Exploring Arkansas

Balloon pilots from across the state gather in Harrison once a year during the annual balloon festival to determine who's the best of the best in this high adventure sport. One of the finest fishing and boating destinations in the nation can be found at Bull Shoals Lake and the White River-not to mention camping, mountain biking, a butterfly garden and a wildflower meadow. A unique auto tour in the Ouachita National Forest near Mt. Ida leads to Crystal Vista itself, offering beautiful views and of course, crystals. At Bird Island in the middle of Lake Ouachita, boaters can enjoy a spectacular display of nature during late summer, as tens of thousands of purple martins converge before flying to South America.