A new year is upon us. The path ahead is wide, full of promise, and shaped by the people who believe in Arkansas’ outdoors.
In 2025, the Office of Outdoor Recreation reached an important inflection point. We moved from building the foundation to delivering measurable impact—cementing outdoor recreation as a permanent, strategic function of state government and a driver of economic development, tourism, and quality of life across Arkansas.
The Natural State Initiative continues to guide this work, aligning communities, industry, and agency partners around a shared vision for growing Arkansas’ outdoor recreation economy. Across the state, we saw ideas turn into action: opportunity zones advancing transformative projects like the Maumelle Pinnacles, the Delta Heritage Trail, Petit Jean trails and climbing routes, and the Trails at Mena Bike Park; communities laying the groundwork for new trail systems, parks, and destination experiences; and stronger coordination between tourism, economic development, health, and conservation partners than ever before.
Last year also brought several defining milestones. Outdoor recreation was formally codified in state statute, ensuring long-term stability for this work. We released Arkansas’ first-ever Outdoor Recreation Economic Impact Study, giving us the data needed to guide smart investment and policy decisions. We hosted the first Natural State Day at the Capitol, bringing businesses, nonprofits, agencies, and legislators together to highlight the breadth and value of the outdoor economy. And we continued to modernize our grants, planning, and concession systems so that public investment delivers stronger returns for communities.
As we enter 2026, we are focused squarely on execution.
This year represents the first full implementation of Arkansas’ strategy to double the outdoor recreation economy by 2032. Our priorities are clear: recruit outdoor companies and investment, convert natural assets into economic outcomes, strengthen rural and regional economies, and ensure our systems are built to scale. From launching and growing Guide ARK—connecting people to trusted guides and outdoor service providers—to advancing region-based recruitment and destination development, our work in 2026 is about turning momentum into measurable growth.
Guide ARK will become a cornerstone of that effort, connecting people to places and highlighting the experiences that make Arkansas The Natural State. At the same time, we are building a more accessible, data-driven platform that gives communities and partners the tools they need to plan, invest, and compete.
Looking ahead, we are also preparing to celebrate Arkansas’ story on a national stage. As America 250 approaches, outdoor recreation will play a key role in telling our past while building for the next generation—using our landscapes, traditions, and experiences as an invitation to visit, invest, and belong.
None of this happens alone. The continued growth of Arkansas’ outdoor recreation economy is fueled by strong partnerships with local leaders, industry, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and advocates who believe in what is possible here. Together, we are creating opportunity, supporting innovation, and ensuring outdoor recreation remains accessible, sustainable, and economically meaningful.
The 2026 Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation is on the horizon, bringing together leaders and changemakers to share ideas and spark new collaboration. In March, we’ll celebrate one of our favorite traditions—Big Check Day for FUN Park, Matching, and Great Strides grants—when communities across the state receive the support they need to bring projects to life. And we are already looking ahead to the next Natural State Day at the Capitol, continuing to elevate outdoor recreation as a statewide priority.
2026 will be a transformative year. The groundwork is in place, the strategy is clear, and the opportunities ahead are significant.
Thank you for being part of this work!