Summary
One of the main reasons to visit the park is to experience the natural beauty of the area. With its rolling hills covered in tall grass, the park provides an excellent opportunity for hiking and wildlife viewing. Visitors can also enjoy fishing in the two lakes located within the park, which are stocked with catfish, bass, and crappie.
The park's main attraction is Quartz Mountain, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. A trail leads to the top of the mountain, and visitors can also enjoy rock climbing and rappelling. Another point of interest is the Nature Center, which features exhibits on the area's wildlife and geology.
Interesting facts about the park include its location on the western edge of the Ouachita Mountains and its role as a migration corridor for birds. The area is also home to several rare and endangered species, including the lesser prairie-chicken and the Arkansas River shiner.
The best time of year to visit Great Plains State Park is in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild, and the foliage is at its most colorful. However, the park is open year-round, and each season offers its own unique beauty. Visitors are advised to check the park's website or call ahead to ensure that facilities are open and operational.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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