All outdoor adventure guides offering hunting, fishing, cycling, paddling, climbing and/or hiking in the state of Arkansas are eligible to apply for Guide ARK.

The program is free and voluntary.

Guides will submit their relevant credentials and licensures, as listed in the application. Guides who offer more than one recreational activity may include credentials for each activity offered in the same application.

Once an application is received, the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation will review the credentials and licensures submitted by the guide. Qualified guides will be verified as part of Guide ARK, and those not meeting requirements will receive communication about why they did not qualify.

Verified Guide ARK guides will receive a profile on Arkansas.com, the state’s tourism website, and will be promoted digitally as visitors plan trips to The Natural State. The Guide ARK Directory will feature your business and contact information, plus a photo and link to your website to encourage bookings.

Guides will renew annually for an updated Guide ARK stamp and ongoing program benefits. The Office of Outdoor Recreation will send renewal reminders.

Benefits of Being a Guide ARK Guide

Promotion

• Directory Listing and Profile on Arkansas.com: Verified guides receive a profile on the State’s Tourism website, Arkansas.com. The listing features business and contact information with a photo and link to your website. The profile will be promoted as visitors plan trips to Arkansas.
• Statewide Promotion:  Guide ARK will be promoted in the Arkansas Travel Guide, at Arkansas Welcome Centers, within Arkansas State Parks, by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, and by regional Tourism Associations.
• Social Media and Newsletters: The Office of Outdoor Recreation and Arkansas Tourism will promote Guide ARK on social media platforms and in agency newsletters.
• Digital Stamp: Verified guides will receive a digital Guide ARK stamp, which they are encouraged to use to promote their business. Guides will receive an updated stamp each year that they are verified.
• Sticker Decal: Verified Guides will receive a Guide ARK sticker decal to be used at their place of business to promote participation in the program.

Participation

• Governor’s Conference on Tourism & Outdoor Recreation: Verified guides will be eligible to attend GovCon at a special discounted rate. GovCon is the annual gathering of the state’s leading industry and community partners in outdoor recreation, typically held in late February.
• Event Invitations: Arkansas Tourism and the Office of Outdoor Recreation may select verified guides to participate in events and trade shows, either within Arkansas or in out-of-state target Tourism markets.
• Marketing Campaigns: Select guides may be considered to participate in strategic promotional campaigns with Arkansas Tourism. To be considered for a Tourism feature, a guide must first be verified through Guide ARK.
• Operations in State Parks: To operate as a guide within an Arkansas State Park, businesses must be verified through Guide ARK.

Presentation

• Arkansas Toolkit: Verified guides will receive a promotional package for Arkansas – talking points and helpful information to share with visitors interested in the Natural State. The toolkit will emphasize recreation opportunities in Arkansas, conservation, and hospitality.
• Visitation Data: Verified guides may be eligible to receive online and physical visitation data from Arkansas Tourism to help inform traveler outreach.