8 Most Scenic Drives in Arkansas
Called the “Natural State” for a reason, Arkansas offers some of the most scenic drives in the US. An area of natural wonders, Arkansas is home to the Ozark Mountains, the Ouachita Mountains, and the Bartholomew Bayou. These eight most scenic drives in Arkansas all have a unique beauty that will impress and astound visitors. Travel over the highest peak in Arkansas on the Mount Magazine Scenic Byway. Follow the Mississippi River along part of the Great River Road or take in the magnificent views of Crowley’s Ridge from the comfort of a vehicle.
Crowley’s Ridge Parkway (St. Francis to Forrest City)
Travel along the awe-inspiring Crowley’s Ridge, the most prominent feature of America’s most extensive alluvial plain. Crowley’s Ridge Parkway starts in the small town of St. Francis on the Northeast edge of the Arkansas border. Close to the beginning of the route, stop in Piggot, Arkansas, and learn about 1930s literature at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum. The renovated home and barn studio belonged to the parents of Hemingway’s 2nd wife.
After Piggot, drive a little farther to Crowley’s Ridge State Park. See spectacular scenic views of the fascinating alluvial plain, explore winding hiking trails, and relax at picnic spots. Nearby this state park, the small town of Paragould also makes for an ideal place to stretch your legs. Stroll down their historic downtown or grab a bite at local favorites like Oinky’s Barbecue. If you’ve time, visit a few other Arkansas towns, like Jonesboro and Wynne. You can end your road trip in Forrest City. The drive lasts about 3 hours without stopping. If you’re ambitious, you can do the whole route and end in Helena, Arkansas. This will take a little less than six hours. Make sure to account for activities and stops when deciding your final route.
Camden Expedition Scenic Byway (Little Rock Loop)
The Camden Expedition Scenic Byway blends natural beauty and history into one drive. Pass through multiple Arkansas State Parks on this route, including Historic Washington State Park, which has the largest collection of 19th-century buildings in Arkansas, and Poison Springs Battleground State Park. The route features fully paved roads and highways that follow a similar path to the Union Major General Federick Steele during the “Camden Expedition”. Start and end in Little Rock, Arkansas. The full loop takes you through Benton, Malvern, Rockport, Arkadelphia, Hollywood, Okolona, Prescott, Washington, Camden, Fordyce, Sheridan, Leola, and Prattsville.
For US history enthusiasts, this scenic byway features Civil War history sites like the Little Rock Arsenal and Elkins Ferry Battlefield. Informative signs about the Camden Expedition dot the route and give opportunities to take breaks from driving.
Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway
Founded in 1993, the Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway became the first scenic byway in the state. The route expanded in 1999 to nearly cross the whole state of Arkansas from North to South. For a bite-size version of this historic byway, drive the stretch of Highway 7 between Jasper and Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The section between these towns takes about 4 hours to drive. This portion of the famous Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway shows off the spectacular natural beauty and incredible views of the Ozark Mountains. For a challenge, drive the full route, including almost all of Highway 7.
Begin in either Jasper or Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Near the Ouachita Mountains, Arkadelphia is home to Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University. Check out some of the cute local restaurants like Matty’s if time allows. In Jasper, eat breakfast or dinner at the legendary Ozark Cafe. Check out the Cliff House Inn and Restaurant for a meal with a canyon view.
On this small portion of Highway 7, see sights like the famed bathhouse row in the town of Hot Springs near Hot Springs National Park and take a dip in their thermal waters. Visit beautiful lakes like DeGray and Hamilton along this scenic byway too. Take a journey on Highway 7 and appreciate the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Arkansas from the comfort of your vehicle.
Boston Mountains Scenic Loop
Travel along the highest parts of the Ozark Mountains with the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop. This route features two scenic byways in Arkansas - US Highway 71 and Interstate 49. The total route takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes. Start at the small town of Dean’s Market, just outside of Alma, and then take US Highway 71 North towards Fayetteville.
At the beginning of this route, you will pass by Lake Fort Smith State Park and Artists Point near the small town of Mountainburg. Stop for spectacular views of the Ozarks, hiking trails, and other outdoor activities. At the halfway point, explore all Fayetteville has to offer from the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks to the local farmer’s market. This little college town offers plenty of sights to see and activities to do.
