitor safety, some areas inside the park, including roads and trails, may be closed while fire operations are taking place and for a short period after completion.
Official NPS source2023-03-15
1 STORIESMan Sentenced for Illegally Guiding Hikers at Buffalo National River
On March 7, 2023, Mr. Jeffrey Johnson, was sentenced for Illegally Guiding Hikers at Buffalo National River.
Official NPS source2023-03-13
1 STORIESPrescribed fires planned at Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park is planning to conduct a prescribed burn on portions of Hot Springs Mountain on Wednesday March 15, 2023, depending on weather conditions.
Official NPS source2023-02-24
1 STORIESThe Legacy of Drs. Mamie and Kenneth Clark - a book program with author Tim Spofford
Little Rock Central High School NHS welcomes author Tim Spofford for a public presentation on the life and legacy of Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Phipps Clark, the Harlem psychologists who developed the legendary doll test that played a key role in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the US Supreme Court case that desegregated public schools in America. The free event will be held in the National Historic Site visitor center on Wednesday, March 22 at 1:00 p.m. CDT.
Official NPS source2023-02-08
1 STORIESNo Tears Project: Meet Us in St. Louis!
Join the Oxford American, Gateway Arch National Park, and Jazz St. Louis for No Tears Project–St. Louis: a multi-day residency of free events that will use music and conversation to engage communities in civil rights education and storytelling.
Official NPS source2023-02-02
1 STORIESNational Park Service to host teacher workshop with the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS)
During World War II, the federal government forcibly removed people of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast and imprisoned them in American concentration camps. A little-known part of their story is that the War Relocation Authority (WRA) expected them to grow food to feed themselves, contribute to the war effort, and make barren lands flourish under the most difficult of circumstances. How did the incarcerees grapple with these demands?
Official NPS source2023-01-19
1 STORIESPea Ridge National Military Park New Superintendent 2023
OMAHA, Neb. — Today National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Bert Frost announced the selection of Shelley Todd as the new superintendent of Pea Ridge National Military Park in Arkansas. Todd currently leads the Science and Resource Management Division at Padre Island National Seashore in Corpus Christi, Texas. She will assume her new role at Pea Ridge in late February. “I am pleased to welcome Shelley as the new superintendent of Pea Ridge National Military Park,” said Frost. “Her fresh perspective and extensive experience managing complex integrated resource stewardship activities including landscape scale preservation, restoration, and resource monitoring will be an asset to the park and the community.” Todd has over 15 years of federal service and started her NPS career as a biological science technician at the Buffalo National River in Harrison, Arkansas in 2009. She would later go on to be a physical scientist at Hot Springs National Park before joining the staff on the Science and Resource Management Division at Padre Island National Seashore in 2018. Prior to working for the NPS, Todd served as an interpretive guide for the United States Forest Service at Blanchard Springs Caverns in Fifty-Six, Arkansas and as a hydrologic technician for the United States Geological Survey in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Other assignments include acting superintendent at President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home in Hope, Arkansas. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the American public and ensure the continued preservation of the site of one of the most pivotal western battles of the Civil War. I look forward to engaging with park partners and the public and working among the park’s rich variety of resources with its excellent staff,” Todd said. Todd will be relocating to the area later this year and is looking forward to getting back to Arkansas and being closer to her family, as well as getting involved in the local community. In her spare time, she enjoys backpacking, camping, and playing board games with family and friends.
Official NPS source2023-01-18
1 STORIESCentral High School NHS presents "Inequality in Mental Health," a free public program on January 25, 2023
UA - Pulaski Tech to host panel discussion to include Elizabeth Eckford, a member of the Little Rock Nine, and other distinguished participants.
Official NPS source2023-01-06
1 STORIESFordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center to close for new exhibit installation
The Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum at Hot Springs National Park will close on Tuesday, January 17 and remain closed through mid-February 2023. During this time, National Park Service staff and contractors will install new interpretive exhibits inside the facility. The visitor center lobby will remain open to the public.
Official NPS source2022-12-12
1 STORIESPublic Invited to Park Holiday Program
The National Park Service will host Cassidy Classics: Celebrating the Holidays with the First Family at President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site (the park) this Saturday, December 17, at 2 p.m. at the park’s Visitor Center.
Official NPS source2022-11-01
1 STORIESLost Hiker in Buffalo National River Found
Hiker missing in the Ponca Wilderness found after a multi-day search effort.
Official NPS source2022-10-29
1 STORIESBuffalo National River completes second day of search for missing hiker
Clinton “Preston” Smith, age 67 from Baton Rouge, LA, was reported missing after failing to return from an October 27th, 2022, planned hike on the Hemmed-in-Hollow Trail in Buffalo National River, Newton County, AR.
