Arkansas road guide
The best motorcycle roads in Arkansas
The best motorcycle roads in Arkansas wind through the Ozarks and the Ouachita Mountains: Scenic 7 from Hot Springs to Harrison, the Pig Trail, AR 21 through Ozone, AR 43 past the elk in Boxley Valley, AR 16 across the hills, Mount Magazine and the Talimena Byway on the Oklahoma line. Here are 14 classics with why each is worth it, what to watch for and the best season.
- Roads listed
- 14
- Regions
- 3
- Highest point
- Mount Magazine, 2,753 ft
- Check before you go
- IDriveArkansas
Before you pick
How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in Arkansas
Arkansas is a quiet favorite among riders who know it. Its best roads twist through hardwood forest, river valleys and bluffs, with little traffic away from Little Rock and northwest Arkansas. Two ranges hold most of the great riding: the Ozark Plateau along the top of the state and the east and west ridges of the Ouachitas below it.
These are tight, wooded roads with little or no shoulder. Rain washes gravel into corners, fall leaves hide wet pavement, and low-water crossings flood fast. Check IDriveArkansas before a long ride, and see the best time to ride a motorcycle in Arkansas for the season by region. The Arkansas motorcycle rides hub has the overview of regions, laws and rallies.
Northwest Arkansas
Western Ozark roads
- 1. Pig Trail Scenic Byway (AR 23)Why: AR 23 leaves the town of Ozark and climbs into the national forest under a tunnel of trees, across the Mulberry River at Turner Bend, then up through the Boston Mountains toward Brashears. Named for the Razorback fans who used it to reach games in Fayetteville. Watch for: Leaves and gravel in the corners, oncoming traffic over the line, and packed weekends in fall and during Bikes, Blues and BBQ. Best season: April to November.
- 2. AR 21 through Ozone and FallsvilleWhy: North from Clarksville through the Ozark National Forest, past the tiny towns of Ozone and Fallsville, to Boxley Valley and on toward Kingston and Berryville. Long stretches of curves and almost no traffic. Watch for: Gravel at side roads, deer and long gaps between fuel. Best season: April to November.
- 3. AR 43 through Boxley ValleyWhy: Arkansas's elk herd grazes the hay meadows of Boxley Valley along this road, near the upper Buffalo River at Ponca, and north of Ponca the grades get steep and tight. Watch for: Elk crossing at dawn and dusk, people stopping to watch them, and very steep grades. Best season: April to November, with elk most active in fall.
- 4. US 62 to Eureka SpringsWhy: Winds into Eureka Springs, a Victorian town built into a steep valley, past Thorncrown Chapel in the woods west of town. A classic overnight stop. Watch for: Narrow, steep and twisting streets in town, tourist traffic and limited parking. Best season: April to November.
- 5. Boston Mountains Scenic Loop (US 71)Why: Old US 71 between Alma and Fayetteville climbs through the Boston Mountains past Mountainburg, Artist Point and Winslow, while I-49 carries the traffic. Pair the two for a loop. Watch for: Slow local traffic, gravel and fog on the ridges. Best season: April to November.
North central Arkansas
Scenic 7 and the central Ozarks
- 6. Scenic 7 Byway (AR 7)Why: The state's best-known ride, from Hot Springs north through the Ouachita National Forest, across the Arkansas River at Dardanelle and Russellville, then into the Ozarks through Dover and Jasper to Harrison. Overlooks near Pelsor and the Arkansas Grand Canyon view near Jasper. Watch for: Gravel in corners, slow traffic on the climbs and fog in the valleys. Best season: April to November.
- 7. AR 16 across the OzarksWhy: An east and west route that crosses AR 23 at Brashears and AR 7 at Pelsor, through hollows and tiny towns like Deer. It's the road that ties the big north and south routes into loops. Watch for: Log trucks, gravel at driveways and blind crests. Best season: April to November.
- 8. AR 123 past Haw Creek FallsWhy: A quiet road through the Ozark National Forest past Haw Creek Falls, with creek crossings and steady curves. Good for linking Scenic 7 and AR 21. Watch for: Narrow pavement, campground traffic and water over low spots after rain. Best season: April to November.
- 9. AR 14 past Blanchard SpringsWhy: West of Mountain View, home of the Ozark Folk Center, AR 14 runs through the forest past Blanchard Springs Caverns. Music town, cave tours and good curves in one day. Watch for: Deer, tourist traffic near the caverns and gravel. Best season: April to November.
- 10. Push Mountain Road (AR 341)Why: A favorite among riders in north central Arkansas near Mountain Home, with tight, hilly curves through the Ozark forest. Watch for: Blind crests, gravel and very little shoulder. Best season: April to November.
