Both of these byways start near my neck of the woods, in Alma, and run up to Fayetteville. Today, the lake is a haven for water-based recreation, especially fishing for largemouth bass, bream, crappie and catfish. The road is paved so no 4WD is necessary but keep the hairpin turns in mind! Scenic drives to consider in the Fort Smith area are listed below. We spent the night about half way up 7, at Mount Magazine, which is about 18 miles west of the 7, but provided just another beautiful byway to take in the Quachita/Ozark Mountains, and the various national forests that . Click here to add your listing to Go-Arkansas.com, Complete the form below to email this page to a friend or family member's email. The seasons listed are the best seasons for this scenic drive. broaden a bit, and the scenery is top-tier. Falling water falls is on the right at 2.3 miles, Six Finger falls is at mile 6 on the left. The only thing that obstructed your view was the fact that the forest had grown up so much. Built as a carriage road in the 1880s, it has switchbacks that will take you to the top to a picnic area, the Pagoda overlook, and the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. mountain ranges along with the Arkansas River Valley before running through the Head out on this 4.7-mile point-to-point trail near Hot Springs, Arkansas. Learn more about the towns history and traditional arts when you head over to Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. In five miles, you enter the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. The breezy tour up the mountain is one that perfectly snapshots the beauty of Hot Springs, all without taking more than an hour. Which scenic driving trail has the most elevation gain in Arkansas? Heading north on AR-7, you soon enter the Ouachita National Forest. To reach it, head west on FR-1801 and then northwest on FR-1804. From the park, continue south on AR-309/AR-10 until you join up to AR-27, where driving east leads back to Dardanelle. Other falls in are in the area. Starting down near the Louisiana border, youll pass through the West Gulf Coastal Plain region, where youll likely get a view of some Loblolly shortleaf pine trees the Arkansas state tree! This is the perfect place to see migratory birds, beavers, and river otters during the winter, and abundant white-tailed deer year-round. Click on any scenic byway or backway listed below for complete information. It can be hiked, biked, or auto-toured at proper times for a small fee. from. The top of the tower has tons of information about the town and its history as well as an even grander view than the overlook. Have a lot of time on your hands? Click the Add to Road Trip above to start planning your next road trip. In no particular order, and with each route offering a unique landscape, youll want to check out all of these amazing Arkansas scenic byways! At the top of Hot Springs Mountain is the 10 story Hot Springs Tower with an observation deck at the top. Boston Mountains Scenic Drive Arkansas,United States, Scenery Ride Enjoyment Tourism Opportunities 3.93 out of 5 Rider Rating View All Best Motorcycle Roads & Rides in Arkansas Signup For eNewsletter Updates on new roads, events, motorcycle news and more! Click on any scenic byway or backway listed below for complete information. The most popular and difficult scenic driving trail in Arkansas is Arkansas Highway 7 Scenic Byway with a 4.5-star rating from 7 reviews. After Jasper, but before you get to Harrison there is the great Buffalo River. Arkansas: With an ascent of 22,299 ft, Arkansas Highway 7 Scenic Byway has the most elevation gain of all of the scenic driving trails in the area. $66.67. Passing through farmland and parks, this loop orbits a portion of Lake Chicot which is Arkansass biggest natural lake and the largest oxbow lake in the USA. Structures blend in with the environment such as Mather Lodge, Water Tower and Davies Bridge. If digging is not your style, they have a fantastic rock shop. Arguably Camping and RV hookups are available. Planning to go on a road trip where you can catch a glimpse of Arkansas captivating beauty? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Another absolute must-visit point is Mt. Scenic 7 Byway is a 290-mile route that stretches from the Louisiana state border to Harrison, Arkansas going darn-near straight through the middle of the state! Additionally, the Zigzag Mountains is the area known as the recharge zone for the thermal springs. 290 miles. Ida, an old silver mining town and the quartz capital of the United States! crystals, and passes by DeGray Lake, home of Arkansas's only resort state park. This shelter was built in 1924 making it one of the oldest mountain shelters still in use today at Hot Springs National Park. The nameOuachitacomes from Caddo and Choctaw words meaning good hunting grounds, so you know youre bound to see some extraordinary wildlife along this byway! Recommended. The road dances along the hills, delighting with amazing views of mountains and valleys. One of eight historic buildings that make up Bathhouse Row, The Fordyce was restored in 1989. Wonderful way to travel to Branson, MO from Texas! As these forests remain undeveloped, the views are endless trees, rock cliffs, and rolling hills of the Ouachita Mountains. There are no places to get fuel. This is a very popular area for scenic driving, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. brick storefronts that line the Harrison square, which with a few adjacent Encompassing more than 1 million acres, it is made up of two separate forests, the Ozark National Forest and the smaller St. Francis National Forest, each with distinct topography, geology and wildlife. West Mountain Scenic Drive. Copyright 2023 Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, A Public Treasure: The Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. The 4.25-mile moderate trail passes fascinating geologic features on its way up Short Mountain, culminating with panoramic views of the forest. So many beautiful sites. 5. