Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Magnolia, AR

  • Published 2023/03/09

The city of Magnolia serves as the county seat of Columbia County in southwestern Arkansas.

It was established in 1853 and got its name from the southern magnolia, also known as Magnolia grandiflora, a plant indigenous to Arkansas.

The city hosts the Magnolia Blossom Festival, which includes the World Championship Steak Cookoff.

It rose to prominence as a cotton and farm processing center.

However, its economy shifted once the neighboring Buckner oil field was discovered in 1938.

Magnolia is a great destination thanks to its abundance of parks, artworks, lakes, and other natural attractions.

Here are the best things to do in Magnolia, Arkansas:

See the Magnolia Murals

The Magnolia Murals are just one of many works of art in Magnolia, Arkansas.

Six murals make up Magnolia Murals, and each covers an entire section of the building’s external wall.

Each of these colorful murals reflects different parts of Magnolia’s past.

The murals tell the story of the city’s history through the eyes of its citizens.

For example, one of these murals combines scenes from movies made in different decades.

It is also the only mural autographed by screen icon Charlton Heston himself.

Explore the Magnolia Murals to find out more about its vibrant history.

The murals can be found on E Main Street in Magnolia, Arkansas.

Take a Hike at Logoly State Park

Logoly State Park is Arkansas’s first state park dedicated to environmental education.

Most of Logoly’s 370 acres are protected as a state natural area where rare flora and mineral springs can be found.

The park has several trails, a bathhouse with hot showers, a pavilion, picnic areas, and a playground.

The park’s natural features can serve as a real-world classroom for curious minds.

This park, encircled by old-growth forests, is an excellent destination for a day trip from nearby cities.

Admission to an Arkansas state park is free; however, some attractions may have an additional cost.

Hiking, mountain biking, picnics, and boating are free activities in the park.

Join fun interactive exhibits at the park’s modern visitor center.

Visit the park at Columbia Rd. 47, Magnolia, Arkansas.

Explore the South Arkansas Heritage Museum

Magnolia, Arkansas, is home to the South Arkansas Heritage Museum (SAHM), which showcases the region’s history and culture.

South Arkansas Heritage Museum serves as an archive and repository for artifacts documenting the history and culture of the area in print and visual forms.

The museum is located on West Main Street in the donated Longino home.

The museum preserves and displays the rich cultural history of southern Arkansas.

Donations from the museum’s founder and patrons make up most of the collection, focusing on tools used by laborers, craftspeople, and artists.

The museum also has displays of textile arts, handmade goods, and items from traditional jobs and hobbies in southern Arkansas.

In addition to photographs and documents, the collection also includes a fire truck from 1948.

The museum’s upper level is used for offices and storage, while the ground floor is where visitors can see the collections.

Play a Round of Golf at Magnolia Country Club

Magnolia Country Club is a popular destination for locals and tourists who want to play golf.

In addition to its 18-hole championship course, the Magnolia Country Club also features a practice facility with nine holes, a swimming pool, and a restaurant.

Golfers of all ability levels will enjoy the stunning scenery and exciting play at Magnolia Country Club.

The fairways and greens of Magnolia Country Club are always in fantastic condition, which significantly contributes to the course’s reputation for being both challenging and friendly.

The fairways and greens at Magnolia Country Club are always in pristine condition.

Its well-maintained fairways and greens make for a challenging yet welcoming round, and the helpful staff can show you the ropes.

If you and your pals are ever in the Magnolia area, the Magnolia Country Club is an excellent choice for golf.

Visit Magnolia RV Park

The Magnolia RV Park is a 12-acre facility with 6.5 maintained and 5.5 forested acres in Magnolia, Arkansas.

Magnolia RV Park is a year-round destination that welcomes guests for nightly, weekly, or monthly stays.

There are 34 sites available with full hookups: 11 are pull-throughs, two are pond-front pull-throughs, and the remaining 21 are back-ins.

Magnolia RV Park is a great place to stay for both small Pop-Up campers and big rigs up to 45 feet in length.

Each site has 50/30/20-amp power, water, sewer, and free Wi-Fi.

