El Dorado
Around El Dorado
Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Arkansas · 37k people
El Dorado
Locals say South Arkansas · “Oil Capital of Arkansas”
Where piney woods meet the oil derricks
GoldNavy
Welcome to South Arkansas! Whether you're here for the oil history, the pine woods, or just some good fried catfish, you'll find a friendly community that loves its outdoors and its Razorbacks. Come join the conversation.
Clubs for El Dorado
No clubs for El Dorado yet.
The room
One room for everyone around El Dorado. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around El Dorado. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources Oil history exhibits in Smackover.
- Murphy Arts District Concerts and events in downtown El Dorado.
- South Arkansas Arboretum Native plants and walking trails.
- El Dorado City Lake Fishing, picnicking, and walking paths.
- Historic Downtown El Dorado Shops, murals, and old architecture.
- Smackover Oil Field One of the largest oil fields in the region.
- Outdoors Deer hunting in the pine woods
- Outdoors Bass fishing at El Dorado City Lake
- With kids Visit the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources
- With kids Walk the South Arkansas Arboretum
- Evenings Live music at the Murphy Arts District
- Evenings Rialto Theater
- Locals love Hunting camps
- Locals love Fishing lakes
Through the year
- Oil Heritage Festival Fall Celebrates the region's oil boom with parades and history exhibits.
- Union County Fair Summer Classic county fair with livestock shows and carnival rides.
- El Dorado Film Festival Spring Independent films and local screenings.
- Music in the Park Summer Free summer concerts at the city park.
- Christmas Parade Winter Downtown holiday parade with floats and lights.
Humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “El Dorado”
- The city is pronounced 'El Do-RAY-do'.
- “Oil patch”
- The oil fields and related industry.
- “Piney woods”
- The pine forests that cover the region.
- “Sweet tea”
- A staple drink, often very sweet.
Getaways
Local flavour
Rooting for Arkansas Razorbacks (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Fried catfish Southern staple, often served with hushpuppies
- Barbecue Pulled pork and ribs, typical of Arkansas style
- Sweet tea The default drink across the South
- Hushpuppies Fried cornmeal bites, a classic side
- Pecan pie Regional dessert, often made with local pecans
Where people go
- Oil derricks Historic and modern, reminders of the oil boom
- Historic downtown El Dorado's Main Street, with murals and preserved architecture
- Pine forests The surrounding timberlands, ideal for hunting and hiking
- Hunting camps Deer and duck hunting are popular traditions
- Museums Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources in Smackover, and local history museums
Heritage and traditions
El Dorado is proud of its oil boom heritage that built the town, and its transformation into a cultural hub with the Murphy Arts District, all set in the piney woods of south Arkansas.
This time of year in El Dorado
- Deer hunting season fall Fall tradition of deer hunting in the pine woods
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to do something
Festivals
- Juneteenth Celebration June Community celebration of African American freedom and culture
- Easter Sunrise Service spring Interdenominational service at dawn at the City Lake
- Fourth of July Fireworks July Fireworks display over the City Lake
Landmarks with a story
- Newton House Museum A preserved historic home in El Dorado
- First United Methodist Church A historic church with notable architecture
Food traditions
- Friday night fish fries Churches host fish fries, especially during Lent, as a social and food tradition
- Hunting camp breakfasts Biscuits and gravy before a hunt, a tradition from the hunting camps
- Peach cobbler Summer dessert made from local peaches
- Collard greens and cornbread A Sunday dinner staple from the African American soul food tradition
- Chicken and dumplings Comfort food for cold weather
Music and arts
- Murphy Arts District Hosts concerts, theater, and arts events
- Gospel music Strong gospel music tradition in local churches
- Country and blues Country and blues influences in the region's music
A little history
- 1843 El Dorado founded as a timber town
- 1921 Oil discovered at Smackover, leading to a boom and population surge
- 1960s Murphy Oil Corporation founded in El Dorado
- 2000s Murphy Arts District opens, revitalizing downtown
Rivalries
- Razorbacks vs. LSU Tigers College football rivalry that splits households.
- El Dorado vs. Magnolia High school football showdowns.
- Razorbacks vs. Texas A&M Southwest classic rivalry.
- Game day High school football on Friday nights
- Game day Hunting and fishing as a way of life
- Outdoors Squirrel hunting
- Outdoors Canoeing on the Ouachita River
- With kids Watching fireworks on the Fourth of July
- With kids Playing in the pine woods
A Southern accent with a drawl, using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. Oil field slang like 'roughneck' is also heard.
Only here
- The Smackover oil field was one of the largest in the world.
- The El Dorado Promise scholarship guarantees tuition for high school graduates.
- The name 'Smackover' is unique.
- The Murphy Arts District brings world-class performances to a small town.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce it 'El-doh-RAY-doh' not 'El-do-RAH-doh'.
- Bring mosquito repellent in summer.
- Try the sweet tea.
- Get to know the hunting culture.
- The weather is hot and humid in summer, mild in winter.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaCamdenArkansasA friendly stop on the Ouachita River.MagnoliaArkansasSouthern comfort, magnolia prideHomerLouisianaWhere the pines meet the red dirt.RustonLouisianaWhere the pines meet the peaches, and Saturdays are for football.MindenLouisianaPiney woods, warm smiles, and Southern comfort.MonroeLouisianaWhere the Ouachita flows and the welcome is warmArkadelphiaArkansasSlow river days and diamond-bright nights.Shreveport–Bossier CityLouisianaRed River hospitality and piney woods charm.
El Dorado, AR. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.