Discover The Ozarks
The Ozarks is home to the fastest growing region in the state, Northwest Arkansas. Some of the wealthiest business tycoons in the country call this region home. Founded in 1962, Walmart® opened its first store in Rogers by owner Sam Walton. During its first seven years in business, the company was officially incorporated and accumulated over $12 billion in sales. Since then, the Walton family has expanded its business ventures into the arts, entertainment and banking industries.
Jim Walton, son of Sam Walton, is now the chairman of locally owned Arvest Bank. His other child, Alice Walton, is known for her involvement in the arts – she founded the world-renowned art museum Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, located in Bentonville. Crystal Bridges also has a sister venue, The Momentary, used as a contemporary art space for galleries, performances and festivals. Alice has also been at the forefront of the Alice Walton School of Medicine, special for its holistic approach to medicine, which integrates conventional training with the arts, humanities and principles of whole health to treat the entire person, not just the symptoms, opened its doors for its first medical school class in 2025.
Not only are the Waltons invested in art museums and sports teams, they have also created many jobs and tourism opportunities for the metropolitan area. The Walmart Amp, connected with the Walton Arts Center, has brought many popular artists and celebrities to Rogers. Artists like The Avett Brothers, Lana Del Rey, Niall Horan, Backstreet Boys and more have performed in front of thousands of people at the venue.
Entrepreneurial opportunities are abundant in The Ozarks region, as well. Resources like StartupNWA Hub support small business owners in finding support organizations and events. StartUp Junkie hosts workshops, offers mentorship programs and accelerator opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to get their start. The Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville is a business incubation program focused on developing entrepreneurs interested in the outdoor recreation industry in The Natural State.
The University of Arkansas can be found at the heart of Dickson Street in Fayetteville. Home to the Arkansas Razorbacks Football team, the Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is flooded every Fall and Winter with die-hard Football fans that (literally) paint the town red. In the late Winter, early Spring, the Arkansas Razorback Basketball team takes the court and fans cheer on from home or during away games.
Outdoor recreation is one of, if not the, most important attractions to tourism in the region. In 2025, Fayetteville staked its claim as the country’s Bikepacking Basecamp. Adventurous riders can find trails that take them in any direction they want to go. With over 200 miles of trails available, visiting and residential riders never run out of new places to explore. Located in the heart of Bentonville, the city opened its first (and only) “bikeable building” in 2022, the Ledger. This building has a bikeable ramp from street level all the way to the top floor with a beautiful overlook of the Ozark Mountains. Not only is this a great place to bike, but it’s also a community workspace or large and small businesses, an event and wedding venue, and retail destination for the community.
With hiking trails and campgrounds at Devil’s Den Park and float trips on the Buffalo River, outdoor enthusiasts have much to choose from. Local organizations like the Ozark Gravel Cyclists, All Bodies on Bikes and the Arkansas Interscholastic Cycling League, an offshoot of NICA, provide visitors and newcomers connections with flourishing communities that share similar interests.
Eureka Springs is a town known for its haunting history at the Crescent Hotel and eccentric nightlife. Small Businesses adorn the downtown Eureka Springs area with seemingly unlimited amounts of shopping and activities to do. Black Bass Lake and Lake Leatherwood City Park are popular outdoor hubs for hiking, fishing and kayak aficionados. Thorncrown Chapel is also an incredible wedding venue and architectural space that visitors and residents alike love to tour and take photos.
Mountain Home and Calico Rock host the Red, White and Blue Festival featuring a rodeo, parade, live music and fireworks every June. With its close proximity to Bull Shoals and the Norfork Lakes, Mountain Home is a popular destination for fishing and outdoor recreational fans.
Heber Springs is a place many go to retire and others buy or rent a lake house to enjoy Greers Ferry Lake. The Little Red River features opportunities for fishing, boating and water sports competitions, not to mention leisure exploring in the downtown historic area.