Make The Most Of The Most Scenic Drive In Arkansas With These 14 Iconic Stops
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
One of the best things about Arkansas is that the drive to a destination is often just as phenomenal as the actual attraction. We’re a state of folks that don’t mind skipping interstates in favor of foliage, look-out points, and off-the-beaten-path attractions – all of which can be found on Arkansas’ pretty scenic byways. Although our state is full of gorgeous drives, one of the most memorable is the Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway. 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. Let’s pack our bags, turn on the tunes, and see what iconic stops we come across on our Scenic Byway 7 journey.
The byway stretches from El Dorado to Harrison and covers a total of nearly 300 miles. Before you head out, grab our Google Map.
South Arkansas Arboretum, 1506 Mt Holly Rd, El Dorado, AR 71730, USA
After touring El Dorado's downtown square and packing plenty of snacks for the road, our first stop on the Arkansas Scenic Byway 7 will be the local state park. The South Arkansas Arboretum State Park is the perfect place to set the relaxing mood for our winding journey. Breathe in the fresh flora native to the West Gulf Coastal Plain and warm up your camera with some macro flower shots.
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White House Cafe, 323 S Adams Ave, Camden, AR 71701, USA
Possibly the most iconic stop of our drive is the oldest restaurant in the state. White House Cafe was originally built in 1907 by Greece immigrant Hristos Hodjopulas. For more than 110 years the cafe has been earning awards and customer loyalty for their mouthwatering burgers and rib-eye steaks. Let's grab an early lunch before we head to the Ouachitas.
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DeGray Lake, Arkansas, USA
Depending on how long you want to stretch this drive, Lake DeGray can either be a day or two excursion or simply another drive-by view. This is the only resort state park in the state so it's easy to find yourself suddenly renting water toys at the marina or swinging clubs at their 18-hole championship-rated golf course. How about we settle for a leg-stretching hike along the Green Heron Trail, we may even spot an eagle or two!
Hot Springs, AR, USA
Byway 7 just so happens to drive right through the historic district of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Central Avenue is filled with interesting stops that could easily take up a day of exploring. At the very least, let's fill up our water bottles from one of their fresh spring fountains and get some food.
Ohio Club, 336 Central Ave, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71901, USA
We might as well dine in style at Arkansas' oldest bar. The Ohio Club opened in 1905 and has attracted all sorts of interesting people from baseball stars to gangsters to famous musicians - even Al Capone himself. I think I'll have a Reuben sandwich, please! Or maybe their famous Big Al Burger. The speakeasy experience here is second to none, and when it comes to food and fun drinks, It's hard to go wrong with whatever you choose.
Ron Coleman Mining, 211 Crystal Ridge Ln, Jessieville, AR 71949, USA
You probably already knew about digging for diamonds around AR, but did you know Arkansas is also the quartz capital of the world? One place we'll come across is Ron Coleman Mining as we drive through Jessieville. Keep any quartz or crystal you dig up at their public mine and explore the many wonderful displays of incredible rocks and gemstones that have been unearthed in our area. After some enjoyable hard work, we can cool down in the car and drive through some of the prettiest forest in the state.
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Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas 71965, USA
This is the perfect part of our journey to have the windows rolled down (weather permitting) and just take in the trees. The Ouachita National Forest is over a century old and has aged quite gracefully. Take advantage of the pull-off points alongside the highway so your driver can fully appreciate the view, too.
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Nimrod Lake, Arkansas 72857, USA
As we come to the edge of the Ouachita Forests we'll pass Lake Nimrod. It's the oldest lake created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, finished shortly after Fourche LaFave River dam in 1942. If we have time let's take advantage of this prime fishing spot before we get to our next naturally beautiful stop.
Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Pottsville, AR 72858, USA
Not too far out of our way is the Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge. It's an absolute must stop for anyone wanting to spot some wildlife, from eagles to beavers to even bobcats. The 7,000 acres of farmland and bottomland hardwoods protect migratory birds as well as provides regulated hunting grounds for wildlife management. Animal lovers of all walks can appreciate the refuge.
