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Arkansas Ozarks: Bentonville to Buffalo National River: 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
Last updated:
The 5-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go.
5
days
160 km
distance
6.5 h
driving
18
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~13.9 hours of daylight in May.
- Float season on America's first national river — spring water levels carry canoes past 150-metre bluffs — with dogwood and redbud lighting the hollows.
- Light days: day 2, day 5 have one stop and time left over. Local tours and day trips are the way to fill them — each day links to what is bookable in its own town.
Before you go · check live details
This is a planning draft. Check these changing details for your dates before booking or travelling.
Some route advice is currently available in English.
- Arrange a suitable car for the complete road journey.
Confirm licence, insurance, fuel, luggage, parking and the one-way finish before departure.
Check source ↗ - Check Arkansas roads, Buffalo River levels and current park access.
Check NPS alerts, river levels, low-water crossings, unpaved approaches, trail conditions and weather. Floating needs a separate safe-water, craft, shuttle and provider decision and is never assumed.
Check source ↗
Day 1 Bentonville
- Transit
- 0h32
- Finish
- ~15:50
- Temperature
- 13.9°C–24.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~23
- Daylight
- 13.9h
09:00
Bentonville public art-and-history circuit bentonvillear.com map ↗
Use public art, town and museum-area heritage subject to current site opening; cycling and brewery visits remain separate.
50 min · Bentonville · Public areas; confirm current admission and opening before entry
10:00
Discover contemporary art in a vibrant, ever-changing exhibition space.
50 min · Bentonville · Free
open: Sun-Tue Wed 10AM-6PM; Thu Fri Sat 10AM-8PM
11:00
Children can discover interactive STEAM exhibits that spark curiosity and creativity in a fun, hands-on space.
50 min · Bentonville · Adults & kids $9.50, under 2 free
12:00
Explore stunning American art in a spacious, modern museum setting.
50 min · Bentonville · Free, temporary exhibits $15
open: M W 11-6PM, Th F 11AM-8PM, Sa Su 10Am-6PM. Tu closed. Trails/grounds: sunrise-sunset
13:00
Wander through beautifully preserved rooms and lush gardens in a historic colonial mansion.
50 min · Bentonville · Adults $5 plus tax, children (6-12) $2 plus tax, Under 6 free
open: Tue-Sat 10AM-3PM (tours start every hour on the hour)
14:00
14:50
Gusano's Pizzeria gusanos.pizza
Savor the rich flavors of authentic Chicago-style pizza in a lively atmosphere.
60 min · Bentonville
open: 11AM-11PM on Thu, Fri, and Sat, 11AM-10PM every other day.
Overnight here
e.g. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites · La Quinta
Day 2 Around Bentonville
- Transit
- none
- Finish
- ~09:50
- Temperature
- 13.9°C–24.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~23
- Daylight
- 13.9h
09:00
Step inside a restored train station that tells the story of Bentonville's vibrant past.
50 min · Bentonville
Time to spare on this day
One stop and a free afternoon. We don't book activities, but these partners do.
Day 3 Eureka Springs
- Transit
- 2h54
- Finish
- ~17:50
- Temperature
- 13.6°C–24.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~21
- Daylight
- 13.9h
10:40
Eureka Springs public hillside-and-architecture circuit eurekaspringsar.gov map ↗
Use public historic-district, springs and architecture access; rail rides, shows, caves and animal attractions remain separate.
50 min · Eureka Springs · Public areas; confirm current admission and opening before entry
11:40
Behold a towering statue of Christ with outstretched arms against a scenic backdrop.
50 min · Eureka Springs
12:50
Admire an airy, glass-walled chapel designed by renowned architect E. Fay Jones.
50 min · Eureka Springs · Free (donations optional)
open: 9AM–5PM daily Apr–Nov; 11AM–4PM daily Mar, Dec; closed Jan–Feb. May close early for special events
14:10
Explore cool, historic caverns and capture memorable photos of unique formations.
90 min · Eureka Springs
15:55
The Rosalie Tour & Wedding Home therosalie.com
Tour a stunning example of Steamboat Gothic and Eastlake architecture.
50 min · Eureka Springs
open: By Appointment
17:00
Historic District search
Stroll through Victorian architecture, galleries, and lively street performances.
50 min · Eureka Springs
Overnight here
e.g. 1884 Bridgeford House Bed and Breakfast · Angel at Rose Hall Bed and Breakfast
Day 4 The Buffalo River
- Transit
- 2h54
- Finish
- ~15:15
- Temperature
- 14.0°C–24.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~20
- Daylight
- 13.9h
11:45
12:45
Use a suitable open NPS trail and overlook after checking weather, trailheads, unpaved roads and low-water crossings; outfitters remain separate.
50 min · The Buffalo River · Public areas; confirm current admission and opening before entry
13:45
Overnight here
Day 5 Around The Buffalo River
- Transit
- 0h12
- Finish
- ~12:00
- Temperature
- 14.0°C–24.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~20
- Daylight
- 13.9h
09:00
Buffalo River Trail search
Hike through scenic overlooks and rugged wild areas along the river.
180 min · The Buffalo River
Time to spare on this day
One stop and a free afternoon. We don't book activities, but these partners do.
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.
Sources (11)
- Bentonville public art-and-history circuit — bentonvillear.comOfficial public source; original paraphrase
- Wikivoyage — BentonvilleCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
- Wikipedia — Scott Family AmazeumCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
- Wikipedia — Col. Samuel W. Peel HouseCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
- Wikipedia — Museum of Native American HistoryCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
- Wikipedia — Bentonville stationCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
- Eureka Springs public hillside-and-architecture circuit — eurekaspringsar.govOfficial public source; original paraphrase
- Wikivoyage — Eureka SpringsCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
- Buffalo National River public river-and-heritage circuit — nps.govOfficial public source; original paraphrase
- Buffalo National River public trail-and-overlook circuit — nps.govOfficial public source; original paraphrase
- Wikivoyage — Buffalo National RiverCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)