Take A Drive On These 9 Scenic Byways In Arkansas For Unforgettable Views
Feel like catching some nature, but too tired to take a hike? Well, the Natural State has the cure. You can take some of the best scenic drives in Arkansas from your car, or better yet, the back of your motorcycle. We’ve got a number of gorgeous state and national byways where you can satisfy your taste for natural beauty without having to lace up your hiking boots. Here are nine of the most beautiful drives in Arkansas:
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The Pig Trail, also known as Arkansas Highway 23, is one of the most beautiful drives in Arkansas. It's definitely one you don't want to miss. It winds from Elm Park in central Arkansas through the Ozarks, and then goes all the way to the Missouri state line. Whether you're in a car or on a bike, this trip allows for some spectacular views of the most scenic places in Arkansas. You can find out more information about the 19-mile Pig Trail at the Arkansas website.
The Boston Mountains are the highest section of the Ozarks. The Boston Mountains Scenic Loop will take you from the small town of Alma all the way to Fayetteville. Both Highway 71 and I-49 are considered part of this loop, as well as sections of Highway 282. Between the two main roads, Highway 71 has more twists and turns, but it also lacks the traffic flow of the much more congested I-49. You can find out more information on the Arkansas website.
The Talimena Scenic Drive actually begins in southeastern Oklahoma, on Oklahoma State Highway 1, to be exact. Most of the route, however, is on Arkansas Highway 88. It runs through the Ouachita Mountains and Ouachita National Forest, all the way to the town of Mena. The 54-mile journey is so popular it even has a website with merchandise.
The Mount Magazine Scenic Byway is one of the best scenic drives in Arkansas. It's a section of Arkansas Highway 309 that goes from the town of Havana to just south of Paris. It's about 20 miles of gorgeous, winding road that passes right by Mount Magazine, the highest point of elevation in Arkansas. Get more information about this popular drive at the Arkansas website.
The Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway is actually a 35-mile section of Arkansas Highway 21. It begins at Clarksville and runs to the Buffalo National River in Boxley. Whether you're headed to the Buffalo River or White River (or just driving aimlessly!), this is a wonderful route to take. More information can be found on the Arkansas website.
If you take Scenic Highway 7, you'll get to see some of the most scenic places in Arkansas. While driving from the Louisiana border to Missouri, you'll go through the heart of the Natural State, seeing both the Ozarks and the Ouachitas. The portion designated as a state scenic byway begins at the Louisiana state line and ends just north of Harrison, Arkansas. There's more information at the Arkansas website.
Tired of mountains yet? Fifteen miles of Interstate 530 have been designated a state scenic byway. These 15 miles run between AR-256 in White Hall to Route 65 in Pine Bluff. This highway takes you through some pretty incredible wetlands. You'll pass through the Mississippi Alluvial Plain and over Bayou Bartholomew. You can view a map at the Arkansas Department of Transportation website.
Crowley's Ridge Parkway is a National Scenic Byway that leads travelers through the St. Francis National Forest and the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. It runs right along the back of Crowley's Ridge. It begins at Helena-West Helena by the Missisippi River and continues into southern Missouri near the town of Kennett. Crowley's Ridge Parkway is a 198-mile collection of roads instead of just one, so you should probably bring along a map. More information is available at the Arkansas website.
This one's actually not just in Arkansas. The All-American Road in Arkansas (and several other states) is also called the Great River Road . The full road extends all the way from Louisiana to Minnesota, along the course of the mighty Mississippi River. The Arkansas section begins at the Louisiana border on US Highway 65 and ends at the Arkansas state line on Highway 61 to Missouri. This portion will take you from the delta into the mountains, so you'll see some of the most scenic places in Arkansas. This is another collection of roads and some pass through residential areas. The Arkansas website has a map and additional information about this beautiful 391-mile trip.
Is your favorite of the best scenic drives in Arkansas listed here? If not, tell us where to drive in the comments.
Address: Arkansas 23, AR-23, Ozark, AR, USA
Address: Boston Mountains, Arkansas 72839, USA
Address: Talimena Scenic Drive, Talimena Scenic Dr, Mena, AR 71953, USA
Address: Mount Magazine Scenic Byway, Paris, AR, USA
Address: Interstate 530, I-530, White Hall, AR, USA
Address: Crowleys Ridge, Arkansas 72450, USA
Address: Great River Road, Great River Rd, Arkansas 71674, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Scenic Places In Arkansas
July 06, 2021
Lisa Sammons
What are some natural wonders in Arkansas?
The Crater of Diamonds is so cool: it’s the only diamond-bearing site accessible to the public in the entire world! Of course, Mammoth Spring is a beauty. It’s the largest spring in the entire Natural State. You can find more natural wonders in Arkansas here.
What are some beautiful waterfalls in Arkansas?
Arkansas has a number of gorgeous waterfalls! We’ve actually got a whole road trip planned around some of them. You’ll see some of the prettiest in the state, including Six Finger Falls and Big Creek Cave Falls. And don’t forget Glory Hole: it’s a really unique circular waterfall!
What are some good state parks in Arkansas?
We’ve got 52 state parks in the Natural State and seven national parks. Between the Ozarks and the Ouachitas, there’s really some incredible land here.
Address: Arkansas 23, AR-23, Ozark, AR, USA
Address: Boston Mountains, Arkansas 72839, USA
Address: Talimena Scenic Drive, Talimena Scenic Dr, Mena, AR 71953, USA
Address: Mount Magazine Scenic Byway, Paris, AR, USA
Address: Interstate 530, I-530, White Hall, AR, USA
Address: Crowleys Ridge, Arkansas 72450, USA
Address: Great River Road, Great River Rd, Arkansas 71674, USA
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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.
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