The scenic byways in Arkansas climb mountain ridges, wind through national forests, follow the Mississippi River and cross the flat farmland of the Delta, connecting small towns, state parks, historic places and memorable local stops along the way.
Some of our favorite Arkansas days have begun with a winding road and no firm plan beyond stopping whenever something caught our attention. Arkansas is made for this kind of exploring.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation currently lists 12 scenic byways. Three – Crowley’s Ridge Parkway, the Great River Road and the Talimena Scenic Drive – are also nationally recognized. The Great River Road holds the additional designation of an All-American Road.
We have driven most of these routes, some of them many times.
In this guide, we will cover all 12 official scenic byways in Arkansas, including where each route goes, what makes it special and the best places to stop along the way.
Arkansas Scenic Byways at a Glance
| Scenic Byway | Approximate Length | Region | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway | 290 miles | Statewide | Varied scenery, mountain towns and a classic Arkansas road trip |
| Talimena Scenic Drive | 54 miles total; 18 in Arkansas | Ouachita Mountains | Mountaintop overlooks, sunrise, sunset and fall color |
| Pig Trail Scenic Byway | 19 miles | Boston Mountains | Sharp curves, forest scenery and motorcycle touring |
| Mount Magazine Scenic Byway | 45 miles | Arkansas River Valley and Mount Magazine | Mountain views, overlooks and Mount Magazine State Park |
| Highway 21/Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway | 35 miles | Ozark National Forest | Remote mountain scenery, forests and nearby hiking |
| Sylamore Scenic Byway | 26.5 miles | North-central Ozarks | White River scenery, small towns and Blanchard Springs Caverns |
| Boston Mountains Scenic Loop | About 80 miles | Northwestern Arkansas | Mountain communities, overlooks, high bridges and the Bobby Hopper Tunnel |
| Great River Road National Scenic Byway | 362 miles | Arkansas Delta | History, agriculture, music, wetlands and Delta towns |
| Crowley’s Ridge Parkway National Scenic Byway | 198 miles | Eastern and northeastern Arkansas | Unusual geology, hardwood forests, state parks and historic sites |
| West-Northwest Scenic Byway | 261-mile network | Western Arkansas | Peaceful backroads, forests, valleys and small towns |
| Camden Expedition Scenic Byway | Large loop | Central and southwestern Arkansas | Civil War history, battlefield parks and historic communities |
| Interstate 530 Scenic Byway | 15 miles | Southeastern Arkansas | Bayou Bartholomew wetlands and Delta scenery |
The 12 Official Scenic Byways in Arkansas
Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway
Arkansas Scenic 7 was the state’s first designated scenic byway and is still one of the best known. The route runs roughly 290 miles north–south through four of Arkansas’s distinct geographic regions, beginning at the Louisiana state line and traveling north through the West Gulf Coastal Plain, the Ouachita Mountains, the Arkansas River Valley and the Ozark Mountains.
Because the route crosses almost the entire state, most travelers explore Scenic 7 in sections rather than attempting the full drive in one day.
Scenic 7 North of Interstate 40: The Ozarks
North of Interstate 40, Scenic 7 begins climbing from the Arkansas River Valley into the Ozark Mountains. This is the portion of the route that many people picture when they think of Scenic 7, with winding curves, forested mountains, sweeping overlooks and small towns.
Highlights include Rotary Ann Overlook, the Arkansas Grand Canyon near the mountain town of Jasper and the nearby Buffalo National River region. The Cliff House Inn is also a memorable place to stop for a meal while enjoying the mountain view.
We have driven this stretch many times and consider it one of the most beautiful road trips in Arkansas.
Scenic 7 South of Interstate 40: Hot Springs and the Ouachitas
South of Interstate 40, Scenic 7 travels from Russellville toward the Ouachita Mountains. One of our favorite stops as we head toward Hot Springs is the historic Hollis Country Store, where you can step into the past and enjoy a great bologna sandwich.
The route then travels directly through downtown Hot Springs. In fact, Central Avenue in front of the historic bathhouses of Hot Springs National Park is part of Scenic 7.
With plenty of places to stay and things to do, Hot Springs is one of the best places to spend a night while exploring the byway.
Scenic 7 Farther South: The Coastal Plain
South of Hot Springs, Scenic 7 passes near DeGray Lake Resort State Park, Arkansas’s only resort state park.