Official NPS source2022-09-08
1 STORIESCold Water Jug Fountain at Hot Springs National Park to Temporarily Shut Down for Maintenance
Beginning Monday, September 12 and continuing through Wednesday, September 14, the cold spring water jug fountain located on Fountain Street will be temporarily out of service for maintenance upgrades.
Official NPS source2022-09-01
2 STORIESCold Water Jug Fountains at Hot Springs National Park to Temporarily Shut Down for Maintenance
Beginning Wednesday, September 7 and continuing through Friday, September 9, the cold spring water jug fountain located on Whittington Ave. will be temporarily out of service for maintenance upgrades.
Official NPS sourceHot Springs National Park to host a trash clean-up competition to celebrate National Public Lands Day
Hot Springs National Park will host “The Battle of Downtown”- a trash cleanup competition on September 24th from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm to celebrate National Public Lands Day.
Official NPS source2022-08-31
1 STORIESGulpha Gorge Campground at Hot Springs National Park Sites #35-44 to Undergo Construction
Starting August 29th and extending through September 30th, 20 sites at Gulpha Gorge campground will be undergoing much-needed repairs. Sites #25-44 will be closed for this time period and will all be repaved, leveled, and in some cases, lengthened to accommodate larger Recreational Vehicles (RVs).
Official NPS source2022-08-19
1 STORIESThermal water at Hot Springs National Park to temporarily shut off for system upgrades
Beginning Monday, August 22, and continuing through Friday, August 26, thermal water service will be temporarily interrupted while contractors install new controls for the thermal water collection and distribution system.
Official NPS source2022-07-25
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park K9 Officer Konyak Retires and Two New K9s Join the Team
After 6 years with Hot Springs National Park, K9 Officer Konyak has officially retired. Konyak is a seven-and-a-half-year-old Belgian Malinois and during his tenure with the National Park Service has become one of the most celebrated K9 rangers across the agency.
Official NPS source2022-07-19
1 STORIESTourism to Hot Springs National Park creates $208 million in Economic Benefits
A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 2.1 million visitors to Hot Springs National Park in 2021 spent $154 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 2,200 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $208 million.
Official NPS source2022-07-13
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park to Host Three Trail Recovery Volunteer Events this Summer
Hot Springs National Park is proud to announce three public volunteer events as part of the Trail Recovery Leaders Project. The three events are: - July 23rd, Trail trash clean-up - July 30 - Invasive plant species removal - August 6 - Graffiti removal from Hot Springs' historic stone overlooks. All events take place from 9am to 11:30am.
Official NPS source2022-07-11
1 STORIES2022 Annual Jazz Festival Celebrating the Birthdays of President Clinton and the National Park Service
The staff of President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site invite you to come celebrate the 106th Birthday of the National Park Service and the 76th birthday of President William Jefferson Clinton.
Official NPS source2022-06-16
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park Announces 2022 Artists-in-Residence
Hot Springs National Park has selected four artists to participate in the 2022 Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program.
Official NPS source2022-05-31
1 STORIESCentral High School NHS announces recruitment for a Community Volunteer Ambassador, a paid internship for 2022-23
Our site is recruiting for one CVA to serve a 50-week term here under the guidance and mentorship of the Service’s Interpretation, Education and Volunteers Directorate.
Official NPS source2022-05-27
2 STORIESMultiple emergency incidents kick off a busy summer at Buffalo National River
Throughout the week of May 16, 2022, Buffalo National River staff partnered with municipal and state agencies to respond quickly and professionally to multiple emergency incidents that occurred within the park. Emergency services personnel reacted swiftly and decisively while at times responding to multiple incidents occurring at once.
Official NPS sourceBuffalo National River hosts second weekend of events celebrating the park’s 50th anniversary
Buffalo National River’s second weekend of 50th anniversary celebratory events is coming soon. From June 9 - 12, 2022, the park is celebrating how the Buffalo River inspires creative artistic endeavors. All are invited to participate in the free activities listed
Official NPS source2022-05-24
1 STORIESJazz Ambassadors to perform at Little Rock Central High School NHS
Join the Jazz Ambassadors in Little Rock, Arkansas to hear the military's finest practitioners of jazz and swing. The Army's official touring big band, this 19-member jazz ensemble has received widespread acclaim at home and abroad, earning the Jazz Ambassadors the title, "America's Big Band."
Official NPS source2022-05-11
1 STORIESThere is an alternate cold water spring fountain, Whittington Spring, located on Whittington Ave. near the Hot Springs National Park Maintenance Facility.
Due to a break in the water line, the Happy Hollow Cold Springs Fountain located on Fountain Street, is closed for repairs. The timeframe for reopening the fountain is unknown at this time.
