The Dragon Tail, also known as the Arkansas Dragon Tail, is one of the state’s curviest and swerviest drives to take! It’s a challenge motorcyclists will love. We do not recommend this epic drive for anyone that suffers from motion sickness but to everyone else: let’s buckle up (or tighten our helmets) as we take on the twists and turns of the Dragon Tail. Which scenic drives in Arkansas are your all-time faves? Let us know.

The Dragon Tail, otherwise known as the Arkansas Dragon, offers some white-knuckled driving in the state.
Google Earth
The Dragon Tail is the entire length of Arkansas Highway 123. The old highway has over 100 switchbacks for a continuous thrill ride.
The drive may be short but don't underestimate the Dragon.
Google Maps
These fifteen miles have the most thrilling twists and turns in the state! The road has so many swerves that big trucks are forbidden from driving on it!
The exciting route winds through the dense Ozark National Forest.
TripAdvisor/Landusd
The winding turns and drastic switchbacks make this one of the curviest roads in all of Arkansas! The immensely green forest is a gorgeous backdrop to the hairpin turns but trees aren't the only thing to see along the way.

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If you're needing even more adrenaline then take a pit stop at Sam's Throne.
Google/Mark Alexander
This sidetrack trail is a ropeless rock climb up to the top of Sam's Throne. The hike is a 2-mile out-and-back with absolutely breathtaking views. There's also a primitive campground here if you're wanting to turn your short drive into a longer adventure.
This highway ride even has its own curbside waterfall!
Facebook/Arkansas Welcome Center at Harrison
If you're not up for hiking Sam's Throne, then go chase a waterfall instead! The aptly named Highway 123 Falls is about a tenth of a mile from the road. You can see the specific coordinates on Google Maps.
You can easily give the Arkansas Dragon some "wings" if you'd like an even longer ride.
TripAdvisor/Tim N
Although they're not quite as curvy as Highway 123, adding AR-103, AR-43, and AR-74 gives drivers plenty of chances for side trip trails and photos. Stop in Jasper for lunch or check out the trails around Ponca!
No matter if you're on four wheels or two, the Arkansas Dragon is a thrill to slay!
TripAdvisor/Landusd
For a motorcycle guide to this ride, visit Motorcycle Roads.

Check out a first-person view of part of this awesome ride:

Have you taken on the thrilling Arkansas Dragon Tail trail before? Were you on two wheels or four? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below or see your trip photos in our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers.

You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.

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Arkansas Dragon Tail

Tori Jane | February 13, 2023
  1. What are some of the best scenic drives in Arkansas? 

Arkansas is one of those states that just doesn’t get enough credit for being as beautiful as it is. There are so many amazing roads to travel in this awesome state that we can’t even list them all, but some of our all-time favorite scenic drives in Arkansas are ones like:  

  • The Boston Mountains Scenic Loop – Incredible mountain views with some of the most amazing overlooks in the state.  
  • The Bayou Bartholomew/Rohwer Memorial Loop – A 113-mile loop around the longest bayou in the United States.  
  • The Scenic 7 Byway – 290 miles of the most beautiful places you’ve ever seen.  

 

Learn more about each of these awesome scenic drives in Arkansas, and then some!   

  1. What are some amazing stops to make along the Arkansas dragon tail? 

If you decide to do the epic Arkansas dragon trail scenic drive, you’ll definitely want to make some stops along the way to really, truly experience it. Some of the best places to stop along the way while conquering the killer Arkansas dragon tail are:  

  • The Buffalo National River – This might be Arkansas’s best-kept secret. Not too many people know about the exquisitely beautiful Buffalo National River, but they ought to.  
  • Lost Valley State Park – one of 52 absolutely amazing state parks in Arkansas that is 100 percent worthy of a spot on the old bucket list.  
  • Harrison Square – The Boone County Courthouse alone was built back in 1911 and this whole historic town square is a delight.  

 

Learn more about the amazing Lost Valley State Park and all there is to do within.  

  1. Which scenic drives in AR should I add to my bucket list?

Naturally, there are so many more than just one scenic drive to choose from – especially here in Arkansas. Some of the other scenic drives in Arkansas that are worth doing at least once are ones including:  

  • The Pig Trail Scenic Byway – This is way more gorgeous than it sounds like it should be, we promise. 
  • The Talimena Scenic Drive – This one starts in Oklahoma, but we promise it’s worth it!  
  • Mount Magazine Scenic Byway – Extends from Havana to Paris and might just be one of the best drives in the state!  

 

Learn more about each of these scenic drives in Arkansas, as well as a few others.  

  

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