We took an excellent Arkansas Road trip recently! If you like old stores, excellent hamburgers, waterfalls, a beautiful river, and wine then this Arkansas road trip is for you.
This road trip begins in the small town of Clarksville goes north through the Ozark Mountains to the town of Oark, travels alongside the Mulberry River west to Cass and then heads back south to Wiederkehr and the Weinkellar Restaurant.
It has some great stops along the way with a perfect mix of history, food, beauty, and adventure.
Arkansas Road Trip: Clarksville Loop
How Many Miles is this Loop?
If you begin and end this Arkansas road trip in the town of Clarksville it is an 85 mile trip that would take about 2 hours without stops.
Get Started in Clarksville
Clarksville is a small town of about 9,500 people which happens to be the county seat of Johnson County. It is a gateway city to the Ozark Mountains.
You might want to check out the town square and courthouse and some of the nice murals around that town.
Every great road trip starts with fuel for the journey, and in Clarksville, there’s no better place to grab a pick-me-up than at Delicioso Cupcakery -n- Coffee.
Whether you’re in the mood for a gourmet cupcake or an excellent coffee, this delightful café has something to satisfy your taste buds. Take a moment to enjoy the cozy atmosphere before hitting the road.
But don’t get too full because you aren’t far from one of the most important stops on this Arkansas road trip,
Step Back in Time at Oark General Store
From Clarksville you will want to put Oark General Store into your GPS.
You will be driving north on Highway 103 which will get more and more curvy the further into the Ozarks you go.
Oark General Store is the oldest continually operating store in Arkansas! It is a favorite stop for road trippers and anyone driving the winding roads of the Ozark Mountains.
They serve an old fashioned breakfast if you are there early or an EXCELLENT hamburger. You will definitely want to save enough room for a slice of one of their delectable homemade pies.
Explore the High Banks Twin Falls
After you fill up at Oark General Store you will head west on AR-215. This is a lovely drive that runs right along the gorgeous Mulberry River.
About 3.7 miles down this road you will see a sign on your left for High Bank Canoe Launch. Pull in and park. Enjoy the sight of the blue green waters of the Mulberry then walk out to the highway, take a right and you will soon see the trailhead for High Bank Twin Falls across the road.
High Banks Twin Falls definitely deserves to be called a “hidden gem.”
Although it is only a short hike into the forest few people take the time to see this gorgeous 70 foot tall double waterfall. This stop is best when the area has had plenty of rain.
Adventure at Byrd’s Adventure Center
Continue on down the road about 6 more miles to Byrd’s Adventure Center. This is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
Whether you’re into camping, off-roading, kayaking, or simply taking in the river views, Byrd’s offers plenty of activities.
Turn at Cass and Check out at Turner Bend
From Byrd’s, you will continue on to the tiny town of Cass where you will take a left onto AR-23.
This will lead you to another outdoor adventure outfitter at Turner Bend. In addition to camping and cabins and kayaks you will find another lovely waterfall right off the Turner Bend store parking lot, Turner Bend Falls.
Located along the Mulberry River, Turner Bend has been a favorite stop for travelers since 1911. It’s a great place to take in the beautiful scenery, get gasoline, or pick up a souvenir before heading toward Weiderkehr Village.
End in Weiderkehr Village for Wine and a Hearty Meal
Your final destination is Weiderkehr Village, home to Weiderkehr Wine Cellars, one of Arkansas’ most well-known wineries.
You can choose to get on I-40 and then take the exit to the town of Altus and the Wiederkehr winery or you might want to stay off the freeway and take back roads through the town of Ozark and then over to Altus.
Weiderkehr is a Swiss-founded winery that is more than 100 years old. After sampling a glass (or two), head to the Weiderkehr Weinkeller Restaurant which is one of the most iconic restaurants in Arkansas. It is housed in an original 1880s wine cellar.
Their Swiss-German cuisine, from schnitzel to hearty stews, is the perfect way to end a day of adventure.
From the charming town of Clarksville to the winding roads of the Ozarks, adventuring along the blue-green Mulberry River, and ending the day with a hearty meal this is an Arkansas Road trip that offers the perfect mix of history, nature, adventure, and food.
We encourage you to grab a friend, hop in your car, and set off on an unforgettable drive through the Ozarks!
Thanks for stopping by!