Official NPS source2022-05-09
1 STORIESMan dies from fall at Buffalo National River
A Springfield, MO man died from a fall in the Indian Creek drainage of Buffalo National River on Saturday, May 7, 2022.
Official NPS source2022-04-27
1 STORIESPublic access and the Buffalo River Trail expanded at Buffalo National River
The National Park Service (NPS) has purchased a 64 acre tract of land within the legislated boundaries of Buffalo National River, making it possible for all people to access this tract of land within the park. This formerly private inholding was an important key to completing a segment of the Buffalo River Trail/Ozark Highland Trail.
Official NPS source2022-03-07
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School NHS to partner with STRONGER THAN
Little Rock Central High School NHS and local students to partner with STRONGER THAN, a special emphasis campaign that recognizes and celebrates the strength, courage, and resilience of women across diverse dimensions.
Official NPS source2022-03-03
1 STORIESPrescribed Burn for Sugarloaf Mountain Planned
Prescribed burn on Sugarloaf Mountain on Friday, March 4th. The only closure will be on the Sunset trail between Blacksnake Rd. and Cedarglades Rd.
Official NPS source2022-02-28
1 STORIESHot Spring National Park West Mountain Road Extended Closure Monday, February 28 through Monday, March 14, 2022 for Continued Road Maintenance
Hot Spring National Park West Mountain Road Extended Closure Monday, February 28 through Monday, March 14, 2022 for Continued Road Maintenance.
Official NPS source2022-02-23
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park Breaks Visitation Records in 2021
Hot Springs National Park had 2,162,884 recreational visits in 2021, topping the previous visitation record set in 1970. Additionally, the park surpassed 100 million accumulated recreation visits since reporting began in 1904.
Official NPS source2022-02-11
3 STORIESPea Ridge National Military Park Announces Prescribed Burns 2022
Pea Ridge National Military Park will conduct prescribed fire operations sometime during the next several weeks, subject to weather conditions falling within the parameters of prescribed fire prescriptions. To assure visitor safety, some areas inside the park and trails may be closed while fire operations are taking place and for a short period after completion.
Official NPS sourcePrescribed Fires Planned at Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park is planning to conduct prescribed fire operations Monday, February 14 through Wednesday, February 16, 2022, depending on weather conditions. Controlled burns may be completed on Sugarloaf Mountain, Music Mountain and, if time and weather permit, Graves Gravel Pit on Whittington Avenue.
Official NPS sourceWest Mountain Road to close temporarily for culvert replacement
West Mountain Road in Hot Springs National Park will close temporarily from Whittington Ave Entrance/Exit to Prospect Ave Entrance/Ext. beginning Monday, February 14 through Monday, February 28, 2022. This closure will allow contractors to replace drainage culverts from West Mountain Summit to the park boundary.
Official NPS source2022-02-09
1 STORIESPark History Weekend 2022
Buffalo National River’s first weekend of 50th anniversary celebratory events is coming soon. From February 25th to March 1st, 2022, the park is celebrating the rich cultural and geological history of the area and the creation of the park. All are invited to participate .
Official NPS source2022-02-07
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Seeks Public Comments on the Cave Mountain Road Environmental Assessment
The National Park Service (NPS) has released an Environmental Assessment (EA) that analyzes a county and state led effort to reconstruct and repave the 1.8-mile section of Cave Mountain Road (Newton County Road 9560) that crosses Buffalo National River’s park boundaries.
Official NPS source2022-01-31
1 STORIESControlled Burn in February at Hot Springs National Park Graves Gravel Pit
Controlled Fire Burn at Hot Springs National Park Graves Gravel Pit Feb. 1st - Feb. 3rd.
Official NPS source2022-01-28
2 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School National Historic Site Visitor Center to temporarily change days of operation
The Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Visitor Center will temporarily change days of operations on Sunday, January 30, 2022.
Official NPS sourceHot Spring National Park West Mountain Road Closed Tuesday, February 1 - 2, 2022 for Road Maintenance
Hot Spring National Park West Mountain Road Closed Tuesday, February 1 - 2, 2022 for Road Maintenance
Official NPS source2022-01-25
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park Campground going to Reservation System
Starting February 1, 2022, Hot Springs National Park will begin accepting on-line reservations for all 40 sites at the Gulpha Gorge Campground. Interested campers can begin making reservations on February 1, 2022, by going to www.recreation.gov, visiting the park’s camping page on the website, or by calling 1-877-444-6667.