Ozark National Forest, Arkansas 72752, USA
It's impossible not to pull over at some point during the drive through part of the 1.2 million acre forest. As we drive from Sand Gap to Jasper, know that you can spend weeks exploring the many trails, waterfalls, and outdoor activities found in the Ozark National Forest. We'll keep quiet in the backseat and try not to point out every single thing.
Alum Cove Natural Bridge Recreation Area, Deer, AR 72628, USA
Not too far off of Highway 7 is one of the most unique geological formations in the Ozarks. The weathered remains of what was once a quartz sandstone cave is now a 130-foot arch. Take a break from driving with a picnic or the Alum Cove Trail. Besides the arch, the trail also passes a gorgeous waterfall.
Arkansas Grand Canyon, AR-7, Jasper, AR 72641, USA
Right before we reach the tiny town of Jasper we'll come across a must-stop: the Arkansas Grand Canyon. Let's pull over and take in the vastness of Big Creek Valley. If you're hungry, we can stop at the Cliff House Inn for a slice of pie and an epic view of the canyon.
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Jasper, AR 72641, USA
This will be our last big stop before our end point of Harrison. In a way, we've saved the best for last since Jasper is the best tiny town in the state.
If you’d like to know all of Jasper’s hot spots, spoiler alert: there's a lot to love about this charming small town!
Lyric Theater - Ozark Arts Council, 115 W Rush Ave, Harrison, AR 72601, USA
Well friends, we've reached the end of our drive (or week-long vacation depending on how many adventures you decided to have). Hopefully, we can catch a show at The Lyric Theatre in Harrison. The theatre was originally built in 1929 for the "talkies" taking over the silent film industry. The Lyric Theatre has been restored by the Ozark Arts Council to preserve the historic landmark.
No matter which direction you drive or how many stops you take, the Scenic Byway 7 is aptly named – it’s one of the most scenic drives in Arkansas. But by no means did we cover all the neat stops along the way! What’s your favorite spot along Byway 7? Share with us in the comments below!
Looking for even more Arkansas scenic drives? Since we didn’t venture into the Delta region of the state, you should plan to take this Delta restaurant road trip next. While you’re at it, immerse yourself in those scenic Delta sights with a stay at this phenomenal rental in Batesville, complete with a magnificent pool with a view.
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More to Explore
Scenic 7 Byway & Related Info
Are there any natural wonders in Arkansas?
There's a reason why Arkansas is called the Natural State! From waterfalls and hot springs to caves, canyons, and beaches, Arkansas has no shortage of man-made and natural wonders:
- Arkansas Grand Canyon, Jasper
- Arkansas Sphinx, Hagarville
- Blanchard Springs Cavern, Fifty-Six
- Buffalo National River, Ponca
- Bull Shoals Caverns, Bull Shoals
- Cedar Falls
- Crater of Diamonds, Murfreesboro
- Crowley's Ridge
- Glory Hole Falls, Ozone
- Hot Springs National Park, Hot Springs
- Lake Chicot
- Mammoth Spring, Mammoth Spring
- Mystic Caverns and Crystal Dome, Harrison
- Onyx Cave
- Pinnacle Mountain, Roland
- White Rock Mountain, Winslow
What are the best museums in Arkansas to learn about state history?
Arkansas is chock full of both natural and man-made history, spanning back to well before America was founded. Here are some of the best, most highly-rated museums in Arkansas:
- Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville
- Mid-America Science Museum, Piney
- Museum of Discovery, Little Rock
- Museum of Native American History, Bentonville
- MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, Little Rock
- Arkansas Air and Military Museum, Fayetteville
- Fort Smith Museum of History, Fort Smith
- Japanese American Internment Museum. McGehee
- Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie, Stuttgart
- Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum, Hot Springs
- Historic Arkansas Museum, Little Rock
- Bradbury Art Museum, Jonesboro
- Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, Springdale
- Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, North Little Rock
- Gangster Museum of America, Hot Springs