Continue to Mobile Site AR-7 heads over the Little Buffalo River, traveling by limestone and sandstone walls. The driving part took 4 hours. resort town is known for its thermal waters from which it gets its name, and It's one of those attractions that everyone needs to do at least once. Throughout this journey of 100 miles (16 kilometers), get ready to be mesmerized by panoramic views as well as the diversity of flora and fauna. Length 2.4 miElevation gain 521 ftRoute type Loop. Keyword. Right before the bridge is a ranger station and you can park and go down to the river edge and be in awe of the rock wall and the beautiful river. Road Trip Itinerary: The Best of the Ozarks - Fodors Travel Guide U.S. 71 is 42 miles long and Interstate 49 is 38 miles long. Fifteen miles of Interstate 530 has been designated as a scenic byway, and its no surprise as to why! Buckle up and explore north-central Arkansas through Sylamore Scenic Byway. 5. 16 and 23 are a perfect choice for you. Branson. One of the points we liked best was south of Harrison. Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway | Arkansas.com Hot Springs Camping and RV hookups are available. When its late summer, absolutely sweltering outside and far too hot for a hike, or when its a cool and misty autumn day but I still want the chance to see Arkansass stunning foliage, the best thing to do is load the car and go for a cruise. Spend the Perfect 2 Days in Basel: Itinerary for 48 Hours in Basel + Weekend Tips! The Hot Springs Mountain Scenic Drive is more than just a tourist attraction. We spent the night about half way up 7, at Mount Magazine, which is about 18 miles west of the 7, but provided just another beautiful byway to take in the Quachita/Ozark Mountains, and the various national forests that . After Jasper, but before you get to Harrison there is the great Buffalo River. Resorts and marinas are located on the lakes for West Mountain Scenic Drive | Map, Guide - Arkansas | AllTrails The next highest ascent for scenic driving trails is. Additionally, the Zigzag Mountains is the area known as the recharge zone for the thermal springs. Home Arkansas Scenic Drives and Road Trips. 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. A road adventure offers limitless opportunities in terms of exploring your desired destination, and Arkansas is one such incredible place where even the shortest drive is a treat. Where to stay by the Crater od Diamonds State Park. Scenic 7 Byway is a 290-mile route that stretches from the Louisiana state border to Harrison, Arkansas going darn-near straight through the middle of the state! If digging is not your style, they have a fantastic rock shop. THE 5 BEST Arkansas Scenic Drives (with Photos) - Tripadvisor Between Mena, AR, and Talihina, OK, the drive offers scenic vistas, historical sites, camping, picnicking, hiking, Queen Wilhelmina State Park, Visitor Information Stations, and Robert S. Kerr Memorial Arboretum and Nature Center and Botanical Area. With the lush forest forming tunnels overhead, and the Mulberry River rushing by, you may even forget that you are in your car! Want a hair-raising experience? The flavor of the city is Horn in 1911 and dedicated to superintendent Harry H. Myers. 7 can be connected to two other Arkansas scenic byways: the West-Northwest Our free Road Trip Planner will reverse the route and include the places of interests. What is "must-see" or "must-do" in Arkansas? Arkansas. Get . Seven miles from Hot Springs, turn left to remain on AR-7. What is the most popular and difficult scenic driving trail in Arkansas? If youre looking for a way to unwind after a long day of kayaking in the southern sun, or looking to bypass the crowds altogether while still getting your fill of nature, then the Caddo Gap is the perfect place to begin your vehicular quest! You will never feel a shortage of magnificent views here as you enjoy a ride through Petit Jean State Park and the highest mountain of the state, Mount Magazine. The park also features fishing, boating (with rentals), public pool, playground, cabins, camping and visitor center. 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. Scenic drives to consider in the Hot Springs NP area are listed below. There are several scenic pull outs to stop and look at. The second overlook has a historic trail shelter and picnic tables and the summit has a view south to the Trap Mountains and Lake Hamilton. Starting in Havana, Arkansas, this scenic byway takes you up through Mount Magazine State Park, and then down through the charming town of Paris, Arkansas. If Winter is not mentioned, the road may be closed during the winter. 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. A While here, you can also check out Calico Rock Museum and Visitor Centre or Printing Press Caf. This 15-mile stretch between White Hall to Pine Bluff greets travelers with handsome delta and beautiful bayou views. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. and other retail shops. 