Official NPS source2022-01-18
1 STORIESUSGS Airborne to survey Hot Springs National Park thermal water recharge zone
Starting Wednesday, January 19, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will deploy a low-flying aircraft that will be visible to residents living near Hot Springs National Park (Park), as well as adjacent areas to the east of the park. The USGS is mapping aquifers in the areas surrounding Hot Springs National Park, in coordination with the National Park Service and Garland County, Arkansas, using a high-resolution airborne survey technique. The flights are expected to conclude by Thursday, January 20, depending on weather and flight conditions.
Official NPS source2022-01-10
1 STORIES2022 Civil Rights Educator Institute now accepting applicants
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site will host an online Civil Rights Educator Institute (CREI) from Tuesday, July 12 through Thursday, July 14, 2022. This free professional development course is open to educators, community organizers and cultural activists; requests to participate in this virtual program will be accepted through March 1, 2022 or until all openings are filled.
Official NPS source2021-12-29
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School National Historic Site to be closed on Sundays in January 2022
Little Rock, Arkansas – Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site (NHS) is adjusting public access to the visitor center and park programming on Sundays in January 2022.
Official NPS source2021-12-02
1 STORIESControlled Fire Burn at Hot Springs National Park Graves Gravel Pit
There will be a controlled debris burn at Graves Gravel Pit from Monday, December 6th through Wednesday, December 8th.
Official NPS source2021-11-29
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park to Host 122nd Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 19, 2021
Hot Springs National Park, in partnership with the local chapters of the National Audubon Society, Lake Catherine State Park, and the City of Hot Springs, will host its Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 19th, 2021.
Official NPS source2021-11-16
1 STORIESBuffalo National River announces 50th anniversary celebrations in 2022
A summary of special events planned for Buffalo National River's 50th anniversary in 2022.
Official NPS source2021-10-26
1 STORIESFort Smith National Historic Site Visitor Center/Museum to Re-Open
Fort Smith National Historic Site visitor center re-opens after being closed for 593 days due to COVID-19 and renovations from winter storm damage.
Official NPS source2021-10-25
1 STORIESBuffalo Point river access improvements begin
Improvements to the Buffalo Point river access begin Wednesday, October 27th, 2021 and go through January 30th, 2022. Buffalo Point Launch, gravel bar and parking lot will be closed during this time.
Official NPS source2021-10-14
1 STORIESProject Underway to Identify Algal Toxins in US National Park Waterways
Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service partnered on a first-of-its-kind, nationwide harmful algal bloom, or HAB, field study that began this summer and will continue over the next two years.
Official NPS source2021-10-07
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School National Historic Site visitor center reopens on October 12
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site is increasing public access to the visitor center and park programming beginning Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
Official NPS source2021-09-27
1 STORIESTeen dies from fall at Lost Valley, Buffalo National River
A male teen from Ava, Missouri died from a fall near the Lost Valley Trail at Buffalo National River on Saturday, September 25th, 2021.
Official NPS source2021-09-12
1 STORIESNational Park Service announces events commemorating the 64th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine and Central High School
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site will commemorate the 64th anniversary of Central High School’s desegregation by the Little Rock Nine with virtual programs on Friday and Saturday, September 24 and 25, 2021.
Official NPS source2021-09-06
1 STORIESCarter and Clinton: The Story of Two Presidential National Parks
The staff of President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site invites you to join National Park Rangers from both the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site in Hope, Arkansas, and the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in Plains, Georgia, as they present their first-ever collaborative virtual program!
Official NPS source2021-08-05
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School NHS visitor center to temporarily close on Saturday, August 7, 2021
As a result of the elevated risks related to the COVID-19 virus, the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site visitor center will temporarily close to the public beginning Saturday, August 7, 2021.
Official NPS source2021-07-30
1 STORIESRon Fields Selected as Superintendent of Arkansas Post National Memorial
National Park Service (NPS) Region Director Bert Frost announced the selection of Ron Fields as superintendent of Arkansas Post National Memorial, Arkansas. He currently serves as the permanent Integrated Natural and Cultural Resource Specialist at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, New Mexico. He will assume his new role mid-September.
Official NPS source2021-07-15
1 STORIESPea Ridge National Military Park “Take a Walk on the Wild Side” program.
Take a walk on the wild side with NPS Park Guide Ken Lockhart on Saturday mornings in July, August, and September at Pea Ridge National Military Park. Ken will conduct a Wildland Scene Investigation (W.S.I) course to include wildlife observation, beginning tracking, outdoor safety, and Leave No Trace wilderness ethics. Participation is limited to 25 so please call ahead at 479-451-8122 x 1227 to reserve a spot. Program will start at 10am at the Elkhorn Tavern (Tour Stop # 8), so participants should arrive 5-10 minutes before 10 am. Participants should bring insect repellent, lawn chair and plenty of drinking water. This program will last approximately 2- 2 ½ hours. Pea Ridge National Military Park preserves and commemorates the site of the March 1862 Civil War battle that helped Union forces gain control of Missouri. The park is located 10 miles north of Rogers just off US Highway 62.
