In the northwestern corner of Arkansas, within the plateau of the Ozark Mountains and along the western edge of Benton County, sits the 3000-person city of Gentry. Because of its high elevation and access to several waterways and springs, it made for a fantastic agricultural community, with fruit farms bringing people in from around the globe. The city’s Apple Blossom Festival was one of the largest events in Arkansas for almost 100 years.

Today, the proclivity for horticulture lives on in Gentry. Long’s Old Orchards and Farms has been around for nearly a century. The farm also hosts arts and crafts shows, a music festival, wedding events, and a trade show every Friday. Hamilton Farms has been kept alive by three generations of women in the Hamilton family who have a knack for gardening and a love of high-quality vegetables and herbs can pick their own peaches, blackberries, and apples at Taylors Orchard.

For a feel of the real Gentry, you can also visit the Apple Crest Inn. It’s been around since 1998 but was built to look like an 1898 Victorian bed and breakfast. The relaxing Victorian-inspired hotel getaway offers gorgeous views of the Ozarks’ foothills.

Since the city is within the Ozarks, it has plenty of options to honor and enjoy the wildlife in the area. The Flint Creek Nature Center has over 100 different native species of plants and animals for visitors to see, plus direct access to Flint Creek. The museum has community education and recreational activities that it puts on, too. You could also check out the Gentry City Park for a quick trip outside, hike on the trails leading from there, and play some frisbee golf. In the Summer, check out the city’s new Splashpad. If you’re into bird watching, you may enjoy the Eagle Watch Nature Trail. 

If you’re looking for a bite to eat after spending some time outside, Gentry has plenty of options. The Wooden Spoon is a great option for lunch and has dinner specials on Fridays. It’s been around for over two decades, built originally as a horse barn before 1870 in central Michigan, then hauled over to Gentry. On top of the spot’s sandwiches with homemade bread, salads, and fresh-made soups, the restaurant also has frozen and ready-to-bake casseroles. Those include cheesy beef and potatoes, chicken spaghetti, and poppyseed chicken. Dig into freshly baked pies like their strawberry rhubarb, bumblebee, cherry, peach apricot, and more. For a quick pizza, check out Razorback Pizza, which offers unique flavors like bacon cheeseburger and “Spanish pizza.” Pioneer Pizza has a unique version of loaded baked potatoes, and calzones.

Natural State Wildlife Solutions serves cities within eight great Arkansan counties, and we’re proud Gentry is one of them. We respect this land and the critters that roam it, and we love and appreciate our neighbors in Gentry. But when those animals get in, our #1 rated wildlife removal service is who to contact. From snakes to coyotes, and birds to beavers, we can get them out, keep them out, and repair the damage they cause.