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:
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.
It’s that time of year again - road trip season is back! And if you’ve been thinking about Arkansas road trip ideas then you’re in luck. Your next adventure should be filled with fun activities and explore all that the Natural State has to offer. From the scenic byways to the breathtaking overlooks to the gorgeous waterfalls, rivers, and lakes, you’ll want to see it all. Luckily, OIYS has done the legwork and has put together the best road trips in Arkansas. Gas up the car and let’s begin the journey to explore the vast landscapes and activities in the Natural State.
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These road trips will take you through parts of Northwest Arkansas, and you’ll pass through major cities like Little Rock, Bentonville, Fayetteville, and more.
So, be sure to stop in to take advantage of the fun activities that await. In these cities, you’ll find lots of attractions that include live music, mountain biking, as well as riverfront festivities.
Route: Hawksbill Crag/Whitaker Point >Catalpa Cafe and General Store > Lake Dardanelle State Park
Distance: 87 miles
Trip Time: 2 hours driving time
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Have you ever witnessed the breathtaking sunrises or sunsets in the Natural State? If not, this one-day road trip in Arkansas will provide a front row seat to the luminous show. Start the morning at Hawksbill Crag at Whitaker Point and watch the sunrise over the Arkansas River valley below. Once you’ve basked in the gorgeous vistas, grab a bite to eat and then head to Lake Dardanelle to watch the sun go down. At only 87 miles and 2 hours of drive time, you’ll have ample time to explore each area. You'll also appreciate the scenic drive along the way.
Route: Mount Magazine State Park>Petit Jean State Park>DeGray Lake Resort State Park
Distance: 150 miles
Trip Time: 3 hours driving time
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With 52 state parks in Arkansas, chances are, you haven’t seen all of them. And while all the parks are worth seeing, there are a few that you must add to your list. Fortunately, this 3-day weekend road trip in Arkansas will explore 3 of the most incredible parks. At 150 miles and only 3 hours of driving time, you’ll have lots of time to explore these bucket-list worthy parks. At Mount Magazine State Park, you’ll be able to hike to the highest point in Arkansas. Petit Jean features one of the most spectacular cascades in the state as well as some mind-blowing rock formations. You can’t go wrong with a stay at DeGray Lake State Park, where you can bask in lots of relaxation as well as fun outdoor activities. Bonus, this road trip is also family-friendly, so do take the kids along for the ride.
Route: Spainhour Falls>Glory Hole Falls>Magnolia Falls>Big Creek Cave Falls Kings Bluff Falls>Long Pool Falls>Highway 123 Falls>Haw Creek Falls>Car Wash Falls
Distance: 183 miles
Trip Time: 5 hours driving time
If you haven’t heard, the Ozark National Forest is one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in Arkansas. By far, it features the most spectacular cascades in the state. While it would be nice to marvel at them all, your schedule might not allow it. But have no fear, OIYS has compiled an
" target="_blank">Ozarks waterfall road trip that loops around Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area and highlights the most breathtaking falls that you can imagine. You’ll need time to hike to witness these cascades, so be sure to plan this 180 miles, 5-hour journey with that in mind. This waterfall road trip is perfect for the nature lover and outdoor enthusiast.
Route: PattiCakes Bakery>Daisy's Lunchbox Cafe and Bakery>Ms. Lena's Pie Shop>Charlotte's Eats and Sweets>Morrison's Fried Pies
Distance: 221 miles
Trip Time: 4 hours driving time
One of the best parts about a road trip is that you can make it into your own unique adventure. And if you’re a foodie, chances are, you’ve been on a trip to eat delicious grub. So, we thought it would be great to include this ultimate pie road trip through Arkansas to soothe your foodie soul. Of course, everybody loves pies and there are so many pie shops between the Arkansas River Valley and Hot Springs that are a must-visit. At 220 miles, the driving time for this road trip is about 4 hours, which means you can easily visit all the bakeries in one day. Be sure to take some pie home for later.
After the Winter freeze, you’ll want to cure cabin fever in the most magical way. Since Spring is the start of road trip season, the best Spring road trip in Arkansas would be to witness the blooming wildflowers. The vibrant blooms are in the prairies, natural areas, nature trails, and the lovely flowers extend as far as the eye can see. With the gorgeous weather, you can spend lots of time basking in all the natural beauty. This 11-hour road trip will cover approximately 600 miles, and you’ll get to see 9 wildflower fields. We recommend making this into a week-long adventure, so you’ll get to marvel at all that these colorful fields have to offer.
Route: AGFC Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center>Jacksonport State Park>Holland Bottom Farm LLC>Riverfront Park>Arkansas Railroad Museum>Cane Creek State Park
Distance: 215 miles
Trip Time: 4 hours driving time
Kick off the Summer by taking the family on a road trip that features lots of fun activities. Whether it’s spending time camping, kayaking, visiting a museum, or exploring a nature center, this
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" target="_blank">Summer road trip in Arkansas will be epic. And best of all, the road trip will be inexpensive, so you won’t have to break the bank to do it. And there’s even some sweet treats along the way, which means you’ll for sure gain some bonus points with the kids. Just under 4 hours driving and 215 miles, you can make this into an overnight or a 2-day adventure.