Official NPS source2021-07-09
1 STORIESTourism to Buffalo National River Creates $66 Million in Economic Benefits
A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 1.5 million visitors to Buffalo National River in 2020 spent $66.3 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 960 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $76.1 million.
Official NPS source2021-06-30
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park to host BARK Ranger Day on July 3rd
On Saturday, July 3rd, from 11:00am – 3:00pm on Arlington Lawn, Hot Springs National Park will be hosting BARK Ranger Day. This event is part of the park’s year-long celebration to commemorate its 100th anniversary as a national park.
Official NPS source2021-06-11
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School National Historic Site Increases Phased Access to the Park (Update as of June 14, 2021)
Little Rock Central High School NHS is increasing public access to the visitor center and on park programming beginning June 14, 2021.
Official NPS source2021-06-08
1 STORIESFort Smith National Historic Site Announces Building Closure
As a result of damage from the winter storms in February 2021, the Visitor Center/Museum is closed until repairs are completed.
Official NPS source2021-06-07
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Rangers Respond to Multiple Events During Busy Weekend
On Saturday, June 5th, 2021, Buffalo National River park rangers responded to multiple medical events, including a death, medical emergency and broken hip.
Official NPS source2021-06-04
2 STORIESBuffalo National River Announces Safety Closure of Affected Area During Highway 7 Bridge Demolition
On Wednesday, June 9th, 2021, the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) will demolish the old Highway 7 bridge at Pruitt in Newton County. This demolition will affect vehicle traffic on Highway 7 and visitor access to this area of Buffalo National River.
Official NPS sourcePea Ridge National Military Park Finalization of Deer Management
Superintendent Kevin Eads has announced the completion of a comprehensive planning effort to analyze potential impacts of a Deer Management Plan (plan) and environmental Assessment (EA) at Pea Ridge National Military Park. Based on the analysis presented in the EA and public comments received during the EA review period, the NPS selected Alternative B and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed by Regional Director Bert Frost on May 27, 2021. The purpose of the plan is to address issues associated with the overpopulation of white-tailed deer at the park. The proposed action was selected after careful analysis of resources and visitor impacts, and consultation with affiliated tribes, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Arkansas Department of Game and Fish, Arkansas State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), and review of public comments. Where there is an overabundance of deer there is an increase in deer-vehicle strikes, deer-related diseases, and deer browsing, which has a negative impact on native vegetation. The plan’s selected alternative seeks to improve the health of the deer herd, the habitat, and to increase human health and safety by reducing and maintaining the park’s deer population at 20-35 deer per square mile. The park will continue to work with partners to develop an implementation plan, with associated compliance, based on the Deer Management Plan. As a result, and due to current, and planned, projects, management of deer on the park is anticipated to begin in 2023. For more information, visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=94120.
Official NPS source2021-05-07
1 STORIESMan Dies from Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound at Buffalo National River
On Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 12:04 p.m., two National Park Service (NPS) rangers contacted Damon Scott Casey, 40, for routine traffic violations near Tyler Bend in the Middle District of Buffalo National River. Casey produced a handgun, shot himself in the head and died on scene.
Official NPS source2021-04-27
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park Announces Opening of Fordyce Visitor Center
Beginning Tuesday, May 4th, Hot Springs National Park will re-open the Fordyce Bathhouse Museum and Visitor Center. Since the beginning of the pandemic, park staff have offered information and orientation on the front porch of the Fordyce, and these services will continue. Beginning May 4, the interior of the museum and visitor center will be open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Official NPS source2021-04-23
1 STORIESParks for Pollinators BioBlitz in Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park will be hosting a BioBlitz utilizing iNaturalist on May 1st and 2nd. There will also be a Pollinator Fair on Arlington Lawn from 11-3pm on the 1st.
Official NPS source2021-04-21
1 STORIESMan sentenced for violation of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act in Buffalo National River
Following a multi-year investigation by special agents of the National Park Service (NPS) Investigative Services Branch and park rangers, Michael L. Walters was sentenced earlier this month for violating the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) while within Buffalo National River.
Official NPS source2021-04-13
2 STORIES10th anniversary events for President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home NHS
President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site is hosting special events throughout 2021 in celebration of the park’s 10-year anniversary. From cupcakes to Junior Ranger Day, and everything in-between, there is something for everybody at the park. Free of charge!
