10 Healthiest Cities in Arkansas

Arkansas is home to many quintessential pieces of our nation like Walmart, cheese dip, and the ever-present confusion on how two states can be spelled almost the same but sound different…

It is also surrounded by some of the country’s most beautiful scenery with the Ozark Mountains to the northwest, the West Gulf Coastal Plains to the south, and the Ouachita Mountains cutting right through the middle. Living in a state with landscapes this diverse makes getting outside that much more enjoyable. Here is our list of the healthiest cities in The Natural State. 

10. Cabot

Niche fitness score: B-

Smoking rate: 17.2

Physical inactivity rate: 31.0

Air quality rate: 29

Starting us off in central Arkansas is Cabot. This small town is only about 30 minutes from Little Rock, but its proximity to the big city doesn’t cost it any of the small-town charms. The community is family-friendly and residents of all ages enjoy spending time together at the city’s parks which are equipped with playgrounds, baseball fields, soccer fields, walking paths, and pavilions for gathering. Community Pond Park has a fishing pond stocked by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, a dog park for large and small dogs, and an 18-hole disc golf course! Cabot also has sports leagues for kids and adults so you can play your favorite sport year-round. In the spring, the residents celebrate their famous crops with the Strawberry Festival. For one weekend in April, the community enjoys food trucks, local vendors, live entertainment, and a 5K race, all in the name of strawberries!  

9. El Dorado

Niche fitness score: C+

Smoking rate: 16.9

Physical inactivity rate: 28.0

Air quality rate: 29

El Dorado considers itself the heart of Arkansas tourism, but make no mistake, the locals are what keeps this city together! This tight-knit community prides itself on its friendliness, so if you live in El Dorado, it is very likely you will know all your neighbors’ names. El Dorado loves to give back to its community and is actively working towards providing high education to its graduates with the El Dorado Promise. This program provides a scholarship to graduates of the El Dorado School District to be used at any public, private, community, or out-of-state college or university. The city has multiple public parks, a skate park, a dog park, and a community pool. If you want to get out for the night, go downtown to the Murphy Arts District to be immersed in music, food, theater, and all things culture. You can also find the farmers market open every Saturday.

8. Maumelle

Niche fitness score: B+

Smoking rate: 18.7

Physical inactivity rate: 24.7

Air quality rate: 42 

Maumelle is located just down the Arkansas River from Little Rock. Within the city are two lakes, Lake Willastein and Lake Valencia. Get your steps in around Lake Willastein on one of the various paths surrounding the water. There are five different paths ranging from less than a mile to about two miles. Take your boat, kayak, or canoe out on the water or gather the family up and take advantage of the public barbeque pits and picnic tables in the park. Lake Valencia is better known for its fishing and beautiful scenery. These two lakes take turns being the location for the Big Catch Fishing Derby and Health fair which is held twice a year in April and September. This event teaches the community kids how to fish and stay safe in the water, and offers free healthcare screenings.

7. Bryant

Niche fitness score: B

Smoking rate: 17.8

Physical inactivity rate: 27.4

Air quality rate: 34

Bryant has the unique title of being the geographical center of Arkansas! The city is small, but residents find its simplicity adds to its charm. Bryant has parks throughout the city ranging from small playgrounds to large sports complexes. In addition to the softball, baseball, and soccer fields at Bishop Park, there are also two ponds, walking trails, a community garden, and a disc golf course. Within Bishop Park is The Center where members have access to an indoor aquatic center, cushioned walking trails, designated rooms for cardio and aerobics, and community fitness classes. The Center also offers Silver Sneakers memberships for senior residents. Every year, Bryant puts together the Taste of Bryant Food Festival where food trucks and vendors from all over come to kick off the summer season.

6. Fayetteville

Niche fitness score: A-  

Smoking rate: 20.1

Physical inactivity rate: 19.8

Air quality rate: 20

Nestled in the depths of the Ozarks sits Arkansas’ second largest city, Fayetteville. This unique city is a perfect mix of a college town, metro area, and Southern charm. Fayetteville is best known for being the “Track Capital of the World” thanks to the University of Arkansas’ track and field and cross country teams, but it has recently been named the first Bike City in the United States by the Union Cycliste Internationale. Fayetteville has over 100 miles of paved and single-track trails throughout the city and is one of the few cities connected to the Razorback Regional Greenway and its 37.5 miles of paved and natural trails that run through Northwest Arkansas. These trails lead to all parts of the city including the Fayetteville Downtown Square, filled with boutiques, restaurants, museums, and music venues. It is also home to the Fayetteville Farmers Market where you can find locally grown fruits and vegetables, flower shops, and handmade crafts.    

