scenic drives near hot springs, arkansas

Wed love to see your photos from the drive or nearby trails in our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. About 10 miles Arkansas. In five miles, you enter the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. Scenic Highway 7 is one of the most scenic and longest drives in Arkansas due to its 290-mile stretch (466 kilometers). If digging is not your style, they have a fantastic rock shop. Turn around if you have to like we did. My car sits idle and the most wildlife I get to see on any given day is the abundance of pigeons in Central Park. Length Under 30 miles 30 to 75 miles Over 75 miles. before Scenic 7 sharply twists its way down to Jasper, the Cliff House Inn and The trail also passes many turtle rocks that look like turtle shells and below the cave is another trail that leads to an overlook of Cedar Falls. What better place to start this list than with Arkansass first scenic byway! Drive through historic Hot Springs and the glorious Hot Springs National Park and then continue through the Ouachita National Forest to Page, Oklahoma. The Natural State has its noted drives: Scenic 7 Byway in the Ozarks, the Talimena National Scenic Byway in the Ouachitas, Crowley's Ridge National Scenic Parkway in the Delta, the Pig Trail in the Ozarks, and the Great River Road National Scenic Byway in the Delta, just to name a few. isnt very wide, for soon you will climb into the foothills of the Ouachitas. This drive along the Parkway will take you past seven Arkansas state parks and through the St. Francis National Forest! Of course, make sure you have plenty of time, we had to turn around a few times to attempt this. The lush greenery of late spring and the explosion of fall colors in the valley will give you an excuse to take this drive numerous times throughout the year! 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Rd, Morrilton, AR 72110-9362, USA Phone +1 501-727-5441 Web Visit website When it comes to breathtaking state parks, the Natural State doesn't disappoint. Have more destinations? The road winds through the mountains, and there are cute gift shops and a couple of restaurants along the way. 2023 Best 10 Scenic Driving Trails in Arkansas | AllTrails This 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. Starting Location: Hot Springs, AR Ending Location: Harrison, AR Length: 157 miles Best Season to Drive: All See this drive on Google Maps Winding through the mountains with forests full of pines and hardwoods, Scenic 7 affords unparalleled views of the Natural State. The duration is an estimate of a one-way drive and does not include any stops or side-trips. Ouachita National Forest (Hot Springs) - Tripadvisor Scenic drives to consider in the Hot Springs area are listed below. 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! 7. Quaff the elixir at the Superior Bathhouse Brewery. 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. So many beautiful sites. 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! This will give you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take in the breathtaking views of Arkansas. the valley, Scenic 7 ascends into the Ozark Mountains, famous for fall foliage, Scenic Drives near Hot Springs NP, Arkansas Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 49 min to complete. What is the most popular and difficult scenic driving trail in Arkansas? Fall foliage will have the hills ablaze with color. Two Mountain Way runs along White River, an extremely popular point for trout fishing. You must drive slower due to all the curves. The Best Places to See Fall Foliage in Arkansas - TripSavvy Originally opened in 1909, it is, as the A quaint small town square boasting several antique shops awaits visitors at Jasper. It's one of those attractions that everyone needs to do at least once. The Best Scenic Drives In Arkansas - OnlyInYourState Arkadelphia, the route enters the Ouachita Mountains, famous for their quartz Fully submerge yourself in the thermal water and let your worries melt away. Just before Scenic 7 sharply twists its way down to Jasper, the Cliff House Inn and Restaurant offers a great meal and amazing vistas of the "Grand Canyon of the Ozarks." Continuing north on AR-7, the road climbs the hills surrounding Nimrod Lake. Scenic Drives near Hot Springs, Arkansas As these forests remain undeveloped, the views are endless trees, rock cliffs, and rolling hills of the Ouachita Mountains. The canyon is just south of Jasper. Map: http://www.arkansashighways.com/scenic_byways_program/highway7.aspx. Both of these byways start near my neck of the woods, in Alma, and run up to Fayetteville. Nice getting off of the highwayd and looking at the mountains and valleys. We are 40 ft long and 13.5 high. When Please be forewarned that you will have the occasional person who's going 15 miles an hour under the speed limit. the entire state from north to south. AR The 57 mile War Eagle Ride takes you to War Eagle Mill, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, and Hobbs State Park. 10 Zip Line Zip Tour (1.5 hours) 536. 