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Time to Allow 1 hour or less 1 - 3 hours Over 3 hours. Crowleys Ridge is one of Arkansass six natural geographic distinctions, positioned above the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, commonly referred to as the delta, and is characterized by the juxtaposition of lush hardwood forests and agricultural land. Yes is in on highway 7 and no there isn't a charge. Scenic drives to consider in the Fort Smith area are listed below. Scenic 7 then gradually changes into smooth, green pastures and the scenic drive comes to an end in Harrison. 1921 near El Dorado. As you approach Pig Trail Falls, you will also find many suitable spots for hiking, camping, and picture-taking here. Spend the Perfect 2 Days in Basel: Itinerary for 48 Hours in Basel + Weekend Tips! We drove from Harrison to Hot Springs on the road. What is nearest place to stay near this scenic byway starting point? There are multiple overlooks to stop at and take in the view. The nameOuachitacomes from Caddo and Choctaw words meaning good hunting grounds, so you know youre bound to see some extraordinary wildlife along this byway! Beautiful views await, but note some sections of the trail are cliff-hugging, and you must take caution at the top. Explore mature pine and hardwood forest via the paved accessible 30-minute interpretive Friendship Trail that begins just behind the ranger station. per adult. Copyright 2023 Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, A Public Treasure: The Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge. Drive Scenic Byway 7 in Arkansas, the state's first state-designated scenic byway, and travel through four of the state's varied geographical regions. The scenic drive is described as beginning in the town of Hot Springs and traveling to Harrison, but it could be done in either direction. The Rotary Ann Overlook (V2) features an endless view of the jagged Ozark Mountains and is an excellent location for a picnic. Byways, Backways, Historic Routes,. Try this 69.6-mile point-to-point trail near Dardanelle, Arkansas. Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Arkansas Area. Address: AR-170 Scenic, West Fork, AR 72774, USA Address: US-71, Alma, AR, USA Address: Buffalo National River, Calf Creek Township, AR 72675, USA Address: Stone County, AR, USA Address: US-62, Eureka Springs, AR, USA This is a nice drive. Check out my Balkan Travel Blog + Oklahoma Travel Blog, 17 Magical Things to Do in Arkansas in Winter, 50 Awesome Las Vegas Quotes & Las Vegas Instagram Caption Inspiration, How to Visit Granja Colonia Pencil Museum in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. from. The duration is an estimate of a one-way drive and does not include any stops or side-trips. A summary of what Hot Springs has to offer. Was meant to be a bike trip but am now worried about the weather. Great views, trails, and other amenities. There's a lot more to do for those who want to spend more days. Just before crossing, the Pruitt Ranger Station (I3) is open from March to September for information. Continuing though the forested Ouachitas, it passes through the Ouachita National Forest and by Lake Nimrod, then reaches Russellville and crosses the more level terrain of the Arkansas River Valley. READ MORE. Other attractive stops here include the underground caves at Blanchard Springs Caverns in Mountain View, Calico Rock, and Norfork Lake. Altogether, it took about 7 hours. buildings, make up its national historic district. Scenic Byway 7 in Arkansas, the state's first state-designated scenic byway, downtown parks, the historic Lyric Theater, the 1909 Boone County courthouse, Hot Springs Hop Scavenger Hunt. The Boston Mountains Scenic Loop is formed by two state scenic byways U.S. 71 and Interstate 49. Then pack your snacks for the road and buckle up for the 261-mile West-Northwest Scenic Byway! Drive Scenic Byway 7 in Arkansas, the state's first state-designated scenic byway, and travel through four of the state's varied geographical regions. Generally considered an easy route. Since this stone breaks with a predictable cone-shaped fracture, they could easily carve tools into whatever shape and thickness they desired, commonly carving the rock into arrowheads, blades, drills, and other various tool. AR-7 heads over the Little Buffalo River, traveling by limestone and sandstone walls. legendary diner -- the Ozark Cafe. My husband and I are (both in early 60's) are planning a road trip from Northern MN to northwest Arkansas, in mid-April, after the chance of snow plowing has passed. route). The Ouachita Mountains are unique in that they are the only mountain range in the United States whose ridges and valleys are oriented west to east. Although there is no silver found on the mountain, Indian Mountain is rich in Novaculite which was highly valued by the Native Americans for making tools. The Mount Magazine Scenic Byway takes you through 25 miles of the Ozark National Forest, then unfolding to showcase the states archetypal agricultural land. One of the best places to picnic in Hot Springs, this overlook hangs higher up on West Mountain overlooking the city of Hot Springs. We stopped at 3 national forests; one national recreation area; one state park; there are many other state parks along the way. You can get some excellent shots of the river/waterfall thru the steel crossbeams of the bridge, and it provides a nice juxtaposition. You'll also find an outcrop of Arkansas Novaculite at the top which was used by the Caddo Indians for making tools and weapons and later by European settlers for whetstones. At the summit of West Mountain is an overlook south to the Trap Mountains with Lake Hamilton visible far in the distance. Is this road suitable for large fifth wheells?We will be coming off of I 40 to go to Branson. The website features a bloom calendar. In case you get hungry while on the road, drop by The Ohio Club and try out their scrumptious burgers and sandwiches. In a few miles, consider a side trip on AR-16 to the trailhead for Pedestal Rocks (H8), where a 2.2-mile round trip trail brings you to unique geologic formations weather-carved rock pedestals. AR Explore the beauty of the surrounding