14 Best Things to Do in Siloam Springs (Arkansas)

Located in northwest Arkansas’ Benton County, Siloam Springs is just a few minutes from the neighboring states of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. It shares a border with the Cherokee Nation Territory, which is one of the largest Native American reservations in the entire United States.

Surrounded by beautiful wilderness, multiple states, and a variety of historical and cultural sites of interest, finding things to do in the area shouldn’t be a problem. With a population of just slightly more than 15,000, you’ll appreciate the town’s quaint charm too.

Below are 14 things to do in and around Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

1. Natural Falls State Park

Natural Falls State Park, Oklahoma — Natural Falls State Park

Located off U.S. Highway 412 just outside of town, Natural Falls State Park is one of the area’s premier destinations for outdoor fun, especially for those who don’t have the time to spend hours in the car.

The park is known for its amenities – including ample parking, clean bathrooms, a playground and covered patios – and the fantastic waterfalls for which the park are named.

The falls are the park’s main attraction; from the parking area, the trails that lead to them are suitable for nearly anyone, though they can get slick during the rain.

Dripping Falls Trail is your best bet to reach the falls quickly and relatively easily.

2. Pour Jons

If you’ve got your daily coffee and tea ritual down to an exact science, it can be important to scout out a place or two to partake while you’re visiting a new area.

Conveniently located on East Main Street in Siloam Springs, Pour Jons is one of the few independent coffee and tea houses you’ll find anywhere in the vicinity.

It sports a wide variety of hot and cold drinks and lots of sweets to accompany them as well.

The inside is contemporary and comfortable, and it’s a great place to meet a friend or just chill out with a good book and a hot cappuccino.

3. Siloam Springs Kayak Park

For those who like to get wet and dirty while experiencing the great outdoors, an afternoon spent at Siloam Springs Kayak Park would be a great way to do both.

Regardless of your level of experience, you’ll find a stretch of water that’s suitable, but be warned, there are a few areas of rapids that can be a bit intimidating to beginners.

The kayak park is located on Fisher Ford Road in Siloam Springs, and the water is suitable for kayaks and inner tubes.

For easier walking in the water, consider wearing a pair of rubberized shoes that’ll protect your feet and give you better traction on slippery rocks.

4. Siloam Springs Farmers Market

Located in Siloam Spring’s downtown park, the farmer’s market won’t win any awards for being the biggest around, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in character and an impressive array of items for sale.

You’ll find the normal fresh fruits and vegetables from local growers, but you’ll also discover other items like health and body products and prepared food that you won’t find elsewhere.

Customers especially like their fresh baked goods too. According to their website, they’re open Tuesdays in the afternoon and evening, and Saturday mornings as well.

There are even gluten-free products if you have diet restrictions.

5. Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari

In case you weren’t aware, Arkansas is not home to same animals that you’ll find on the African Savannah, but a visit to the Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari in nearby Gentry will still be an exciting experience.

Many of the animals on display will come right up to your car but remember not to feed them and to keep hands and fingers away from their mouths.

Once the driving portion of the safari is done, you’ll have ample opportunity to get out, stretch those legs, and spend some time in the kid’s area, where the petting zoo is always a big hit.

6. Siloam Springs Family Aquatic Center

In summer the weather in Arkansas can border on oppressive. With high temperatures and high humidity, finding things to do to cool off becomes imperative, especially if you happen to be traveling with little ones.

With diving boards, multiple pools, and regularly scheduled children’s activities, there’ll be something for everyone. Considering the amenities, the admission fee is reasonable.

Expect big crowds if you go during peak times.

7. John Brown University

College campuses are great places to walk around and enjoy the scenery or spend a quiet hour or two under a tree reading a book or drinking a cup of coffee.

John Brown University is a private liberal arts college located in Siloam Springs; it has been around for 100 years.