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 The duration is an estimate of a one-way drive and does not include any stops or side-trips. Arkansas Tourism Arkansas Hotels Arkansas Guest House Arkansas Holiday Homes Arkansas Holiday . The most popular and difficult scenic driving trail in Arkansas is, Pea Ridge National Military Battlefield Loop. Searchable listings of Hot Springs hotels, motels, resorts, bed & breakfast, and more. Driving along with Boston Mountains Scenic Loop offers twists and turns of gorgeous views. mountain ranges along with the Arkansas River Valley before running through the After passing Blue Springs on AR-7, consider a side-trip heading west on AR-298 to get dirty and dig for crystals at Arrowhead Crystal Mine. Cruise through this classic 37-mile stretch (59 kilometers) via Boston Mountains at an altitude of about 1500 feet (457 meters). This drive is a real gem! Wax museums are fascinating places to learn about the lives of famous, infamous and extraordinary people from all over the world. I have seen pictures and they provide color much more abundantly than I ever imagined they would. Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Arkansas Area. Hike some or all of the park's 26 miles of trails. one of the most scenic drives in America, the route begins on the south end with five lakes in the region, its also a popular destination for fishing, Full information on Hot Springs Tourist Attractions, Scenic Drives and other easy vacation activities. One of the things I miss most about living in the Natural State is being able to round up some friends, grab my trusty mutt, hop in the car, and just go for a classic Arkansas scenic drive. 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. We would have loved to visit some tourist attractions, but by and large, they were not open during this time of year. Standard text messaging rates apply. 4. Scenic Mountain Drives & Overlooks Non-hikers can drive to the top of Hot Springs and West Mountain summits. (Husband is recovering from torn tendon surgery.) This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Click the Add to Road Trip above to start planning your next road trip. Head out on this 4.7-mile point-to-point trail near Hot Springs, Arkansas. 12 Best Road Trips In Arkansas That Will Lead You On An Adventure Jasper take Arkansas State Highway 74 to Ponca, then 43 to the top of the If you have all day or more: Do all of the above. Although you can opt for this route any time of the year, Talimena Scenic Drive is specifically gorgeous during fall. Especially if you can take perfect photos to commemorate the tour! Near Arkadelphia, the route enters the Ouachita Mountains, famous for their quartz crystals, and passes by DeGray Lake, home of Arkansas's only resort state park. Scenic 7 Byway South: Russellville to Hot Springs UP and UP you go, lots of curves, and the scenery is wonderful.. We recently took 2 full days to drive up Scenic Byway 7, in central Arkansas. Scenic 7 Byway (Arkansas) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Discover a rejuvenating world of untouched natural beauty on these scenic roads. Are there any height restrictions. and travel through four of the state's varied geographical regions. Send to Phone. Spring brings thousands of neotropical songbirds that use the refuge as a rest stop during migration. Hot Springs can be reached by heading south on I-30 from Little Rock and taking exit 111 for US-70 and following the signs for US-70 Business Route to Hot Springs. If you opt for Mount Magazine Scenic Byway, there are some very fascinating spots that you will see along the road like a miniature of Paris Eiffel Tower. Look but don't touch! Originally opened in 1909, it is, as the Located along the ridge of Sugarloaf Mountain is an outcrop of novaculite, now known as Balanced Rock Overlook. Downtown Harrison also embraces restaurants, an art gallery, antique stores, ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: Check out Hot Springs beyond the obvious Ida, an old silver mining town and the quartz capital of the United States! Or should we take 40 at Russellville to Little Rock? sign on the front says, "A North Arkansas Landmark." within the West Gulf Coastal Plain, a region that saw an oil boom beginning in where swapping stories over cups of coffee is as important to the locals as At Hot Springs, the byway journeys through the historic downtown and immediately in front of the famed Bathhouse Row of Hot Springs National Park. Just From here, you can hop onto U.S. 270 and travel up to U.S. 71. The Buffalo River was the first designated National River in 1972. During our visit, the water was green! Spend One Perfect Day in the Grand Canyon: Itinerary & Travel Tips. The thermal water we have today originated as rain water that fell over 4,000 years ago, soaking into these mountains and funneling back up at high speeds and hot temperatures. manageable by beginners. 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. Drive through historic Hot Springs and the glorious Hot Springs National Park and then continue through the Ouachita National Forest to Page, Oklahoma. Thanks in advance for any suggestions you have! Length Under 30 miles 30 to 75 miles Over 75 miles. Thank you! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Samali Basu, a Content Creator with almost a decade's experience, is a former field journalist with a demonstrated history of working with various industries. Your first stop is South Arkansas Arboretum, a wonderfully maintained botanical garden. Pass through Mt. AR Starting in one of my all-time favorite towns, Hot Springs, and trailing westward over the state line, this 100-mile excursion is sure to please. Spot the glistening Arkansas River right before reaching the end of the byway in Webb City, Arkansas. 