The Scenic 7 Byway is probably the most well known scenic drive in Arkansas.
It crosses almost the entire state entering from Louisiana just south of the town of El Dorado and running all the way to the town of Harrison.
For this post we are going to tell you all about what is arguably the most popular part of the route from Interstate 40 at Russellville to the town of Harrison.
Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway from Russellville to Harrison
If you’re looking for one of the most beautiful drives in the Natural State, you can’t beat a day exploring Scenic Highway 7 between Russellville and Harrison.
This stretch of the road rolls through the Ozark Mountains and winds through fields, forests, overlooks, and small towns that each have their own character and charm.
It’s especially lovely in the fall, but truthfully, Highway 7 has something to offer in every season.
Here’s a guide to some great stops, sights, and bites along the way!
Russellville
Russellville makes a perfect jumping-off point for your drive. We went north on 7 at Russellville from Interstate 40.
Places to Eat in Russellville Before Your Trip
There are plenty places to eat in Russellville if you need sustenance for your drive!
If you need to grab coffee and breakfast before hitting the road you can have a hearty, old-fashioned southern breakfast at the Old South Restaurant.
If it’s lunch then grab a burger and fries at CJ’s Butcher Boy Burgers which is right on the Scenic 7 Byway.
Side Trips in Russellville
Russellville also has some great side trips that you might be interested in taking before your drive.
Lake Dardanelle State Park is a great place to camp, boat, fish, or swim. Be sure to stop in to the visitor center to check out their freshwater aquariums.
If you are up for a bit of hiking or mountain biking or simply want to see more gorgeous vistas then you might want to visit beautiful Mount Nebo State Park which is just west of Highway 7.
Mount Nebo is one of our favorite state parks!
The winding drive up the mountain is an adventure all by itself but once you get to the top you can hike the gorgeous Rim Trail. If you prefer not to hike you will find two overlooks with stunning views that are easily accessed by car.
If you are lucky you might even see some people hang-gliding off the mountain!
Back on Highway 7, you will continue north toward the town of Dover.
This section of the road will take you past pastures and homes. But you will definitely begin to feel that you are heading up into the mountains.
North of Dover is the first major overlook!
Rotary Ann Overlook
The Rotary Ann Overlook is a major stop on the Scenic 7 Byway!
This stop looks out to the west and as you might imagine it is a very popular sunset spot!
We went by in the morning on our way up the highway and as you can tell from the photo we had just missed sunset on the way back down.
Pull out from the Rotary Ann Overlook and continue heading north…
Sand Gap – Red Oak Station
Next you will come to the town of Sand Gap and the intersection of Hwy 7 and 16.
There is a good place to stop for a sandwich or a drink here at the Red Oak Station. This used to be called Hankins Country Store and it is on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places.
The store has been around since 1922 and has long been a famous stop for Arkansans driving the Scenic 7 Byway.
We stepped inside while on our drive and they are still making sandwiches and I was happy to see that the old pot-bellied stove was still inside. According to the proprietor, they still use it when the weather is cold enough.
Just before the Red Oak Station you can take a right on Highway 16 for a great side trip to Pedestal Rocks and Kings Bluff hiking trails.
Pedestal Rocks and Kings Bluff Hiking Trails
There is a nice parking lot and a pit toilet at these wonderful hiking trials.
The Pedestal Rocks and Kings Bluff hiking trails both begin from the same parking area and both are loops. Pedestal Rocks is about 2.2 miles and Kings Bluff is about 1.7 miles.
Both hikes are special. If there has been a recent rain then Kings Bluff is a great choice because there is a waterfall during times of wet weather.
Pedestal Rocks is just so unique! The pedestals are basically hoodoos like you would typically find out in the dessert. They are just spectacular.
Both trails have steep drop-offs so you will want to be careful is you are traveling with children.