Travel back via Interstate 49. Pass through the impressive Bobby Hopper Tunnel near Winslow, Arkansas. Visit the small, friendly community of Chester, Arkansas. Stretch your legs and relax in Chester City Park, which is situated next to a gorgeous low-water creek. After exploring the small towns and nature of the Ozarks, return to your starting point at Dean’s Market.
Great River Road National Scenic Byway
Established in 1938, the Great River Road follows the Mississippi River and stretches across ten states. This scenic byway hints at the development and history of the famous Delta region, the area most affected by the mighty Mississippi River.
The Great River Road National Scenic Byway in Arkansas passes through agricultural areas, wetlands, and towns shaped by the river. The full scenic byway can take a long time to explore. For a short version of this Arkansas drive, start in Helena and finish in Lake Village. Visit the Delta Cultural Center in Helena to learn more about the land and its people, and then follow the Mississippi to the small village of Elaine, Arkansas. You can continue the route towards Lake Village, making stops at points of interest like the Arkansas Post Museum or the World War II Japanese American Internment Museum. End your drive in the beautiful Lake Village on Lake Chicot's banks.
Mount Magazine Scenic Byway (Highway 309)
One of the shorter scenic byways in Arkansas, Mount Magazine Scenic Byway, takes you over the highest mountain in Arkansas. It takes just over an hour to drive the byway without stopping. This scenic drive starts in Havana and ends in Webb City, Arkansas. Before your drive, grab breakfast at the local diner, Giri’s Havana Country Store.
Rising to 2,753 feet, Mount Magazine’s slopes offer sweeping views of the Ozarks. Take a detour off the scenic byway to the Skycrest Restaurant for brunch or hike one of the trails on Mount Magazine, like the Cove Lake Trail, to see more views from the mountain. Though this scenic byway ends in Webb City, feel free to explore the nearby town of Ozark across the Arkansas River. For local history, check out the Ozark Area Depot Museum. Enjoy any local eateries like the Arkansas Brewing Company for dinner and drinks.
Interstate 530
Experience a unique wetland area of Arkansas with a scenic drive on Interstate 530. Located in southeast Arkansas, Bayou Bartholomew extends 359 miles across Arkansas and Louisiana, making it the world’s longest bayou.
This route goes between Little Rock and Pine Bluff. As the capital of Arkansas, Little Rock offers many varied activities from the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts to the Old State House Museum. The drive to Pine Bluff takes around 45 minutes, but visitors will want to stop at scenic areas along the way, like the Lorance Creek Natural Area. Grab some lunch along the way in Redfield at The Family Diner or check out the cuisine in Pine Bluff. For those looking to learn more about local wildlife, head to the Delta Rivers Nature Center in Pine Bluff for exhibits on the natural history of the Arkansas Delta region and an aquarium full of native fish varieties. To explore more history, the Arkansas Railroad Museum houses several rare artifacts.
Talimena National Scenic Byway
Journey through the incredible Ouachita Mountains via the Talimena National Scenic Byway. The Ouachita Mountains are one of the few mountain ranges in the US going east to west. Many drive this route during the fall season to view the spectacular fall foliage of the Ouachita National Forest.
In 1988, this byway became the third National Scenic Byway in the state. It went from Mena, Arkansas to the Oklahoma border. Now, the full route follows the mountains into Oklahoma and ends in the town of Talimena. You can do the Arkansas portion of the scenic byway or extend your trip to Oklahoma.
Before your trip, check out a few attractions in Mena. Visit a restored 1920s Kansas City Railroad Depot or see a play at the Ouachita Little Theater. Stop at Queen Wilhelmina State Park along the route and take in the panoramic views from the second-highest peak in Arkansas.
Time to Hit the Road
As Confucius once said, “Roads were made for journeys, not destinations.” Take a journey along the eight most scenic drives in Arkansas. Explore the history of the delta region, the beauty of the Ouachita National Forest, and the heart of the Ozarks. Drive through the diverse landscapes of Arkansas from mountains to bayous. Each scenic byway offers new and interesting sights for visitors, like amazing natural wonders and cute historic towns. Start exploring the roads of Arkansas and discover the “Natural State”.
