These 9 Scenic Drives Tour Every Beautiful Corner Of Arkansas
If you’ve ever searched for “scenic drives near me,” then you know you don’t have to stay inside a National Forest to enjoy Arkansas’ beauty. The 9 best scenic drives in Arkansas take you to every gorgeous corner of the Natural State! Whether you’re on two wheels or four, everyone can enjoy the time-honored tradition of taking a drive to some of the prettiest places in Arkansas. So, let’s buckle up as we tour along every side of the state and enjoy the best views in Arkansas!
Some Arkansans are fortunate enough to have this gorgeous scenic drive as part of their normal commute. Boasting some of the best views in Arkansas, the route winds through the Boston Mountains and includes the newer I-49 as well as Old Highway 71. Take a shopping trip in Fayetteville or loop around to Artist's Point near the Lake Fort Smith State Park.
When seeking scenic drives near me, you won't be disappointed with a cruise along the southern border of Arkansas by taking the Hamburg Haul. This route is perfect for motorcycles but also offers enough stops (both delicious and educational) that a family road trip works well, too! The 186-mile trip begins in a tiny town called Taylor and ends further north in Fordyce.
Driving through the southeast corner of the state will reward you with a variety of attractions. This 113-mile drive takes you around the longest bayou in the nation, Bayou Bartholomew, but that's not the only sight to see. History buffs will also be delighted with the tour's stops to the Rohwer War Relocation Memorial and the WWII Japanese American Internment Museum.
Leading to some of the prettiest places in Arkansas, this treasured drive has a multitude of stops and gorgeous scenery. The highway was actually the state’s first designated scenic byway in 1993. After driving on any of its 290 miles, it’s easy to understand why it was chosen as the first. If you'd like to see more of the route and what to stop and see, read this article.
Endless outdoor activities and attractions await along this central scenic drive, including the majestic Pinnacle Mountain and one of the best beaches in Arkansas. The just under five hour drive takes you to the breathtaking overlooks in Pinnacle Mountain State Park as well as the fun-filled Greers Ferry Lake. You could easily turn this daytime drive into a week long excursion with weekend camping at both points.
If you're needing an alternate route to the state-long Scenic 7 Byway, the Jasper Disaster is the perfect compromise. A shorter version of one of the best scenic drives in Arkansas, the motorcycle route does include some of the scenic byway but takes a shorter loop through the Ozarks.
Heading west, the Talimena Scenic Drive might just be the most iconic trip in the state. Although it boasts some of the
best views in Arkansasthroughout the year, there’s something particularly magical about fall. Plan to take this trip in about two months for jaw-dropping foliage colors and cooler temps to enjoy. The drive does extend into Oklahoma but we're a little bias towards the beauty of the drive in Mena.
The Talimena drive may stretch into Oklahoma but the Great River Road extends through 10 states! The tour along the Mississippi River earned recognition in 2002 as a scenic byway but original construction began back in 1938. The Arkansas portion of this route takes you to some of the prettiest places in Arkansas and educational points all along the Delta.
Our corners are covered but this wouldn't be a true Arkansas scenic drive article without mentioning the Pig Trail. This drive isn't just beloved by Arkansans, route is famous throughout the nation! Not just one of the best scenic drives in Arkansas, but the Pig Trail made USA Today's list of the top 10 best motorcycling routes in the country and was number two out of all North American routes. The trail begins just north of Ozark and ends at Brashears for a short but amazingly beautiful 37-mile drive.
Do you agree? Are these the best scenic drives in Arkansas? Where’s your favorite place to tour around Arkansas? Share your favorite family drive or motorcycle ride with us!
The best views in Arkansas aren’t limited to those enjoyed from the road. If you want to explore more than just the roads, we highly recommend taking this waterfall hike in Arkansas. You’ll be able to hike around three different falls!
Address: Taylor, AR 71861, USA
Address: Bayou Bartholomew, Louisiana 70538, USA
Address: Greers Ferry Lake, Arkansas, USA
Address: Lead Hill, AR 72644, USA
Address: Jasper, AR 72641, USA
Address: Boston Mountains, Arkansas 72839, USA
Address: Fayetteville, AR, USA
Address: Mena, AR 71953, USA
Address: Blytheville, AR 72315, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Scenic Drives In Arkansas
June 29, 2022
Daniella DiRienzo
What’s the most beautiful hike in Arkansas?
There are so many beautiful hikes in Arkansas, including the Seven Hollows Trail. Nestled within Petit Jean State Park, the trail is just over four miles in length and is rated as moderate. Any effort exerted will be well worth it, as the trail is brimming with breathtaking beauty. The scenic trek winds through a series of canyons, dense hardwood forests, and lots of unique features, such as rock shelters, a natural stone arch, box canyon, and signs of prehistoric bluff-dwelling Native Americans. Pam’s Grotto Falls is another beautiful hike in Arkansas that shouldn’t be missed. The half-mile trail is nestled within the Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area. Sure to stun, the trail leads straight to a 37-foot waterfall, which flows into a small rocky pool. It’s important to keep in mind that, though short, the trail is a bit strenuous, as it’s somewhat steep.
What are the most well known parks in Arkansas?
When it comes to parks in Arkansas, there’s no denying that Devil’s Den State Park is one of the most popular. Nestled in the Lee Creek Valley of the northwest Arkansas Ozarks, it was established in the 1930s and is now considered one of the most intact CCC sites in the U.S. The park has more going for it than its age, though. It’s filled with incredible natural beauty, which includes some of the most unique rock formations and caverns in the state. The park is also home to a charming rock dam, an eight-acre lake that’s perfect for motorized and non-motorized boats, and miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails.
Address: Taylor, AR 71861, USA
Address: Bayou Bartholomew, Louisiana 70538, USA
Address: Greers Ferry Lake, Arkansas, USA
Address: Lead Hill, AR 72644, USA
Address: Jasper, AR 72641, USA
Address: Boston Mountains, Arkansas 72839, USA
Address: Fayetteville, AR, USA
Address: Mena, AR 71953, USA
Address: Blytheville, AR 72315, USA
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Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
