Outdoor Resources

Many excellent organizations and resources are available in Arkansas, with missions of conservation, recreation, advocacy, safety, and more. Check out these resources to help you plan your next adventure! 

There are many ways to improve your outdoor knowledge and skills here are a few sites we recommend you check out before your trips. 

Leave No Trace

The member driven Leave No Trace for Outdoor Ethics (LNT) promotes and protects the outdoors by teaching and inspiring people to enjoy it responsibly. They teach 7 principles that help outdoor users minimize their impact to the areas they visit. 

The Ozark Society

Created in 1962, the Ozark Society focuses on its preservation of wild and scenic rivers, wilderness, and unique antural areas. It focuses on the Ozark-Ouachita region and promotes their motto of "Conservation-Education-Recreation".

Wilderness Medical Training Center

The Wilderness Medical Training Center's (WMTC) mission is to provide high quality, practical courses, consultation, books and supplies in wilderness medicine and outdoor program risk management.

UREC Outdoors partners with the WMTC to offer wilderness medicine classes. Check out our special events on our trips and activities page to see when the next class is. 

Washington County Search and Rescue

The Washington County Search and Rescue team is comprised of 3 training units: K-9, Mounted, and Ground. They respond to emergency situations in Washington County and the surrounding areas and are members of the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR).

They are always looking for new members that want to learn new skills and techniques to save lives. Their meetings are free and open to the public. 

National Outdoor Leadership School 

The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) is a nonprofit global wilderness school that seeks to help you step forward boldly as a leader. They offer a wide variety of wilderness experiences and classroom knowledge to help educate individuals in the outdoors. 

Looking to get on the water? Check out these websites to help you prepare for that next river run. 

American Whitewater Arkansas River

Founded in 1954, American Whitewater is a national non profit representing a broad diversity of individual whitewater enthusiasts, river conservationists, and more than 100 local paddling club affliates across America. The organization is the primary advocate for preservation and protection of whitewater rivers throughout the United States. It also keeps up to date river levels across many states. 

Ozark Creek Summary

This website gives up to date information on the river levels all throughout the Ozarks. 

Arkansas Canoe Club

A recreational organization that promotes the sport of paddling by holding paddling schools and clinics, whitewater rescue course, river cleanups and is active in conservation and river access issues. 

American Canoe Association

The American Canoe Association (ACA) is a national non-profit organization seving the broader paddling public by providing education related to all aspects of paddling; stewardship support to  help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddle sport competition, exploration, and recreation. 

Looking to get out and hike this weekend? Check out these resources to help you get started!

Arkansas State Parks 

A great resource to help you make connections to Arkansas heritage, outdoor experiences, and resources. Arkansas state parks are committed to providing quality recreation and educational opportunities, preserving natural, historical, and cultural resources, enhancing the economy, and leading in resource conservation. 

Ozark Highlands Trail Association

The Ozark Highlands Trail Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit all volunteer organization that was founded in 1981 to build, maintain, and enjoy the Ozark Highlands Trail. When complete, the Ozark Highland Trail will stretch 320 miles across northern Arkansas from Lake Fort Smith State Park to Lake Norfolk where it will connect to the Ozark Trail in Missouri.  

 Need to find a new place to go climb? Want to be involved in the climbing community? Check out the links below to discover something new or find ways to get involved. 

Arkansas State Parks-Climbing

Check out some local state parks for climbing! There are rock climbing adventures for beginners and advanced climbers. Contact the local parks to learn more about the sport, trad climbing, and how to register to climb and approach.

Horseshoe Canyon Ranch

A dude ranch with some great sandstone sport climbing. Having been featured in multiple outdoor magazines, Horseshoe Canyon Ranch (HCR) is one of the best climbing areas east of the Rockies. This is a great spot for both beginners and advanced climbers. Be sure to contact HCR with any questions about how to access the crag. 

Mountain Project

A great tool for all climbers everywhere to help find climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state along with advice and real life experience from other climbers.  

Arkansas Climbers Coalition

A nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting climbing areas in the Natural State. The Arkansas Climbers Coalition helps replace bolts on climbs across the state as well as connecting climbers to help protect and preserve our climbing areas. 

Access Fund

Founded in 1991, the Access Fund is a certified land trust that represents millions of climbers nationwide in all forms of climbing. They promote 6 core programs: climbing policy and advocacy, stewardship and conservation, local support and mobilization, land aquisition and protection, risk management and landowner support, and education. They work to advocate for climbers at the local and national level.

American Alpine Club

A nonprofit member organization whose goal is "a united community of competent climbers and healthy climbing landscapes". They work in policy and advocacy,  communities, and education to help climbers across the country succeed. 

Climb Bentonville

Climb Bentonville is a climbing, fitness, and yoga facility located in Bentonville, AR. They host over 16k square feet of boulder, lead, and top rope climbing areas. They also offer a variety of classes, group events, memberships and more. 

 Want to get into cycling? Need a new trail to ride? Check out these resources to help you out! 

University of Arkansas Biking

The office for Sustainability put together a great resource for U of A students to learn about bikes on campus, general resources, and mountain bike trails nearby. 

Arkansas Cycling

A great place to start in learning about the different areas you can cycle across the state. Arkansas is home to 6 bicycle friendly communities. A great resource!

Trailblazers

Trailblazers is a nonprofit formed in 2021 through the merger of NWA Trailblazers, an organization that has developed 300+ miles of multi-use trails, including the OZ Trails network, and BikeNWA, a bicycle advocacy and education-focused organization that has led the region in advocating for active transportation. Their core areas of work include Trail Development and Consulting and Community Outreach and Advocacy. 

Ozark Off Road Cyclists

The Ozark Off Road Cyclists is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and maintaining sustainable soft surface trails in the Arkansas Ozarks.

Their work opens up greater opportunities for mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts to live healthy active lives.

TrailForks

A database of trails, maps and management systems for users, builders, and associations. A platform to help keep track of trail conditions and a place for users to plan and share their activities. 

Oz Trails NWA

A great resource to find and explore trails in Northwest Arkansas. A great site to plan your next ride.  

Women of Oz

A group that works to promote women's mountain biking in Northwest Arkansas by creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for ALL levels to learn or expand their mountian biking skills. They offer group rides on the first Saturday of the month at 2pm. 

 

 Did we miss something? Have a favorite resource that you want folks to know about?

Let us know by emailing kgmiller@uark.edu