The Top 6 Scenic Drives in Arkansas

As an Arkansan, you probably already know just how much exciting terrain there is to discover here. The state is home to forests, mountains, wetlands, and more, and it takes little more than a car and a driver to experience an adventure in Arkansas. At Campbell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we’ve rounded up six of our favorite scenic drives in Arkansas to help you explore the world outside Benton.

No tour of Arkansas is complete without a trip down the National Scenic 7 Byway, which is famous as one of the country’s most beautiful drives. This dynamic route traverses the diverse natural beauty of our state, including plains, mountains, woodlands, and hot springs. From Benton, you can drive northbound toward the Bathhouse Row of Hot Springs National Park, a premium spot for unwinding in the water. This haven of natural thermal waters offers all your favorite water sports, like fishing, swimming, and boating. Next, you’ll pass through the quartz-studded Ouachita Mountains.

Keep heading north, and you’ll hit what some call the “Grand Canyon of the Ozarks,” then head through the Ozark Mountains. While these forested beauties are breathtaking any time of year, you might consider planning your trip in October to see the much-discussed fall foliage. Driving south from Benton, you’ll reach the southernmost point in the byway — El Dorado, Arkansas, the home of the 1921 Arkansas oil boom. In either direction, the National Scenic 7 Byway features picturesque greenery, mountaintop views, and mementos from the state’s rich geographical history.

Mount Magazine Scenic Byway launches a few hours southeast of Bentonville in Havana, Arkansas and takes you through Havana and Paris, Arkansas. In Paris, you’ll find a relic of yesteryear’s mining industry in Arkansas. You might feel like you’re on the set of an old movie rolling through the streets of this mostly forgotten small town. With 19th-century architecture and a few charming small shops, this stop along the Mount Magazine Scenic Byway is a page out of the Arkansas history book.

Aside from the retired town square in Paris, the rest of Mount Magazine Scenic Byway is charmingly rural and mountainous. Long, winding roads offer expansive views of rolling green hills. If you enjoy maneuvering your vehicle through curves and bends, uphill ascents, and downhill stretches, you’ll enjoy the playful structure of the drive. If you want to stretch your legs and take in some fresh air, pull over at Cove Lake. This wooded lakeside retreat is a peaceful spot for walking, camping, and reconnecting with nature.

If you’d prefer a drive that focuses entirely on the expansive beauty the Ozarks have to offer, opt for a trip through the Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway. This 35-mile stretch of Arkansas Highway 21 is the perfect scenic drive for the outdoor adventurer among us. Not only is it a winding mountain road surrounded by lush trees on either side, but it also passes through some top-notch destinations for outdoor activities. Engage your inner trailblazer with a stop at the Ozark Highlands Trail, a 165-mile hiking trail.

Pack your fishing gear because the byway is also home to five iconic streams: the Kings, the Mulberry, the Buffalo, the White, and Big Piney Creek. At the end of the Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway is the Buffalo National River, a gorgeous and peaceful 151-mile waterway surrounded by mountains.

If you’re looking for a quick drive that’s sure to delight you with natural wonders year-round, the Pig Trail Scenic Byway is your destination. The trail is a 19-mile stretch of Arkansas Highway 23. This route is famous for two major attributes. Its natural beauty is the first. During the fall months, expect to find yourself in a sea of vibrant reds, yellows, oranges, and browns. The dazzling foliage makes the Pig Trail Scenic Byway a popular drive for locals and visitors alike in autumn.

Fall isn’t the only time the Pig Trail Scenic Byway puts on a show for drivers, though. During the spring, the trees burst with delicate and colorful flowers. And in the summer, the green trees on either side of the road act as an umbrella, keeping drivers safe from the sunshine under the shade of their leaves.

The other key characteristic of Pig Trail Scenic Byway is its high-octane twists and turns. The road offers plenty of ups and downs with sharp turns, steep hills, and fast slopes. If you enjoy adventurous drives, drive a vehicle with sporty capabilities , and have a penchant for beautiful views, it’s hard to go wrong with a drive down the Pig Trail Scenic Byway.

Maybe you need a break from the mountains. If so, it might be time for a trip through Arkansas’ wetlands. Some people associate bayous with states farther south, but Arkansas is actually home to a portion of the world’s longest bayou. Bayou Bartholomew is 300 miles long, stretching through both Arkansas and Louisiana, and Interstate 530 winds straight through it. This 15-mile road between Highway 256 and Highway 65 may be flat when you compare it to some of the area’s other scenic drives, but it’s anything but boring.

The wetlands that Interstate 530 cruises through are home to some of the area’s most dynamic plants and wildlife. Most emblematic of the bayou are the cypress trees: tall, pine-like trees that form forests deep past the waters. You might also spot animals like:

• Alligators.
• Turtles.
• Waterfowl.
• Songbirds.
• Otters.
• Fish.

The Boston Mountains Scenic Loop is another way to see the Ozarks’ Boston Mountains, along with a stop in Fayetteville. Home to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville is far more than a college town. There, you’ll find hiking, one-of-a-kind local food, and the lush Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. Hop back in the car and you’ll find your way onto I-49, which brings you through picturesque bridges and a highway tunnel. This peaceful drive takes you through rural Arkansas by way of the sky.

That concludes Campbell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram’s list of six great scenic drives in Arkansas. If we left off your favorite, send us a message and tell us about it so we can check it out. Whether you need a new vehicle for your road trips this year or want an expert technician to inspect your car before or after a long drive, we’re here for you. Visit our dealership in Benton to explore our inventory of new and used vehicles and learn more about our service center.

Winding through the Ozarks by spencerimbrockphoto is licensed with Unsplash License