If the jam-packed trails of the Great Smoky Mountains are starting to feel more like rush hour than a nature retreat, it’s time to look west, specifically, to Arkansas. Arkansas may already be known for Hemmed-in Hollow Falls, the tallest waterfall in the Ozarks and the Midwest , but it’s also home to some of the region’s most underappreciated highland escapes.

Nestled within the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest lies Mount Magazine State Park , a haven for outdoor adventurers, nature lovers, and anyone craving a quieter alternative to the overcrowded national parks. Towering at 2,753 feet above sea level, Mount Magazine is the highest point in Arkansas, offering sweeping views, uncrowded hiking trails, and soul-soothing solitude.

With hang-gliding launch sites, cozy cabins with ho

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