If you’ve ever searched for “scenic drives near me,” then you know you don’t have to stay inside a National Forest to enjoy Arkansas’ beauty. The 9 best scenic drives in Arkansas take you to every gorgeous corner of the Natural State! Whether you’re on two wheels or four, everyone can enjoy the time-honored tradition of taking a drive to some of the prettiest places in Arkansas. So, let’s buckle up as we tour every side of the state and enjoy some of the best scenic drives in Arkansas!

1. Boston Mountains Scenic Loop
Boston Mountains, Arkansas 72839, USA
Experience Fayetteville / Facebook
Some Arkansans are fortunate enough to have this gorgeous scenic drive as part of their normal commute. Boasting some of the best views in Arkansas, the route winds through the Boston Mountains and includes the newer I-49 as well as Old Highway 71. Take a shopping trip in Fayetteville or loop around to Artist's Point near the Lake Fort Smith State Park.

While you enjoy the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop, make sure you stop to explore the beautiful Boston Mountains - see more in this video from Jacob Scott:
2. Hamburg Haul
Hamburg Haul, Taylor, AR 71861, USA
dlewis33 / iStock via Getty Images Plus
When seeking Arkansas scenic byways, you won't be disappointed with a cruise along the southern border of Arkansas by taking the Hamburg Haul. This route is perfect for motorcycles but also offers enough stops (both delicious and educational) that a family road trip works well, too! The 186-mile trip begins in a tiny town called Taylor and ends further north in Fordyce.
3. Bayou Bartholomew/Rohwer Memorial Loop
Bayou Bartholomew, Louisiana 70538, USA
Matt Ziegler/Google Reviews
Driving through the southeast corner of the state will reward you with a variety of attractions. This 113-mile drive takes you around the longest bayou in the nation, Bayou Bartholomew, but that's not the only sight to see. History buffs will also be delighted with the tour's stops at the Rohwer War Relocation Memorial and the WWII Japanese American Internment Museum.
4. Scenic 7 Byway
Lead Hill, AR 72644, USA
Nancy L. Stockdale/Flickr
Leading to some of the prettiest places in Arkansas, this treasured drive has a multitude of stops and gorgeous scenery. The highway was actually the state’s first designated scenic byway in 1993. After driving on any of its 290 miles, it’s easy to understand why it was chosen as the first.

Enjoy another one of the scenic drives near you in Arkansas along the Scenic 7 Byway in this video from Reshard's Automotive Workshop:

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5. Greers Ferry Loop to Pinnacle Mountain
Greers Ferry Lake, Arkansas, USA
Alberto Villagomez/Google Reviews
Endless outdoor activities and attractions await along this central scenic drive, including the majestic Pinnacle Mountain and one of the best beaches in Arkansas. The just under five-hour drive takes you to the breathtaking overlooks in Pinnacle Mountain State Park as well as the fun-filled Greers Ferry Lake. You could easily turn this daytime drive into a week-long excursion with weekend camping at both points.
6. Jasper Disaster
Jasper, AR 72641, USA
Ozark Mountain Region/Facebook
If you're needing an alternate route to the state-long Scenic 7 Byway, the Jasper Disaster is the perfect compromise. A shorter version of one of the best scenic drives in Arkansas, the motorcycle route does include some of the scenic byways but takes a shorter loop through the Ozarks.
7. Talimena Scenic Drive
Mena, AR 71953, USA
Alex Butterfield/Flickr
Heading west, the Talimena Scenic Drive might just be the most iconic trip in the state. Although it boasts some of the best views in Arkansas throughout the year, there’s something particularly magical about fall. Plan to take this trip in about two months for jaw-dropping foliage colors and cooler temps to enjoy. The drive does extend into Oklahoma but we're a little biased toward the beauty of the drive in Mena.
8. The Great River Road
Blytheville, AR 72315, USA
Marcia Richmond/Google Reviews
The Talimena drive may stretch into Oklahoma but the Great River Road extends through 10 states! The tour along the Mississippi River earned recognition in 2002 as a scenic byway but original construction began back in 1938. The Arkansas portion of this route takes you to some of the prettiest places in Arkansas and educational points all along the Delta.
9. Pig Trail
Fayetteville, AR, USA
Tom Check/Flickr
Our corners are covered but this wouldn't be a true Arkansas scenic drive article without mentioning the Pig Trail. This drive isn't just beloved by Arkansans, the route is famous throughout the nation! Not just one of the best scenic drives in Arkansas, but the Pig Trail made USA Today's list of the top 10 best motorcycling routes in the country and was number two out of all North American routes. The trail begins just north of Ozark and ends at Brashears for a short but amazingly beautiful 37-mile drive.

Head out on one of the best scenic drives in Arkansas for motorcycle tours - the Pig Trail. Learn more in this video from Adam Sandoval:

Do you agree? Are these the best scenic drives in Arkansas? Where’s your favorite place to tour around Arkansas? Share your favorite family drive or motorcycle ride with us!

The best views in Arkansas aren’t limited to those enjoyed from the road. If you want to explore more than just the roads, we highly recommend taking this waterfall hike in Arkansas. You’ll be able to hike around three different falls! The best way to get all the info about your favorite and (soon to be favorite) hiking trails, is by checking out AllTrails+.

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More to Explore

Best Scenic Drives In Arkansas

Daniella DiRienzo | June 29, 2022

What's the most beautiful hike in Arkansas?

Some of the most beautiful hikes in Arkansas include:

 

There are so many beautiful hikes in Arkansas, including the Seven Hollows Trail. Nestled within Petit Jean State Park, the trail is just over four miles in length and is rated as moderate. Any effort exerted will be well worth it, as the trail is brimming with breathtaking beauty. The scenic trek winds through a series of canyons, dense hardwood forests, and lots of unique features, such as rock shelters, a natural stone arch, a box canyon, and signs of prehistoric bluff-dwelling Native Americans. Pam’s Grotto Falls is another beautiful hike in Arkansas that shouldn’t be missed. The half-mile trail is nestled within the Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area. Sure to stun, the trail leads straight to a 37-foot waterfall, which flows into a small rocky pool. It’s important to keep in mind that, though short, the trail is a bit strenuous, as it’s somewhat steep.

What are the most well-known parks in Arkansas?

Some of the most well-known parks in Arkansas include:

 

When it comes to parks in Arkansas, there’s no denying that Devil’s Den State Park is one of the most popular. Nestled in the Lee Creek Valley of the northwest Arkansas Ozarks, it was established in the 1930s and is now considered one of the most intact CCC sites in the U.S. The park has more going for it than its age, though. It’s filled with incredible natural beauty, which includes some of the most unique rock formations and caverns in the state. The park is also home to a charming rock dam, an eight-acre lake that’s perfect for motorized and non-motorized boats, and miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails.

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