Discover Conway
30 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Petit Jean State Park
Petit Jean State Park offers dramatic sandstone bluffs, Cedar Falls, overlooks (Hurricane, Petit Jean), winding forest trails, and the historic Mather Lodge — ideal for waterfall, autumn foliage, and panoramic ridge shots. Best at golden hour or blue hour for warm light on cliffs; fall and late spring peak colors. Park open year-round; main parking at visitor center and trailheads; some viewpoints require short hikes or steep steps. Weekdays/early mornings reduce crowds.
Rock House Cave Trailhead
Rock House Cave Trailhead leads to a sandstone overhang and shallow cave set into forested bluffs — ideal for textured rock, layered compositions, and intimate landscape frames. Best light is low-angle golden hour or shaded midday for even cave detail. Trail is a short to moderate hike from roadside parking; wear grippy shoes, bring a headlamp for interiors, and expect occasional mud after rain. Weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds. Respect fragile rock and any cultural artifacts.
Cedar Falls Overlook
Cedar Falls Overlook on Petit Jean Mountain frames a dramatic waterfall and forested canyon — ideal for wide landscape and intimate waterscape shots. Visit at sunrise or late afternoon for warm side lighting; after rain for higher flow. The overlook is a short, moderately easy walk from the parking area inside Petit Jean State Park (park entry/parking fees may apply). Trails can be slippery; check park hours and seasonal access. Autumn offers vibrant foliage; winter can add ice formations.
Electric Alley
Electric Alley is a lively mural-lined laneway in downtown Conway offering colorful street art, neon accents and textured surfaces ideal for detail shots, wide-angle murals and environmental portraits. Best visits: golden hour and blue hour for rich colors and neon contrast. Accessible on foot from central parking; no entry fee. Weekdays are quieter; watch for local events that add dynamic subjects.
Stouts Point
Stouts Point is a bluff-side overlook offering wide vistas of rolling Ozark foothills and nearby waterways — ideal for panoramic landscapes, layered ridgelines, and dramatic skies. Best light is at sunrise and sunset; weekdays and early mornings avoid local visitors. Access is via a short roadside pullout and footpath; parking is limited but free. No permits normally required; pack water and sturdy shoes. Seasonal foliage and stormy skies add mood and variety.
Rock House Cave
Rock House Cave is a shallow sandstone bluff shelter with textured walls, alcoves and a dramatic mouth that frames the surrounding forest and sky. Shoot wide-angle interiors to capture the cave’s sweep and use the entrance as a natural frame for sunrise/sunset color. The site is roadside with a short walk from parking; visit golden hour for warm side-lighting and minimal visitors. Respect the site—no climbing or leaving graffiti. Weather affects colors; wet stone deepens tones.
Bear Cave Trail
Bear Cave Trail at Petit Jean Mountain offers a short, steep walk to a sheltered sandstone overhang, seasonal seep waterfalls, mossy ledges and forested views — ideal for intimate landscape and nature shots. Best light is soft morning or late-afternoon; visit after rain for stronger water flow. Trail is moderately strenuous with uneven steps; limited parking at the trailhead in Petit Jean State Park. No special permits for casual photography, but follow park rules and respect fragile rock and植物.
Seven Hollows Trailhead
Trailhead for rugged canyons, rocky hollows, seasonal cascades and mixed hardwood/cedar forest on Petit Jean Mountain. Photographers find dramatic cliffs, layered rock textures and intimate creek scenes — best light at sunrise or late afternoon; after rain for waterfalls. Moderate footing; trailhead parking off Petit Jean Mountain Rd. No special permit beyond park entry; expect narrow, uneven trails and variable phone signal. Fall offers peak color and softer light.
Petit Jean Grave Site
Small historic gravesite on Petit Jean Mountain set in mixed hardwood forest with signage and a simple headstone — evocative for intimate historic and landscape frames. Best at golden hour or overcast days for even light; fall brings vivid foliage. Easy roadside parking and a short walk; no entry fee. Respect the site and local legend of 'Petit Jean.' Weekdays and early morning reduce visitors.