Official NPS sourceNational Park Service seeks tips from the public to aid homicide investigation in Hot Springs National Park
Special Agents of the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch are seeking tips from the public to determine the circumstances related to the homicide of Paige Autumn White, a 32-year-old Caucasian female, in Hot Springs National Park.
Official NPS source2021-04-12
1 STORIESLibbey Physical Medicine Center Thermal Water Jug Fountain to Close Temporarily
The thermal water jug fountain at the Libbey Physical Medicine Center at 500 Reserve Street will close temporarily beginning April 19, 2021. Hot Springs National Park staff and contractors are beginning a project to replace the roof on the Libbey Bathhouse and workers will need to close the area around it for safety. The fountain is expected to be closed for approximately 2 months or until the work is complete.
Official NPS source2021-03-08
1 STORIESPea Ridge National Military Park Announces Prescribed Burns Spring 2021
Pea Ridge National Military Park will conduct prescribed fire operations sometime during the next several weeks, subject to weather conditions falling within the parameters of prescribed fire prescriptions. To assure visitor safety, some areas inside the park and trails may be closed while fire operations are taking place and for a short period after completion.
Official NPS source2021-03-05
1 STORIESPrescribed Fire Planned at Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park is planning to conduct prescribed fire operations between March 8 and March 19, 2021. Exact dates will be determined depending on favorable weather conditions and will be posted as soon as fire specialists make the determination to conduct a burn. Controlled burns may be completed along Blacksnake Road near Crabtree Cemetery.
Official NPS source2021-03-03
1 STORIESPea Ridge National Military Park Construction, Partial Trail Closures, and Detour
Pea Ridge National Military Park construction, partial trail closures, and detour Pea Ridge National Military Park Superintendent, Kevin Eads, announced today that Highway 62 Mitigation construction has begun at the park. The first phase of this project consists of prepping areas for, then constructing, parking lots and re-routing portions of the tour road near the Elkhorn Tavern and work on the park’s entrance road. Because of the on-going work near the Elkhorn Tavern, and for your safety, the North Loop of the horse trail will be closed until further notice. However, the short loop of the horse trail will remain open during this time frame. The area around the Elkhorn Tavern and monuments as well as the area north of the tavern remain off limits to horses. Soon work will begin on the park’s entrance road causing the entrance to the park to be re-routed for a time. The detour, which will be marked with signs, will route visitors to Old Liberty Road, which is located approximately 1 mile northeast of the current park entrance. Visitors will turn left, southeast, off Old Liberty Road onto the old highway 62 roadbed. The park entrance will be approximately ¾ of a mile from the intersection of Old Liberty Road and the old highway 62 roadbed.
Official NPS source2021-03-02
1 STORIESTechnical Rescue Occurs in Ponca Wilderness at Buffalo National River
The National Park Service worked with numerous local agencies, along with volunteers, to rescue an injured park visitor over the weekend. Late Saturday, February 27, 2021, a 60-year-old man from Bella Vista, AR was hiking with his son when he suffered an injury and was unable to hike out on his own.
Official NPS source2021-02-26
3 STORIESNational Park Service announces the 2021 virtual Civil Rights Educator Institute
National Park Service announces the 2021 virtual Civil Rights Educator Institute, a professional development opportunity for educators, community workers, and cultural activists.
Official NPS sourceCelebrate 100 years of Hot Springs as a national park at March 4th Anniversary Celebration
Hot Springs National Park turns 100 years old on March 4, 2021, and to celebrate this milestone anniversary, the City of Hot Springs will deliver an official proclamation via horse-drawn carriage declaring March 4th as “Hot Springs National Park Day.” The Friends of Hot Springs National Park will provide birthday cupcakes from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm on the front porch of the Fordyce Bathhouse (the park Visitor Center – 369 Central Ave.) Residents and visitors alike can also take their photos in a birthday-themed photo booth while they are there. The park will release a special anniversary video on social media in conjunction with the event at the Fordyce. For everyone’s safety, facemasks are required on federal lands and visitors are reminded to maintain social distancing wherever possible.
Official NPS sourceTemporary Road Construction Closure Continues at Kyles Landing in Buffalo National River
Road construction continues in the Kyles Landing area of Buffalo National River in Newton County.
Official NPS source2021-02-11
1 STORIESPublic Comment Period for Deer Management Plan/Environmental Assessment
Pea Ridge National Military Park Announces Public Comment Period for Deer Management Plan/Environmental Assessment
Official NPS source2021-02-05
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School NHS announces film screenings during Black History Month
Little Rock Central High School NHS announces film screenings during Black History Month; program will feature a conversation with Ernest Green, a member of the Little Rock Nine
Official NPS source2021-02-03
2 STORIESBuffalo National River Announces Temporary Closures at Cecil Cove Trail
Buffalo National River is temporarily closing a portion of the Cecil Cove Trail, located off the Compton-Erbie Road. The closure will be on the section of the trail from the Compton - Erbie Road to the Jones Cemetery. The section of Cecil Cove Trail from the Erbie Trailhead to the Jones Cemetery will still be open.
