Arkansas is rightly known as “The Natural State” as it is rich in natural beauty and geographical features including lakes, streams, waterfalls, forests, and mountains.
These geographical features offer mesmerizing and picturesque views that attract lots of tourists and are sure to spellbind them.
Arkansas is famous for its three majestic mountain ranges, the Ouachita Mountains, Petit Jean Mountain, and the Ozark Mountains.
These mountains are not only magnificent but offer scenic views of beautiful surrounding areas to trekkers.
Are the Ouachita Mountains in the Ozarks?
The Ouachita and Ozark Mountains are two different mountain ranges that are in Arkansas.
The Ozarks are a huge and wide mountain range and cover not only Arkansas but parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri.
They are spread across a vast area of around 50,000 square miles.
The mountain ranges also have some of the highest peaks in Arkansas including White Rock Mountain which is one of the highest in the range.
The White Mountain Rock is itself a majestic mountain to look at and the views it offers from the top are some of the most amazing ones that are sure to mesmerise you.
The name White Mountain is because of the mountain’s colour which is because of the lichen that grows on the mountain.
This mountain range is in the Ozark National Forest and is easily accessible through trails.
The presence of lush green forest at the base of the mountain offers relatively easier treks that are doable as well as offer some splendid views to please one’s eyes, mind, and soul.
The national park offers camping and trekking sites making it a comfortable spot for tourists, nature lovers, and trekking enthusiasts.
Apart from White Rock Mountain, Ozark Mountain also houses the gigantic Boston Mountains which are another magnificent wonder in Arkansas.
This Mountain range offers some of the most scenic trails and treks in all of Arkansas.
The Ouachita Mountains are not so huge as the Ozark Mountains but are still vast enough to run through western Arkansas and some parts of Oklahoma.
The base of this mountain range has many more mountain ranges which are being commercially and nationally used for placing broadcast towers.
The trails and treks through the mountains are also frequently used by the public because of their ease of accessibility, and beautiful sceneries.
How are the Ozark mountains different from the Ouachita Mountains?
Ouachita and Ozark are amongst the two famous mountain ranges of Arkansas.
Both mountain ranges are distinctly different but equally magnificent.
The Ozark mountains are much closer to nature and offer very high peaks to trek.
Because of the increased height of the trek, the trails are hard but the views that a trekker gets to observe are simply mind-blowing.
The lush green forest, and glimmering streams amidst the clouds is a spectacular site that can be witnessed rarely.
The Ouachita Mountains are, however, a much more frequently visited place for amateur trekkers and nature lovers who prefer less adventurous trails but also want mesmerizing and scenic views.
In the Ouachita Mountains, nature has been tampered with to install several broadcast towers which obstruct some pristine views thus making it a little less scenic than The Ozark Mountains.
You can also find radio stations on some of the smaller hills.
The views are mesmerising with glistening large and small streams that sparkle in the bright sun rays peeking between the lush green foliage.
The Ozarks are known for their plateaus whereas the Ouachita Mountains are famous for their unique valleys and ridges.
What are the Ouachita Mountains known for?
The Ouachita Mountains are a unique geographical wonder with ridges that are running east to west unlike the usual north-to-south alignment as seen in the Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains.
This orientation creates a unique effect, making one side of the mountain exposed to direct sunlight whereas the other side is prevented from sunlight and is therefore much cooler and wet.
The exposed part of the mountain is much drier and is usually covered with drier oak woodlands, woodlands, and pine forests.
The wetter side is lush and you can find a wide variety of hardwood forests.
The flora and fauna of both the mountainsides are also unique and distinct making the Ouachita Mountains a unique wonder and popular amongst nature enthusiasts.
The satellite pictures and aerial views of this mountain range are unique and mesmerising as the diversity in vegetation and geographical formation can be observed.
What are the Ozarks in Arkansas?
The Ozarks are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the entire country and are blessed with almost all geographical wonders.
By visiting the Ozarks, one can witness the rolling hills, looming mountains, sparkling streams, lush green forests, subterranean caves, and much more.
Ozarks is also home to many beautiful natural springs and mesmerising trails and treks.
These breathtaking natural attractions attract many tourists, and it is a heaven on earth for its visitors.
The karstic landforms also commonly known as sinks are a unique feature of this place.
Other than that, you can find caves and caverns, magnificent waterfalls, and lakes.
Are the Boston Mountains part of the Ozarks?
The Boston Mountains are a prominent feature of the Ozark Mountain Ranges.
They are on the northwest side of Arkansas and are one of the highest peaks of the Ozarks. Many of the peaks are over 2000 feet.
Arkansas’s highest mountain peak is also found in the Boston Mountains.
They are majestic and offer spellbinding scenic views to those who dare to trek on these lofty peaks.
Final Thoughts:
Arkansas is heaven on earth with countless beautiful geographical features.
The Ouachita and Ozarks are among the most magnificent mountain ranges that Arkansas offers its visitors.
From spellbinding scenic views to crystal clear lakes, sparkling streams, and lush green forests, these mountains have it all.
Although they are topographically and geographically different, the beauty and magnificence both offer are equivalent.