The landscape gradually changes as the route enters the West Gulf Coastal Plain. Mountain views give way to rolling terrain, pine forests and the bottomland hardwood forests of southern Arkansas.
The route continues through Camden and El Dorado, an area transformed by the South Arkansas oil boom of the 1920s. In nearby Smackover, the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources tells the story of the boom through exhibits, historic oil-field equipment and an indoor reproduction of an early-20th-century boomtown.
From there, Scenic 7 continues south before reaching the Louisiana state line.
Talimena Scenic Drive (National Scenic Byway)
The Ozark Mountains may get most of the attention, but in our opinion, the views along the Talimena Scenic Drive are unmatched anywhere else in Arkansas.
The route begins in Mena and climbs Rich Mountain, one of the highest peaks in Arkansas at 2,681 feet. It passes through Queen Wilhelmina State Park before following the crest of Rich Mountain for 18 miles to the Arkansas-Oklahoma state line. From there, it continues across Winding Stair Mountain to Talihina, Oklahoma.
The entire Talimena Scenic Drive is approximately 54 miles long, with 18 miles in Arkansas.
My favorite time to make this drive is early in the morning, when the road sometimes rises above the clouds and fog settles into the valleys below. Because the Talimena follows the crest of the mountains, there are numerous scenic pullouts on both sides of the road. This makes it an excellent drive for either sunrise or sunset.
Queen Wilhelmina State Park has a lodge, restaurant, campground and several hiking trails, making it a wonderful place to stop or spend the night along the route. However, there are few other services once you leave Mena, so fill up your car and bring anything you might need before beginning the drive.
Pig Trail Scenic Byway
The Pig Trail has long been a favorite scenic drive among Arkansans. This steep, twisting 19-mile stretch of Highway 23 runs north from the Ozark area to Highway 16 at Brashears, passing through the heart of the Boston Mountains and crossing the Mulberry River.
With its sharp curves, steep inclines and trees crowding close to the road, the Pig Trail is especially beautiful and busy during fall, but we love it year-round.
It is also a favorite route for motorcyclists. However, you certainly don’t need a motorcycle to enjoy it. We think it is every bit as fun to drive by car.
How did the Pig Trail get its name? There are two commonly repeated explanations. Before Interstate 40 was fully opened in 1975, University of Arkansas students and Razorback fans frequently used this route when traveling to and from Fayetteville. Another popular explanation is that the road’s tight curves resemble a pig’s curly tail. Perhaps both helped the nickname stick.
Today, the Pig Trail is less of a road people use to get from point A to point B and more of a road they choose for the experience.
Turner Bend is the iconic stop along the route. Located where Highway 23 crosses the Mulberry River, the store has been serving travelers since 1911.
Stop for a homemade sandwich, drinks, groceries, gas or souvenirs. Turner Bend also offers canoe, kayak and raft rentals, along with campgrounds, RV sites and cabins.
Our Oark, Mulberry River and Altus road trip includes a drive along part of the Pig Trail and a stop at Turner Bend.
Mount Magazine Scenic Byway
The Mount Magazine Scenic Byway follows 45 miles of Arkansas Highway 309 from Havana, across Mount Magazine to Webb City. However, the scenic heart of the route is the approximately 28-mile stretch between Havana and Paris.
Beginning in Havana, the road travels north through the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. One of our favorite stops near the beginning of the drive is Cove Lake Recreation Area. This pretty mountain lake has camping, picnic areas and a seasonal swimming beach.
From Cove Lake, the road begins its climb toward Mount Magazine State Park, home to Arkansas’s highest point at 2,753 feet. Along the way, you will find rugged rock bluffs, forested slopes and panoramic views of the Arkansas River Valley. There are also several places to pull over and enjoy the scenery, including Cameron Bluff Overlook.
Mount Magazine State Park is, of course, the high point of the route. The views from the Lodge at Mount Magazine are incredible. The park also has hiking trails, campgrounds and cabins with hot tubs overlooking the valley below.
After crossing the mountain, Highway 309 descends toward Paris. In our opinion, Paris has one of the prettiest town squares and one of the stateliest courthouses in Arkansas. The town even has its own miniature Eiffel Tower, making it a fun final stop along the mountain portion of the drive.
Highway 21/Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway
The Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway follows Highway 21 for approximately 35 miles through the Ozark National Forest. Beginning at Highway 64 near Clarksville, the route climbs into the Boston Mountains and travels through some of the most rugged and sparsely developed country in the Arkansas Ozarks.