Official NPS sourceHot Springs National Park implements federal mask requirement for COVID-19 prevention and protection
To protect the health of those who live, work, and visit national parks and National Park Service (NPS) facilities, and in support of President Biden’s Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing, NPS is immediately implementing a mask requirement for employees, visitors, partners and contractors.
Official NPS source2021-01-13
1 STORIESTemporary Closure of Thermal Water Fountains at Hot Springs National Park
Thermal water service will be temporarily interrupted to inspect the main thermal water reservoir from January 26 to February 4.
Official NPS source2020-12-22
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park Announces Holiday Hours
Bathhouse Row Emporium in the Lamar Bathhouse will be closed on Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th. The store will reopen with regular business hours on December 26th. The Fordyce Visitor Center will resume visitor services also on December 26, although the building remains closed to the public due to Covid-related public health concerns. Both also will close January 1 and resume services January 2, 2021.
Official NPS source2020-12-11
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Accepts Hay Field Permit Applications
From December 15, 2020 to January 15, 2021, the National Park Service (NPS) will accept public bid applications for twenty-seven Agricultural Special Use Permits for haying of designated fields located within Buffalo National River in portions of Newton, Searcy, and Marion Counties.
Official NPS source2020-12-08
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park Announces 100th Anniversary Celebrations in 2021
Hot Springs National Park invites the public and park partners to join in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Hot Springs’ designation as a national park. To celebrate this historic milestone, the park is planning a series of monthly and year-long events in conjunction with the City of Hot Springs, Visit Hot Springs, Friends of Hot Springs National Park, and other partners.
Official NPS source2020-11-19
2 STORIESMan sentenced to over 13 years in prison for assault and weapon violations in Hot Springs National Park
Following an investigation by a team of US Park Rangers and Special Agents of the National Park Service (NPS) Investigative Services Branch, a man has been sentenced to serve 166 months in federal prison for assault and weapons violations in Hot Springs National Park.
Official NPS sourceSunset and Pullman Trail Closures
The Pullman and Sunset Trails are closed to visitors due to a small fire which occurred this morning. The Pullman Trailhead parking area at the end of Pullman Ave is also closed. Please exercise caution and be aware of emergency vehicles and fire personnel who are still working in the area.
Official NPS source2020-11-12
1 STORIESPartial Closure of the Pullman Trail
The Pullman Trail will be closed to bicyclists on Saturday, November 14 through approximately 3 pm on Sunday, November 15 due to the Güdrun Mountain Bike Festival.
Official NPS source2020-11-05
1 STORIESPea Ridge National Military Park To Announces Prescribed Burns November 2020
Pea Ridge National Military Park will conduct prescribed fire operations sometime during the next several weeks, subject to weather conditions falling within the parameters of prescribed fire prescriptions. To assure visitor safety, some areas inside the park and trails may be closed while fire operations are taking place and for a short period after completion.
Official NPS source2020-10-21
1 STORIESPresident William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site to Begin PHased Access to the Historic Site
President Clinton Birthplace Home NHS will continue to operate under the latest guidance from the White House, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and local and state authorities to promote social distancing.
Official NPS source2020-10-07
1 STORIESSafety Tips for Elk Viewing in Boxley Valley
Stay safe while viewing elk in Boxley Valley this fall.
Official NPS source2020-09-14
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School NHS to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of desegregation by the Little Rock Nine
Little Rock Central High School NHS (CHSC) will host online programs on September 23, 24 and 25, 2020 on the theme "Conversations with America's Youth: A Civil Rights Institute Mentoring Initiative" as part of the 63rd commemoration of Central High School’s desegregation by the Little Rock Nine.
Official NPS source2020-09-10
1 STORIESSignificant Damage to Fitton Cave Discovered at Buffalo National River
In August 2020, Buffalo National River staff discovered significant damage at Fitton Cave in Buffalo National River in Newton County. Investigators are seeking information from anyone who may have knowledge about those who caused this damage.
Official NPS source2020-08-28
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Announces Plans for Improvements to the Boxley Valley Area
Buffalo National River plans to collaboratively implement infrastructure and visitor services improvements in the Boxley Valley Area, as funds become available. Following an Environmental Assessment (EA) of proposed improvements, the National Park Service issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), approving the implementation of the proposed actions.
