Major city · United States
Paris, ArkansasParis
One night, two at most: use Paris as a cheap bed for Mount Magazine and the Ouachita byways, not as a town to sightsee.
Paris is the Logan County seat in the Ouachita Mountains, population about 3,500, and the closest town of any size to Mount Magazine, Arkansas's highest point at 2,753 ft. The town itself is a short stop — a small Eiffel Tower replica downtown and a jail museum — while the real draw is the state park and the AR 309 scenic drive. Most travellers sleep one night here, or two if they want a full day on the mountain.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), ice in Jan–Feb
- Airports
- FSM · LIT
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Paris, Arkansas911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Paris, Arkansas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetySmall-town safe; the real risks are rural driving — deer, curves on AR 309 and no phone signal on the mountain.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFSM Fort Smith Regional (About 1 h 15 min by car; the nearest airport with scheduled service).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, one personTip 18–22% on top.$15–28
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$8–14
- Budget bedTown motel double room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedTown motel double room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedTown motel double room, a night, per roomUS$160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FSM Fort Smith Regional (About 1 h 15 min by car; the nearest airport with scheduled service) · LIT Bill and Hillary Clinton National (Little Rock) (About 2 h by car; more flights and often cheaper)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Jan (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Paris, Arkansas: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. There is no useful public transport in Logan County; AR 309 climbs from Paris to Mount Magazine in about 20–25 min. Fuel up in Paris before heading up — services on the mountain are limited.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Magazine State Park
goDoor to door: About 25–35 min
Drive AR 309 north from Paris
Arkansas's highest point; trails, overlooks and hang-gliding launch.
Cove Lake Recreation Area
goDoor to door: About 20–25 min
Drive south-east from Paris
Boating and swimming; a half-day in warm weather.
Mena, Arkansas
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive US 71 south
Talimena Scenic Drive country; better as its own stop.
Arkadelphia, Arkansas
skipDoor to door: About 2 h 30 min
Drive AR 309 and US 70 south-east
Too far for a comfortable return day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Paris town centre
Small motels and short-term rentals near the courthouse square; cheapest beds and a 20–30 min drive to the mountain.
Mount Magazine State Park
Lodge rooms and cabins inside the park; book weeks ahead for autumn weekends.
Cove Lake Recreation Area
Campground on the mountain side, about 15 min from Paris; basic sites, bring supplies.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Town motel double room1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 | US$70 |
| Fuel, about 100 km of local driving1 × US$12 | US$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$46 |
| Trip total≈ US$254 per person per day, bed included | US$508 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices shown before sales tax. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Diner breakfast | $8–14 |
| Lunch, burger or sandwich | $10–16 |
| Sit-down dinner, one personTip 18–22% on top. | $15–28 |
| State park lodge buffetcheck | $18–30 |
| Gallon of fuelcheck | $3–3.60 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances are long and phone signal drops on the mountain roads.
- Deer on the road at dawn and dusk, especially on AR 309.
- Summer heat and humidity: carry water on any trail.
- Park lodge and cabins sell out on autumn weekends and holidays — book ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Paris, ArkansasParis
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in Paris; nearest are in Little Rock or Dallas. US emergencies: 911.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fort Smith airport → Paris by car: about 1 h 15 min, roughly 100 km (62 mi) (check)about 1 h 15 min, roughly 62 mi (100 km) (check)
- Little Rock airport → Paris by car: about 2 h, roughly 190 km (118 mi) (check)about 2 h, roughly 118 mi (190 km) (check)
- Paris → Mount Magazine summit: about 20–25 min on AR 309
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is there fuel nearby? — Is there fuel nearby?
- How far to Mount Magazine? — How far to Mount Magazine?
Cell coverage is patchy on AR 309 and inside the park.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Paris, Arkansas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), ice in Jan–Feb · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares