9 Great Road Trips to Take in Arkansas
Arkansas has a rich history dating back to the year 500. Indigenous people created bluff shelters for seasonal and short-term use and large mounds along the Mississippi River. The first European settlement was established in 1686 by Italian-born French explorer Henri de Tonti. French explorers used the name Arkansas to refer to the Quapaw people and the river they inhabited. Arkansas has a diverse landscape, including the Ozark and Ouachita mountains in the north and west and the flat agricultural lands and rivers in the east. Most of the state's rivers flow from the northwest to the southeast before emptying into the Arkansas and Red rivers, eventually leading to the Mississippi River on the east side. The state’s beauty and diversity can be explored through its many scenic byways. Here are nine great road trips to take in Arkansas.
Camden Expedition Scenic Byway
A journey down the Camden Expedition Scenic Byway starts in Little Rock, heading southwest along Interstate 30 to Old Washington State Park in Hempstead County. This byway was designated in 2021 with a focus on Civil War tourism. Along the route, travelers can embrace the area's history at the Bauxite Historical Association Museum and Gann Museum of Saline County. For the weary traveler, a stop at the Old US 67 Rest Area will surely delight. The Bauxite Historical Association Museum, located in Bauxite, includes 30 years of history from the 1920s to the 1950s. Exhibits include photographs, mining history, military memorabilia, and diversity of the area, including Mexico Camp, Little Africa, and Little Italy. The Gann Museum of Saline County was built in 1896 for Dr. Dewel Gann and includes photographs, office furniture, Niloak pottery, and Quapaw and Caddo Indian artifacts. The museum is in Benton, off South Market Street. The Old US 67 Rest Area, built in 1936, includes a retaining wall, concrete bench, and fieldstone well. The historical site is in Clark County between Curtis and Gum Springs. If you are in the Little Rock area and looking for a scenic drive, the Camden Expedition Scenic Byway is a great starting point.
Crowley’s Ridge Parkway National Scenic Byway
Designated as a byway in 1997, this 212-mile route includes 17 highways and many city streets. The byway traverses northeast and east-central Arkansas. Road warriors and history buffs can start the journey in Jonesboro and drive south to Helena-West Helena along Arkansas Highway 1. The route includes many attractions, including the Cross County and St. Francis County museums and the Parker Pioneer Homestead. The Cross County Museum in Wynne reflects the area’s history with photographs, historical objects used for daily life, and archives for genealogical research. The St. Francis County Museum in Forrest City is in the historic Rush-Gates home and includes exhibits of a reconstructed doctor’s office, fossils, and African American history. A journey to the Parker Pioneer Homestead, south of Harrisburg, offers a glimpse into the past with an abundant collection of buildings and artifacts. The Crowley’s Ridge Parkway National Scenic Byway is a great way to explore the local history hidden within Arkansas.
Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway
The Ouachita and Ozark mountains are both excellent features of this byway. Designated as Arkansas' first scenic byway in 1993, the Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway is 290 miles long and includes the uniqueness of the Ouachita Mountains, a mountain range that runs east-west unlike most mountain ranges in the country. The Ozark Mountains provide refreshing, clear mountain springs in the northwestern part of the byway. The journey starts in Hot Springs and continues north toward Harrison via Highway 7. Before beginning, a stop at The Gangster Museum of America is a must. This museum in Hot Springs features several galleries, including The Capone, Power Brokers, and Madden galleries. The museum offers a look into the past, with galleries providing history from the 1920s and beyond. Grab a souvenir at the gift shop for a lasting memory. The Arkansas Grand Canyon in Jasper is another essential feature of the byway. The canyon comprises deep valleys, and a 180-degree view of the Ozark Mountains is visible from the Rotary Ann Roadside Park. The park dates back to the 1930s and was used as a roadside rest area for travelers. A drive along Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway will surely delight any traveler.
Boston Mountains Scenic Loop
This loop consists of two separate parts. Travelers can start in Fayetteville and head south on Interstate 49 toward Dean’s Market through the Ozarks. The route is about 42 miles long and includes the state’s only highway tunnel, the Bobby Hopper Tunnel. The second loop parallels the first, running along Highway 71 from Fayetteville. Before starting on the scenic loop, make a quick stop at the Arkansas Air and Military Museum, which provides a rich history of aviation with unique exhibits and aircraft from the 1920s and 30s. The Bobby Hopper Tunnel, located on the Washington and Crawford County line, is near Winslow and is at an elevation of 1,640 feet. The twin tunnels are about 1,595 feet long and 25 feet tall. Hungry travelers can stop at the Sugar Shake Restaurant in West Fork for burgers, fries, onion rings, funnel cakes, or beignets.
Great River Road National Scenic Byway
This 362-mile byway runs through 10 states along the Mississippi River. Developed in 1938, it became a scenic byway in Arkansas in 2001. In Arkansas, the byway runs through 10 counties that border the Mississippi River. The journey begins in West Memphis and continues along US-79 to Helena-West Helena. Travelers can visit the Mississippi River State Park, Moore-Hornor House, and the Helena Crossing Archeological Site. The Mississippi River State Park in Marianna contains hardwood trees and sandy shores along the river. Hiking trails are abundant, and water sports such as boating, kayaking, and canoeing are available. The park also leads to access to the St. Francis National Forest. The Moore-Hornor House in Helena offers history enthusiasts an opportunity to see a Civil War hospital. Completed in 1859 by Arthur Thompson, the home served as a hospital during the Civil War and later became the residence of the Moore family, followed by the Hornor family. Today, it is under the management of the Delta Cultural Center. The Helena Crossing Archeological Site contains Indian burial mounds that hold the remains of several people from approximately 2,000 years ago. The elaborate log-lined tombs made by the Fourche Maline people include personal and ritual objects. The Great River Road National Scenic Byway is a great way to see the Mississippi River and discover more of Arkansas’s history.
