Arkansas Roots: Nature, Healing, and History (Post Global Week Press Trip)

Tour Dates: April 29-May 3, 2027 (This tour takes place after Global Week)
Tour Arrival: Thursday, April 29, 2027 – Departing directly from Global Week in Bentonville
Tour Departure: Monday, May 3, 2027 – Depart from Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT)
Cities/Towns Visited: Bentonville, Fort Smith, Petit Jean State Park, Hot Springs, Crater of Diamonds State Park and Little Rock

Explore wellness the Arkansas way, where nature is at the center of every experience. In The Natural State, recharging goes far beyond the traditional spa. Mountain trails, peaceful forests, scenic overlooks, thermal springs, outdoor adventure, and authentic communities create opportunities to reconnect with nature and restore both body and mind.

From exploring more than 230 years of history at the U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith to hiking and taking in scenic overlooks at Petit Jean State Park, the journey showcases how history, active adventure and natural landscapes can become part of a meaningful wellness experience. In Hot Springs, the focus shifts to the restorative side of nature with historic Bathhouse Row at Hot Springs National Park, complemented by digging for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park.

Together, these experiences reveal a side of Arkansas where history, physical adventure, mindful moments, and a strong connection to place naturally come together. For journalists, the itinerary offers compelling opportunities to explore why Arkansas is emerging as a wellness destination and how The Natural State is redefining what it means to recharge.

Destination Highlights:

Fort Smith – “Stories of the American Frontier”
Explore more than 230 years of American history at the U.S. Marshals Museum, where immersive galleries and interactive exhibits trace the evolution of the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency and Fort Smith’s important place in American history.

Petit Jean State Park – “Adventure in the Mountains”
Reconnect with the outdoors at Petit Jean State Park through experiences such as gentle to moderate hikes, scenic overlooks and an optional climbing experience. The combination of movement, natural beauty, and fresh air demonstrates how Arkansas turns its landscapes into opportunities for active wellness.

Hot Springs – “Naturally Restorative”
Discover a destination where wellness and nature have long been connected. Explore Bathhouse Row at Hot Springs National Park and experience the city’s natural surroundings through rejuvenating bath and spa treatments, with a visit to Crater of Diamonds State Park to dig for diamonds adding a hands-on Arkansas adventure.

Little Rock – “The Natural State’s Capital”
The journey concludes in Little Rock, with opportunities for riverside walks along the Arkansas River Trail, peaceful parks and art in nature at the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden before departing from Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport and completing an itinerary that connects Arkansas communities through nature, adventure, and wellness.

Outdoor Adventure and Wellness

Arkansas makes the outdoors an essential part of the wellness experience:

Trails & Scenic Overlooks: Hike through Arkansas landscapes and pause at scenic overlooks, combining active adventure with opportunities to slow down and reconnect.

Active Adventure: At Petit Jean State Park, gentle to moderate hikes and an optional climbing experience combine physical activity with immersion in the state’s natural scenery.

Restorative Experiences: Hot Springs National Park offers a different perspective on wellness through Bathhouse Row and the city’s longstanding connection to its natural thermal waters.

Nature-Based Discovery: From mindful moments in peaceful natural settings to digging for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park, hands-on experiences provide additional ways to connect with the landscapes and natural resources that make The Natural State distinctive.

Story Ideas:

Arkansas: The South, Naturally
Discover Arkansas through its spectacular landscapes, fascinating history, natural thermal waters and welcoming communities, all offering an authentic look at a less-discovered side of the American South.

1. Wellness, the Arkansas Way: Why Nature Is the New Spa
   Explore how Arkansas expands the idea of wellness beyond traditional treatments through trails, forests, scenic overlooks, outdoor adventure and authentic connections to place.
2. From Frontier History to Natural Retreats: Discovering Arkansas
   Journey from the U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith to the peaceful landscapes of Petit Jean State Park to discover how Arkansas brings history, nature and meaningful travel together.
3. Taking the Waters: Natural Wellness in Hot Springs
   Explore Bathhouse Row at Hot Springs National Park to learn about the enduring connection between the city’s thermal waters and restorative travel.
4. Hike, Climb, Dig, Recharge: Hands-On Wellness in The Natural State
   Follow a distinctly Southern journey where wellness comes through active and restorative experiences, from hiking and climbing at Petit Jean State Park to digging for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park and experiencing the thermal waters of Hot Springs.

Limited spots are available, and these Global Week Press Trips are offered first-come, first-serve. Don’t delay – contact your recruiter today to discover wellness by nature in The Natural State.