River Valley, Ouachitas and the Delta
Mountains of the west, a ridge in the east
- 11. Mount Magazine Scenic Byway (AR 309)Why: From Paris up to the 2,753-foot summit of Mount Magazine, the top of the state, with a state park lodge and views across the Arkansas River Valley, then down toward Havana. Real switchbacks. Watch for: Fog and wind at the top, wet leaves and steep grades. Best season: April to November.
- 12. Petit Jean Mountain (AR 154)Why: A climb to Petit Jean State Park, the state's first, with a stone lodge, the Cedar Falls overlook and a car museum on the mountain. Watch for: Tight curves on the climb, park traffic and deer. Best season: March to November.
- 13. Talimena National Scenic Byway (AR 88)Why: The ridge-top ride west from Mena across Rich Mountain, past Queen Wilhelmina State Park and its lodge, into Oklahoma toward Talihina. Pullouts every few miles. Watch for: Clouds on the ridge, wind, deer and no fuel along the crest. Fill up in Mena. Best season: April to November, especially fall.
- 14. Crowley's Ridge ParkwayWhy: Crowley's Ridge is the Delta's one line of hills, a narrow band of forest above the farm fields, and this national scenic byway follows it past Crowley's Ridge and Village Creek state parks toward the St. Francis National Forest near Helena. Watch for: Tractors on the road and gravel tracked out of field roads. Best season: March to May, September to November.
Link them up
Arkansas loops that close
The Ozark triangle: up the Pig Trail (AR 23) from Ozark, east on AR 16 to Pelsor, and back south on Scenic 7 to Russellville and west along the river. A full day with some of the best curves in the state.
The Buffalo loop: AR 21 north to Boxley Valley, AR 43 through Ponca, east toward Jasper and back south on Scenic 7. The Ouachita day: the Talimena Byway from Mena into Oklahoma and back on valley roads. Each of these closes, so it claims turf too.
Summary
Arkansas motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| Pig Trail (AR 23) | Western Ozarks | Apr to Nov |
| AR 21 through Ozone | Western Ozarks | Apr to Nov |
| AR 43 through Boxley Valley | Buffalo River | Apr to Nov |
| US 62 to Eureka Springs | Northwest | Apr to Nov |
| Boston Mountains Scenic Loop | Northwest | Apr to Nov |
| Scenic 7 Byway | Ouachitas to Ozarks | Apr to Nov |
| AR 16 | Central Ozarks | Apr to Nov |
| AR 123 | Central Ozarks | Apr to Nov |
| AR 14 past Blanchard Springs | North central | Apr to Nov |
| Push Mountain Road (AR 341) | North central | Apr to Nov |
| Mount Magazine (AR 309) | River Valley | Apr to Nov |
| Petit Jean (AR 154) | River Valley | Mar to Nov |
| Talimena Byway (AR 88) | Ouachitas | Apr to Nov |
| Crowley's Ridge Parkway | Delta | Spring and fall |
In the app
Put Arkansas's roads on the Rippin' map
Arkansas is early in Rippin', so there's plenty of room to add roads. If one of these isn't in the app yet, ride it with Rippin' recording, then open Segments and tap Create a Segment: drop a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. A person on our team checks it, it goes live with your name on it, and every rider who rides through it after that lands on its board. See segments and leaderboards and how roads get added.
Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads, and these roads punish mistakes. A board is about who owns the road and who rides it. The Ozark triangle wraps a huge piece of the forest as turf, and the Arkansas map is wide open. Below is what's on the Arkansas map in the app right now.
Live from the app
Arkansas on Rippin' right now.
3 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in Arkansas on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
- Fri Jan 8AMA Partzilla Arenacross East Rounds 7-8Little Rock
- Fri May 7Steel Horse Rally 2027Fort Smith
- Wed Sep 29Bikes, Blues & BBQ 2027Rogers
No Arkansas roads are in the app yet. Add the one you love from Segments and a person on our team checks it before it goes live. How roads get added.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in Arkansas?
Scenic 7, which runs from the Ouachitas to the Ozarks in one road. For tighter curves, ride the Pig Trail or AR 21 through Ozone.
Where are the best motorcycle roads near Fayetteville?
The Pig Trail (AR 23), the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop on US 71, US 62 to Eureka Springs and AR 16 east all start within an hour.
Where can you see elk while riding in Arkansas?
Boxley Valley on AR 43 near Ponca, in the Buffalo National River area. They're most visible at dawn and dusk, and most active in fall.
What is the highest point in Arkansas you can ride to?
Mount Magazine, at 2,753 feet. The Mount Magazine Scenic Byway, AR 309, takes you nearly to the top.
Are Arkansas mountain roads good for beginners?
Many are tight with little shoulder. Start with Crowley's Ridge Parkway or the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop, and build up to the Pig Trail and AR 43.
Can I add an Arkansas road to Rippin'?
Yes. Any rider can add a road with Create a Segment. A person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it.
Put an Ozark road on the map.
Download Rippin' free, ride one of these roads with it recording and add it. Your name stays on it.
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