Arkansas is in the southeastern region of the U.S. and features the Ozark Mountains in the northern part of state. This mountain range features hiking and bicycling trails in forested areas, as well as fishing in the Buffalo National River. Arkansas also features the delta region on the Mississippi River in the eastern and southern parts of the state. Underground spelunking activities are available in northern Arkansas' caverns.
The northwestern and north central regions of Arkansas feature the Ozarks mountain range. This mountain range is approximately 47,000 square miles and spreads into southern Missouri and eastern Oklahoma. The Ozarks in Arkansas is divided into three regions: the Boston Mountains, Salem Plateau and the Springfield Plateau. The highest region of the Ozarks in terms of feet is the Boston Mountains; this section of the Ozarks is Mount Magazine, the tallest mountain in Arkansas at 2,753 feet. This mountain range attracts tourists for hiking and climbing activities. The Ozarks is also home to Bull Shoals Lake and the Buffalo National River, which offer opportunities for fishing and kayaking.
The Arkansas Delta is in the eastern region of the state and runs along the western banks of the Mississippi River. This region is divided into five subregions: the Arkansas River Lowlands, Grand Prairie, White River Lowlands, St. Francis Basin and Crowley's Ridge. One of the subregions, Crowley's Ridge, features hills of 250 to 500 feet at Crowley's Ridge State Park. This state park features hiking and bicycling trails, campsites and picnicking areas. The western border of the Arkansas Delta is the Arkansas River Lowlands, less than 20 minutes southeast of Little Rock. The White River Lowlands are in the northwestern region of the Arkansas Delta, while the southwestern region of the delta are the Grand Prairie flatlands.
Arkansas offers spelunking activities for tourists at its caverns in the northern region of the state. The caverns are in the heart of the Ozark Mountains and include the Blanchard Springs Caverns, Onyx Cave Park and Mystic Caverns. Guided tours are offered at these caverns. Onyx Cave Park is the oldest cavern in Arkansas to be used for touring purposes; this cave has been open to the public since the late 1890s. Blanchard Springs Caverns is in Ozarks National Forest and it has been open to the public since 1973. The caves in Arkansas were formed after rainwater seeped through cracks in the limestone layer of the earth's crust. After seeping through the crust, the rainwater created underground cavities, or caves.
