Arkansas, the “Natural State,” offers more than just epic wilderness and southern charm—it’s also home to some of the most intriguing and quietly resilient Amish communities in the South. While small in number, these settlements are packed with character, authenticity, and the unmistakable allure of a lifestyle devoted to faith, hard work, and simplicity. For the curious traveler, Arkansas’s Amish story weaves together riverside family farms, bustling roadside businesses, and a journey from pioneer hardship to community perseverance.
An Overview: Where Are the Amish in Arkansas?
As of 2024, Arkansas is host to just three Amish settlements—modest in size, but big in spirit. Unlike their bustling sister settlements in Missouri or Ohio, Arkansas’s Amish communities are smaller, more rural, and reflect a southern adaptation of classic Amish life. The largest cluster sits near Salem in Fulton County (in the north-central Ozarks), with two smaller groups either side of the state in Benton and Logan counties.amishamerica+1
Let’s take a closer look at these communities and their distinctive businesses:
Salem, Fulton County: Heart of Arkansas Amish Country
Nestled alongside the Southfork Spring River and a stone’s throw from the Missouri border, Salem’s Amish community is the most established in Arkansas. Pioneered in 2008 by the Borntreger family from Tennessee, the group grew as family members and new arrivals staked out 30- to 50-acre farms—raising livestock, growing produce, and launching hands-on small businesses.amishamerica+1
- Riverside Produce – Family-operated vegetable farm and roadside stand, known for ultra-fresh tomatoes, beans, jams, and beautiful flower baskets.
- Cozy Cabin Bakery – Homemade pies, breads, sticky buns, and sweet loaves baked with recipes passed down for generations.
- Mose’s Harness Shop – Traditional harness work, leather repairs, and handcrafted horse tack, essential for locals and travelers with equestrian interests.
In recent years, the addition of a sawmill and small lumber businesses brought more diversity, with local cedar and oak milled on-site. Visitors speak warmly of the “incredibly friendly service and a true old-timey country welcome.” One frequent traveler wrote, “Their fruit pies taste like they were made by your favorite grandma. The produce is beautiful, and the whole family always waves from the porch!”amishamerica
Benton County (Siloam Springs & Gentry): New Roots in the Northwest
About 100 Amish live sprinkled between Siloam Springs and Gentry, working two church districts—still intimate enough that everyone knows one another, but with a distinct sense of community events and business. Here you’ll find:amishamerica
- Woodworking shops building everything from dining sets to rustic decor, popular with local homeowners and region-wide customers alike.
- General stores offering candies, bulk foods, and locally produced goods.
- Seasonal produce stands—especially in summer/fall, when apples, melons, and southern tomatoes crowd the stalls.
A visitor raved, “The furniture is all hand-built, no nails—every piece has a story. It’s the kind of thing you expect to pass on to your grandkids.” Family-run stores also feature canned preserves, honey, and cured meats—brought in weekly from community kitchens.
Logan County (Near Magazine): Arkansas’s Newest Amish Experiment
Founded in 2020, Logan County’s Amish settlement near Magazine is by far the smallest—fewer than two dozen residents. But size is no barrier to hospitality: newcomers are already hosting barn sales and craft days, offering handmade soaps, candles, and baked treats at occasional pop-up stands. Locals in Magazine describe “the best cinnamon rolls I’ve tasted” and say the Amish “are ready with a smile and always welcome neighbors to swap recipes or gardening tips”.amishamerica
More Than Just a Community—A Living Heritage
Arkansas’s Amish groups reflect a century-old struggle to thrive in sometimes-challenging southern environments. Historic settlements arrived and vanished during the 20th century in places like Stuttgart, Vilonia, and Clay County—many faded due to weather, economics, or young people seeking bigger Amish communities elsewhere. Still, the communities that remain are delighted to welcome respectful visitors and curious travelers.encyclopediaofarkansas+1
While these Amish communities are not as tourism-focused as in other states, keep your eyes peeled for:
- Roadside stands along rural highways, especially near Salem.
- Hand-lettered signs for fresh eggs, home-baked breads, or seasonal vegetables.
- Rustic woodworking, harness shops, and the gentle clip-clop of horses pulling black buggies in early morning or dusk.
Unique, resilient, and always welcoming, Arkansas’s Amish settlements offer a glimpse of a lifestyle rooted in quiet faith and self-sufficiency—plus bakery treats and handmade goods too good to pass up. Whether you’re after a scenic road trip, soul-soothing simplicity, or the perfect slice of homemade pie, put Arkansas Amish country on your list. The welcome is real, the stories are rich, and the sights, sounds, and tastes will linger long after your trip is done.
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