Take a step into the past with a visit to the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, Arkansas. You'll be treated to an old-fashioned way of life that was retained well into the 20th century. The center celebrates these traditions in a state park designated specifically to preserving the culture of the early pioneers in the Ozark Mountains.

Old-time music and dance performances are a staple on the grounds, where you're likely to hear an assortment of foot-stomping folk tunes played on fiddles, banjos, autoharps, dulcimers, and other instruments throughout the day. Special evening concerts are held in an indoor hall and feature the kind of traditional music and dance that have been popular for decades in this part of the United States.

Ozark Folk Center
Children will love exploring pioneer artifacts at the Ozark Folk Center.

Craftspeople work throughout the park in little cottages, where they make such household goods as soap, quilts, brooms, and barrels. Many of the items are for sale.

The park's Young Pioneers Program introduces visiting children to the life of a child growing up in the Ozarks. They can learn a variety of pioneer skills, such as making pinch pottery and beeswax candles, carving an apple-head doll, and learning to make and write with a feather quill pen.

Ozark Folk Centerstate Park Information

Address: AR-382 and Veterans Dr., Mountain View, AR
Telephone: 870/269-3851
Hours of Operation:

  • Craft Village: April-Sept., 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
  • Music Theater: April-Sept. (Wed.-Sat.), 10:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Admission: Adults, $15.50; children, $8.25

To learn more about family vacation destinations, see:

  • Family Vacations: Learn about hundreds of family vacations in destinations all over North America.
  • Arkansas State Guide: Learn about Mobil Travel Guide-rated hotels and restaurants in Arkansas, as well as other recreational activities.
  • Scenic Drives: For those who think that getting there is half the fun, we have compiled more than 100 of the most scenic drives throughout the country.