Route: Hot Springs>Mount Magazine>Artist Point>Jasper>Mountain View
Distance: 339 miles
Trip Time: 7 hours driving time
Vibrant hues await during the Fall season in Arkansas. And luckily, the Natural State is abundant with scenic byways, overlooks, and state parks, where you can witness the colorful foliage. This 7-hour Fall foliage road trip in Arkansas will explore a few of the gorgeous parks like Hot Springs National Park, and it’s packed with fun adventure. Truly, you’ll get to see the best of what Fall has to offer. With over 300 miles to cover, you’ll want to spread this trip out over 7 days, so that you’ll have time to fully enjoy the beauty of the season.
Route: Hot Springs>Mount Magazine>Artist Point>Jasper>Mountain View
Distance: 292 miles
Trip Time: 5 hours driving time
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During the Winter, it’s natural to want to stay indoors to escape the cold. And while sitting inside drinking hot cocoa sounds divine, it’s best to venture out to see the enchanting places in Arkansas that celebrate the holiday season in the most magical way. If you love everything about Christmas, then this 5-hour
" target="_blank">Winter road trip in Arkansas is for you. The kids will enjoy all the light shows as well as the fun entertainment. Be sure to plan this trip accordingly as the evenings are better to delight in all the twinkling holiday light displays.
Route: Eureka Springs Music Park>Scott Family Amazeum>Botanical Garden of the Ozarks>Briar Rose Bakery and Deli>Terra Studios>Short Grotto Falls>All Aboard Restaurant and Grill
Distance: 270 miles
Trip Time: 6 hours driving time
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When it comes to family-friendly adventures in Arkansas, the possibilities are endless. From fairytale bakeries to botanical gardens to waterfalls, art museums, and more. It’s guaranteed that you’ll find lots of activities that the entire family will love. And on this
" target="_blank">family-friendly Arkansas road trip, you’ll get to experience it all. The little ones will have a chance to learn, play, and explore the best kid-friendly places in the state. Expect to drive just under 6 hours for this road trip, and you’ll cover about 270 fun-filled miles along the way.
Route: Blanchard Springs Caverns>Mirror Lake>Buffalo National River>Richland Creek Wilderness Area>Pedestal Rock Scenic Area>White Rock Mountain>Cove Lake>Mount Magazine>Lake Ouachita>Hot Springs National Park
Distance: 445 miles
Trip Time: 11 hours driving time
Are you ready to explore some of the most incredible places that you can imagine? Well, you’re in luck because natural wonders and landmarks are abundant in Arkansas. From natural hot springs to breathtaking waterfalls to underground adventures, and more, there is so much to see in the Natural State. And this natural wonder road trip will take you to spectacular gems like the Buffalo National River in Ponca and the Blanchard Springs Caverns. With 10 sites to visit, 445 miles to cover as well as 11 hours of drive time, this will be a multi-day trip. You’ll want to plan accordingly to make the best of each spectacular location.
Route:Hardy>Mirror Lake>Mountain View>Jasper>Eureka Springs>Oark>Altus>Paris>Subiaco>Mount Ida
Distance: 436 miles
Trip Time: 9 hours driving time
Small towns are the heart and soul of Arkansas. Whether you’re searching for the best mom-and-pop restaurants, antique shops, historic sites, or Victorian mansions, look no further than these charming towns in the state. This small towns road trip in Arkansas will start in the delightful town of Hardy, you’ll travel through Eureka Springs, and it will end in Mount Ida, where you can dig for hidden gems. It will cover 430 miles with just over 9 hours of driving, so we recommend you make this a week-long road trip.
Well, which one of these fun road trips through Arkansas are you most likely to take? Tell us about it in the comments below. And don’t forget to check out this previous article about the best scenic hiking trails in Arkansas. And don't forget to take a look at our ultimate road trip essentials packing list!
Some folks love hopping on a plane to get to their destinations, but here at OIYS, we prefer to cruise the highways. After all, a road trip is the best way to really see the country and discover the hidden gems along the way. They include rest stops, roadside overlooks, natural wonders, and more. And that is no different for Arkansas. While driving through the state, you’ll run into the best places to stop and stretch your legs. One such place is Rotary Ann Overlook Park on Scenic Byway 7 near Dover. Not only is this a great spot to stop, but it’s the most impressive rest stop in Arkansas. Why? Well, it was the first roadside rest area that was built in the 1930s, and it has the most incredible overlook as well as great facilities. Read on to learn more.
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If you live in Arkansas, chances are you’ve driven on or know about Scenic Byway 7 - the state’s first designated scenic byway.
Between its historical significance, the breathtaking scenery, and the recreational opportunities, this rest area is one that belongs on your bucket list.
Have you stopped at Rotary Ann Overlook as you cruised on Scenic Byway 7? If so, do you agree that it's the most impressive rest stop in Arkansas? What's your favorite place to stretch your legs on a road trip in Arkansas? Tell us below.
