Ozarks National Forest Scenic Drives
Attractions Along Arkansas Scenic Byway 7 - Page 2
Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area - Ozarks National Forest
Leaving Jasper, AR we continue our tour south on Scenic Highway 7 and begin a steep ascent in the Ozarks Mountains highlands to view the Arkansas Grand Canyon and hike the Pedestal Rocks Natural Area. |
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Arkansas Grand Canyon
Once through Jasper, the Scenic 7 Byway begins to climb to its highest point where there is a scenic view lookout  over what is called the "Arkansas Grand Canyon."
Scenic views like this one illustrate why Highway 7 is a favorite among National Forest Scenic Byways. > > >
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< < < A short way down the road from the lookout tower is the Cliff House Restaurant, a popular place to dine as it offers a terrific view of the Grand Canyon.
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The next stop on the southbound tour of Highway 7 is the little burg of Pelsor, Arkansas and Nellie's Crafts & Quilts. You'll see her signs every few miles from Jasper until you get there.
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Nellies Crafts & Quilts. After seeing a gazzilion signs promising the appearance of Nellie's in "x" miles, we finally arrive! The shop is jam-packed from floor to ceiling with artisan crafts, baskets, knick-knacks and as advertised - quilts.
Mounds of reasonably-priced quilts made by Nellie and her friends - and none made in China!
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< < < Jo found some locally made soy candles she liked. That's Nellie packaging them up for her.
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Pedestal Rocks
Located on highway 16 about 6 miles east of Pelsor, Pedestal Rocks offers two nice hiking trails with panoramic scenic views from atop the Ozarks Plateau.
 A one mile moderately easy hike (2.2 miles round trip) leads to the Pedestal Rocks.
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 A second hiking trail (1.7 mile round trip), King's Bluff, also leads to valley overlooks and interesting rock formations. Both trails include rest stops along the trail. |
< < < Here's another example of why Scenic Highway 7 is such a popular Fall Foliage Trip.
After Pelsor, Hwy 7 remains on the high plateau for a few miles and then begins the slow descent down to the Arkansas River Valley, past Dover and through the bustling town of Russellville, AR.
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Highway 7 continues south of Russellville for a piece in the low lands of the Arkansas River valley and then begins to climb again as it crosses the eastern edge of the Ouachita Mountains. Also scenic but not quite the spectacular views of the drive through the Ozarks Mountains. I recall one trip in a fog made quite interesting by the switchbacks the road made as it descended from one of the mountain peaks! The road continues to skirt the Ouachita foothills until near Hot Springs where you encounter the Zig Zag Mountains that encircle that city. |
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 Previous Page: Harrison to Jasper leg of Scenic Hwy 7 |
Next Stop: Hot Springs, Arkansas and Hot Springs National Park
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Scenic Highway 7 Travel & Visitor Links
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Scenic Drives & Byways
 Lake Superior Circle Tour, Part 1. & Circle Tour Part 2. -
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Upper Peninsula, and Ontario
Great River Road Scenic Byway, Part 1. - Galena, Illinois to
Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin
Galena, IL
Dubuque, IA
Prairie Du Chien, WI
Great River Road Scenic Drive, Part 2. - LaCrosse, Wisconsin to
Winona, Minnesota
La Crosse, WI
Winona, MN
Fall Color Train
Great River Road, Part 3. - Winona, Wabasha to Red Wing, Minnesota
Wabasha, MN
Red Wing, MN
Ozarks Mountains Scenic Drives - Ozarks National Forest Scenic Drives
and Scenic Highway 7
Arkansas Ozarks Scenic 7 Byway
Mountain View, Arkansas
Hot Springs, AR and Hot Springs National Park
Buffalo National River and Buffalo River National Park
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