The 200-acre campus has plenty of green spaces and sports fields. Like all colleges, it hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including sports, speakers, art shows and educational and instructional classes. Campuses are often overlooked resources that really should be taken advantage of if time allows.

8. Cherokee Casino & Hotel West Siloam Springs

Though they primarily draw gamblers, casinos these days are becoming entertainment venues that offer a vast variety of activities and amenities, many of which appeal to families with children.

If blowing your hard-earned money on a rigged game of chance isn’t your cup of tea, you’ll still walk away feeling like a winner when you’ve gotten your money’s worth at the buffet or taken in a great live performance.

Rumor has it that the food is just as good as you’d get in Vegas, and there are plenty of hotel rooms onsite.

Check out their website for specifics.

9. War Eagle Cavern

Located on Cavern Road in nearby Rogers, War Eagle Cavern is one of the area’s most accessible caves. It’s located near other attractions that you’ll probably want to see as well.

The caverns have an interesting and eerie past, and even play a part in local legend as a favorite hideout place for local outlaws like Jesse James.

The guided tour option will give visitors a greater insight into the geological and historical aspects of the cave that you won’t get on a self-guided tour. The standard tour takes about an hour.

The cave is located on a scenic lake that’s a great place to explore, swim, and do a little fishing if you’re there at the right time of year.

10. Creekside Taproom

Siloam Springs’ Creekside Taproom is a favorite of locals who prefer locally made microbrews to the mass-produced stuff found in the supermarket.

If you’ve never been to a taproom or brewhouse, they’re great places to relax, enjoy some good conversation and fellowship, and sample a wide array of beers with amazingly different and unique flavor profiles.

If you’re not sure what kind of beer you prefer, consider ordering a flight; it’s a fun and efficient way to experience different varieties. Since each one is only a few ounces, you can decide which you like best before ordering a whole pint.

11. Legends Equestrian Center

Arkansas is big horse country, and the Legends Equestrian Center on Highway 102 in Decatur is a place with lots of activities geared toward horse aficionados and newbies alike.

If you’ve got your own horse and need a place to board it, the center offers that service. They also host shows and events throughout the year that are great experiences, especially if you’ve never spent much time around the majestic and powerful animals.

They offer riding lessons for those with no experience right through to those who know their way around the stall, so check out their website for hours, prices and upcoming events.

12. Monte Ne Underwater City

Located on North 14th Place in Rogers, the Monte Ne Underwater City is one of those unique, quirky and cool things to do in the area that’s often overlooked due to its relative obscurity.

The once thriving town was flooded in the ‘60s when the White River was dammed to create Beaver Lake.

There’s a fascinating historical story that goes along with the town and lake; though it’s too in-depth to share here, if you check it out online, it may intrigue you just enough to put the underwater city on your itinerary.

The fishing in the lake is good too, and it’s free to visit.

13. Tanyard Creek Falls

With its unique geology, ample rainfall, and large tracts of wild forest, Arkansas is home to quite a few waterfalls. One of the Siloam Springs area’s most popular and often visited is Tanyard Creek Falls.

The falls are below the Windsor Lake Dam near Bella Vista. They’re easily reached by the Tanyard Creek Trail, which is clear and well-marked making, it suitable for nearly anyone.

The trail leads through old growth forest and is a favorite for bird-watchers and nature lovers.

The view of the falls is spectacular. They’re free to visit, so be sure to take your camera, and dress appropriately as the trail can get slick in places when it’s raining.

14. City Lake

Siloam Springs City Lake Park has just undergone a multi-month renovation and is back open for business.

Though the lake is one of the park’s main attractions, the renovation project centered around a new bike trail that will be the largest and most complete of its kind anywhere around.

The idea behind the project was to create a space for residents to ride their bikes in a variety of conditions, thereby training them to adopt mountain biking as a preferred method of outdoor recreation.

Mountain biking is particularly popular in Arkansas and Missouri, and the park should attract visitors from all around when it’s completed.