Jasper

This tiny city has a population of about 500 people, but the number of scenic adventures and places to see make it a destination you'll want to return to. If it isn't already, making an annual trip to Jasper should be one of your family's traditions. This sleepy town has plenty of beautiful nature, delicious food, and quaint shops to keep you entertained for the day or weekend. The drive alone is reason enough to plan a trip. Jasper is located on Highway 7, which was Arkansas's first designated scenic byway. The Jasper Disaster is another scenic drive in the area. The name is quite the misnomer since it's actually one of the most beautiful drives to take in the state.

You'll be greeted by one picture-perfect scene after another even before you reach the center of town. The Arkansas Grand Canyon is located on the city's southern outskirts. The vast canyon is not as deep as the one in Arizona, but it is no less beautiful. You could spend the night on the canyon's rim by staying in one of the Cliff House Inn's cabins. There is no shortage of good food in this small town. Natural wonders abound in the Ozarks, from natural bridges to the Buffalo. The nearby Koen Experimental Forest offers one of the more low-key hikes. This living laboratory has a family-friendly trail with tons of informative markers and gorgeous scenery.