Located along Greers Ferry Lake, Heber Springs, Arkansas is a small lake town with a lot of personality. They have fun festivals throughout the year and offer unique living experiences. You can probably drive the whole town in 5-10 minutes and see nothing, but there is certainly plenty of things to do, see, shop, and eat! Follow this itinerary for a day trip to Heber Springs if you want to enjoy its land activities.
While there are multiple ways to get to Heber Springs, this itinerary is made with its starting point coming south on Arkansas 25. This will start your day entering Heber Springs by crossing over the dam/bridge. Of course, if you are coming in by vehicle from any other direction, just do this itinerary in reverse order.
Stop 1: Enjoy the views at John F. Kennedy Overlook & Memorial
During the summer, the overlook is a busy place with cars coming in and out of the parking lot. The overlook provides a good place to enjoy a light breeze and view both the top and bottom of the Greers Ferry Dam.
Summer months are also busy on the water. Standing at the overlook and facing right, you will be able to the Dam Site Recreation Area. This is a family friendly area that provides campsites, picnicking, playgrounds, and more for visitors. There is also a little beach area where you can see people lounging around and playing in the water. Almost year-round, there will be boats driving around on the water.
Facing to the left, you will see the bottom of the Greers Ferry Dam and Little Red River. And the bridge, of course, is the top of the dam.
While you are driving across the bridge, you will not be able to see Greers Ferry Lake, so be sure to enjoy the view from the overlook!
Stop 2: Visit the William Carl Garner Visitor Center
While you are enjoying the overlook and memorial, you might as well stop in the Visitor Center across the bridge, as you make your way into Heber Springs. Inside the Visitor Center, you will find history, animals, photo opportunities, and memorabilia of John F. Kennedy’s visit to the area.
There is also a nice walking trail off to the side of the Visitor Center to enjoy. If you follow the road around the front and off to the side, you will find yourself driving downhill to the bottom of the dam. There is a parking lot at the bottom and a walking trail to Greers Ferry Lake.
Stop 3: Go shopping at the best places
If you enjoy sifting through used attire, then Court Square Consignments is the stop to make. It is a nice consignment store with loads of clothing. I love how they keep all seasons and occasions stalked all year long. They also have a little home décor section and $1 clothing section. The aisles are narrow, but you will enjoy the selection of nice attire.
For odds and ends, cool knickknacks, and whatever else, A Modern Twist is the place. They carry new and vintage items, so you will definitely find something you want. Jewelry, home décor, kitchen, toys… their product list goes on. While you are on Main Street, be sure to take a short walk up and down the street to pop in other downtown stores.
Next up is Bookish Emporium of Arkansas – “where the love of books meets the love of expression.” They are an all-inclusive bookstore that carries more than just books. So, if you are looking for gifts, consider a book! Or you can just hang out on their courtyard patio basking in the sun and enjoying the beautiful flowers.
If you want a keepsake t-shirt or tank top, make a pit stop at Walmart. They are stocked with Greers Ferry attire.
Stop 4: Eat lunch at El Rey Mexican Restaurant
So, I know Mexican restaurants are a bit in abundance in Arkansas. But this particular one has a massive menu full of delicious food! They even have an actual vegetarian menu with more than just a burrito or quesadilla on it. Since I am a vegetarian, I do judge restaurants based on how many things I can eat. You know it is good when I mention I actually have choices. To make it even better, happy hour is every hour.
Besides the menu selection, we love how everything we have tried has been really good. The service is always good (probably better if we drank). The inside of the restaurant is fully decorated with color, craftsmanship, and murals. It is like stepping into a different world. Also, we really enjoy how two people can eat from one dish because their portions are that big!
Oh, and do not forget to grab you one (or two) cinnamon sugar chips on the way out the door!
Stop 5: Hike to Bridal Veil Falls and Cornelius Falls
This one may be an unspoken given, but no trip to Heber Springs is complete without visiting Bridal Veil. Fortunately, there are two falls in the same area, so it is a two-for-one kind of deal. But you are going to want to visit during the rainy season or after a really good, hard rainfall.
There is a short and rocky walk to the Bridal Veil Falls overlook. Much of nature has grown up and you cannot see the falls as well, but it is still visible. There is a really rocky side path that leads further back along the top of the falls that you can walk around and take some pictures. Just be very careful because water makes things slippery and lead to dangerous situations.
At the trailhead of Bridal Veil Falls is another trailhead that leads to Cornelius Falls. Do not worry, there are signs posted on the trees that are clearly visible in the parking lot. However, the trek to Cornelius Falls is more of a hike. The trail takes you through unique rock formations and plenty of forest. If you are like me and want to avoid the spider webs, follow behind someone or go when there are several other people there.
At some point there is a trail that veers off down the side of a steep hillside. This particular trail will take you down to the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls and its little swimming hole. If you choose this option, please be extra careful on your climb back up to the trail is even more steep and slippery when you are wet.
Stop 6: Bonus Destination – RoZark Hills Coffee Roasterie
On your way out of town, stop at RoZark Hills Coffee Roasterie in Rose Bud and grab a cool little gadget you did not know you needed and a bag of specialty coffee or tea. The owner travels the world in search of teas and coffees and their blends certainly taste like it!
Have you completed this itinerary? Tell us about it in the comments!