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Arkansas is home to lots of wildlife, from protected species at refuges to animals roaming wild in the state's many national forests and parks. These are a few attractions and wildlife reserves where families can get up close and personal with animals in Northwest Arkansas. Logan Cave Logan Cave is a National Wildlife Refuge that's northwest past Fayetteville, just minutes from the Kansas border. Since this is a cave formation, it also offers a look at some unique nocturnal creatures that are hard to find in other parts of the state. A few of the most noteworthy species include: Gray bat: This endangered species of bat can be seen flying and hanging upside down in the caves. Ozark fish: This is a threatened species that grows no bigger than two inches. Look for them swimming in the water inside the caves — they have unpigmented skin (appearing white or pink) and have no eyes. Benton Cave Crayfish: This is a rare species of crayfish that's native to Arkansas. Logan Cave is one of only four known locations where you can see this critically endangered species. Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge is in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, roughly two miles north of Highway 412. The refuge spans 123 acres. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge There are a few locations in Arkansas where animals that aren't native to the area are cared for. One of the most notable examples is Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. This spot is dedicated to rescuing exotic cats from around the nation, which means several gorgeous tigers and other species are protected here. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 for teens, and $10 for seniors, veterans, and kids. You can buy tickets online, but note that the refuge does close when there's inclement weather. So, confirm that you can visit before making your purchase. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is at 239 Turpentine Creek Lane in Eureka Springs. It's summer hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and its winter hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ouachita National Forest The huge Ouachita National Forest is a fantastic place to go if you want to view Arkansas' native species in the land, air, and water. Fishing and birding, especially around Lake Ouachita and the other bodies of water in this area, are popular here for a reason. This is an enormous space spanning 1.8 million acres, so there's plenty of space to reserve a camping spot and turn your trip into a weekend family excursion. Among the many species of wildlife in the forest, you may see: Woodpecker Bald eagles Louisiana black bear Ozark National Forest On the north side of Interstate 40 lies another huge outdoor space — Ozark National Forest. This area covers 1.2 million acres and also has spots for camping, hiking, fishing, and birding. Watch for animals, such as chipmunks, elk, bobcats, eagles, and black bears. Northwest Arkansas is full of places where you can see wildlife and protected animals up close and personal. Pack your car for a day of family fun and environmental education at a few of these locations throughout the state. Photo by jmeissen | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0

Teenagers are not easy to please, and whether you want to spend time as a family or they are just looking for something to do with friends, finding appropriate and engaging activities can be a challenge. Fortunately, the Springdale, Arkansas, area has several attractions that teens enjoy. Arvest Ballpark Who doesn't love going to a baseball game? Arvest Ballpark is home to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Baseball team, the Double-A affiliate to the Kansas City Royals. The park is a family-friendly place with plenty for everyone to do. All the seats offer a great view of the game, with suites to rent if you want to go with a big group. The food is excellent, and there is always some kind of entertainment to enjoy between innings. There is even some audience participation if your teen dares to get out on the field. Ozark Climbing Gym Bring your teens to the Ozark Climbing Gym for some fun. This is a bouldering gym, with climbing walls that don't need any ropes or safety harnesses. All the floors have padding, so there is a soft place to land if they fall, and there are all different levels of climbing so everyone can join in the fun. If the kids have never climbed before, there is a thorough orientation to make sure they know what to do. Make sure everyone wears comfortable clothes, and you'll also have to sign a waiver before getting started. Lake Fayetteville Bring the kids to Lake Fayetteville for a fun day out on the water. This lake has a boat dock and marina so you can either launch your own boat or rent one for the day. Keep in mind that it is a no wake lake so you can only go at idle speed, but is a great lake for fishing, or just a relaxing cruise on the water. You can also rent kayaks, canoes, or pedal boats if you want to power your own way around the lake. Locomotion Family Fun Park Just ten minutes outside of Springdale in Fayetteville, Locomotion Family Fun Park has fun activities for teens and for the younger ones. The kids can ride the bumper boats and try to stay dry as they get their friends wet, or they can head to the Spin Zone and ride the spinning bumper cars. This interactive attraction is both fun and a challenge as you try to hit each the targets on your opponents bumper car as you ride around, while flashing neon lights add to the whole experience. There is also laser tag and an arcade for everyone to enjoy. If you want to stay outside, there are Go-Karts and four different tracks for riders of all ages. If your teen has a driver's license they can even try the pro track. There are plenty of attractions in the Springdale area to keep teens busy. They are sure to have some fun, and you might even get the whole family to spend the day together. Photo by jc.winkler | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