Ouachita National Forest with a picnic or hike and take in one of the park tours or programs. Plan to take this trip in about two months for jaw-dropping foliage colors and cooler temps to enjoy. in the U.S. Near Are you a rock hound? Scenic Day Trips War Eagle Mill-- From Eureka Springs take Highway 23 South to Highway 12 and follow it to War Eagle Mill. At Hot Springs, the byway journeys through the historic downtown and Hot Springs National Park was created by President Andrew Jackson in 1832 as a National Reservation to protect and preserve the 47 natural thermal springs, making it the oldest park in the National Park System. In addition to picnic tables is a historic mountain shelter located on the left side of the overlook. From the overlook, look 130-feet down the sheer rock walls and take in the views of the surrounding forest and Boston Mountains. Otherwise known as The Natural State, Arkansas is considered a natural beauty because of its towering mountains, glistening lakes, and must-visit parks. Taking you along AR-5 and AR-201, Two Mountain Way follows the White River, known for its bountiful trout fishing. immediately in front of the famed Bathhouse Row of Hot Springs National Park. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Have more destinations? with five lakes in the region, its also a popular destination for fishing, Starting at the St. Francis River near the Missouri border and winding all the way to Helena, Arkansas, Crowleys Ridge Parkway is the perfect way to see Crowleys Ridge and Arkansas delta regions! However, this is a part of it and I enjoyed my day. We offer a compact version of Go-Arkansas for mobile users, allowing you to access just the information you need on the road. Is this road safe to drive in a rented rv (24-26')? Scenic drives to consider in the Hot Springs area are listed below. Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. We are coming to see fall color from Dallas. this was an amazing scenic drive! Get a closer look via the 119 steps that bring you down 70 feet just make sure you have the energy to climb back up. In addition, the town has the Boone County Heritage Museum and Mystic Caverns. Hot Springs National Park is home to 2 scenic driving trails with an average 4.3 star rating from 266 community reviews. As you travel north, youll enter the Ouachita Mountains, then pass through to the Arkansas River Valley, and end in the Ozark Mountains. Indulge in the refreshing flavors of locally-grown fruit and vegetables at the many roadside stands. Branson. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. There are a few small towns along the way, and you won't need to worry about necessities. 3.0 average from 1 vote. Take advantage of the many pull outs. Please be forewarned that you will have the occasional person who's going 15 miles an hour under the speed limit. We (and several other cars) went across the bridge and turned around. The Pagoda overlook offers a gorgeous view and fresh mountain air for drivers. It is a 26.5-mile stretch (47.7 kilometers) that usually begins at the countrys only ghost town Calico Rock all the way to Blanchard Springs Caverns. You'll find an outcrop of Arkansas Novaculite at the top as well; this rock was used by the Caddo Indians for making tools and weapons and later by European settlers for whetstones. Scenic Mountain Drives & Overlooks Non-hikers can drive to the top of Hot Springs and West Mountain summits. Arkansas: With an ascent of 6,797 m, Arkansas Highway 7 Scenic Byway has the most elevation gain of all of the scenic driving trails in the area. broaden a bit, and the scenery is top-tier. Head up Zig Zag Mountain to the Hot Springs Mountain Overlook, enjoying hairpin curves before being rewarded with unforgettable views from the Hot Springs Mountain tower. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 49 min to complete. While here, you can also check out Calico Rock Museum and Visitor Centre or Printing Press Caf. With the charming Mulberry River as a backdrop, breathe in the fresh air as you drive on this lush, forested road that resembles a green tunnel. Transportation companies, driving directions and more for Hot Springs. West Mountain Drive has entrances on Prospect Avenue and Whittington Avenue. It's a place where swapping stories over cups of coffee is as important to the locals as getting a good plate of inexpensive food. 7 begins in the Ozarks near the shores of Bull Shoals Lake. Roosevelt Lake is among the most spectacular natural wonders in the Grand Canyon State - but the drive to get there is almost, if not equally, as beautiful. Click on any scenic byway or backway listed below for complete information. The short and easy Rock House Cave Trail leads to a deep rock shelter which features early Native American rock paintings. We enjoyed driving the Scenic 7 Byway. Aptly named, this drive will take you over the famed Buffalo River Americas first national river! brick storefronts that line the Harrison square, which with a few adjacent We left little rock to go up Scenic 7 on our way to eat at The Cliff House and then to go to the Mystic caverns in Harrison. The roads were in good condition and lots of places to turn off and take photos. Both of these byways start near my neck of the woods, in Alma, and run up to Fayetteville. From here, turn left to observe Nimrod Dam and Lake (W1). The Boston Mountains are the highest point in the Ozark Mountains, making this byway one of . Approaching historic Dardanelle, head west on AR-27 to Mount Nebo State Park (H3), where a drive to the top of Mount Nebo affords dramatic views of the Arkansas River and the Ozark National Forest. This is the only unchanged part of the Trail of Tears. You may also grab a meal at the states oldest restaurant, White House Caf. The drive begins at Fountain Street, just off of Central Avenue. It crosses the Ozark and Ouachita We'd like to explore the NW area and as far south as Hot Springs. Beautiful views with vistas and rest stops to take pictures from. Petit Jean State Park is one of the most attractive and most convenient options since it's only an hour outside of Little Rock. Have you checked this scenic drive off your Hot Springs sights-to-see list?