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. Search Vrbo for the best Holiday Homes & Rentals, Top 9 All-Inclusive Resorts In Maine, USA - Updated 2023, 14 Best Cabins With Hot Tub In Arkansas - Updated 2023, 24 Best Cabins With Hot Tub In Maine - Updated 2023, 4 Most Scenic Train Rides In Arkansas, The USA, Top 10 Scenic Drives In And Around San Francisco, California, Restaurants With A View In Newport Beach, California, USA, Top 10 Stayz Accommodations In Albany, Australia, Top 9 Stayz Accommodations In Avoca Beach, Australia, Top 10 French Restaurants In London, England. Arkadelphia, the route enters the Ouachita Mountains, famous for their quartz We'd like to explore the NW area and as far south as Hot Springs to take in the Ouachita Mtns. You can continue on to North Mountain Loop and then back down to Fountain Street. Plan to take this trip in about two months for jaw-dropping foliage colors and cooler temps to enjoy. In addition, the town has the Boone County Heritage We have a trip planned end of july-early August. It's a place We enjoyed driving the Scenic 7 Byway. Top 10 Scenic Drives in Arkansas | YourMechanic Advice isnt very wide, for soon you will climb into the foothills of the Ouachitas. Head up Zig Zag Mountain to the Hot Springs Mountain Overlook (V1), enjoying hairpin curves before being rewarded with unforgettable views from the Hot Springs Mountain tower. The road is paved so no 4WD is necessary but keep the hairpin turns in mind! Bring a flashlight for the cave. The dam was built in 1942 to control flooding along the Fourche La Fave River and created Nimrod Lake. Length Under 30 miles 30 to 75 miles Over 75 miles. Garven Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs Tulips at Garvan Woodland Gardens These beautiful gardens encompass 210 manicured acres on the shoreline of Lake Hamilton near Hot Springs. The scenery is densely forested land with scenic overlooks that seem to go forever. Crystal Trail deserves a day trip or a weekend excursion. See our full. Explore a portion of the 196-mile long Ozark Highlands Trail (H9) which can be accessed shortly after the Fairview Campground. We drove from Hot Springs north to Harrison in Route 7. Arguably Whether you are looking for a day trip or a weekend excursion, a drive to this part of the United States is going to be one for the books. Steal this Madeira Itinerary: What the RHOP Did in 4 Days in Madeira, Portugal, The Perfect 3 Days in Jackson, MS: A Magical Weekend in Jackson Itinerary. Then pack your snacks for the road and buckle up for the 261-mile West-Northwest Scenic Byway! Driving along the Scenic 7 Byway will take you through four of Arkansass distinct natural geographic regions. If you choose a night-driving experience, then you might hear the coyotes howling. Don't forget your camera. Of course, make sure you have plenty of time, we had to turn around a few times to attempt this. This overlook is located on top of North Mountain overlooking the Zigzag Mountains with a view of Indian Mountain to the right, also know as Silver Mountain. During the fall, this is one of my familys favorite routes for getting out and into the mountains. 12. Primitive camping with no facilities at Richland Creek campsite. The full address for this home is 1322 Lakeshore Drive Apartment 113 ac +/-, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913. Is this road suitable for large fifth wheells?We will be coming off of I 40 to go to Branson. AR Copyright 1997 - 2023 The Go Travel Sites. Hot Springs National Park is home to 2 scenic driving trails with an average 4.3 star rating from 266 community reviews. Regarding the Buffalo River: there's no way to know it's coming until you are there, and then it's too late to stop and look. 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Once you reach the end of the road, check out the Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, right off the Arkansas River. 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. However its very curvy. Lets head up the mountain to see the grand view. This is the only unchanged part of the Trail of Tears. As you continue, the forest changes to pasture and farmland. Other attractions also include Ouachita National Recreation Trail, Pinnacle Mountain State Park, and backwater areas. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Richland Creek has several falls that can be bushwacked to. This 38-mile long drive (61 kilometers) will take you to the topmost point of Ozark Mountain. Built as a carriage road in the 1880s, it has switchbacks that will take you to the top to a picnic area, the Pagoda overlook, and the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. Other falls in are in the area. Swim in the natural pool or explore the rolling hills and steep rocky bluffs with one of the many hiking trails. Mystic Caverns (A3) is a geologic wonder featuring incredible rock formations, stalactites and the 28-foot pipe organ. Head out on this 3.6-mile loop trail near Hot Springs, Arkansas. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Heading north on AR-7 from Dardanelle, you cross the mighty Arkansas River where you will see the grain elevators which load grains and soybeans onto ships.