If you take the side trip then head back to hwy 7 and go north again. Soon you will see:
Who Da Thought It Arkansas
This is a quirky little place that is a combination pizza place, hardware store, antiques and junk.
After checking it out continue north and consider taking a side trip to:
Alum Cove Natural Bridge and Recreation Area
If you are only going to take one side trip on your Scenic 7 Byway Drive then the Alum Cove Natural Bridge is the one that I would suggest.
You will take a left (west) on Highway 16 and follow the signs to the Alum Cove Recreation Area parking.
This is a great stop for a picnic if you have brought your own food or picked up sandwiches at the Red Oak Station.
There are picnic tables under large shade trees and a pit toilet.
From the recreation area you can hike the Alum Cove Loop which is about 1.2 miles and leads to a spectacular natural bridge, a wet weather creek, and some bluff shelter.
The hike will take you over the top of the bridge but there is a side trail that will take you down and underneath.
If you take this side trip head back out to Scenic 7 and continue to drive north. You are about to come to the most beautiful part of your drive!
Grand Canyon of Arkansas and Cliff House Inn
Continue north and you will come to the Grand Canyon of Arkansas which has a tower and a huge parking area.
Just past that you will find the Cliff House Inn which also looks over the Grand Canyon of Arkansas and in our opinion has even more spectacular views!
This is a nice little restaurant that is especially known for their famous dessert which they call, “Company’s Coming Pie.”
From the Cliff House continue north. You are almost to the town of Jasper, Arkansas.
Jasper
Your next stop will be Jasper which is one of the most charming small towns in the Ozarks.
You might want to eat at the Ozark Cafe which has great burgers, shakes, and home cooking. There are also plenty of hikes and other recreational things to do near Jasper including the gorgeous Triple Falls.
There are also some fun little shops around the town square.
We have an entire post about things to do near Jasper!
There is another excellent Arkansas road trip that includes the town of Jasper called the Jasper Disaster that you might want to check out!
Buffalo National River Area
The drive north of Jasper is stunning and enters through the Buffalo National Forest to the Buffalo River.
You will begin to head down from the hills to the river. Turn into the Pruitt Landing for gorgeous river views.
You can even take a swim here if you are traveling in summer. We always like to spend some time enjoying this amazing free flowing river which was the first national river in the United States.
After spending time near the Buffalo River continue north on Scenic 7. The road will widen and if you pay attention you will see off to your right the remains of what was once a theme park called Dogpatch USA.
Today it is called Marble Falls.
It is currently owned by Johnny Morris who is the founder of Bass Pro Shops. It is said that the land will become a property similar to his Dogwood Canyon Nature Park near Branson.
But so far it doesn’t seem like much is happening there.
Hi-Boy Daisy Queen
After you pass Marble Falls you will see Hi-Boy Daisy Queen on your right. This is one of the best known of the Arkansas dairy bars.
It’s a great place to pick up a milk shake!
In our opinion the road the rest of the way to Harrison isn’t quite as scenic so at this point we usually turn around and make our way back south to Russellville.
HOWEVER…
Maplewood Cemetery
If you are traveling in the fall I highly recommend continuing on to Harrison and going to Maplewood Cemetery.
It really is something special and one of the best places in the state for fall foliage.
We hope that you enjoy your drive on the Scenic 7 Byway north from Russellville!
Tips for the Trip
- Length: The drive from Russellville to Harrison is about 90 miles, but with stops, plan for a full day. It’s even better if you want to spend the night in Jasper and make it a two day trip.
- Best time to go: Fall for foliage, spring for waterfalls, and any sunny day for sweeping Ozark views.
- Cell service: Most of the time you will have little to no cell service to be sure and download maps ahead of time!
- Bring: A picnic, your camera, and a sense of adventure.
Highway 7 is Arkansas at its best. It is wild, scenic, and full of small surprises. Whether you’re chasing fall color, planning a weekend road trip, or just looking to rediscover your own backyard, this drive is one to remember.
