Regions
The state has several popular land regions, including the Arkansas River Valley, Crowley’s Ridge, Gulf Coastal Plain, Ouachita Mountains, Ozark Plateau, and Mississippi Alluvial Plain.
Agriculture in Arkansas
Agriculture continues to be the top industry for revenue generated in the Natural State. Agriculture is in the state is a $16 billion-dollar industry. There are approximately 49,346 farms in the state, covering 14.5 million acres of Arkansas. The average size farm comprises 331 acres.
Arkansas’s most valuable crop is rice. The state also grows substantial soybean, corn, cotton, wheat, and grain sorghum. Most of the cropland is found in the eastern area of the state.
Arkansas leads the nation in poultry production. The most common poultry in Arkansas is chickens and turkeys. The state has more than 2,400 broiler farms and yields over 5.7 billion pounds each year. The industry is responsible for over $30 billion in total economic activity throughout the state, creating or supporting over 100,000 jobs.
Arkansas accounts for 40 percent of U.S. rice production, making it the number 1 state for this agriculture commodity.
Aquaculture production in Arkansas ranks third nationally. The state leads in the production of baitfish, large-mouth bass for stocker fish, hybrid striped bass fry, and Chinese carp. It is third nationally in catfish production.
Wildlife
Arkansas wildlife is abundant within the state on both land and water. The dense vegetation, ample rainfall, and forage make it a wildlife paradise for land animals and freshwater fisheries.
Its primary wildlife includes whitetail deer, turkey, dove, ducks, and hog.
The freshwater ecosystem is home to many fish species, including smallmouth bass, trout, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, perch, and bluegill.
Arkansas has over 2,000 named lakes and reservoirs, making for ample fishing opportunities across the state.
Main Rivers & Largest Lakes
The state’s major rivers include the Arkansas River, Mississippi River, White River, St Francis River, Ouachita River, and Red River.
The largest lake is Lake Ouachita. Other significant lakes include Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Dardanelle, Greers Ferry Lake, Millwood Lake, Beaver Lake, and Norfork Lake.
State Parks
Arkansas has 53 state parks and seven national parks.
National Parks
- Arkansas Post
- Buffalo National
- Central High School National Historic Site
- Fort Smith
- Hot Springs
- Pea Ridge National Military Park
- Clinton Birthplace
Major Lakes
Lake Ouachita, the largest lake in Arkansas, is located in Garland County, Arkansas, on the Ouachita River. The surface area of this lake is approximately 40,000 acres (62.5 square miles). Other large lakes include Bull Shoals Lake and Lake Dardanelle, which exceed 79,740 surface area acres.
| State Summary | |
| Nickname | The Natural State |
| Neighboring States | Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma |
| Regions | Arkansas River Valley, Crowley’s Ridge, Gulf Coastal Plain, Ouachita Mountains, Ozark Plateau, Mississippi Alluvial Plain |
| State Flower | Apple Blossom |
| State Bird | Northern Mockingbird |
| Big Game | Deer, Elk, Bear, Alligator |
| Small Game | rabbit, squirrel, quail |
| Freshwater Fish | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, bluegill, and trout |
| Hunting Information | https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/ |
| Total acreage | 33.5 million |
| Average annual rainfall | 51 inches |
| Farmland by acreage | 13.7 million |
| Woodlands by acreage | 18.7 million |
| Conservation program | https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/forestry/forest-management-programs/ |
| Primary Crops | Rice Soybeans corn cotton wheat and grain sorghum |
| Main Rivers | Arkansas, Mississippi, White, St. Frances, Ouachita, and Red |
| Largest Lake | Lake Ouachita |
| Other Lakes | Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Dardanelle, Greers Ferry Lake, Millwood Lake, Beaver Lake, Norfork Lake |
| Major Rivers | Mississippi, Arkansas, White |
| Other Tributaries | St. Francis, Red, Ouachita |
Our Rural Real Estate Offices
Mossy Oak Properties Arkansas began with the goal of becoming a trusted resource for folks looking to buy or sell rural land for sale in Arkansas. Our land brokers and agents understand what people are looking for in rural property because we share the same lifestyle and love for the land as you do. We understand the importance of honor and integrity and that buying or selling land is an emotional and life-changing experience for consumers.
Only Mossy Oak Properties Arkansas can provide the powerful combination of brand strength, local expertise, quality service, and national exposure. Whether you want to buy or sell rural real estate, a Mossy Oak Properties land specialist is a must-have on your team.
Find an Arkansas land real estate agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What regions of Arkansas offer the best land values for buyers?
The Delta in eastern Arkansas, with deep, fertile soils and strong row crop production, carries the highest per-acre farmland prices in the state. Prime Delta rice and soybean ground has traded for $4,000 to $7,000 per acre. The Ozark and Ouachita mountain regions in northern and western Arkansas offer more affordable recreational and timber ground at $1,000 to $2,500 per acre. The Arkansas River valley has productive bottomland and poultry farming country between those two extremes. Northwest Arkansas near Fayetteville is no longer a value market for rural buyers due to massive population growth and tech industry activity.
How do property taxes work in Arkansas for rural landowners?
Arkansas property taxes are incredibly low compared to most states. If your land qualifies, agricultural and timberland can be assessed based on what it produces rather than its full market value. This massively reduces the annual tax bill on large rural properties. Timber companies and institutional investors have used this advantage in Arkansas for decades. While the actual tax rate varies by county, the combination of low market rates and productivity-based assessments makes Arkansas one of the most affordable states to hold rural land long-term.
Is Arkansas a good state for someone buying their first rural land investment?
Arkansas is one of the best entry-point markets in the South for a first-time land buyer. Land prices across the Ozark and Ouachita regions are accessible without forcing you to compromise on quality. The hunting is genuinely excellent for deer, turkey, and ducks, meaning you will actually enjoy owning the property from day one. Timber markets are strong across the pine belt counties, and the state’s rules on rural land ownership are very straightforward. The biggest risk factor is flood exposure in the eastern Delta, so buyers need to carefully check FEMA maps on any property sitting near major river systems.