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. Did you drive it and how was it. Of course, you can still use the full version of Go-Arkansas on your mobile device just as you can on your desktop. In case you get hungry while on the road, drop by The Ohio Club and try out their scrumptious burgers and sandwiches. 7 can be connected to two other Arkansas scenic byways: the West-Northwest View Artist-In-Residence artwork at the Ozark Bathhouse. Now that I live in New York City, I dont driveanywhere. Is it still enjoyable in the extreme heat? 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. Located along the ridge of Sugarloaf Mountain is an outcrop of novaculite, now known as Balanced Rock Overlook. The seasons listed are the best seasons for this scenic drive. We would have loved to visit some tourist attractions, but by and large, they were not open during this time of year. The highways and byways of the state are great for scenic driving and you may enjoy the best road trips in Arkansas. 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. Bring a flashlight for the cave. Swim in the natural pool or explore the rolling hills and steep rocky bluffs with one of the many hiking trails. sign on the front says, "A North Arkansas Landmark." 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 . The breezy tour up the mountain is one that perfectly snapshots the beauty of Hot Springs, all without taking more than an hour. Full information on Hot Springs Tourist Attractions, Scenic Drives and other easy vacation activities. The Road Less Traveled: Arkansas Fall Foliage Scenic Drives This byway passes through ten U.S. states, with the Arkansas portion of the journey will take you straight down through Eastern Arkansas. Have a favorite flower? Any season would be nice, but Winter certainly wasn't the best. If youre from Hot Springs, then this is one pretty drive youve already seen and done; however, travelers can easily overlook this underappreciated tour. At the top of Hot Springs Mountain is the 10 story Hot Springs Tower with an observation deck at the top. There are a few small towns along the way, and you won't need to worry about necessities. What national parks in Arkansas have scenic driving trails? 15 Best Things to Do in Hot Springs (Arkansas) At a Glance Activities Scenic Driving Amenities There are no places to get fuel. 2. Start in Arkansass capital city of Little Rock for this trip, and travel 96 miles along the edge of the Ouachita National Forest up to Holla Bend, Arkansas. In addition to picnic tables is a historic mountain shelter located on the left side of the overlook. AR 7 reaches Pelsor, it begins its descent into the Arkansas River Valley at Arkansas is so naturally beautiful that just your drive to the grocery store could be a treat, but in case you need more than just a couple miles of nature and serenity, here are some of the best scenic drives in Arkansas for motorists and motorcyclists alike. Searchable listings of Hot Springs RV parks and campgrounds. 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. During our visit, the water was green! legendary diner -- the Ozark Cafe. Arguably one of the most scenic drives in America, the route begins on the south end within the West Gulf Coastal Plain, a region that saw an oil boom beginning in 1921 near El Dorado. Although it boasts some of the best views in Arkansas throughout the year, there's something particularly magical about fall. Pin These Beautiful Arkansas Scenic Drives for Your Travels! Scenic Highway 7 is one of the most scenic and longest drives in Arkansas due to its 290-mile stretch (466 kilometers). 