Hendrix Creek Preserve
Small preserve featuring meandering Hendrix Creek, wooded wetlands, boardwalks and seasonal wildflowers—great for intimate creek scenes, reflections, birdlife and close-up nature studies. Best at golden hours or after rain for strong reflections; spring and fall offer color and active birds. Easy trail access and roadside parking in Conway; no permit typically required. Trails can be muddy—bring waterproof shoes and protect gear from humidity.
Legacy Gardens - Faulkner County Master Gardeners
Small, volunteer-run demonstration gardens showcasing native plants, seasonal flower beds and pollinator-friendly plantings. Photographers can capture intimate floral close-ups, layered garden compositions and paths framed by blooms. Best visited in spring and early fall for peak color; golden hour and overcast days give soft, flattering light. Free public access with nearby parking at the extension office; paths are compact and largely walkable — expect modest crowds on weekends.
Museum of Automobiles
Small regional museum showcasing restored classic and antique automobiles, period signage and museum displays — ideal for detail shots of chrome, interiors, badges and curated compositions that juxtapose cars with vintage advertising. Best visited weekday mornings for low crowds; golden hour works for exterior shots. Indoor lighting is mixed—expect display lamps and reflections. On-site parking is available; confirm current hours and any flash/tripod restrictions before visiting. Accessible walk
City of Colleges Park
Small lakeside park with wetlands, walking trails, boardwalks and open lawns — good for reflective waterscapes, tree-lined compositions and casual wildlife (waterfowl). Easy roadside parking and level paths make it accessible; no entry fee. Visit at golden hour for warm light and calm water; weekday mornings have fewer visitors and more bird activity. Summer can be hot; spring and fall offer best foliage and migrating birds.
Tucker Creek Trail: Bainbridge Park Trailhead
A quiet wooded creek trail with shaded footpaths, small bridges and riffles ideal for intimate nature and waterscape shots. Best at golden hour or after rain for reflections and saturated greens; spring and fall offer seasonal color. Trailhead has roadside parking at Bainbridge Park; no permit required. Easy to moderate access—sturdy shoes recommended. Weekday mornings have the fewest visitors.
Stone Dam Creek Trail: Mimosa Drive Trailhead
Stone Dam Creek Trail (Mimosa Dr Trailhead) is a short, wooded creek-side trail ideal for intimate nature and waterscape photos—small cascades, mossy rocks, reflections, seasonal wildflowers and vivid fall foliage. Best at golden hour or after rain when the creek runs higher; easy access with roadside parking on Mimosa Dr, no fee, moderate stroller-friendly paths in places; expect bugs in summer. Weekday mornings offer solitude and soft light.
“Firefighter” Mural
Bold, large-scale mural honoring firefighters on a street-facing wall — excellent for color, texture and storytelling shots. Easily reachable from downtown Conway with curbside parking; no entry fee. Best visited at golden hour for warm side-lighting or on overcast days for even color rendition. Weekday mornings are quieter; evenings with streetlights can add drama. Respect the neighborhood and any nearby businesses.
Showcase Of The South Fields
Open event fields and manicured turf at Showcase of the South offer wide, clean compositions: panoramic fields, goalposts, event tents and dramatic skies at sunrise/sunset. Best at golden hour for warm side light and long shadows; weekday mornings are quieter. Easy roadside parking on John W Allison Rd; check event schedule for access and permission during private tournaments. Flat terrain makes tripod and panorama stitching easy.
Major A Yard Games & Inflatables
A local party rental site of bright inflatable slides, bounce houses and yard games—great for candid action shots, colorful detail portraits and event coverage. Best visited during weekend parties for dynamic scenes; weekdays or early mornings for scouting and quiet setups. Daylight brings vivid colors; golden hour softens faces. Property is commercial—ask staff for permission to shoot; ample on-site parking. Expect children, so follow safety/consent rules.
Cherokee Park
Small community park with mature trees, winding trails and a creek — good for intimate landscape, seasonal color and low-key nature/wildlife shots. Best at golden hour and early misty mornings; autumn offers peak foliage. Easy drive-up access and free parking at 1 Quincy Dr; no formal entry fee. Weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds. Expect uneven trails and some shaded light under the canopy.
Conway Community Center
Modern riverfront community center with clean architectural lines, glass facades and a boardwalk on the Conway River—offers reflections, event interiors and casual urban-waterfront scenes. Best at golden hour or blue hour for glass and water reflections; weekday mornings are quieter. Free parking nearby; public access usually open but special events may restrict areas. ADA accessible. Good for architectural detail, people-in-place environmental shots, and long exposures of the river.