The 1.5-acre fishing pond at Magnolia RV Park is home to different fish species, such as catfish, bass, brim, and even the occasional turtle.

Guests are welcome to fish in the pond, and their catches may be kept occasionally.

There are a variety of chairs to sit on all around the pond, as well as a pavilion with four picnic tables and a horseshoe pit for recreational activities.

Their clubhouse has two clean handicapped showers, restrooms, coin-operated washers and dryers, and entertainment.

Enjoy Football at Wilkins Stadium at Rip Powell Field

Join the crowd as they cheer on their home team at Wilkins Stadium at Rip Powell Field.

Wilkins Stadium is a football-only venue that can hold up to 6,000 fans.

It has a press box, ticket booths, and a refreshment stand in the south end zone.

The Muleriders’ football team has played at Wilkins Stadium since 1949.

The Southern Arkansas Muleriders play in NCAA Division II for Southern Arkansas University.

The stadium bears Colonel Charles S. Wilkins’ name, one of the previous presidents of Magnolia A&M.

Wilkins Stadium’s playing field was officially renamed “Rip Powell Field” in honor of the late, great Raymond “Rip” Powell on September 19, 2015.

You’ll feel right at home here as residents gather to cheer on the local football team, marching band, and cheerleading squad.

The stadium is located at E University St, Magnolia, Arkansas.

Explore Cecil Traylor Wilson Garden

The Cecil Traylor Wilson Garden has a beautiful garden area with fountains and seating spots open to the public.

The garden takes up almost an entire city block and is located just a short distance from the courthouse.

Winston T. Wilson made this memorial for his mom and eventually donated it to the city in 2005.

The garden combines numerous proposals made by students in a landscape architecture course at Texas A&M University.

Cecil Traylor Wilson Garden is the neighborhood’s largest and most comprehensive public urban garden.

There is a meditation garden, flower and plant beds overflowing with local and exotic species, and a pergola covered in climbing vines and winding trails.

In addition, it has curving seats arranged around a water feature that could serve as a little amphitheater.

Photographers and those looking for a serene setting for a wedding have also found this garden a welcome retreat.

Relax and enjoy the magnificent views when you visit the Cecil Traylor Wilson Garden at S Washington St, Magnolia, Arkansas.

Have a Picnic at East Side Park

The East Side park spans twenty acres and features a variety of recreational amenities, such as a vast playground, picnic tables, and courts for volleyball, basketball, and baseball.

The friendly and secure atmosphere of the 1/4-mile walking track makes it an ideal place to get some much-needed exercise.

This trail is considered easy because of the minimal elevation rise.

The park is one of the most popular in the area due to its size, facilities, and kid-friendliness.

You and your friends can relax at the picnic tables and watch the events in the park.

There’s a lovely wooded area where you can eat lunch and have some quiet time.

The large slide and the accompanying sandbox will indeed be hit with kids.

East Side Park is at Hollensworth St, Magnolia, Arkansas.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Catch Fish at Lake Columbia

You can’t find a better place to spend some time fishing than Lake Columbia.

It’s a popular spot for anglers and campers because it’s one of the biggest impoundments in the region.

Beech Creek was impounded by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) to create the 3,000-acre Lake Columbia, located about six miles outside Magnolia.

Nearly half of the lake is surrounded by a flooded forest, which provides ideal habitat for several fish species, including bluegills, channel catfish, and bluegills.

AGFC has built three concrete boat ramps for Lake Columbia.

Two have boat docks and fishing piers that people with disabilities can use.

The western half of the lake is off-limits to fishermen but open to pleasure boaters and water sport enthusiasts.

Enjoy a day of fishing and other water activities when you visit the lake at Columbia Rd 53, Waldo, Arkansas, 16 minutes from Magnolia.

Visit the Louisiana Whitetails

Check out Louisiana Whitetails for an unforgettable adventure.

It delivers the ideal hunting conditions to fulfill every hunter’s dream.

Likewise, it has everything you need for a challenging yet rewarding hunting trip.