12 Best Hot Springs in the World - Men's Journal Hot Springs weather report, historic temperatures and climate info,. Heading north on AR-7, you soon enter the Ouachita National Forest. Go-Arkansas.com, part of The Go Travel Sites family, is among the largest websites covering travel and vacationing in Arkansas. Good decisio and good time of year, Nov. the traffic was light and some attractions are out of season but overall it is a warm year so it was lovely. Ida, a silver mining city and USAs quartz capital. To experience the hot springs in a traditional sense, head to Buckstaff Bathhouse to soak and steam away stress and stiff muscles. Arkansas: With an ascent of 22,299 ft, Arkansas Highway 7 Scenic Byway has the most elevation gain of all of the scenic driving trails in the area. The Hot Springs Mountain Scenic Drive is more than just a tourist attraction. On the way back, stop at the Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge (A2) which protects 7,000 acres of bottomland hardwoods and wetlands. Besides the 3 Scenic Byways, #'s 21, 23, and 309 we're planning on driving does anyone have recommendations for other drives? Swimming, skiing, scuba diving, boating, kayaking, and fishing are enjoyed here. Continue to Mobile Site Additionally, Hot Springs Mountain Tower can be seen standing tall on top of Hot Springs Mountain along with the Army-Navy Hospital standing tall below. Enjoy the drive. Scenic 7 | Explore Arkansas - myscenicdrives.com Cruise through this classic 37-mile stretch (59 kilometers) via Boston Mountains at an altitude of about 1500 feet (457 meters). This lake is also one of the largest flyways in the United States, so be sure to check it out in the fall and winter for diverse bird watching! Make a quick visit to Hickory Nut Mountain where you can enjoy delightful views of Ouachita Lake. Enjoy your trip! The park is named for the legend of Petit Jean, a French girl who disguised herself as a boy to secretly accompany her love to the New World and this mountain. Altogether, it took about 7 hours. $66.67. more, Reply to: Scenic Drives, points of interest, in northwest Arkansas, Scenic Drives, points of interest, in northwest Arkansas, Get answers to your questions about Arkansas, Hills or Mountains? ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: Check out Hot Springs beyond the obvious Home to top scenic drives in Arkansas, the route starts at the fantastic Hot Springs National Park, passes through Ouachita National Park, and finally, ends at Page in Oklahoma. Your first stop is South Arkansas Arboretum, a wonderfully maintained botanical garden. Continuing north for 10 miles, the forest opens up to grand views. downtown parks, the historic Lyric Theater, the 1909 Boone County courthouse, :) Then go to the Pruitt Ranger Station for info, and park in the picnic area, you will enjoy this little stop very much. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Hot Springs Mountain Drive begins at the end of Fountain Street off Central Avenue downtown. We drove from Hot Springs north to Harrison in Route 7. This is the perfect place to see migratory birds, beavers, and river otters during the winter, and abundant white-tailed deer year-round. A number of trails, bike rentals, lakes, campsites and cabins make this a great stop. There are several scenic pull outs to stop and look at. awaits visitors at Jasper. The driving part took 4 hours. Petit Jean State Park is one of the most attractive and most convenient options since it's only an hour outside of Little Rock. from. 7 begins in the Ozarks near the shores of Bull Shoals Lake. 1921 near El Dorado. buildings, make up its national historic district. If you get hungry, grab a bite at Jo-Jos Catfish Wharf located on the northern side of Mountain View. Grab a bite at one of Little Rocks many incredible local eateries to fuel up for your adventure to Holla Bend. Explore the most popular scenic driving trails in Arkansas with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Branson. The Boston Mountains Scenic Loop is formed by two state scenic byways - U.S. 71 and Interstate 49. Other attractive stops here include the underground caves at Blanchard Springs Caverns in Mountain View, Calico Rock, and Norfork Lake. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Very curvy, very steep sides, lots of areas with no shoulders. We (and several other cars) went across the bridge and turned around. Commencing in Lake Village, this drive covers a stretch of 22 miles (35 kilometers) and is perfect for enjoying the backwoods of this state. Camping and RV hookups are available. Starting down near the Louisiana border, youll pass through the West Gulf Coastal Plain region, where youll likely get a view of some Loblolly shortleaf pine trees the Arkansas state tree! The folds of the Ouachitas run east-west, which is uncommon for mountain ranges Reset. The website features a bloom calendar. It's a place