Official NPS source2020-08-24
1 STORIESBuffalo National River named Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics recently announced the designation of Buffalo National River as a Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site, joining an elite group of 12 parks nationwide to earn this honor. Buffalo National River is the sixth National Park Service site to receive this designation and the first in Arkansas.
Official NPS source2020-08-14
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School NHS to host online program on the life of Harriet Tubman
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site presents a free online program featuring Harriet Tubman biographer Kate Clifford Larson and Tina Martin Wyatt, the great-great-great-grandniece of Tubman. This special conversation will be broadcast on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.; free tickets can be obtained via Eventbrite (search “Harriet (Descendants Talk Mini-Festival)”).
Official NPS source2020-08-12
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Announces Temporary Closure to the Upper Pruitt Day Use Area
For the safety of all visitors, and at the request of ARDOT, the Upper Pruitt Day Use Area is temporarily closed due to Pruitt Bridge construction. This includes the picnic tables, restrooms, BRT trailhead, and swimming area.
Official NPS source2020-06-26
1 STORIESBuffalo National River Approves the Use of Bicycles and E-bikes on Park Roads
Buffalo National River has opened park roads, to include park administrative roads, to electric bikes (e-bikes). While bicycles have always been allowed on park roads, they are now also allowed on administrative roads. Bicycles and e-bikes are still prohibited from being used on trails in the park.
Official NPS source2020-06-24
1 STORIESPullman Trail Opens to Mountain Bikers and Hikers
Hot Springs, Ark. - The National Park Service, together with the City of Hot Springs and Visit Hot Springs, announce the opening of the new Pullman Trail. This 0.65-mile trail connects hikers and mountain bikers from downtown Hot Springs to the Northwoods Trails through a section of Hot Springs National Park. Parking is available at the trailhead, located at the end of Pullman Avenue.
Official NPS source2020-06-19
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School National Historic Site to Increase Phased Access to the Park (Update as of June 19, 2020)
In following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Little Rock Central High School NHS is increasing phased access to include daily streetscape tours of no more than 10 visitors beginning Monday, June 22, 2020.
Official NPS source2020-06-18
2 STORIESJr. Ranger Camp -Virtual-
2020 Jr. Ranger Camp Registration Form
Official NPS sourceRemains of Lost Hiker Discovered in Buffalo National River
At approximately 11:00 a.m., June 17th, 2020, search and rescue personnel discovered the remains of lost hiker Thomas Reid in the Sneeds Creek drainage area within the Ponca Wilderness area of Buffalo National River, south of Compton.
Official NPS source2020-06-16
1 STORIESPea Ridge National Military Park to Begin Phased Access for Interpretive Programming.
Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Pea Ridge National Military Park is working to increase programs for the visiting public. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. While the park tour road and hiking trails have been open during the entire COVID-19 pandemic.
Official NPS source2020-06-15
1 STORIESNational Park Service seeks information from the public to help locate missing man
The National Park Service is seeking information to help locate a missing man from West Memphis, Arkansas. Thomas (Tom) Reid, age 65, was last seen on the Sneeds Creek trail within the boundaries of Buffalo National River south of Compton at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2020.
Official NPS source2020-06-12
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School National Historic Site to Begin Phased Access to the Park (Update as of June 12)
Beginning June 15, 2020, Little Rock Central High School NHS will begin Phase I access to the National Historic Site Visitor Center with limited occupancy and services.
Official NPS source2020-06-07
1 STORIESPresident William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site to Begin Phased Access to the Historic Site
President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site will continue to operate under the latest guidance from the White House, CDC and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. Beginning Monday, June 8th, 2020 this historic site visitor center will be open 10:00 a.m-4:00 p.m. with limited visitors permitted every 30 minutes.
Official NPS source2020-06-05
1 STORIESLittle Rock Central High School National Historic Site to Delay Phased Access to the Park (Update as of June 5, 2020)
Due to an increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases in Arkansas, Little Rock Central High School NHS will delay Phase I access originally scheduled to begin on Monday, June 8.
Official NPS source2020-05-28
1 STORIESHot Springs National Park to Reopen Gulpha Gorge Campground
Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Hot Springs National Park continues to increase recreational access and visitor services. Beginning May 29th, the Gulpha Gorge Campground and Public Restrooms on Bathhouse Row will be open.
Official NPS source2020-05-27
1 STORIESFort Smith National Historic Site to Begin Phased Access to Park
Fort Smith National Historic Site will start phased access to the park site beginning June 1, 2020. This includes Park Ranger programs and opening the Commissary and Gallows.
Official NPS source2020-03-19
1 STORIESNational Park Service News Release
Fort Smith National Historic Site is Modifying Operations to Implement Latest Health Guidance
Official NPS source