Arkansas is a state that revels in its independent culture, but few towns exemplify this quirky rebelliousness like Eureka Springs. Nestled in the northwest of the state, amid the green slopes and karst cliffs of the Ozark Mountains, Eureka Springs tends to defy expectations.

In some ways, this has always been a tourism town, attracting visitors first for its eponymous springs (said to possess healing powers) in the 19th century. Then, starting in the late 1960s, a low cost of living, historical architecture, and relative isolation led to Eureka Springs becoming a surprising locus for LGBTQ+ life in the middle of the South.

A commitment to the town’s handsome architecture and aesthetics led to the preservation of Eureka Springs’ historic core; the Natural State’s libertarian streak attracted the biker community; the Ozarks’ well-deserved reputation for natural beauty attracted outdoors enthusiasts; a network of artists expanded the area’s creative capital.

All these elements have combined to form the Eureka Springs of today: a town of winding streets nestled in a steep valley, where rainbow flags fly proud and artist residences are common, existing side by side with the conservative cultural values of Arkansas and nearby Missouri and Oklahoma.

The Eureka Trolley

The Eureka Trolley is the go-to solution for visitors who want to get around town. Four fixed-loop routes wind around town, but the one for most travelers is the red route – a 3.3-mile track that takes in the town’s well-regarded historic district. Highlights include Spring Street,…