Eureka Springs is located in Northwest Arkansas, an area that has seen an infusion of capital focused on arts, entertainment, and recreation in the last several years. The historic town is an attractive destination for those looking to step back, both in time and from the demands of daily life.
Incorporated in 1880, Eureka Springs boasts many of its original buildings and leisure-focused spirit. The downtown area is continually abuzz with pedestrians enjoying themselves, with its eclectic buildings containing a diverse selection of shops and restaurants.
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Eureka Springs is nestled in the Ozark Mountains, which are a central asset for the town’s activities and visual appeal. Many of the streets in the main business district have bends and significant elevation gains in order to accommodate the rising terrain—which is why Eureka has been called “Stairstep Town.”
The trend of windy and steep continues once outside of the downtown area, which equates to memorable hiking trails. There are more than 30 miles of maintained trails, which vary in difficulty. Mountain biking is also a popular outdoor recreational focus, with many of the same biped-focused trails accommodating bikers as well.
“Little Switzerland of the Ozarks,” as the town is historically known due to its visual similarities to the mountainous European country, has long been a place where visitors come from near and far to enjoy its scenery.
Of course, Eureka Springs was named for its many naturally occurring springs. There are more than half a dozen springs in the area, which offer picturesque views and are calming places for a dip. Some are rumored to have healing properties.
Flying In
There are a handful of landing options within an hour drive of Eureka Springs. Some options include Rogers Executive Airport (KROG), Missouri’s Branson West Airport (KFWB), and Branson Airport (KBBG).
Carroll County Airport (4M1) is the closest airport to town center, although it does not offer jet-A fuel. Located in Berryville, Arkansas, the airport is roughly a 19-minute drive from Eureka Springs’ downtown business district, and it boasts a single asphalt runway.
The Thorncrown Chapel is a popular architectural staple that stands 48 feet high. [Adobe Stock]
The airport serves as the gateway to Eureka and other nearby places in Northwest Arkansas, including Bentonville, Fayetteville, and Springdale. Pilots will notice that the natural spoils of the greater Ozarks region are as stunning from the air than they are on the ground. The en route scenery consists of dense treed areas in all directions, as 56 percent of the state is covered by forest.
Bodies of water are another frequent view out the glareshield, especially when flying in from the north. The Lake of the Ozarks is one of the largest human-made lakes in the world and is easily recognizable from the air. Its long, trickling waterways are spread across hundreds of miles, split between Missouri and Arkansas. The lake is renowned for fishing and various water sport activities, including speed boating and waterskiing.
Additionally, Beaver Lake is a large freshwater body on the edge of Eureka Springs that welcomes more than 3 million visitors annually. The lake’s easternmost shore is located approximately 20 miles to the west of Carroll County Airport.
Airport
At an elevation of 1,206 feet agl, Carroll County Airport’s 3,554-feet-long-by-75-feet-wide runway sticks out amongst the rural area that immediately surrounds it. The runway and the surrounding apron area were repaved in late 2022, and there is an RNAV (GPS) approach on both ends. While well maintained, the surface has a slight slope, and as a result there is no line of sight between the two ends.
An additional point of emphasis for pilots flying in is that the runway sits in an east-west orientation and often has a crosswind, caused by north-blowing winds. There is a segmented circle to help with real-time pattern decision making.
Whether talking on CTAF (122.9) with the airport manager, Mark Pepple, or any local pilots, you will quickly see that the facility is a communal place. It has the small-town feel you would expect with approximately 5,000 residents (about twice as many as Eureka Springs) but is maintained to the standards of larger airports.
One of the airport’s highlights is its terminal building, which has been honored for its distinct design—similar to that of an airplane wing. This facility is steps from the aircraft parking area and boasts plush couches, making it the perfect spot to relax after a long flight. Once you are ready to continue on your journey, the airport has three courtesy cars available for aviators to use. These vehicles can be borrowed for an extended period of time, with day trips costing $10 and overnight usage being double that amount. And the airport is available for use anytime of the day, with 24/7 self-service 100LL fuel, and there are also runway lights and a rotating white-green beacon.