Highway 21 is located between Scenic 7 to the east and the Pig Trail, or Highway 23, to the west. It may not be as well known as those two routes, but it offers thick forests, winding mountain roads and beautiful scenery throughout the drive.
The route passes through the small community of Ozone, where Grumpy’s Burger Barn is a good place to stop if you are hungry. Also near Ozone, the Ozark Highlands Hiking Trail crosses Highway 21 as it makes its way through the national forest.
One of the most notable stops along the route is Glory Hole Falls. The trail begins at a small roadside pull-off and leads to an unusual waterfall that pours through a round opening in the roof of an overhanging bluff.
The official byway ends near the Buffalo National River, but Highway 21 continues north across the river and descends into Boxley Valley which just might be one of the most stunning spots in the state.
From Boxley Valley, Cave Mountain Road leads to the trailhead for Whitaker Point, also known as Hawksbill Crag. This famous hike makes an excellent addition to the drive, although the steep gravel road to the trailhead can be rough.
On a personal note, Highway 21 was also the scene of one of my scariest drives in Arkansas. The road itself was not the problem. We were heading out of the mountains at dusk when fog settled over the highway so densely that we could barely see in front of the car.
The lesson here is to always check the forecast when driving these mountain roads!
Sylamore Scenic Byway
The Sylamore Scenic Byway is not to be missed! This 26.5-mile Forest Service scenic byway begins in the small town of Calico Rock and follows Highway 5 south to Allison. From there, it continues west on Highway 14 and then follows Forest Service Road 1110 to Blanchard Springs Caverns.
Calico Rock is an interesting place to begin the drive. The town contains an abandoned historic district commonly known as East Calico Rock or the Peppersauce Ghost Town. It is said to be the only town in the U.S. with a ghost town within its city limits.
A number of old structures and foundations remain, including the former jail, cotton gin and funeral parlor. Visitors can take a self-guided walking tour through the small area before beginning the byway.
From Calico Rock, the road travels near the White River and through the forested hills of the Ozarks toward Allison.
There are some great places to eat near this portion of the drive, especially when you are craving catfish and hushpuppies. Two of our favorites are JoJo’s Catfish Wharf and Angler’s Restaurant, both located on the White River. In our opinion, JoJo’s serves some of the best hushpuppies in Arkansas.
Near Allison, you can take a short side trip to the historic Sylamore Swinging Bridge. The narrow suspension bridge crosses Sylamore Creek and is one of two remaining bridges of its kind in Arkansas that you can still drive across.
The final portion of the byway winds through the Ozark National Forest toward Blanchard Springs Recreation Area.
Blanchard Springs Caverns is one of the most spectacular places in Arkansas. Check the current cave-tour schedule and reserve ahead. You will also want to visit nearby Mirror Lake. The small lake, stone dam and vivid blue-green water make it a beautiful final stop along the Sylamore Scenic Byway.
Boston Mountains Scenic Loop
The Boston Mountains Scenic Loop combines two very different routes between Alma and Fayetteville. Historic U.S. Highway 71 winds north through forests, mountain communities and scenic overlooks, while Interstate 49 offers a faster return trip across high bridges and through the Bobby Hopper Tunnel.
Together, the two roads create an approximately 80-mile loop. We suggest beginning in Alma and traveling north on U.S. 71 so that you can enjoy the slower and more leisurely portion of the drive first.
Mountainburg is a fun early stop, especially if you are traveling with children. The city park has two enormous dinosaur sculptures that kids would love. Neon Moon is also a quirky little restaurant that we enjoy.
Lake Fort Smith State Park is also a worthwhile side trip from U.S. 71. The park has a beautiful lake and an impressive visitor center with exhibits about the history of the region. You could easily spend several hours here, but it is also a peaceful place to stop briefly, picnic and enjoy the scenery.
Continuing north, Artist Point has been a favorite roadside stopping place for generations. The views across the Boston Mountains are magnificent, but my favorite part is the back deck. During hummingbird season, the deck is festooned with feeders, and there are times when you may see hundreds of hummingbirds gathered around them.
The drive then continues through Winslow, an interesting little mountain town that was once an important stop for travelers crossing the Boston Mountains. The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad still passes through the area on scenic excursions that travel across high trestles and through the historic Winslow Tunnel.