Whether you're hosting a huge Thanksgiving dinner or just getting into the Halloween spirit with some decor or jack-o'-lanterns, pumpkins are just what you need to embody the spirit of the season. While you could just pick one up at the local grocery store, heading to a pumpkin patch is fun for the entire family. Not only do you get to pick out your favorite orange gourds, but you can bond with the people you love. For an experience you won't forget this fall, head to these Springdale area pumpkin patches. Shipley Farms If you're busy during the week but have some free time on weekends, Shipley Farms is the place to go for your holiday pumpkins. Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays, this farm has plenty of spherical orange options for you to choose from in a variety of sizes. Not an artist? Grab one of their hand-painted pumpkins by local artist Hayley Young. These ornate pumpkins feature everything from the macabre to cornucopias to the Razorbacks logo. Shipley Farms is located at 14339 Wildcat Creek Road in Springdale. Farmland Adventures Situated just outside Springdale, Farmland Adventures is a one-stop shop for family fun. Throughout the fall, the farm lets you pick your own pumpkin for just $0.50 per pound, with a cap of $12. That means that no matter what, you won't pay more than $12 for a pumpkin — that's quite a bargain. But the fun doesn't stop in the pumpkin patch. If you need a break from the kids, let them wander through the 9-acre corn maze. This maze even has its own app so your children don't panic if they can't find their way out, and you don't have to fret about venturing into the kernel-filled labyrinth. Other highlights include wagon rides, pony rides, pedal karts, a kids' play area, the famous Farmland Adventures pig races, and even the strange, but fun, human foosball. No matter what you do at Farmland, you're in for a day of excitement. Farmland Adventures is located at 5355 Parsons Road in Springdale. The farm is open from Sept. 7 to Nov. 3 on Thursdays (October only) from 3 to 9:30 p.m., Friday from 1 to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Vanzant Fruit Farms Founded in 1949, Vanzant Fruit Farms has been offering some of the juiciest, tastiest, and freshest produce in Northwest Arkansas. While you can't pick your own pumpkins from the field, the farm has a huge selection that's hand-picked by workers to ensure the finest quality. Vanzant also has amazingly delicious farm-to-table foods, including jams, jellies, honey, pies, and other tasty treats. Vanzant Fruit Farms is located 5 miles northeast of Springdale at 3705 Arkansas State Route 264 in Lowell. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. With a pumpkin beautifully adorning your dinner set up or eerily glowing on your front porch, you can get into the seasonal spirit without being an autumn Scrooge. Photo by Carrie Stephens | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

There is a common phrase that says "the joy is in the journey." That couldn't be more true for Northwest Arkansas. Here are three beautiful scenic mountain roads that you and your family will enjoy your next road trip in Northwest Arkansas. The Ozarks The Ozarks drive makes a counterclockwise loop from Eureka Springs to the Buffalo River. It goes through Jasper, then east to Mountain View, where it winds back to where you began. It is full of beautiful landscape, especially in the fall when the colors are changing. There are also many amazing sights to stop and see along the way. Stop in Eureka Springs, a fun resort town whose unofficial motto is "where misfits fit." If you are there between May and October, you can enjoy the Great Passion Play. It takes place at the location of the 67-foot-tall Christ of the Ozarks statue. South of Eureka Springs, if you turn off Highway 23 at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, you can see lions, tigers, leopards, and cougars all roaming their spacious outdoor habitat. The refuge's mission is to provide lifetime refuge for abandoned, neglected and abused big cats. Don't miss out on Blanchard Springs Caverns near the end of your journey. You will want to follow Route 9 north out of Mountain View, then stay left onto Route 14. Blanchard Springs Caverns are located in the Ozark National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service can take you on science-based tours of the three caverns, each one varying in length. The Dripstone Trail is the shortest, and some say prettiest. Then is the Discovery Trail, and last is the Wild Cave Tour, where you will go through undeveloped sections and get a bit down and dirty. Boston Mountains Scenic Route Two unique and beautiful, roads, U.S. Highway 71 and Interstate 49 cross across the highest point of the Ozark Mountains and combine to make the Boston Mountains Scenic Route. U.S. 71 follows a former stagecoach route, while I-49 will take you across high-span bridges and the state's only highway tunnel. If you are looking for good hiking spots along the way, you will want to take U.S. 71. This route spans 42 miles, while the I-49 route spans 38 miles. Both of these roads run between Alma and Fayetteville in Northwest Arkansas. Scenic 7 Some say this is the most scenic drive in the state of Arkansas. Scenic 7 runs south to north through the state, spanning 290 miles, with many diverse landscapes and interesting stops along the way. If you begin on the south end, you will start near El Dorado in the West Gulf Coastal Plain. Near Arkadelphia, you will enter the Ouachita Mountains, which are famous for their quartz crystals, as well as Hot Springs National Park. Continue through the Ouachita Mountains, past Lake Nimrod, and into the Arkansas River Valley. From there you will enter the Ozark Mountains, pass through the mountain town of Jasper, and end in Harrison. Whether you are on your way out of town, or you like to explore out-of-the-way places, consider taking one of these scenic roads as part of your next journey. Photo by miketnorton | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

