This Missouri Scenic Byway Is The Road Trip Of A Lifetime
If you’re looking for a road trip that captures Missouri’s peaceful side, Crowley’s Ridge Parkway is one of the state’s best-kept scenic drives. Stretching more than 200 miles through southeastern Missouri and into Arkansas, the parkway winds over a natural ridge that rises above the flat Mississippi Delta, revealing forests, farmland, and rolling hills along the way. It’s open year-round and easy to explore in a day or over a weekend.
This isn’t a drive about rushing from point A to point B. It's about slowing down, rolling down the windows, and enjoying the beauty that unfolds mile after mile. From quiet state parks and charming small towns to ridge-top overlooks and winding forest roads, Crowley’s Ridge Parkway feels timeless and unhurried, just the way a great road trip should.
Crowley’s Ridge: A Unique Geological Feature
Crowley’s Ridge, a geological formation along the parkway, rises between 250 and 550 feet above the surrounding plains. It was formed over thousands of years by windblown soil called loess, which accumulated on the ridge’s narrow spine. This loess soil, combined with the elevation, supports plant and animal species not commonly found in the surrounding Mississippi Delta. The ridge runs from southeastern Missouri into northeastern Arkansas, creating a distinct corridor of forested hills amid otherwise flat terrain.
Along the drive, you'll encounter oak and hickory forests, open fields, and stretches of wildflowers. In spring, dogwoods and redbuds bloom across the ridge, adding white and pink hues to the green landscape. Summer brings dense canopies, providing shade along the roadside. Fall displays a wide range of colors as leaves turn red, orange, and gold, while winter exposes the ridge’s contours with bare trees and open views of the surrounding plains.
Starting The Drive In Maiden And Campbell
Your journey along Crowley’s Ridge Parkway begins near Maiden, Missouri. From there, take Highway J west for about five miles, then head south on Highway WW toward Morris State Park. Along the way, you’ll pass small woodlots, open fields, and farmsteads. You may also see wildlife, including songbirds and deer, along the roadside.
Morris State Park, a 161-acre site donated to the state in 1999 by businessman Jim D. Morris, sits on a section of the ridge that illustrates its geology and ecology. The park has a two-mile loop trail along the ridge’s spine, offering views of the surrounding hills, valleys, and forests. It also includes benches and picnic tables for resting or having a meal before continuing your drive.
After leaving the state park, continue south toward Campbell, a small town surrounded by farmland and tree-lined streets. Along the way, you’ll pass fields of cotton, soybeans, and peaches that grow in the ridge’s soil. In Campbell, the Campbell Water Tank is painted to resemble a giant peach. The town, historically known as the “Peach Capital of Missouri,” utilizes the tank to reflect its agricultural heritage. The structure holds 100,000 gallons of water, and the painted peach design is maintained to remain visible over time.
The Little River Conservation Area And Crowley’s Ridge State Park
A few miles south of Campbell, you’ll reach Kennett, one of the larger communities along Crowley’s Ridge Parkway. The town offers a range of services, including places to refuel, grab a bite to eat, and areas to stretch your legs and explore. Just outside Kennett, the Little River Conservation Area spans more than 1,000 acres of wetlands, forests, and open land. The area supports a diverse range of wildlife and is renowned for attracting migratory birds, including the least tern and black tern, particularly during the spring and fall migration seasons.
The conservation area features Jerry Paul Combs Lake, a 150-acre lake that offers fishing jetties, a covered floating dock, a concrete platform, and a two-lane boat ramp. Additionally, picnic tables, a pavilion, and restroom facilities are available. Trails wind through marshes, reforested bottomland hardwoods, and upland habitats. Wildlife commonly seen includes deer, quail, rabbits, and a variety of songbirds. Managed wetlands and levees maintain habitats while keeping the lake a no-shooting zone, supporting both conservation and recreational activities.
As you near the St. Francis River, the landscape shifts between gentle hills, open fields, and wooded stretches. Pull-off areas offer views of the river and chances to spot birds along the banks. The Missouri segment of Crowley’s Ridge Parkway ends here before continuing into Arkansas, where you can visit Crowley’s Ridge State Park near Paragould to experience the ridge’s natural beauty and history.
Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the park features hiking trails, rustic stone cabins, and a spring-fed lake for swimming and boating. Scenic overlooks make it a peaceful stop before continuing farther south.
Traveling Along Missouri's Most Scenic Route
Crowley’s Ridge Parkway offers a quiet, scenic escape through southeastern Missouri, where the landscape shifts from wooded ridges to open farmland and winding river views. Along the way, small towns like Campbell and Kennett provide unique landmarks, local produce, and easy spots to pause, while Morris State Park and nearby conservation areas invite you to stretch your legs and enjoy the outdoors. Each season brings its own colors and life, from spring blooms to winter’s bare, sweeping vistas, making the drive rewarding year-round. The route is less about rushing to a destination and more about noticing the details, from the wildflowers to the birdlife to the gentle curves of the ridge, which all make this part of Missouri unforgettable.
