Ozarks National Forest Scenic Drives - Arkansas Scenic Highway 7

National Forest Scenic 7 Byway - Arkansas Ozarks Mountains

Arkansas Highway 7 is the state's first designated scenic byway. The section from Harrison to Russellville runs through the Ozarks Mountains and is a particular favorite for fall color tours. Several National Forest campgrounds and scenic recreational areas are sprinkled along or near the drive. The drive also bisects the Buffalo National River, America's first National & Scenic Wild River.

The Buffalo River National Scenic Riverway and park is popular for canoeing, hiking, and exploring restored historic site settlements. At the eastern end of the National Park is another scenic drive, the Sylamore Scenic Byway and nearby Blanchard Springs & Caverns and the historic folk center of Mountain View.

There are several quilt and antique shops in and around Harrison and Jasper and along the Scenic 7 Byway to Hot Springs, Arkansas

Traveling south on US Highway 65 from Branson, Mo the town of Harrison, AR represents the northern gateway to the Ozarks Mountains and Scenic Byway 7. Harrison is the Boone County seat and offers a blend of historical buildings and modern conveniences, including some nice motels. An overnight stay of one or two days will allow side trip excursions to Mountain View, Blanchard Springs, and Buffalo National River Historic Sites before continuing on Hwy 7.

The Harrison area hosts four quilt shops. We've twice visited the Country Corners Quilt Shop . . . and found it well stocked with an extensive collection of fabrics at reasonable prices.

< < < The shop also has several long arm quilting machines, almost always occupied with customer quilts every time we've visited the shop. The shop also features full quilts and quilt tops for sale made by local artisans.

We plan to visit other shops in the area in 2008.

Go Here for the Arkansas Scenic Drive Quilt Shop Directory

Dogpatch, USA

About 8 miles south of Harrison is the "Ghost Town" of Dogpatch, Arkansas - a re-creation of Al Caap's mythical home town of Li'L Abner and Daisy Mae. The enterprise thrived for a few years but then "irrational exhuberance" - opening up another theme park & ski area, Marble Falls, adjacent to Dogpatch - drove the operation into debt and after a succession of owners it finally closed.

Another nearby attraction that remains open is Mystic Caverns, open Monday through Saturday.

Crossing the Buffalo River, the centerpiece of the Buffalo River National Park popular for canoeing, hiking, and exploring restored historic site settlements.

Jasper, Arkansas

After leaving Dogpatch, in about another 8 miles, the road winds down into the vallye of Jasper, AR - a quaint town of cafes, gift shops, antique shops and even a Museum of Junk (far left).

Jasper also hosts canoe and camping outfitters for excursions on the nearby Buffalo River or backpacking trips in the National Park.

Jo and I found a nice parking spot for ARVY beneath a colorful maple tree while we walked around town. > > >

Page 2 - Arkansas Scenic Highway 7, Continued

Next Stops: Arkansas Grand Canyon, Nellies, Pelsor, and the Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area.