One of the best parts of summer is being able to get outdoors and enjoy nature. If you love hiking and are looking for a good nature trail in Northwest Arkansas, here are four fantastic spots to get you started. Ozark Highland Trail This is one of the best hiking trails in Arkansas and has been rated as one of the top 10 trails in the United States. One of the things that makes it great is that works for both the beginning and the experienced hiker. This trail spans 165 miles, plus an additional 27 miles of connecting spurs and loops. Because the trail passes through 17 campgrounds and trailheads, as well as crosses over 50 forest roads and highways, you can easily go for a short day hike or a fabulous backpacking trip. The versatility is great, but that's not what attracts so many people to this trail. When hiking, you will discover deep pools you can swim in, bluffs, forests, and hundreds of waterfalls. Feel free to bring your dog along for the adventure; your canine friends are allowed on the Ozark Highland Trail. It is located in the Ozark National Forest. Lake Weddington Trail If you are looking for an overnight hiking trip, the Lake Weddington Trail is a popular one. It is a moderate to difficult trail that spans 15.4 miles, and camping is allowed along the trail. It is located in the heart of the Ozarks and ends at the Illinois River. Along the way, you will pass Twin Knobs, an interesting and unique rock formation. When you return, you will need to retrace your steps and head back the way you came in. This trail is also located in the Ozark National Forest. Shores Lake/White Rock Loop Located Northeast of Ft. Smith, Shores Lake and White Rock are popular recreation areas in the Ozark National Forest. This moderate trail spans 13.4 miles and starts at Shores Lake. You will hike past some beautiful waterfalls and up to White Rock Mountain. This loop trail brings you back down to the lake through the Salt Fork drainage. Camping and dogs are allowed on this trail, but you may want to splurge on a cabin at White Rock for a nice weekend getaway. Pedestal Rocks/Kings Bluff Loops If you are looking for an easy hike, visit the Pedestal Rocks/Kings Bluff Loops. There are actually two loops here, both located in the Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area, and they span 4.3 miles combined. Both of these loops will take you to beautiful sandstone bluff formations. You will also be rewarded with a waterfall at Kings Bluff. Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area is located near Ben Hur, just off Hwy. 16 in the Ozark National Forest. Camping is not allowed on these trails, but dogs are. These are just a few of the amazing nature and hiking trails that you can explore in Northwest Arkansas. No matter what level of difficulty you are looking for, there is a trail with amazing views for you to enjoy. Photo by OakleyOriginals | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

BeSummer is the time when everyone wants to pack up their bags and head to beautiful places to experience the beauty of nature. Spending time at a nature reserve has many effects on your family's health, too. Thankfully, there are many nature reserves that are known for beautiful scenery and wildlife right within the confines of Northwest Arkansas. The following are three of the best nature reserves that you must consider visiting this summer. Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari This drive-through safari park in Northwest Arkansas is one of your best bets for seeing wildlife in the area. You'll be able to see a variety of animals from the safety of your vehicle. The entrance fee is also reasonable: $15 for adults and $10 for kids. This is a great place to introduce young kids to wildlife. They won't need to walk long distances, and the park is designed to appeal to all ages. Buffalo National River Buffalo National River was established in 1972. It is one of the few undammed rivers in the United States. The river flows freely for 135 miles. It is the perfect place to spend your summer if you love water surrounded by beautiful mountains. The river offers both rapids and quiet pools. As you go down to the White River, you pass through the Ozark Mountains. There are many activities that you can do here with the family. For instance, you can float through the various stretches of the river on a raft or canoe, and there are several hiking trails. The park has plenty of different campgrounds to try out. Buffalo National River is a great place to spend a few nights if you like to watch the stars. There is very little light pollution, which makes for lots of opportunities to view the night sky. There are certain spots in the park where you can have fun with your pets, too. And of course, with such an expansive park comes massive opportunities to view birds and other wildlife. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge This is the perfect place to visit this summer if you love big cats. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge rescues exotic cats all over the US and provides them the safety and care they need. The goal of the park is to provide a lifetime refuge to rescued animals. TCWR works with universities, law enforcement, and other individuals and organizations to promote the well-being of different animals, especially big cats. The reserve is open to the public, and it is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the US. Big cats at TCWR have been rescued from Tennessee, Montana, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Kansas, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Colorado, and Arkansas. They are placed in a nurturing and caring environment here, ensuring their well-being and safety. All of these places are great family-friendly nature reserves that you can visit this summer in Arkansas. Load up the car, grab some snacks, and make your way to one of these destinations this weekend. Photo by PS-OV-ART Patty Sue O'Hair-Vicknair, Artist | Licensed under cc BY 2.0