Elkins, Arkansas is a small Washington County town on Arkansas Highway 16 just southeast of Fayetteville, sitting right where the flat Fayetteville valley starts to fold up into the Ozarks. Two tributaries of the White River run through it, the Ozark National Forest begins not far to the east, and the highway through town is the northern gateway to the famous Pig Trail scenic drive. Here’s your guide to visiting Elkins: what’s nearby, a little history, and how to get there.
Elkins is largely a residential town rather than a tourist destination in its own right, but its position on the edge of the mountains makes it a natural jumping-off point for White River paddling, national-forest driving, and one of Northwest Arkansas’s most beloved roadside art stops.
Things to do in and around Elkins
Gateway to the Pig Trail and the Ozark National Forest
Highway 16 through Elkins is the start of the drive toward the Pig Trail — the twisting, tree-tunneled run of Highway 23 through the Ozark National Forest that’s a bucket-list route for motorcyclists and fall-color leaf-peepers. Head east from town and the farmland quickly gives way to forested ridges, the Ozark National Forest, and access points for the Ozark Highlands Trail. It’s a place to gas up and point the car uphill.
The White River tributaries
Two forks of the upper White River flow through the Elkins area, and this stretch of river has long been used for canoeing, fishing, and summer swimming. The historic one-lane White River Bridge nearby is a local landmark. This is the free-flowing upper river well above Beaver Lake, so conditions swing with the season and rainfall — check flow before you plan a float, and know that access here is informal rather than a developed park.
Terra Studios
Just outside Elkins toward Durham sits Terra Studios, the art park and glass studio where the original “Bluebird of Happiness” glass figurine is made. The grounds are a whimsical, walkable sculpture garden with mosaics, fairy houses, and ponds — a fun, low-cost family stop. Hours and studio demonstrations vary, so check ahead before you drive out.
A quick history of Elkins
People have lived in this valley for a very long time: the area holds the Elkins Mounds, a Mississippian Period archaeological complex (it is not a public attraction). Settlers such as the Boone family arrived around 1830, and the town grew after the railroad pushed through in the late 1880s, supporting lumber and railroad-tie operations. A post office opened as Hood in 1885 and was renamed Elkins in 1889. The modern town was incorporated on February 19, 1964, joining the older Harris and Hood communities, and has grown to about 3,600 residents. A one-lane bridge on Mount Olive Road near town was even used as a setting in the 1982 TV miniseries The Blue and the Gray.
Where to eat, drink, and stay
Elkins has a few everyday eateries, but for a full range of restaurants, breweries, and hotels you’re only about 15 minutes from Fayetteville. For where to eat and drink nearby, browse our sister sites NWA Food and NWA Brew, or explore our full guides to Fayetteville and Springdale.
Location & getting there
- Where: Washington County, on Arkansas Highway 16 southeast of Fayetteville.
- County: Washington County.
- Nearby cities: about 15 minutes to Fayetteville, roughly 25–30 to Springdale.
- From the airport: roughly 45–55 minutes from Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA).
- Gateway to: the Pig Trail (Highway 23) and the Ozark National Forest, east of town.
Elkins FAQ
What is Elkins, Arkansas known for?
Elkins is known as a small town on the eastern edge of Fayetteville that serves as a gateway to the Pig Trail scenic drive and the Ozark National Forest. Two tributaries of the White River run through it, and Terra Studios, the home of the glass Bluebird of Happiness, sits just outside town.
What is there to do in Elkins?
Elkins is more a jumping-off point than a destination. From town you can start the drive up the Pig Trail into the Ozark National Forest, paddle or fish the upper White River tributaries when flows allow, and visit the Terra Studios art park just toward Durham.
Is Terra Studios in Elkins?
Terra Studios sits just outside Elkins on the road toward Durham, southeast of Fayetteville. It is an art park and glass studio where the original Bluebird of Happiness figurine is made, with a walkable sculpture garden. Hours vary, so check ahead before visiting.
How far is Elkins from Fayetteville?
Elkins is about 15 minutes southeast of Fayetteville on Arkansas Highway 16, and roughly 45 to 55 minutes from Northwest Arkansas National Airport.
Explore more of Northwest Arkansas
Elkins is where Northwest Arkansas meets the Ozarks. Keep exploring with our guides to Fayetteville, Springdale, and the Northwest Arkansas outdoors, or head back to the WeKnowNWA home page to browse every town.