By Ella Karoline Hendricks

Despite chilling winds the past few weeks, spring is just around the corner. And with the beautiful nature and vibrant outdoor life Northwest Arkansas has to offer, warmer weather cannot come soon enough. In the heart of the Natural State, students are getting ready for the incoming warm months. 

Olivia Reid’s favorite season is spring. A sophomore mechanical engineering major at the University of Arkansas, Reid values her time outdoors and cites it as one of the major reasons she chose to go to the U of A. 

“I’m from Norman, Oklahoma,” Reid said, “and while I love my hometown, the beauty of Arkansas is what drew me to the school.”

And beautiful it is. With rolling hills and dazzling natural resources, Northwest Arkansas is home to over 487 miles of hiking trails, 47 parks, and 22 lakes, offering many spaces for free, public enjoyment. 

One spot popular with students is along the White River in West Fork. Located 20 minutes from campus, the river offers a reprieve from the stress of college. Sydney Swartzer is one such student who utilizes the river as a place to hang out with friends. 

“I’m a really big fan of the river in West Fork when it gets hot outside,” Swartzer said. “There’s lots of space to tan and swim, and I love the ledge for cliff jumping.”

The cliff jumping ledge is a hopping spot, as it offers a natural thrill. Swartzer’s first time going to the river was to meet some of her sorority sisters as a new member and remembers it as a fond experience. 

“It was a really great bonding experience,” Swartzer said. “It was a way I met some of my closest friends and a good activity for getting to know people better. Plus, it was a great reprieve from the heat.” 

Arkansas heat and humidity can be unbearable to some and the coolness of the river is a great way to beat the heat. With ample green space and a place to tan, the West Fork river access is a spot for those looking to swim under the sun. 

Devil’s Den, an Arkansas state park, is another popular spot among students. Jocelyn Brown, a sophomore, is a repeat visitor to the state park, hitting the hiking trails often. 

“I go whenever I can,” Brown said. “I think it’s a cool option. It’s a pretty easy hike. We went after it rained a bunch, and there was a really pretty waterfall. I would definitely recommend it.” 

Another cool hiking spot is the one-mile hike to Airship Coffee at Coler, located in Bentonville. A cool, brutalist-style cafe, Airship Coffee provides refreshments and pastries for hikers, whether they continue on with their journey or stop and enjoy the scene. They do not offer Wi-Fi, instead curating a device-free setting in which friends are encouraged to come and chat, bring a book or simply enjoy the view. 

Another great place to look at the views is Mount Sequoyah, at the lookout. Overlooking the city and hosting reflective benches, Mount Sequoyah is a great place to take a breather from the hastiness of day-to-day life. Journaling or even just sitting in silence is a great way to slow down your day and connect back to yourself. 

Northwest Arkansas hosts a great community of cyclists, with people biking as they go around town, running errands and shopping on the square. Even staying close to campus and enjoying campus life in Fayetteville is a great option for making the most out of the nice weather. Some students hang hammocks in between trees and nap for hours in the sun, while others march to Old Main with blankets and sunglasses. 

Reid makes sure to get outside every day, in between long hours of classes and labs. She and her peers will take walks from Bell Engineering Center in between classes, soaking up the sun between rounds of lab coats and goggles. Swartzer utilizes her sorority house’s patio, sitting outside while studying and chatting with friends, while Brown prefers to actively hike and explore new grounds. 

With the changing weather, make sure to spend some time outside! Enjoy the cool air and sunshine, while exploring all that Northwest Arkansas has to offer.