This scenic Oark, Mulberry River and Altus road trip, climbs into the Ozark Mountains to the tiny community of Oark, follows the beautiful Mulberry River and eventually winds south toward Altus wine country.
Along the way, you can eat a hamburger and homemade pie at Arkansas’s oldest continually operating store, take a short hike to a hidden twin waterfall, stop beside the Mulberry River and finish the day with dinner inside an original 1880 wine cellar.
It is an excellent Arkansas day trip for anyone who enjoys winding mountain roads, historic stores, waterfalls, river scenery and memorable local food.
The Arkansas Road Trip Route at a Glance
Route: Clarksville → Oark → High Bank Twin Falls → Byrd’s Adventure Center → Cass and Turner Bend → Wiederkehr Village → Clarksville
Distance:Â Approximately 85 miles
Driving time:Â Approximately 2 hours without stops
Time needed:Â A full day or approximately 6-8 hours
Best for:Â Scenic driving, local food, waterfalls and Arkansas history
Road conditions:Â Paved, but mountainous and very curvy
Important:Â Check restaurant, store and tasting-room hours before leaving
Arkansas Oark, Mulberry River, Altus Road Trip
Starting in Clarksville
Clarksville makes a convenient starting and ending point for this Ozarks road trip as it is just off of Interstate 40. Before heading into the mountains, you can take a quick look around the downtown square and see some of the colorful murals scattered around town.
Coffee drinkers may also want to stop at Delicioso Cupcakery and Coffee Shop for a drink or pastry before starting the drive. Because its operating hours can be limited, check the current schedule before planning.
Eat at Historic Oark General Store
From Clarksville you will follow Highway 103 north into the Ozark Mountains. The road becomes increasingly winding as you climb, so take your time and enjoy the scenery.
Before leaving Clarksville, put Oark General Store into your GPS and download or screenshot the directions. Cell service can be unreliable in this part of the Ozarks, and the store is located a short distance off Highway 103.
Oark General Store opened in 1890 and is considered the oldest continually operating store in Arkansas. The original building still retains much of its historic character and has become a favorite stop for travelers.Â
We recommend arriving hungry. Oark General Store serves old-fashioned southern breakfasts, hamburgers and sandwiches. You will definitely want to save room for one of their homemade pies.
This is a true destination restaurant. Our Facebook followers voted it as one of the restaurants in Arkansas worth driving for. If you like spicy food then I suggest you try our favorite Рthe angry hornet burger Рwhich has grilled jalape̱os and pepper jack cheese.
Explore High Bank Twin Falls
After leaving Oark, head west on Highway 215. This is one of the prettiest portions of the drive, with the road following the blue-green Mulberry River through the Ozark National Forest.
About 3.7 miles down this road you will see a sign on your left for High Bank Canoe Access. Pull in and park in the parking lot here. From there walk back toward the highway, carefully cross the road and look for the unmarked trail near the bridge.
The hike to High Bank Twin Falls is short, but the trail can be rocky and slippery. The waterfall is seasonal and is most impressive after the area has received plenty of rain. It may be only a trickle during dry weather.
High Bank Twin Falls definitely deserves to be called a hidden gem. Although the trail is short, the waterfall is easy to miss if you do not know where to look. After plenty of rain, two streams of water plunge approximately 71 feet over the bluff, creating one of the prettiest waterfalls in this part of the Ozarks.
Adventure at Byrd’s Adventure Center
Continue west along Highway 215 for approximately six miles to Byrd’s Adventure Center. Byrd’s is primarily a destination for camping, paddling, off-roading and other outdoor adventures, but it can also be a pleasant place to pause and enjoy views of the Mulberry River.
Travelers interested in turning this drive into an overnight trip can find campsites and other lodging here.
Byrd’s Riverfront Restaurant also serves meals seasonally on weekends. It is a great restaurant that we definitely recommend, but you will want to check the schedule before counting it as a food stop.
Turn onto the Pig Trail and Stop at Turner Bend
Continue west on Highway 215 to the small community of Cass where you will turn left onto Highway 23, better known in this area as the Pig Trail.
Soon you will reach Turner Bend, a longtime Mulberry River outfitter and roadside store that has welcomed travelers since 1911. Stop for fuel, river supplies, a souvenir or one of the store’s well-known sandwiches and wraps.Â
Turner Bend rents kayaks, canoes, and rafts for the river. There are also cabins, RV and tent campsites if you want to spend the night on the Pig Trail.
Before leaving, look for the small waterfall beside the store’s parking area. It is sometimes called Turner Bend Falls. It is easy to see when water is flowing and requires little or no hiking.
End in Wiederkehr Village for Wine and a Hearty Meal
From Turner Bend, continue south on Highway 23 (the Pig Trail) toward the town of Ozark. You can join Interstate 40 for the quickest drive to Wiederkehr Village, or remain on the back roads for a slower drive through the countryside around Ozark and Altus.
Wiederkehr Wine Cellars traces its history to 1880, when Swiss immigrant Johann Andreas Wiederkehr established a vineyard on St. Mary’s Mountain near Altus. Today, visitors can browse the gift shop, sample Wiederkehr wines and dine at the historic Weinkeller Restaurant which is one of the most iconic restaurants in Arkansas.
The restaurant is located inside the original 1880 wine cellar and serves Swiss- and German-inspired dishes, along with steaks, seafood and other European-style entrées. It is an atmospheric and memorable place to finish a day in the Ozarks. We especially recommend starting your meal with the cheese fondue!
The tasting room closes earlier than the restaurant, so arrive before late afternoon if wine tasting is part of your plan. Of course, anyone sampling wine should have a designated driver.
You can end this road trip at Weinkeller restaurant or head back to Clarksville to make the full loop.
This road trip packs an amazing amount into approximately 85 miles. In a single day, you can travel from a small Arkansas town deep into the Ozark Mountains, eat at a historic general store, hike to a hidden waterfall, follow the Mulberry River and finish with dinner in Arkansas wine country.
For us, the combination of winding roads, beautiful scenery, interesting history and memorable food made this one of the most enjoyable Arkansas drives we have taken.
