Autumn in the Eureka Springs area is a truly magical time. The colors begin to unfold in late September or early October, with peak color typically appearing late October. A multi-hued masterpiece painted by nature and the perfect excuse for an Arkansas fall foliage getaway!

Sugar Ridge Resort is perched high above Beaver Lake, surrounded by beautiful scenery, and less than a half-hour’s drive from Eureka Springs, AR. This location provides our guests with expansive views of the Ozarks and Beaver Lake all year-round. Come autumn, it’s non-stop leaf-peeping, with endless opportunities for fall foliage drives, hikes, and other activities.

Arkansas Fall Foliage Drives

There’s nothing like a fall foliage drive to truly immerse yourself in the season, and the Eureka Springs area has plenty of great options.

Take the legendary Pig Trail Scenic Byway, for example. This serpentine road cuts through dense hardwoods and is famous for its intoxicating charm. I fall, each bend offers a fresh wash of colors, the foliage rising and falling around you as you pass.

The Scenic 7 Byway remains one of the country’s most famous fall foliage drives. Located in Ozark National Forest, just south of Eureka Springs, the 290 mile route serves up a variety of unique geography and scenic views. Another good option is the Highway 187 Loop, which takes you through forest and across multiple bodies of water.

In all honesty, Arkansas fall foliage road trip possibilities are nearly endless. The area’s scenic byways are always beautiful but especially in fall. 

Leaf-Peeping, Hiking, and Biking Trails

Those looking to get closer to nature will discover that the Eureka Springs area is also excellent hiking and mountain biking country. 

Hawksbill Crag/Whitaker Point, is always an excellent outdoor destination but, come autumn, provides incredible fall views. The site’s breathtaking, panoramic views make the moderate, 2.7-mile round-trip hike totally worth it.

Another, outstanding fall foliage destination is Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. Autumn color enthusiasts will thrill at the 10,000 acres of hiking, biking, and exceptional Ozark Mountain views.

Arkansas largest state park, Hobbs State Park, is also nearby and another excellent port of call for stunning autumn color. Here you’ll discover over 12,000 acres of dense Ozarks forest and shoreline, crisscrossed by bike trails, and walking paths. Be sure to check out the Visitor Center and Van Winkle Hollow, too.

If you like a little history mixed in with your scenery, consider a visit to Pea Ridge National Military Park. The park’s self-guided tours will treat you to both the battlefield’s history and beautiful fall colors.

A short ride to the west brings you to the Blue Spring Heritage Center. Here, a crystalline spring surrounded by hardwoods, bubbles into a verdant pond. Always beautiful, the curated, woodland oasis really shines in autumn. 

Lake Leatherwood City Park, in Eureka Springs, offers yet another excellent fall destination. The 1,600-acre park features trails and a spring-fed lake surrounded by a hardwood forest that bursts into color, come fall. The park’s popular Beacham Trail loops around the lake, for views of the fall colors reflecting in the water.

And That’s Not All …

We’ve only just scratched the surface of the all the fall foliage viewing possibilities in the Eureka Springs area.

Why, we didn’t hardly mention that our own location here on Beaver Lake, is another prime spot for fall color viewing. The surrounding forests are mirrored in the lake’s clear surface, doubling the autumn colors. Those wishing for a closer look should consider War Eagle Trail, a moderate hike offering expansive views of the lake, surrounding bluffs, and autumn’s bright colors.

Whatever your fancy, Sugar Ridge Resort makes the perfect home base for any and all of your fall foliage adventures. Book your stay today!