There’s a castle, towering trees, a magical spring, footbridges, and butterfly gardens, all nestled inside this fantasy land. Wilson Park is the first and oldest park in the charming city of Fayetteville Arkansas, and after one visit, you’ll fall in love with it. It’s where nature and fantasy collide to create a whimsical experience. Take the fairy tale hiking trail and discover the magical trees and gorgeous architecture inside this amazing park.

Tucked away in the heart of Fayetteville is Wilson Park, a 22.75-acre fantasy land.

This 100+ year old park, located inside a charming neighborhood, is a popular area for walking, jogging, swimming, picnics, and more.

But what makes this park special is the kids fantasy play area with a beautifully constructed castle…

…as well as a natural spring with a whimsical bridge that crosses above it.

Plus, there are also colorful mosaics along with other installations that add to the magic of it all.

While the architectural installations are spectacular, what makes this park truly magical are the towering trees sprinkled throughout the grounds.

Take the 1-mile paved hiking trail and meander around the park, while you witness these marvelous trees for yourself.

Besides the towering trees, you’ll also see ornamental plants, blooming butterfly gardens, sculpted benches, a flowing creek, and more, along the trail.

Some of the majestic trees will remind you of something otherworldly. Especially this tree that looks like it could be pulled straight out of a fairy tale book.

While this tree is magnificent, there are two trees in particular that are extraordinary. And they have been added to the Arkansas Champion Trees list. You can read more about them here.

The first is the 54-foot-tall Dawn Redwood tree located just a few feet from the Castle.

Though this 40-year-old tree is young and small in comparison to other giants, it’s the tallest of its kind in Arkansas.

The second magical tree added to the Champion list is the persimmon tree. Standing at 69-feet tall, this gem looks like it goes up to the heavens.

This fruit-bearing native tree is easily recognizable by the carved-out sections on the trunk. Both Champion Trees are equally majestic and deserve the recognition.

Of course, there are more towering trees located inside this whimsical park. So, be sure to catch a glimpse of them as you traverse the fairy tale hiking trail.

And after you’re done exploring this fantasy land, you must check out the massive farmers market located at the Fayetteville Square.