Boone County brings together historic attractions and opportunities to enjoy nature and stay active. Harrison is in the county and offers a gateway to the area’s past: the Harrison Courthouse Square Historic District includes the Seville, the west side of the 200 block of Main Street, buildings around the square, and several blocks of homes on the side streets leading off the square. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 6, 1999. The Boone County Courthouse was added to the register on July 21, 1976.
History and culture in many forms
The Boone County Heritage Museum explores the history of the Ozark Mountains and Harrison, from the earliest settlers onward. It shows how Harrison’s ancestors settled the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. Exhibits also cover Harrison’s railroad history and the role of soldiers from Boone County and Arkansas in the Civil War, both world wars, and other conflicts. Alongside regional settlement, the museum highlights transportation and military history.
The Harrison Historic Walking Tours are self-guided tours of historic sites in Harrison. Check tour materials and availability locally. The murals in Downtown Harrison also tell stories from the city’s history. Natural State Natural Art provides a Mural Tour Passport and an interactive map for viewing the murals.
Other historic sites mark their own moments in time: the Hotel Seville opened on October 5, 1929; the Lyric Theatre was built as a movie theater for sound films in 1929. By 1922, Bass had built a large Craftsman-influenced residence at Twelve Oaks. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rose Hill Cemetery was the first public cemetery in Harrison.
Nature and activities
Baker Prairie is within Harrison’s city limits, next to Harrison High School and Harrison Middle School, and offers an accessible educational experience in a natural area. The prairie spans 71 untouched acres, remaining as a remnant of a 5,000-acre prairie ecosystem in northwest Arkansas. It is home to more than 250 animal and plant species, including rare prairie plants and four animal species of special concern. Species inventories may change as updated surveys of the protected area are conducted. Check public access conditions before visiting.
The modern, paved Lake Harrison Walking Trail runs along Crooked Creek, Lake Harrison, the Lake Harrison dam, the children’s park, and the Anstaff Bank Soccer Complex. The trails at Lake Harrison are suitable for walking, jogging, and cycling. Harrison also offers bike routes on secondary roads and highways in the Ozark Mountains. Difficulty ranges from easy for beginners to challenging and strenuous; check route conditions and traffic before setting out.
Fishing and more
Crooked Creek is considered a blue-ribbon fishery for black bass. Check the applicable rules and conditions before fishing. The Bear Creek Springs Trout Farm, north of Harrison, offers rainbow trout fishing by appointment. Arrange your fishing visit in advance.
The Creekside Community Center in Harrison offers indoor pools, multi-use sports courts, esports, virtual golf, and more. The aquatic area includes an eight-lane competition pool, a lap pool, a children’s pool, and a diving board. As operating hours and public-use rules may change, check them before visiting.
For geographic context, it is important to note that the Buffalo River’s headquarters is in Harrison, in Boone County, but the river itself does not run through the county. Activities in the Buffalo National River area include river trips, visits to historic homesteads and prehistoric sites, hiking, horseback riding, and camping. Check access conditions and local conditions before traveling.
Explore more destinations: Harrison, Van Buren County, Benton, Hempstead County, Sevier County, Jefferson County, Union County, Greene County.
For the overarching travel guide: Arkansas.