When you reach Fayetteville, follow Interstate 49 south to complete the loop. This section has a completely different feel from old Highway 71. The elevated interstate provides broad views across the mountains, valleys and farms and passes through the Bobby Hopper Tunnel, Arkansas’s only highway tunnel. The entire section is an impressive feat of engineering.
Great River Road National Scenic Byway
The Great River Road is unlike any of the other scenic byways in Arkansas. Instead of winding through mountains, this 362-mile route crosses the flat, fertile farmland of the Arkansas Delta as it travels through the ten counties bordering the Mississippi River. This drive is as much about history, agriculture, music and small towns as it is about traditional scenery.
We have driven the Arkansas Great River Road from south to north. One thing that surprised us is that you rarely see the Mississippi River itself. Levees separate much of the road from the river, but the river’s influence is everywhere—in the oxbow lakes, bayous, cypress swamps, rich farmland and small towns shaped by agriculture and river trade.
The scenery here is quiet but beautiful. Fields of cotton, rice, corn and soybeans seem to stretch forever. The Delta landscape is special to me. I love the deep stillness beneath all that big sky and the feeling that the land is somehow wise.
At the southern end of the route, Lake Chicot State Park is one of our favorite places to experience the scenery of a Mississippi River oxbow lake. Nearby Lakeport Plantation provides a fascinating and sometimes difficult look at the history of the Delta.
Farther north, the World War II Japanese American Internment Museum in McGehee and the Rohwer Relocation Center Memorial Cemetery preserve an important chapter of American history.
Helena-West Helena is another essential stop. The Delta Cultural Center explores the history and musical heritage of the region, while Helena River Park provides one of the best opportunities along the route to actually see the Mississippi River.
North of Helena, the road enters the wooded hills of the St. Francis National Forest and passes through Mississippi River State Park. This was probably my favorite portion of the drive. Part of the route follows a dirt-and-gravel road through vegetation that is thick, green and lush, making it feel completely different from the open farmland farther south.
The Great River Road also passes through Delta communities such as Marianna, Osceola, Wilson and Blytheville. Marianna is home to Jones Bar-B-Q Diner, which was the first restaurant in the state to receive a James Beard America’s Classics Award.
The small town of Wilson may also surprise you with its Tudor-style architecture. It is home to the excellent farm-to-table Wilson Cafe and The Louis, one of the most luxurious boutique hotels in Arkansas.
This is not a route we recommend rushing. The Great River Road is best experienced slowly, with time to explore its museums, historic sites, state parks, small towns and locally owned restaurants.
More than almost any other Arkansas drive, it tells the complicated story of the land and the people who have lived along the Mississippi River.
Crowley’s Ridge Parkway National Scenic Byway
Crowley’s Ridge Parkway is one of the more unusual scenic drives in Arkansas because it follows a narrow band of forested highland rising unexpectedly from the flat farmland of the Delta.
Crowley’s Ridge stretches from Helena-West Helena into southeastern Missouri. Although it rises only a few hundred feet above the surrounding plain, the difference is striking.
The scenic byway follows the ridge for approximately 198 miles from Helena-West Helena to the Missouri state line, connecting forests, state parks, historic sites and small Delta towns along the way. The route is not one continuous highway but follows portions of several different roads and city streets.
We drove the parkway from south to north, beginning in Helena-West Helena near the Helena Bridge. For a short distance, the route overlaps the Great River Road as it climbs into the St. Francis National Forest and passes through Mississippi River State Park.
From there, the byway travels toward Marianna and Forrest City before continuing north to Wynne. Village Creek State Park is one of the prettiest stops along this portion of the route with forested hills, two lakes and miles of trails. The park also preserves a remarkably intact section of the Trail of Tears.
Throughout the drive, the landscape repeatedly shifts from flat farm country to wooded hills and back again. That contrast is really the story of the Crowley’s Ridge Parkway.
Jonesboro is the largest city along the byway and a good place to stop. The Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center explains the geology, plants and wildlife that make the ridge so different from the surrounding Delta.
Farther north, Crowley’s Ridge State Park near Paragould has hiking trails, cabins, campsites, a fishing lake and a seasonal swimming area. Its rustic log and stone structures were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s.
The final portion of the route winds through Piggott, where the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum preserves the family home and barn studio used by Ernest Hemingway. He wrote portions of A Farewell to Arms while staying here with his wife’s family in 1928.