The forest has a variety of habitats, including old-growth pine, hardwood, small lakes, and canals that helps animals thrive in the wild.

It is also perfect for hunting exotic trophy animals.

Each hunter partners with an expert guide committed to helping clients achieve their goals.

They will work diligently by your side as you try to bring home the trophy of your dreams.

You can customize the hunt packages from Louisiana Whitetails to meet your specific requirements.

Find them at Springhill, Louisiana, 36 minutes from Magnolia.

Play a Round of Golf at Mystic Creek Golf Club

Mystic Creek Golf Club is tucked away amid the cathedral pines of southern Arkansas.

The Mystic Creek Golf Club opened its doors to the public in May 2013.

Kenneth Dye Jr. designed the 18-hole golf course, which is widely regarded as one of the best golf courses in the state.

The course quickly gained popularity and was named one of Golf Digest’s “Best New Courses” shortly after it opened.

The 7,492-yard, par-72 course winds through the rolling forests of central Arkansas.

The Duck Commander NCAA Intercollegiate Championship and the Symetra Tour’s Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout are held at this venue.

There are open fairways, spectacular bunkering around the greens, and greens that even pros will love to play on.

Check out Mystic Creek if you’re looking for a club to join in the Magnolia and El Dorado areas.

They are located at Club House Dr, El Dorado, Arkansas, 38 minutes from Magnolia.

See the Latest Movie at Stars Theater

The state-of-the-art digital projection equipment at Stars Theater makes moviegoing a pleasure.

The theater has a variety of comfortable seats, such as rockers with high backs and stadium seats, so you can sit back and enjoy the latest movies (including 3D ones).

In some theaters, they use full digital projection with 3D.

Take a seat in one of the high-back rocking seats, with a fold-down armrest and a place to store your drink.

Parking is not a problem, and there are adjacent eateries.

Enjoy a night of popcorn, movies, and relaxation.

The theater is located at W Hillsboro St, El Dorado, Arkansas, 37 minutes from Magnolia.

Have a Picnic at Mattocks Park

Mattocks Park is a lovely piece of greenery in El Dorado, 40 minutes from Magnolia.

The park has a beautiful lake, which draws a lot of fishing enthusiasts.

Mattocks Park offers a beautiful setting making it a great place to host community gatherings and other special events.

It features a running track, playground equipment, and a fishing pond.

It also has a nice playground with plenty of room for kids to run around and play.

Enjoy a picnic with friends and family while enjoying the park’s scenic vistas.

The park is at Detroit and E Sharp St., El Dorado, Arkansas.

Stay at Lake Columbia RV Park

The Lake Columbia RV Park is an excellent spot for a relaxing family vacation.

The park’s management is top-notch, so you can rest assured that your experience there will be pleasant.

There are numerous picturesque coastline fishing spots and a bathing area with adjoining picnic tables.

A lovely handmade barbecue is available at every picnic spot and camper.

The lake and its surrounding trees provide a pleasant and restful environment.

The park also features beautiful sunsets and a pleasant atmosphere for walking or riding bikes.

Lake Columbia RV Park is a great place to stay if you happen to be in the Magnolia and Waldo neighborhoods.

The park is located at Columbia Rd 53, Waldo, Arkansas, 13 minutes from Magnolia.

Spend the Day Fishing at Cummings Camp

Cummings Camp is an excellent location for camping, fishing, relaxing, and getting away from the stresses of daily life.

Spend a relaxing weekend or week fishing with your loved ones.

Each of their cabins features a fully-equipped kitchen stocked with utensils, cookware, table linens, bath towels, toilet paper, paper towels, and coffee makers.

Don’t forget to stop by the bait shop for all your fishing necessities, whether you’re searching for fresh bait, ice, beverages, or even just a few essentials to get you through the day.

They are located at County Road 215, Taylor, Arkansas, 33 minutes from Magnolia.

Final Thoughts

Magnolia is a great place to go if you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or a fun weekend getaway with family and friends.

The city also has a variety of eateries and stores to meet the needs of its residents and visitors.

Enjoy the best things to do in Magnolia, Arkansas.

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