In addition to welcoming pilots visiting town for recreational reasons, the airport is the destination for many pilots during fly-in season. From March to November this year, there is a food-focused fly-in on each third Saturday of the month. Breakfast will be on these dates through October, with pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs being served from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. CDT.
The concluding event in November is planned as a lunch. In addition to food, events in the past have also included flour drops, paper airplane contests, and plane rides for members of the public.
Events
Eureka Springs is known as a regional destination, particularly for its number of events throughout the year. Many are open to the public, although a handful of others are groups who choose the town for its unique appeal and laid-back atmosphere. You are not hard pressed to find something to do in Eureka Springs during any time of the year, but this is especially true during late spring, summer, and early fall.
Spring brings renewed energy to the area, and May is the kickoff month for many of this year’s events. A monthlong shindig is the May Festival of the Arts, which consists of several different events, including the kickoff ARTrageous Parade, which is indescribably energetic and quirky. The festival features a strong focus on local artisans and their contributions. Anglers need to mark their calendars for the weekend of May 17-18, when the 7th annual Big Bass Tournament takes place in nearby Holiday Island, Arkansas.
June is when the car and motorcycle focused events begin. The first is the Ozark Mountain Rumble Rally, which is a custom bike show that runs from June 19-22. The Turpentine Creek Mopar Classic will be held on the Saturday of that same weekend. Some of the other car-oriented get-togethers include the VW Weekend in August, as well as the Jeep Jam and the Eureka Springs Corvette Weekend, both in September.
Music is commonly heard throughout Eureka’s streets, and there are many events catering to various tastes. A central point for culture events in town is The Auditorium, which hosts a variety of music, dance, and film screenings. “The Aud,” as it’s affectionately known, has been the venue for performances from household names such as B.B. King to Willie Nelson. An Elvis Presley tribute artist, Bill Cherry, will be playing May 17 in a show you don’t want to miss, and events are routinely added on the 984-seat theater’s online calendar.
Some of the town’s larger music happenings come later in the year, including Jazz Weekend in August, the Ozark Folk Festival in September, and the Bikes, Blues, and Barbecue event in October.
Things to Do
Backcountry Flying
One of the most highly revered things to do in Arkansas as a pilot is to explore its many public-use airports. The state has dozens of public-use grass strips that are great for honing your soft-field landing techniques, as well as seeing interesting scenery.
Fly Oz, a flying club who seeks to make aviation accessible in Northwest Arkansas, aims to protect and showcase these airports that are typically only available due to the generosity of private landowners.
The group currently lists 13 airstrips on its website where pilots are welcomed with open arms. The highlighted aerodrome closest to Carroll County Airport is Trigger Gap (17A).
“The most accessible airstrip in the network. If your tires have never touched down on grass, this is a good first step,” Fly Oz says in its website overview of the airport, which has a 3,000-foot-long-by-50-foot-wide runway.
A few of the other airstrips include Gaston’s (3MO), Byrd’s Adventure Center (51AR), and Richland Creek (4AR9). Each facility has ample information included on Fly Oz’s website (club.flyoz.com), including runway dimensions, performance notes, and other pertinent information—including who to call to receive permission to land.
In addition to promoting stewardship and public access to airstrips around Arkansas, Fly Oz provides backcountry flight training. Ground and in-aircraft instruction (in your plane or the club’s) is tailored to the individual pilot and their skill level.
“We believe there’s a lot more to backcountry flying than just taking off and landing short,” Fly Oz Club says on its website. “It involves a completely different pilot mindset, which encompasses things like survival, stewardship, planning, and assessment. Additionally, it isn’t just about flying. For those looking for outdoor experiences, we’ll mix in some cycling, fishing, hiking, and camping.”
The organization is based at Bentonville Municipal Airport (KVBT), which is a facility worth making a detour to for a multitude of reasons, including a well-regarded, on-field restaurant, Louise (named for famed aviatrix Louise Thaden), as well as pickleball courts, a playground, and an exhibit hangar that hosts a revolving array of vintage aircraft. The airport also serves as the headquarters for Game Aerospace, builders of the aerobatic GB1 Gamebird.