From Piggott, the byway continues to the Missouri state line. Although Crowley’s Ridge Parkway does not have towering overlooks, its unusual geology, hardwood forests, historic sites and sharp contrast with the surrounding Delta make it one of Arkansas’s most interesting scenic drives.
West-Northwest Scenic Byway
The West-Northwest Scenic Byway is different from most of Arkansas’s other scenic drives because it is not one continuous road. Instead, it is a sprawling 261-mile network of interconnected highways through western Arkansas.
The route fans out from Fort Smith and includes U.S. Highway 71 south to Mena, Highway 10 from the Oklahoma state line east to Ola, and portions of Highways 23 and 96. Much of the byway passes through or near the Ouachita National Forest.
We have driven portions of this byway during our travels through western Arkansas, but not as one complete road trip.
The scenery varies considerably depending on which branch you choose. U.S. 71 travels south from Fort Smith through Mansfield, Waldron and Mena, alternating between forested mountain country, broad valleys and small communities.
Near Mansfield, Highway 96 heads west through open pastureland toward Hartford, with the Ouachita Mountains rising on both sides of the road.
Highway 10 forms the long east-west portion of the byway. West of Fort Smith, it passes through communities near the Oklahoma border. To the east, it travels through Booneville and Havana before ending at Ola.
Near Havana, Highway 10 connects with the Mount Magazine Scenic Byway, making Mount Magazine State Park an excellent side trip.
Along the U.S. 71 branch, Mena is a natural stopping place and the gateway to the Talimena Scenic Drive. Fort Smith serves as the main northern hub of the system with museums and historic sites connected to Arkansas’s frontier history.
This route may not have the dramatic ridge-top overlooks of the Talimena Scenic Drive, but it provides a broad look at western Arkansas, with rolling pastures, forested mountains, historic towns and long stretches of peaceful two-lane highway.
Camden Expedition Scenic Byway
The Camden Expedition Scenic Byway is one of Arkansas’s newest scenic byways, designated in 2021. Rather than following a mountain ridge or river, this large loop traces the path of the Camden Expedition, an unsuccessful Union military campaign through southwestern Arkansas during the spring of 1864.
The route begins in Little Rock and travels southwest through communities including Benton, Arkadelphia and Prescott before reaching Historic Washington State Park. From Washington, it continues east through Camden, Fordyce, Leola and Sheridan before returning through Benton to Little Rock.
We have traveled portions of this route, particularly around Benton and Historic Washington, although we have not driven the complete byway as one road trip.
Historic Washington State Park is one of the best preserved historic sites in Arkansas and is an essential stop for anyone exploring this route. The preserved town includes dozens of historic buildings and served as Arkansas’s Confederate capital after Little Rock fell to Union forces.
The byway also connects three Civil War battlefield state parks: Poison Springs, Marks’ Mills and Jenkins’ Ferry. Together with sites near Prescott, Camden and Little Rock, they help tell the story of a campaign that covered roughly 275 miles and ended with Union troops retreating to Little Rock.
This drive is less about sweeping overlooks and more about following Arkansas history across pine forests, farmland, small towns and quiet backroads. It would be especially interesting for Civil War history enthusiasts, although the state parks and historic communities give other travelers plenty of reasons to explore it as well.
Interstate 530 Scenic Byway
The Interstate 530 Scenic Byway is a short, 15-mile stretch of highway running from Highway 256 in White Hall to Highway 65 southeast of Pine Bluff.
We have traveled through this part of southeastern Arkansas, although we have not intentionally driven this particular stretch as a scenic byway. The route passes through wetlands associated with Bayou Bartholomew, with bald cypress trees and habitat for birds, waterfowl, fish, otters and alligators.
Nearby Cane Creek State Park is not directly on the byway, but it is a good place to experience this distinctive landscape more closely. We have visited the park and especially enjoyed its cypress-filled waterways and quiet Delta scenery.
The Interstate 530 Scenic Byway is less of a destination-filled road trip than Arkansas’s other byways. Its appeal lies in the wetland scenery visible while traveling through the area.
Which Arkansas Scenic Byway Will You Drive?
Arkansas’s scenic byways show just how varied the Natural State can be. Some climb mountain ridges and wind through national forests, while others cross Delta farmland, wetlands and historic communities.
We have driven many of these routes more than once, and there are still sections we hope to explore more thoroughly. Whether you choose a short afternoon drive or build an entire road trip around one of the longer byways, slow down, leave room for unplanned stops and enjoy the road.
