Nature

Bull Shoals Caverns Find the Carrot Patch and Liberty Bell formations; gaze at the Garden of the Gods; search the underground river for fish; view Civil War artifacts. 1011 C. S. Woods Blvd, Bull Shoals, AR. +1 870 445 7177. Fee.

Cosmic Cavern Follow a guide into an onyx mine, glimpse cave-dwelling salamanders, pan for gemstones, see stalactites, stalagmites, and bottomless underground lakes. 6386 Hwy 21 North, Berryville, AR; +1 870 749 2298. Fee.

Crater of Diamonds State Park Strike it rich in the only diamond mine open to the public in North America; slip and slide at the Diamond Springs Water Park; view deer nibble grass from the Wildlife Observation Blind; watch a diamond-mining demonstration. 209 State Park Rd., Murfreesboro, AR; +1 870 285 3113.

Garvan Woodland Gardens Eat a picnic in Singing Springs Gorge; explore the children's adventure garden; play in a tree house; explore a cave. 550 Arkridge Rd. Hot Springs, AR; 800 366 4664. Fee.

Governor Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center Hike 130 acres of woodland trails; visit Black Dog Bayou and Lake Langhofer; check out the 20,000-gallon aquarium of native fish and turtles as the visitor center; learn about the region's natural history. 1400 Black Dog Road, Pine Bluff, AR. +1 870 534 0011.

Hot Springs Mountain Tower Ride to the top of Hot Springs National Park; be amazed by the panoramic view. 401 Hot Springs Mountain Dr. Hot Springs, AR; +1 501 623 6035. Fee.

Jacksonport State Park Visit this historic river port, once occupied by both the Confederate and Union troops; tour the refurbished sternwheeler the Mary Woods No. 2; enjoy a picnic lunch and take a dip in the White River; camp overnight; meander the park's nature trails. 205 Avenue St., Newport, AR. +1 870 523 2143. Fee.

Mystic Caverns Explore the two caves to see crystal dome caverns and a 28-foot-tall pipe organ-shaped formation; follow pathways down into the darkest parts of the cavern. Hwy 7 South and Dogpatch, Harrison, AR; +1 870 743 1739. Fee.

Petit Jean State Park Learn the legend of Petit Jean; hike trails to find waterfalls and bear caves; explore the Seven Hollows and Rock House "cave," a rock bluff shelter. 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Rd., Morrilton, AR; +1 501 727 5441.

Pivot Rock and Natural Bridge Hideout under the bridge where Jesse James supposedly sought shelter from the law; be amazed by the balance of Pivot Rock, with a top copiously wider than its bottom. 1708 Pivot Rock Rd., Eureka Springs, AR; +1 479 253 8860. Fee.

South Arkansas Arboretum Note the flora and fauna flourishing in the park; take a nature walk; picnic in the shade; nap in a quiet garden corner; jog past azaleas and dogwood trees. Mount Holly Rd. & Timberlane, El Dorado, AR; +1 870 862 8131.

Top O' the Ozarks Tower Travel to the top of Bull Mountain; take in more than a million acres of land surrounding the White River and Bull Shoals Lake; peer through the glass-enclosed lookout or from the balconies. Tower Road off Ark. 178 & Rivercliff Drive, Bull Shoals, AR; +1 870 445 4302. Fee.

War Memorial Park Exercise at the fitness center; stretch your legs on the playground; picnic in the park; try your luck at the fishing pond. 300 S. Monroe, AR; +1 501 371 4770.

Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center Escape the city while still in the city; roam nature trails; visit with the turtles, butterflies, and migrating pelicans; explore the aquarium; learn how the state managers and conserves its fish and wildlife. 500 Clinton Avenue, Little Rock, AR; +1 501 907 0636.