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Mt. Nebo State ParkThe landscape of Yell County is rolling farmlands, forested ridges, and isolated mountains and lakes with rugged terrain in the south.

Tourism and recreation activities are very popular in an area full of lakes. The Arkansas River, Lake Dardanelle, Nimrod Lake, Blue Mountain Lake and Kingfisher Lake are poplar with the professional angler as well as the local fisherman. Mount Nebo State Park rises 1,800 feet above the mountain valleys and has cabins, campsites, picnic sites, tennis courts, swimming pool, and hiking trails.

Mount Nebo State Park is one of the Arkansas state parks system's two parks offering launch sites for hang gliding enthusiasts.

The Great Outdoors - Yell County boast two of the nation's most pristine national forest - the Ozark National Forest covering the northern portion of the county and the Ouachita National Forests in the southern half of Yell County. Together, they offer thousands of acres of recreational opportunities and unrivaled natural beauty.
  • Dardanelle - Historic Arkansas River town and former pioneer outpost now is a hospitality hub for visiting nearby Mount Nebo, Petit Jean and Lake Dardanelle State parks. An intersecting point, also, for Scenic 7 Byway and Scenic Highway 22. Dardanelle is known for its beautiful old trees, including the 500-year-old state champion white oak located in the city's Council Oaks Park.
  • Lake DardanelleLake Dardanelle State Park - Spreads to three different locations at Lake Dardanelle, with plenty of great spots for camping, hiking and a variety of other outdoor recreation. Facilities include campsites, electricity, restrooms, showers, dump station, picnic sites, pavilions and trails.
  • Ola, Plainview, Belleville, Havana - Visit these Yell County hamlets for warm River Valley hospitality and "Small-town USA" nostalgia.
  • "True Grit" - Yell County was the setting for Arkansas Charles Portis' novel "True Grit," which was made into a movie starring John Wayne. Wayne won an Oscar for his portrayal of U.S. Marshal "Rooster" Cogburn.
  • Danville - Nestled between the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests, Danville, ArkansasDanville offers beautiful scenery, festival fun (July 4th and Yell County Fair), Chamberlyne Country Club golf and easy access to area state parks and lakes.
  • Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge - Located near Dardanelle, off Hwy. 7. Access is through Yell County.
  • The Arkansas River and Yell County lakes furnish abundant fishing and recreational opportunities. And two popular state parks add to the fun.
  • Steamboat House, Kimball House, First Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church and Yell County Courthouse - These Dardanelle landmarks are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Dardanell RockDardanelle Rock - A landmark on the Arkansas River since earliest exploration. Parts of the rock outcrop are naturally almost devoid of vegetation, while some slopes hold soil to support a forest of black oak, mockernut hickory and shortleaf pine.
  • Petit Jean Wildlife Management Area - Seasonal hunting hotspot with terrific scenery all year.
  • Dardanelle Lock and Dam - The lock provides a lift of 54 feet, largest of any lock and dam on the Arkansas River. Lake Dardanelle, impounded by the dam, has a surface area of 34,300 acres at the top of its conservation pool and extends upstream for 50 miles.

  • Rising 1,350 feet, Mount Nebo offers sweeping views of the Arkansas River Valley. In 1933, a portion of the mountain was chosen as a park site. Native stone and logs from Mount Nebo were used by the Civilian Conservation Corps to construct many of the park's bridges, trails, rustic-style cabins, and pavilions.

    Hang gliding at Mt. NeboThe park offers 34 campsites (24 Class B; 10 Hike-in Tent sites) [no dump station] and 14 fully-equipped cabins with kitchens.

    Fourteen miles of trails encircle Mount Nebo. For mountain biking enthusiasts, the 4 1/2-mile Bench Trail is a fairly level route encircling the side of 1,850-foot Mount Nebo. As you ride through the mixed hardwood and pine forest, you'll pass historic springs and Fern Lake, and see rock work done by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s. This is an excellent ride for your family's first mountain biking adventure. You can choose from primitive campsites located at intervals along the Bench Trail, or stay in the park campground.     Even if you are not daring enough to hang glide yourself, you can still enjoy watching others.