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas Cradled in the 300-million-year-old Ouachita Mountains, the abundant supply of hot water in this scenic region was a staple of local Native American culture for . Taking you along AR-5 and AR-201, Two Mountain Way follows the White River, known for its bountiful trout fishing. We live in east Texas, between Dallas and Texarkana on Int.,30, Is the Arkansas Grand Canyon nearby and is there a cost to drive through the area. Get directions from your start address to the beginning of and including this scenic drive. Along with the stunning natural beauty, the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) between 1933 and 1938 is outstanding. Back in Dardanelle, head west on AR-22 for a side trip to Mount Magazine State Park (H5) which sits atop Mount Magazine, the highest point in Arkansas at 2,753-feet. Fanstastic rural drive through winding two lane state road. The drive begins at Fountain Street, just off of Central Avenue. Go-Arkansas.com, part of The Go Travel Sites family, is among the largest websites covering travel and vacationing in Arkansas. The Buffalo River was the first designated National River in 1972. Photos (675) Directions. Your first stop is South Arkansas Arboretum, a wonderfully maintained botanical garden. Send this link to your phone. Meander through the Ouachita National Forest, ascend Arkansass second-highest point, and check out Queen Wilhelmina State Park, all without even unbuckling your seatbelt. It doesnt matter which direction you are headed to as Arkansas will never run out of amazing destinations to check out. West Mountain Drive has entrances on Prospect Avenue and Whittington Avenue. Condos for sale near me; Hot Springs Property Records; AR New Listings; . You can send yourself an email as well. Named one of the cleanest lakes in America, Lake Ouachita is the perfect location for swimming, water skiing, scuba diving and fishing. AR-7 heads over the Little Buffalo River, traveling by limestone and sandstone walls. Enjoy your trip! Drive the park's scenic mountain roads. It's one of those attractions that everyone needs to do at least once. The drive begins at Fountain Street, just off of Central Avenue. While here, you can also check out Calico Rock Museum and Visitor Centre or Printing Press Caf. The panoramic view of the valley below is one you'll never forget. Start out by spelunking the Blanchard Springs Caverns in Mountain View, then snake through the eastern portion of the Ozark National Forest. We'd like to explore the NW area and as far south as Hot Springs. Hot Springs Mountain Drive begins at the end of Fountain Street off Central Avenue downtown. Pack your hiking boots if youre in the mood to hop and explore the abundance of trails along this journey. Make a quick visit to Hickory Nut Mountain where you can enjoy delightful views of Ouachita Lake. 4. Since this stone breaks with a predictable cone-shaped fracture, they could easily carve tools into whatever shape and thickness they desired, commonly carving the rock into arrowheads, blades, drills, and other various tool. See if you can catch a glimpse of one of Arkansass secretive black bears, or if youre driving the byway after dark, listen closely to see if you can hear the howl of the coyotes. Have a favorite flower? Yes is in on highway 7 and no there isn't a charge. You see all sorts of environments: farm, field, forest, mountain, meadow, river/stream/pond/lake. Drive slowly and have your binoculars on hand. Just before Scenic 7 sharply twists its way down to Jasper, the Cliff House Inn and Restaurant offers a great meal and amazing vistas of the "Grand Canyon of the Ozarks." Scenic Byway (it intersects in Ola) and the Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway (at A little farther north, hanging baskets of flowers and awnings accentuate old brick storefronts that line the Harrison square, which with a few adjacent buildings, make up its national historic district. Lets head up the mountain to see the grand view. This route is 54-mile long (87 kilometers) but if you want to stay within the state, then your drive will be of about 18 miles (29 kilometers). Ideal for nature lovers, there are several appealing spots on the way. Scenic Mountain Drives & Overlooks Non-hikers can drive to the top of Hot Springs and West Mountain summits. Immensely loved by travelers, Pig Trail was featured on USA Todays list of top 10 motorcycling routes. On the way back, stop at the Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge (A2) which protects 7,000 acres of bottomland hardwoods and wetlands. Byways, Backways, Historic Routes,. It's a place Crystal Trail deserves a day trip or a weekend excursion. along the Buffalo National River on its way to Harrison. A few miles after Cowell, dont miss the Alum Cove Natural Bridge Recreation Area (H10), the highlight of which is a 130-foot natural bridge. Driving along the Scenic 7 Byway will take you through four of Arkansass distinct natural geographic regions. You can also fill your own jugs of fresh hot spring water at a nozzled fountain near the Visitor Center. . It's not for the faint of heart but if you like getting close to nature, enjoying brilliant fall foliage and visiting small communities, then Ark. in the U.S. Near From here, you can hop onto U.S. 270 and travel up to U.S. 71. Or you can continue on the scenic drive in Oklahoma. one of the most scenic drives in America, the route begins on the south end It's a place where swapping stories over cups of coffee is as important to the locals as getting a good plate of inexpensive food. Under this protection, no dams or other obstacles can be built along it, meaning nature takes its course. immediately in front of the famed Bathhouse Row of Hot Springs National Park. the 1914 Boone County Jail, and the completely restored 1929 Hotel Seville. #2 - Pea Ridge National Military Battlefield Loop. Scenic 7 then gradually changes into smooth, green pastures and the scenic drive comes to an end in Harrison. A quaint small town square boasting several antique shops Click here to view all the guides avialable for Arkansas.