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July in Arkansas means loads of sunshine and sweltering hot days. It’s a month for early morning journaling sessions before the heat settles in or quiet evenings capturing the colors of a summer sunset.
I tend to underappreciate the importance of a shady spot under a tree until July rolls around. The heat hangs in the air, practically melting your skin off your face if you spend more than a few minutes in the sun. A chair tucked under the shade of a sycamore tree is a welcome respite to do a little nature journaling.
I’ve created 25 nature journaling prompts for this month to inspire you to look closely at the world around you—even if you’re just relaxing in the backyard, shaded by your favorite tree. Keep reading for a few creative ideas on turning your July observations into journal entries you’ll want to look back on for years to come.
And if you’re wondering how to begin nature journaling or what supplies you need, you can find all the basics in my original article. Keep reading for some examples of how we’re tackling a few of this month’s prompts.
July Nature Journaling Prompts
- Firefly Night
- Deep Greens
- Heat of the Day
- Tree Frogs
- Lightning & Thunder
- Cloud Gazing
- Cool Refuge
- Swampy Scenes
- Open Fields
- Sketch a Storm
- Night Chorus
- Ripples & Reflections
- Berries & Blossoms
- Big Skies
- Busy Bees
- Water Critters
- Sun Seekers
- Nature in Motion
- Sketch a Picnic
- Bug Close-Up
- Serpent Spotting
- Favorite Summer Tree
- Lazy River
- Campfire Glow
- Summer Storyboard
How to Use These Prompts
I’ve given you 25 prompts to choose from. If you journal daily, you can go through each prompt in order and take a break on the weekends. If you aren’t that committed, just pick a few that appeal to you. New and not sure where to begin? That’s okay! Grab a piece of paper, and we’ll do a few prompts together.
Check out my first nature journaling article for ideas on materials and how to get started.
July Inspiration
July in Arkansas brings long, sun-soaked days, thick green forests, and the hum of summer in full swing. It’s a time for creek walks, stargazing, shady hikes and spotting turtles sunning on logs. Let your journal reflect the slower, quieter rhythms of mid-summer. Whether catching a sunrise on the lake or cooling off under the canopy of the Ouachitas, there’s always something worth sketching or jotting down. These articles might spark ideas for your pages:
- Stargazing in Arkansas
- Arkansas Fireflies
- 15 Refreshing Swimming Holes in Arkansas
- Arkansas Frogs
- It’s Time To Pick Blueberries
- Wildflowers of Arkansas
Prompt 2 – Deep Greens
I love prompts that are open-ended like this one. While there is never a right or wrong answer, some prompts can be more specific. This one, though, was so free and fun. I began by laying down a base of green watercolor, then I grabbed all of my green supplies. I picked a comfy spot in the grass and listened to the cicadas, the birds and the wind rustling through the leaves. I let the sounds of nature become music, which I recorded as marks on my paper.
Prompt 8 – Water Critters
When it comes to water critters, you might first think of frogs, fish or turtles, feel free to interpret it creatively. I sketched my husband and son while they were fishing, wading into the water and casting their lines into the lake. Drawing people is something I’ve always found challenging, but this was a great opportunity to practice. I included the water, the curve of the shoreline and the trees in the background, capturing not just the scene but the peaceful feeling of the moment.
Prompt 22 – Favorite Summer Tree
Your nature journal doesn’t have to be complicated, and George’s response to the Favorite Summer Tree prompt is simple, yet powerful. George loves the big sycamore tree in our yard and readily agrees that it’s his favorite tree all year-round, especially in summer when it provides us with lots of shade. The tree has been dated to be over 150 years old, and as a family, we spend a lot of time under the canopy of this tree. George used acrylic markers to draw a large tree, really emphasizing its height. He finished by writing a few words about why this tree is his favorite.
Did you miss the June Nature Journal Prompts? Find them here.
Nature journals can be very personal, but if you’d like to share some of your pages with us on Instagram, you can use #onlyinarknature. If you share a post, we may feature it in an upcoming article. Check back at the end of June for the July prompts. Until then, Happy Journaling!
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