This Mountain Trail In Arkansas Will Lead You To The Most Majestic Views
‘Tis the season for road trips and epic adventure, and we’ve got a heck of an itinerary laid out for you today. From the scenic Ouachitas to the breathtaking Ozarks, this road trip is going to take you to the best and prettiest peaks across the Natural State. Along the way, you’ll see some of the best mountain views in Arkansas. The total drive time will take you just under eight hours, and most of that drive time is through some of the most impressive byways Arkansas has to offer. I’ve also included suggestions for places to eat and sleep, so you can have the very best time while you explore some of the prettiest spots that Arkansas has to offer!
We’re starting your adventure in Hot Springs because there’s something you need to see there. Hot Springs Mountain Tower rises from the top of Hot Springs Mountain and provides a stellar 360 degree view of the surrounding Ouachita Mountains. I’d suggest starting your trip there on a Friday afternoon and spending your evening eating delicious food and staying in a historic hotel in Hot Springs. It’s a mountain you don’t want to miss, and you’ll love your time in town. It’s the perfect start to your Arkansas road trip! Check out Hot Spring’s town website to find the best places to eat and stay while you’re in town.
Next up you’re headed to Pinnacle Mountain State Park. You’re going to drive about an hour to reach Arkansas’s most unique mountain. Pinnacle is impressive even as you approach it. From a distance you’ll notice a distinctive cone shape unlike other Arkansas peaks. If you do decide to summit the mountain, you’ll be treated to sweeping views. There are plenty of trails and places to play, on the mountain and just near it. And those views of Lake Maumelle are well worth a climb. This is one of the best collection of hiking trails in Arkansas, and you can get all the best trail information about this park on AllTrails.
Next up we’re headed to Arkansas’s very first state park. This drive is going to about an hour, and on top of stopping at all the overlooks you want, you should also consider exploring the trail that leads to Cedar Falls. It’s one of the Natural State’s most impressive and therefore most photographed waterfalls, and Cedar Falls Trail is only 1.7 miles. The Cedar Falls Overlook Trail gives some stunning bird’s eye views of the falls, too.
Mount Nebo has both a Sunrise Point and a Sunset Point, so in theory you could spend all day gazing out at sweeping views of the Arkansas River Valley. It’s going to take you less than 45 minutes to reach Mount Nebo from Petit Jean, and no one could blame you if you chose to catch the sunset, stay overnight, and get up early for the sunrise at Mount Nebo State Park. Mount Nebo has plenty of scenic campsites and charming cabins to accommodate you. Mount Nebo State Park offers tons of amenities, including rustic style cabins for rent for the night.
If you’re pressing on after your Mount Nebo sunset, you could always stay in the lodge on Mount Magazine, which will take you under an hour’s drive. Arkansas’s highest point is on Mount Magazine, and the lodge there offers breathtaking views from both the rooms and the dining room. There are a number of overlooks and trails on the mountain that you won’t want to miss, and the nearby town of Paris is just as charming as mountain towns come. You’re going to love this leg of your journey so much that you might just decide to come back for a whole weekend stay, just so you can enjoy hidden gems on the mountain like Cove Lake. The Cove Lake Recreation Area is the perfect place to stop and relax for a couple of days.
Next we’re headed up into the Ozarks, on a stunning scenic drive that will knock your socks off. From Mount Magazine you’re going to drive a little over an hour and a half to Artist Point. The Boston Mountain Scenic Route is a drive you undoubtedly need to take, and Artist Point is a stop you need to make on it. You’ll be treated to a winding, lonely highway, and the feeling that you’ve gone off the beaten path to see some of the nicest views around. This back to back scenic highway loop is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours enjoying some of the prettiest scenery in the state.
You’re driving a little over two hours to the next scenic spot, through the Ozarks and past small communities you’ll love. The Arkansas Grand Canyon is located on Highway 7 just south of the town of Jasper, which is near the Buffalo National River if you’re up to a bonus adventure. There’s nothing quite like the Arkansas Grand Canyon in the Natural State. You’ll want to stop and grab a bite at the Cliff House Inn, and maybe stay the night, too, if you’ve got the time. Cliff House Inn overlooks the Arkansas Grand Canyon, and both the rooms and the dining room provide excellent views, and there’s nothing like watching the sun rise over the canyon. Open all summer long, this is a great way to end a fantastic journey through Arkansas’ beautiful mountain trail.
You’ll find all of the best mountain views in Arkansas along this amazing road trip. Have you ever been to any of these places? Which one is your favorite? Would you add another stop on our road trip? Let us know in the comments below!
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Address: Arkansas Grand Canyon, AR-7, Jasper, AR 72641, USA
Address: Boston Mountains, Arkansas 72839, USA
Address: Mount Magazine State Park, 577 Lodge Dr, Paris, AR 72855, USA
Address: Mount Nebo, Mt Nebo, Arkansas 72834, USA
Address: Petit Jean State Park Lake, Arkansas 72110, USA
Address: Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Arkansas 72135, USA
Address: Hot Springs Mountain Drive, Hot Springs Mountain Dr, Hot Springs, AR 71901, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Mountain Trail In Arkansas
February 07, 2021
Megan McDonald
What is the tallest mountain in Arkansas?
Magazine Mountain is the tallest mountain in Arkansas, standing at an impressive 2,753 feet. Rich Mountain isn’t far behind, and sits at 2,680 feet tall.
What mountain ranges run through Arkansas?
There are two distinct mountain ranges in Arkansas, the Ouachitas and the Ozarks. The Ozarks are the largest, and actually holds the title of being the largest between Appalachian Mountain Range in the east, and the Rocky Mountain Range in the west.
What are some scenic hikes in Arkansas?
If seeing the best mountain views in Arkansas sparked some major wanderlust, you'll be pleased to learn that are some downright scenic hikes in The Wonder State. (In fact, we believe that nine of the absolute prettiest places on earth are right here in Arkansas!) Goat Trail is one of our favorites; you'll find this scenic hike just outside of Ponca. The Goat Trail leads to jaw-dropping view of Big Bluff overlooking the Buffalo River -- but it's best for more seasoned hikers. The trail is about 6 miles and is not for children or anyone afraid of heights. The ledges along the trail get pretty steep at 350 ft. in the air. For more beginner-level hikes, try out these scenic trails in Arkansas..
J.B. Weisenfels has lived in rural Arkansas for three decades. She is a writer, a mom, and a graduate student. She is also an avid collector of tacky fish whatnots, slightly chipped teapots, and other old things. In her spare time she enjoys driving to the nearest creek to sit a while. If you were to visit her, she'd try to feed you cornbread.
