Posted in Arkansas
January 15, 2020
Drivers And Riders Will Love Slaying The Arkansas Dragon, Part Of A 59-Mile Scenic Drive
There’s a short but stunning stretch of highway known as the Arkansas Dragon. The Dragon isn’t particular long but today’s tour adds on a bit more mileage with some beautiful benefits. Some highlights to this particular route include Rimrock Cove Ranch (horseback tours), the Buffalo National River (trails and floating), Horseshoe Canyon Ranch (ziplining), lunch at one of the oldest restaurants in the state, and more! Let’s take this scenic drive to explore more gorgeous forest and to slay the dragon.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate

The Arkansas Dragon (also known as Dragon Tail) is a 19-mile stretch of Highway 123. Today's route pushes the starting point up to AR-103 for a fuller hour and a half trip. Use this map for interactive directions.
You can certainly make this trip a choose-your-own adventure by changing your approach to Highway 123. Maybe you want to come south from Bull Shoals or westward from Greer's Ferry Lake. Whichever direction you're coming from or how much extra scenic highway you tack on is completely up to you!
You can certainly make this trip a choose-your-own adventure by changing your approach to Highway 123. Maybe you want to come south from Bull Shoals or westward from Greer's Ferry Lake. Whichever direction you're coming from or how much extra scenic highway you tack on is completely up to you!

Take the drive as is or stop along the way for multiple adventures. Adding AR-103, AR-43, and AR-74 gives drivers chances for side trip trails and photos.

The Arkansas Dragon has been rated as one of the top 5 motorcycles routes in the entire state and it's easy to see why.

Established in 1909, the Ozark Cafe serves mouth-watering time-tested recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you're craving something different than a typical burger and fries then try their specialty burger - the Excaliburger. It's two grilled cheeses sandwiching a 1/2-lb burger slathered in Ozark sauce.

This particular route has over 180 switchbacks with most of those being on the Arkansas Dragon. Highway 123 is so curvy that no large trucks can drive on it!
For more insight on this route and a virtual tour you can visit Ozark Rides right here.
For more insight on this route and a virtual tour you can visit Ozark Rides right here.
Have you slayed the Dragon before? What’s your favorite stretch of highway to add to this ride? Share your routes with us in the comments below!
Some other nearby drives to take are the Jasper Disaster and Push Mountain.
Address: US-412, Alpena, AR, USA