Highway 21/Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway
This 35-mile scenic byway is ideal for animal and nature lovers. It encompasses part of Highway 21 and goes through the Boston Mountain region of the Ozarks. Designated as a byway in 2005, it includes the Ozark National Forest, Glory Hole Falls, and nearby Memory Lane Museum. The journey begins in Clarksville and heads north along Highway 21. The Ozark National Forest is home to elk, deer, black bears, and eagles. The forest includes more than 1 million acres of land that stretch across northwest Arkansas and reaches south to the Ouachita Mountains. Glory Holes Falls, a short detour off Highway 21, is a partly enclosed cavern with a hole at the top. Water falls through the hole, creating a spectacular view of one of the most unique waterfalls in the Ozarks. The Memory Lane Museum of Berryville is a short drive east off Highway 21. The museum takes visitors back in time with items from the 1930s to 1960s. Exhibits include a 1965 popcorn and peanut wagon, a 1954 Ronald McDonald merry-go-round, a jukebox, toys, dishes, a malt machine, and hundreds of little cars. A drive along Highway 21/Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway is a great way to explore nature and travel down memory lane.
I-530 State Scenic Byway
Designated as a scenic byway in 2001, Interstate 530 State Scenic Byway goes through part of Bayou Bartholomew, which includes hundreds of fish species, bald cypress trees, and various bird species. Start the journey from Little Rock and head south along Interstate 530 to Glenlake. Along the way, stop at the Bayou Bartholomew Water Trail, Byrd Lake Natural Area, and Leon’s Catfish & Shrimp Restaurant. Bayou Bartholomew is considered the longest bayou in the world. Beginning near Pine Bluff, it flows about 360 miles to the Ouachita River. It was created by the Arkansas River about 2,000 years ago and is home to alligators, turtles, waterfowl, cypress, and tupelo trees. The Byrd Lake Natural Area is an oxbow lake that interacts with its parent streams. It includes a hardwood forest, an overlook with benches, and trails. A road trip would not be complete without a roadside restaurant. Leon’s Catfish & Shrimp Restaurant in Pine Bluff offers Cajun-style gumbo, fried chicken, catfish and shrimp dishes, as well as various salads. A trip down Interstate 530 is an excellent way to witness the beauty and uniqueness of Arkansas.
Mount Magazine Scenic Byway/Highway 309
This byway, designated in 1994, encompasses 45 miles of Highway 309. It starts in Havana and goes over Mount Magazine, the highest mountain in the state at 2,753 feet. French explorers named it Mount Magazine because they noticed that the mountain looked similar to the ammunition storage used by the French military. The byway ends in Webb City, but travelers and road warriors can begin the journey in Fayetteville and head south on Interstate 49 to Highway 309. Highlights along the way include the Ozark Area Depot Museum, Eiffel Tower Park, and Mount Magazine State Park. The Ozark Area Depot Museum is a historic railroad station and museum located on the edge of the Arkansas River. The museum features the town's history, including railroad antiques and a garden area nearby. Eiffel Tower Park is located on the western side of the town square in Paris. Established in 2014, the 18-foot tower with a two-tiered water fountain raises 25 feet into the air. The paint used on the structure is the same paint used on the actual Eiffel Tower. Mount Magazine State Park is a great way to relax and explore nature. The park offers many outdoor sports, such as mountain biking, horseback riding, backpacking, ATV riding, and rock climbing. The scenic overlook and hiking trails bring refreshing beauty to the area. Those interested in a souvenir can visit the visitor’s center and gift shop.
Pig Trail Scenic Byway
This byway is full of sharp turns and steep inclines, so prepare for a rollercoaster ride of fun. It begins in the Ozark National Forest near Interstate 40 and continues north along Highway 23 to Highway 16, ending at Brashears. Since there is little development along the route, travelers will encounter a pristine experience in the Ozarks. The journey begins in Fayetteville (fitting, since that's the home of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks aka the Hogs), heading southeast on Highway 16 to White Oak. The 19-mile journey will lead to the Pig Trail Bypass Country Café, Pig Trail Falls, and Mulberry River. The Pig Trail Bypass Country Café in Elkins is a great opportunity to get gasoline and groceries for the journey ahead. The café is famous for its Hooshburgers, so grabbing one is a must. The Pig Trail Falls are located just off Highway 23. This 18-foot fall can be viewed from your car, or the more adventurous traveler can walk behind the falls. The Mulberry River is a wild river that begins in the Ozarks and flows into the Arkansas River. The river traverses over ledges, makes sharp turns, and is a great fishing sport to catch smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass. The river is easily accessible from Highway 23. Pig Trail Scenic Byway is an excellent road to travel for the adventurous road warrior.
Final Thoughts
Wherever the road leads you, a journey along any or all of these nine great road trips to take in Arkansas provides a bit of history, adventure, and an abundance of nature for any traveler. From the Indian burial mounds by the Great River Road Scenic Byway to the twisted roads of the Pig Trail Byway, Arkansas offers spectacular views along its many scenic byways. Hop in the car, buckle up, and prepare for a great road trip you will not forget.
