Taking The Road Less Traveled: 9 Great Arkansas Destinations
Remember the Sunday drive? It was that old tradition of piling into the family land yacht, sliding across hot seats to nab a spot by the window, daydreaming and talking while late spring wind whooshed across your face, and stopping for the best swirl cone in the country at your favorite rural dairy shack.
Of course, the Sunday drive has been hindered by soaring gas prices and hectic activity schedules. Family time is often reduced to stolen moments here and there. Leave the rat race in the dust. Take the road less traveled. Unplug from technology. Recharge your relationship batteries. Head down one of these scenic byways in our great Natural State. It’ll be cheaper than dinner and a movie. And, the investment in your family will make all the difference.
(Information courtesy of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.)
Scenic Highway 7
Becoming Arkansas’ first scenic byway in 1993, Highway 7 stretches 290 miles from Harrison south past Arkadelphia to the Louisiana state line. Travelers along this byway encounter rolling, forested hills, numerous river valleys dotted with lakes, the Ozark and Ouachita Mountain ranges and abundant wildlife. Outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, camping and canoeing abound along with historical sites and entertainment options.
Crowley’s Ridge Parkway National Scenic Byway
Crowley’s Ridge Parkway was designated as Arkansas’ first National Scenic Byway by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This 198-mile long byway follows the geologic formation known as Crowley’s Ridge through northeast and east central Arkansas. The ridge is named for one of the earliest settlers in the area and is one of only two such formations in the world! Views vary from hardwood forests to the rich agricultural resources of our state.
The Great River Road National Scenic Byway
Paralleling a path of the Mississippi River on Arkansas’ eastern border is Arkansas’ segment of the Great River Road, running from Louisiana northward to Missouri. Travelers can follow road signs that route nearly 3,000 miles through ten states that border the Mississippi. This fertile region is home to agriculture, oxbow lakes, state parks, wildlife refuges, museums, art galleries, archeological sites, national heritage sites and a national forest.
Scenic Highway 309
Motorists on this portion of Highway 309 travel over the top of Mount Magazine, the highest point in Arkansas at 2,753 feet. The area is home to unique habitats for rare plants and animals due to its altitude, geography and climate. Travelers can visit Cove Lake, camp, swim, hike, and take in awe inspiring vistas.
Scenic Highway 99-Talimena Scenic Drive National Scenic Byway
Highway 88, from Mena to Talihina, Oklahoma passes through Queen Wilhelmina State Park and close to Rich Mountain, elevation 2,681 feet. Also home to rich flora and fauna, this byway offers breathtaking views and historic sites.
Scenic Highway 21
From Clarksville northward to the Newton County Line is one of Arkansas’ best-kept secrets. This drive provides outstanding views of the Ozark National Forest, panoramic views, colorful flora and rugged terrain. Wildlife is abundant and includes deer, black bear, elk, and bald eagles. This route also boasts excellent orchards with seasonal access to a wide variety of peaches and apples.
Boston Mountains Scenic Loop (Highway 71 & Interstate 540)
Two very different roadways, one a two-lane highway and the other a four-lane divided interstate with full control of access, make up this picturesque loop. The drive takes motorists across the highest region of the Ozark Mountains. Craft and antique shops dot the landscape. There are also mountain top lodging and roadside overlook opportunities. Numerous high-span bridges mingle through the mountains and find their way to the Bobby Hopper Tunnel, the only highway tunnel in Arkansas. Unending views of mountains and area farmlands lie in the valleys below.
West Central Scenic Byway System
This scenic byway system connects several systems including the Talimena Scenic Drive at Mena, Scenic Highway 309 at Havana and Scenic Highway 7 at Ola which includes Highway 10 from the Oklahoma State Line, Highway 23 in Scott County and the city of Booneville, Highway 71 from Mena to Fort Smith and Highway 96 from Highway 71 to Hartford. In addition to the amenities offered by these other Scenic Byways, motorist on this scenic byway system pass through or near the amazing Ouachita National Forest and the Blue Mountain Lake area.
Interstate 530
This Scenic Byway extends 15 miles from Highway 256, west of White Hall to Highway 65 on the east side of Pine Bluff. It follows Bayou Bartholomew across bridges and through a wetlands corridor where waterfowl and wading birds can be seen.
Healthy Relationships are the Driving Force of any Family
Being green means conserving our natural resources. One of our most precious natural commodities is in fact, time. There are thousands of books, blogs and motivational speakers devoted solely to the concept of time management. Benjamin Franklin once said, “Dost thou love life? Then don’t squander time, for that’s the stuff that life is made of.” Are we managing time or is it managing us?
33 Pit Stops: Take a Walk on the Road Trip Wild Side!
Make a stop along the way to soak up some of our state’s majestic beauty at one of the following natural areas and wildlife preserves. (Go to The Nature Conservancy’s Arkansas Field Office website for information.)
- Baker Prairie Natural Area (Boone County)
- Slippery Hollow Natural Area (Marion County)
- Big Piney Preserve (Newton County)
- Central Ozarks Natural Area (Marion County)
- Devil’s Eyebrow (Benton County)
- Kings River Falls and Sweden Creek Falls Natural Areas (Madison County)
- Strawberry River Preserve (Sharp County)
- Upper Lee Creek (Washington County)
- Brushy Creek Preserve (Montgomery County)
- Cherokee Prairie Conservation Area (Sebastian/Franklin Counties)
- Electric Island Nongame Wildlife Management Areas (Garland County)
- Cossatot State Park and Natural Area (Polk County)
- Saline River Conservation Area (Saline County)
- Dry Lost Creek Preserve (Saline County)
- Central Sandhills Conservation Area (Nevada/Ouachita Counties)
- Columbus-Saratoga Blackland Conservation Area (Hempstead/Howard Counties)
- Grandview Prairie Wildlife Management Area (Hempstead County)
- Felsenthal West (Union County)
- Kingsland Prairie Conservation Area (Cleveland County)
- Longview-Saline Natural Area (Ashley County)
- Lorance Creek Natural Area (Saline/Pulaski Counties)
- Miller County Sandhill Conservation Area (Miller County)
- Moro Bottoms Natural Area (Cleveland/Calhoun County)
- Blackland Ravines Natural Area (Hempstead County)
- Stone Road Glade (Howard County)
- Terre Noire Conservation Area (Clark County)
- Warren Prairie Conservation Area (Bradley/Drew Counties)
- Arkansas Post National Memorial (Arkansas County)
- Bayou DeView Conservation Area (Monroe/Woodruff Counties)
- Burke Crowley’s Ridge Preserve (Phillips County)
- Pine City/Headwaters Swamp Conservation Area (Monroe County)
- Railroad Prairie (Lonoke/Prairie Counties)
- Sand Ponds Natural Areas (Clay County)