Fall in Northwest Arkansas | Your Ultimate NWA Fall Bucket List
There’s something special about fall in Northwest Arkansas.
The mornings are crisp, the hills turn golden, and every square hums with local music, warm lattes, and community.
At Buffington Homes, we don’t just build houses — we build a life you’ll love right here in the heart of NWA. And when autumn rolls around, this place feels like pure magic.
So here it is — your official NWA Fall Bucket List, filled with local favorites, hidden gems, and cozy ways to make the most of the season.
Explore the best things to do this fall in Northwest Arkansas — from coffee shops and craft fairs to pumpkin patches, parks, and scenic drives across Bentonville, Rogers, Fayetteville, and Springdale.
Enjoy the beauty of Northwest Arkansas by taking a scenic fall drive.
Hit Highway 12, Highway 71, or the rolling roads around Beaver Lake for some of the best fall foliage in the Ozarks. Stop at a scenic overlook, sip cider from a thermos, and take in those sunset colors.
NWA trails fall colors in Bentonville.
Fall turns Northwest Arkansas trails into glowing tunnels of color. Make sure to swing by these favorite trails for the best Fall views.
Coler Mountain Bike Preserve (Bentonville)
The Razorback Greenway (Bella Vista to Fayetteville)
Osage Park and Orchards Park (Bentonville)
Lake Atalanta Trails (Rogers)
Here are a few of our pumpkin patches in Northwest Arkansas.
It’s not fall without pumpkins, hayrides, and hot donuts. Make a weekend of it — here are the best local spots to visit:
McGarrah Farms – Pea Ridge
Rivercrest Orchard – Fayetteville
Farmland Adventures – Springdale
In The Pines Pumpkin Patch – Hindsville
Turnbuckle Farm – Bentonville
Tips for your visit:
Go early, wear layers, and check each farm’s social page for hours and weather updates.
When sweater weather hits, there’s no better place to start your day than with a warm latte and a local view. From open-air coffee spots in Bentonville to cozy Fayetteville roasters, Northwest Arkansas knows how to do coffee right. There’s nothing like a fall morning with a warm mug in hand. Try one of these local gems:
Onyx Coffee Lab — Multiple award-winning locations across NWA, including downtown Bentonville and their flagship roastery in Rogers.
→ @onyxcoffeelab
Airship Coffee at Coler — Tucked in the woods of Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, this open-air café is an NWA favorite for coffee + trail vibes.
→ @airshipcoffee
Confident Coffee Roasters — Specialty coffee roasted right in Rogers with a cozy, modern café and a mission to empower women in coffee.
→ @confidentcoffee
Calmo Coffee — A calm, minimalist café in Rogers serving beautifully crafted espresso and matcha drinks. Perfect for a slow morning.
Reverie Coffee & Teahouse — Rogers’ cozy hidden gem with specialty teas, lattes, and homemade pastries.
→ @reveriecoffeetea
Vagabond Coffee Bar — A vintage mobile coffee van based in Bella Vista but often parked around Bentonville’s events, trails, and farmers markets. Find them for espresso drinks, seasonal specials, and cozy community vibes.
→ @vagabond.coffee.bar
Arsaga’s Coffee Roasters — A Fayetteville favorite since 1992. Visit their Mill District or Church & Center cafés for strong coffee, cozy corners, and community.
→ @arsagascoffeeroasters
Puritan Coffee & Beer — A local hotspot that transitions from espresso bar to craft beer lounge. Grab a cappuccino in the morning or cider at night.
→ @puritancoffee
Little Bread Company — A downtown bakery and café with warm pastries, espresso, and that nostalgic Fayetteville charm.
→ @littlebreadco
Pressed Coffee + Bar — A modern café in downtown Fayetteville with seasonal drinks, light bites, and artful energy.
It is hard to beat the Northwest Arkansas downtown squares in the fall! Bentonville, Rogers, Fayetteville, Johnson and Springdale.
Each city square in NWA shines in its own way — especially in autumn:
Bentonville Square: Saturday Farmers Market, food trucks, and live music. Walk to Crystal Bridges for fall colors afterward.
Fayetteville Square: Home to Falltoberfest and the Farmers Market, plus the most colorful tree canopy in town.
Rogers Railyard District: Local boutiques, murals, and concerts at Butterfield Stage.
Springdale’s Shiloh Square: Family festivals, food trucks, and community gatherings galore.
A few of the best Northwest Arkansas family-friendly parks
Northwest Arkansas parks were made for fall days. Here are our top picks:
Shaw Family Park (Springdale / Elm Springs): 120 acres with trails, splash pad, and open fields.
Orchards Park (Bentonville): Great for family photos and sunset picnics near Crystal Bridges.
Lake Atalanta Park (Rogers): Lakeside trails, picnic shelters, and plenty of leaf-crunching walks.
Wilson Park (Fayetteville): Iconic castle playground, bridges, and tree-canopied trails — Fayetteville nostalgia at its best.
Great fall festivals, Northwest Arkansas 2025
Don’t miss these fun fall events starting this weekend.
War Eagle Craft Fair – Oct 16–19
It’s Fall Y’all Craft Fair – Oct 16–19 (Bentonville)
Ozark Regional Arts & Crafts Festival – Oct 17–18 (Springdale)
Wishing Spring’s Craft Fair – Bella Vista
Downtown Fayetteville Falltoberfest – mid-October
Live at the Five & Dime (Bentonville)
Butterfield Stage concerts (Rogers)
Cool temps, quiet trails, and lake views — fall is the perfect time to explore Hobbs State Park near Rogers. Try Shaddox Hollow Trail or Pigeon Roost Loop. End your day with a drive to Prairie Creek Marina or Horseshoe Bend. The reflection of the leaves on the lake is nothing short of breathtaking.
Toast to the season with local favorites:
Black Apple Hard Cider (Springdale)
Tontitown Winery (Tontitown)
Bike Rack Brewing Co. (Bentonville)
Natural State Beer Co. (Rogers)
Fall in Northwest Arkansas has a way of slowing things down and reminding us why we love living here.
It’s the morning coffee runs and weekend markets, the trails that slow your pace, and the familiar faces that make a new town feel like home.
At Buffington Homes, we’re honored to build in communities that reflect that same spirit — spaces where families grow, neighbors connect, and every season feels a little sweeter.
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