Union County: Discover Forests, Water and History

Union County combines a landscape shaped by forests with river scenery, regional history and unique nature experiences. The county is bordered by the Ouachita River to the north and east. This makes the region well suited to a trip in which you want to consciously combine historic sites, water and scenery.

Water and Forests as Defining Features of the Landscape

The Ouachita River is an important part of the region's character. Regulating its water level supported boating, hunting and fishing. If you are interested in these activities, you can consider the river a starting point for planning your trip without limiting your stay to just one activity.

Another natural highlight is the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge in Ashley and Union Counties. Its waterways include 8.3 river miles along three routes. It is also home to the world's largest greentree reservoir. This combination makes the refuge especially interesting for travelers who want to include waterscapes and nature observation in their stay.

El Dorado: Architecture and Oil History

One focus of your trip can be the history of El Dorado. The El Dorado Commercial Historic District includes 68 brick and masonry buildings from the early 20th century as well as a monument. At the center of the district stands the Union County Courthouse, built in 1927–1928 in the Classical Revival style. Extensive renovations restored large sections of the street frontage to nearly their 1930 condition.

The Murphy-Hill Historic District is also part of the city's historic character. It includes one of the oldest residential areas in El Dorado, Arkansas. The Newton House Museum adds to this impression with a historic Greek Revival house dating from 1849. A walk through the city therefore offers the opportunity to experience different eras and architectural styles side by side.

The history of oil production becomes tangible at the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources. There you can see working equipment from the oil industry, including a replica of a 112-foot-tall derrick and a central power station that could supply up to 15 drilling sites. The museum also presents exhibits on the origins of oil production and how oil is drilled. A recreated boomtown with an old jail and a café complements the exhibition. At Oil Heritage Park, El Dorado's history as an oil boomtown is conveyed through sculptures, artifacts and informational displays.

Nature Experiences, Walking Trails and Discoveries to Share

For a quieter part of your trip, consider the South Arkansas Arboretum. The 12-acre, wooded grounds showcase plants native to Arkansas's West Gulf Coastal Plain, as well as exotic camellias and azaleas. Marked, paved walking trails lead through the arboretum. If you are traveling with children, MAD Playscape is another interesting stop: playground equipment for different age groups and their developing play styles has been selected across two acres.

The South Arkansas Arts Center offers cultural variety with numerous performances every year. For families and other travel groups, this creates a choice between nature, regional history, playful discoveries and culture, without requiring every day of the vacation to have the same focus.

A Seasonal Highlight with Regional Flavor

A special local tradition is the annual Mayhaw Festival, held on the first Saturday in May. It celebrates the native mayhaw berry from the swamps and lowlands of the South. The program includes mayhaw jelly, live music, 5K and 10K races, and a wing cook-off. Anyone who wants to plan a trip around a regional festival will find a clear date here, along with a distinctive insight into the area's culinary and community life.

Choosing the Right Accommodation Based on Your Travel Interests

When searching for a vacation apartment or vacation home in Union County, it helps to first decide what kind of trip you want. A stay focused on El Dorado highlights historic districts, museums and the history of oil production. If you prefer to place scenery and water at the center of your trip, you can use the information about the Ouachita River, Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge and South Arkansas Arboretum as a guide. For trips with children, MAD Playscape can also be included in your plans. This allows you to choose your accommodation based on the experiences you want to define the character of your trip.

More destinations for trip planning: Monroe County, Drew, Garland, Conway County, Saline County, Craighead, Columbia County.

For the overarching travel overview: Arkansas.