Downtown
Downtown Eureka Springs really shines. The area encompasses a significant part of town and is centered around Main Street. This strip has lodging accommodations, boutiques, restaurants, and bars, as well as spas, psychics, and tattoo shops. More than two dozen eateries offer fare ranging from burgers to Mexican cuisine to breakfast, dessert, steaks, and seafood. Benches sit along the sidewalks where you can rest your weary legs or relax after a good meal.
One of the more popular respite spots is Basin Spring Park. Even though it’s in the center of all the action, it’s a calm place with ample seating, shade, and trickling water. There are several other natural springs within walking distance.
If there is anything that could be held against Eureka Springs, it’s that parking is limited, especially during peak season. There are 600 publicly available spots along Main Street, which fill up quickly. To alleviate the strong demand and make sure those who want to enjoy themselves downtown can, there is a trolley service that takes visitors from a commuter lot into the heart of downtown.
The Ozarks are a mountain biking hot spot. [Adobe Stock]
Parks and Hiking
Wherever you are in Eureka Springs, you are only a stone’s throw away from hiking opportunities. Downtown offers a popular option, although seasoned outdoors enthusiasts may scoff at the notion of a city hike. It would not be difficult to log several miles on the main stretch of the downtown district, out and back, without even turning onto side streets or alleyways. Of course, the sloping elevation is an added bonus, and there is even a guided walking tour that takes you underground.
There are also numerous traditional options for lacing up your shoes to revel in topography changes. One of the most popular sites to start is at Lake Leatherwood City Park, which boasts over 25 miles of trails. One of the circuits winds around the perimeter of Lake Leatherwood, and the trail (aptly called “The Loop”) is published at 4.2 miles long.
The Eureka Springs Overlook Loop is another enjoyable option at Lake Leatherwood City Park and is rated as a moderate difficulty trek. It is a 2.7-mile-long loop with nearly 400 feet of elevation gain. Black Bass Lake serves as host for another trail, which clocks in at 1.8 miles in length. Its path is adjacent to the water and a good place to stop and take a picture of the historic stone dam.
Historic Architecture
Interesting architecture abounds within Eureka Springs. One of the buildings that is memorable to many visitors is the Crescent Hotel, first opened in 1886. Its history is unique and entertaining and is known by many as “America’s Most Haunted Hotel.” Whether you believe the ghost stories or not, the hotel is worth a walk-through to see its distinctive architecture, view the town from its observation deck, grab a pizza at its restaurant, or even try hatchet throwing. Many visit the hotel for weddings, as well as to relax in its acclaimed spa.
Another common site for weddings and newlyweds is the Thorncrown Chapel. Nestled in a woodland setting, Thorncrown Chapel rises 48 feet into the Ozark sky. This magnificent wooden structure contains 425 windows and over 6,000 square feet of glass. It sits atop more than 100 tons of native stone and colored flagstone, making it blend perfectly with its setting. The chapel’s simple design and majestic beauty combine to make it what critics have called “one of the finest religious spaces of modern times.” There is no fee to visit, and more than 7 million people are reported to have visited the site since it opened 45 years ago.
Blue Spring Heritage Center [Adobe Stock]
The Blue Spring Heritage Center has several native gardens (where weddings are held) and has been welcoming visitors for almost 90 years. The site is centered around Blue Spring, which flows with more than 38 million gallons of water. This cool water is deposited into a lagoon stocked with trout, which guests can feed. The Heritage Center emphasizes the history of the spring and various Native American tribes who believed the ground to be sacred.
Other Experiences
A fun way to learn more about the town’s history is aboard the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway. Open select days of the week, the historic experience has several options for guests to enjoy themselves, including an hour excursion ride—in addition to rides during lunch and dinner times when plated meals are served. All rides are aboard a
distinctly dark-green-painted, 1940s-era diesel locomotive with a well-appointed interior.
Cosmic Cavern is a popular tourist site just outside of Eureka, in Berryville, about half an hour away by car. The attraction notes that it is the state’s largest privately owned show cave and stays a consistent 64 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year (with a 96 percent humidity). The walking tour takes a little longer than an hour, and some of the most notable features are the cave’s two bottomless lakes. The attraction highlights that the most important thing to bring when visiting is your camera.
This column first appeared in the May Issue 958 of the FLYING print edition.