Faulkner County Museum
Small local history museum in a historic downtown Conway building—good for photographing period architecture, curated exhibits, vintage signage, textiles, and close-up artifact details. Best light on the exterior during golden hour; interiors are dim so visit mid-morning on weekdays for fewer visitors. Street parking on Locust St; check museum hours and ask staff about tripod/flash policies. Offers a compact, authentic look at Faulkner County history and community artifacts.
5th Ave. Park
Small community park on 5th Ave offering tree-lined paths, lawns, a playground and seasonal foliage—good for environmental portraits, lifestyle shots of families, and intimate nature compositions. Best light is golden hour (sunrise/sunset) for warm tones; spring and fall bring strongest color. Easy street parking, free entry, wheelchair-accessible paths in parts. Weekdays are quieter; weekends host local gatherings.
Simon Park
Small riverfront park on Conway’s Front Street with tree-lined paths, a pavilion, benches and views over the Arkansas River. Good for intimate landscape and waterscape shots, seasonal foliage, reflections and casual portraiture. Best at golden hour for warm side-light and at blue hour for river reflections; weekday mornings are quieter. Easy street parking nearby, wheelchair-accessible paths in parts of the park. No entry fee; respect local anglers and picnickers.
Martin Luther King Jr. Square
A civic square honoring Martin Luther King Jr., featuring memorials, plaques, benches and nearby historic buildings—good for intimate portraiture of monuments, contextual street scenes, and detail shots of inscriptions. Visit golden hour or blue hour for warm light and dramatic skies; weekdays and early mornings are quieter. Street parking and public sidewalks on Markham St provide easy access; the site is open with no entry fee and is ADA accessible. Cultural context: an important local civil‑r
Curtis Walker Park
A compact community park in Conway with open lawns, mature shade trees and small wetland pockets—good for intimate landscape, seasonal color and local birdlife. Easy on‑street or small lot parking, no entry fee. Best at golden hour or early morning for soft light and low crowds; autumn brings richer tones. Accessible paths make it suitable for handheld or tripod shooting; expect typical park activity on weekends.
Bainbridge Park
Small community park in Conway offering open lawns, mature trees and a riverside/pond edge for reflections — good for intimate landscapes, seasonal foliage and candid outdoor portraits. Best at golden hour or after rain for saturated colors and reflections. Easily accessible by car with on-site parking; no entry fee. Weekday mornings are quieter; summers can be hot, spring and fall offer best color and comfortable light.
Labyrinth
A contemplative stone/path labyrinth on the Hendrix College grounds—compact, geometric and ideal for abstract, top-down and leading-line compositions. Visit golden hour for warm side light or after rain for richer textures; overcast works for moody, even illumination. Public campus site with free access; use campus parking and respect students and quiet rules. No formal entry fee; check campus map for exact location and avoid busy class-change times.
Conway Family Bowl
Small-town bowling alley with neon signage, glossy lanes and candid human activity—great for Americana interiors, neon-lit night scenes and dynamic action shots. Best visited at evening for neon and mood, and on weekday afternoons for quieter interiors. Accessible street parking; check with staff for permission to shoot and bring a compact tripod. Expect mixed lighting from overhead fluorescents and lane lights—embrace the retro atmosphere.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
Indoor trampoline and adventure park offering dynamic action shots of jumpers, foam pits, climbing walls and obstacle courses. Photograph energetic moments, facial expressions and wide interior architecture. Best visited weekday mornings or early afternoons to avoid crowds; lighting is mixed fluorescent—bring fast glass and prepare for high ISO. Facility requires signed waivers and non-slip socks; free parking at the strip mall. Great for capturing candid family fun and high-energy motion.
Space Walk of Conway
Indoor family entertainment center with colorful inflatable structures, play zones and party rooms—good for lively, high-contrast action and detail shots of textures and kids at play. Best visited on weekday mornings or off-peak afternoons for fewer crowds. Lighting is mixed fluorescent — bring fast glass or high-ISO capability. Free parking on site; entry/waiver required for children and parties. Ask staff/parents for permission before photographing minors.