Christ of the Ozarks
721 Magnetic Dr, Eureka Springs, AR
Eureka Springs, AR
A great white statue of Christ standing with arms outstretched atop Magnetic Mountain, visible for miles across the Ozark hills above Eureka Springs.
Christ of the Ozarks is one of Arkansas's most recognizable landmarks, a towering white statue of Jesus with arms outstretched, standing atop Magnetic Mountain above Eureka Springs. Rising many stories high, it can be seen from miles away across the Ozark hills, a startling and unmistakable presence on the skyline.
Built in the mid-1960s, the statue was the vision of a single benefactor and became the anchor of a religious complex that grew up around it. Whatever a visitor's beliefs, the sheer scale of the figure and the sweeping hilltop views make it a memorable stop, and its silhouette has become part of the identity of the Eureka Springs area.
What Guests Love
- The sheer scale of the statue rising white against the sky
- Long views over the Ozark hills from the hilltop grounds
- The quiet, park-like setting on Magnetic Mountain
- A landmark visible for miles that has become a symbol of the area
Worth Knowing
- The statue grounds welcome visitors, with the surrounding attractions run separately
- The hilltop is exposed, so bring sun protection and dress for the weather
- It pairs naturally with the other Eureka Springs sights for a full day
- Approach the winding mountain road with care, especially in poor weather
Details
Eureka Springs, AR
Learn about Christ of the Ozarks
A vision on Magnetic Mountain
The statue was conceived in the 1960s by a benefactor who wanted to raise a monumental figure of Christ overlooking the Ozarks. Erected on Magnetic Mountain above Eureka Springs and completed in 1966, it was designed to be seen from a great distance, a beacon on the highest ground near the town.
Around the statue grew a larger complex devoted to religious drama and pilgrimage, drawing visitors from across the country. Over the decades the site became one of the best-known stops in the region, its towering figure a fixed point on the northwest Arkansas map.
The scale of the figure
The statue is genuinely enormous, standing many stories tall with arms stretched wide, so that the span between the fingertips is nearly as great as the height. Built to withstand the Ozark weather, it is constructed to a monumental scale that only reveals itself fully when a visitor stands at its base and looks up.
Seen from a distance, white against the sky, it reads as a serene and simple silhouette. Up close, its size is the striking thing, dwarfing the people who gather below it. That combination of far-off serenity and near-at-hand immensity is what makes the statue such a memorable landmark.
The view from the mountain
Part of the reward of the visit is the setting. Magnetic Mountain is among the higher points near Eureka Springs, and the grounds around the statue open onto long views across the rolling Ozark hills, forested ridges rolling away toward the horizon in every direction.
The views change with the seasons, from the fresh green and blossom of spring, through summer's deep forest, to the flaming hardwood color of autumn and the bare, blue-hazed ridges of winter. The hilltop makes a fine place to take in the sweep of the country that gave the statue its name.
Part of a day in Eureka Springs
Christ of the Ozarks sits just above Eureka Springs, so it folds naturally into a day exploring the town and its surroundings. The steep Victorian downtown, with its winding streets, shops, galleries, and the historic Basin Spring Park, lies a short drive down the mountain.
Nearby, too, are the glass-walled Thorncrown Chapel in the woods, the deep-blue Blue Spring, and a wildlife refuge for big cats, making this corner of the Ozarks unusually rich in distinctive stops. The towering statue is often the first of them that travelers spot, rising above the hills as they approach the town.
Closest Boutels
The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.
Things to Do Near Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs
About 2 miles west
A steep Victorian resort town of winding streets, historic buildings, springs, shops, and galleries.
Thorncrown Chapel
About 4 miles west
A soaring glass-and-wood chapel in the woods, one of the most admired works of American architecture.
Basin Spring Park
About 2 miles west
The historic downtown park and spring at the heart of Eureka Springs, host to music and festivals.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
About 8 miles south
A rescue sanctuary for lions, tigers, and other big cats in the wooded hills south of town.