5. Mountain Home

Niche fitness score: B+

Smoking rate: 16.3

Physical inactivity rate: 30.5

Air quality rate: 34

Mountain Home is a small town right on the northern border. This family-oriented community values personal relationships that come with the town’s low population. Mountain Home is in the center of the Twin Lakes area with Norfork 15 minutes to the east and Bull Shoals Lake 20 minutes northwest. It is also located about 45 minutes from the Buffalo National River. Residents are never far from their favorite water activities! Boating, water skiing, and swimming are all acceptable in these bodies of water, and Mountain Home fishers love the luxury of having so many varieties of fish so close to home.    

4. Bentonville

Niche fitness score: A-  

Smoking rate: 15.1

Physical inactivity rate: 23.8

Air quality rate: 25  

At the very Northwest corner of Arkansas sits Bentonville. This is a small town with a big heart and even bigger ambition. It is well known for its biking trails and has been recognized as a Silver Level Ride Center by the International Mountain Bike Association and a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Bentonville has over 20 miles of award-winning mountain bike trails, with the most popular being at Slaughter Pen, Park Springs Park, and Blowing Springs Park; it also gets a bit of the Razorback Regional Greenway. Bentonville is big on running as well and holds a series of races year-round. From the 2-mile night-time Glow Race to the Valentine’s Day 4K/8K, Bentonville residents take any opportunity to get their running shoes out. The biggest race is the Run Bentonville Half Marathon which is held annually.   

3. Bella Vista

Niche fitness score: A-

Smoking rate: 17.2

Physical inactivity rate: 24.0

Air quality rate: 38

Just North of Bentonville, sitting on the Missouri state line, is Bella Vista. This summer resort destination turned full-fledged city still embraces the beautiful scenery it was named for. Bella Vista has seven lakes and each one offers a unique experience. Lake Ann, Lake Windsor, and Lake Loch Lomond are the biggest lakes and have space for water activities like water skiing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The smaller lakes like Lake Norwood, Lake Rayburn, and Lake Avalon are primarily fishing lakes. Lake Avalon also has a beach area with sand volleyball and a swimming area. Bella Vista is a big golf community. There are five 18-hole courses and two 9-hole courses so your game will never be the same. For the less traditional golfer, Bella Vista also has 18-hole mini and disc golf courses!     

2. Benton

Niche fitness score: B

Smoking rate: 15.1

Physical inactivity rate: 21.7

Air quality rate: 38

Benton is a small town with a close community and a suburban feel. It is located directly between Little Rock and Hot Springs and is the perfect mix of big city and rural living. There are plenty of ways to get outside, but fishing is the popular option in Benton. Most of the lakes in this town have boat ramp access and the Hooked-On Fishing Lake even has two covered fishing piers. Sunset Lake is accompanied by a park with picnic tables and a small walking trail. If you want to spend your outdoor time away from the water, Tyndall Park has you covered. There are softball fields, basketball and tennis courts, a small walking trail, a skate park, and a 500-seat amphitheater. Riverside Park is the most extensive park in town. It has eight softball and baseball fields, three soccer fields, and almost four miles of paved walking trails. On the park sits the River Center, an indoor facility with its own walking trails that offers a variety of fitness classes.      

1. Hot Springs Village

Niche fitness score: B+

Smoking rate: 11.5

Physical inactivity rate: 28.3

Air quality rate: 38

Arkansas’ healthiest city is Hot Springs Village. This city is actually a gated community on the outskirts of Hot Springs and Benton, and is the largest gated community in the United States! Hot Springs Village has 11 recreational lakes, all of which are open for fishing and swimming. The bigger lakes like Coronado and Cortez are also open for water sports. Two of the lakes, Balboa and DeSoto, have beach areas and a marina where families can spend their days on the water. Within the community gates, there are 30 miles of multi-use trails where residents can walk or bike. The Village even has a bike riding club called the Ageless Bicycle Club that rides together year-round. These rides have various levels of difficulty and can usually be modified depending on your comfort level.

Want to know more about living in Arkansas? Check out the best state parks the state has to offer and learn more about its most affordable cities. And if you’re looking to go tiny, we’ve got you covered with the best tiny home builders in The Natural State.