BEST MOTORCYCLE RIDES IN ARKANSAS

ROUTE: AR-23
DISTANCE: 26 miles
TIME: 40 mins

The Pig Trail Scenic Byway is one of the most well-known motorcycle rides in Arkansas. The byway carves through the scenic Ozark National Forest. Start this great motorcycle road on Arkansas Highway 23 from the Interstate 40 exit, and ride north through the national forest to the town of Brashears, AR. The rugged and forested Boston Mountains region of the Ozark Mountains provides the setting for this ride. You’ll often be riding under a canopy of trees, making for a nice, shady ride during the hot summer months. ‘The Pig’ has curves, hairpins, elevation changes, and great scenery – all of which makes this one of the best motorcycle rides in Arkansas!
(photo: flickr.com)

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ROUTE: AR-123
DISTANCE: 63 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours

Most of AR-123 rides through Ozark National Forest, and is dubbed The Dragon Tail for good reason. This route provides a motorcycle ride in Arkansas that is surrounded by beautiful mature hardwood forest that has curves, hairpins and elevation changes. The scenery is great, if you can take your eyes off the road long enough to look! Thankfully, the ride itself is outstanding, so you won’t regret missing any views. Be sure to stop for a short hike at Haw Creek Falls. Riders will find this road has much less traffic than the more popular Pig Trail Byway. While motorcyclists only ride the Ozark Forest section, the road continues to be great north of Mt Judea.
(photo: flickr.com)

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ROUTE: AR HWY 7
DISTANCE: 156 miles
TIME: 3.5 hours

Some of the best roadside views in the entire state can be experienced on this great Arkansas motorcycle road. The southern section of this route goes through the Ouachita National Forest, while the northern section goes through the Ozark National Forest. You’ll ride with great views of canyons, lakes, rivers, forests and wildlife. There’s plenty of beautiful spots where you can stop for a rest and admire the wonderful scenery, including that of the Boston Mountains. Be sure to stop at the Arkansas version of the Grand Canyon! The road pavement quality is also very good, which makes these curves and elevation changes all the more enjoyable. If you’re looking to find great motorcycle routes near me in Arkansas, don’t miss scenic Highway 7!
(photo: E. Cooley)

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ROUTES: AR-21, AR-16
DISTANCE: 102 miles
TIME: 2.5 hours

The stretch of Highway 21 between Highway 64 in Clarksville and the Buffalo National River in Newton County winds through the Boston Mountain range of the Ozarks. About 35 miles long, the highway offers panoramic valley views, glimpses of abandoned homesteads and the occasional bear or eagle sighting. The road has lots of twisties and sweepers that will keep you highly entertained. Detour east on Route 16 to view the 135-foot-long Alum Cove Natural Bridge and the nearby caves used by Native Americans for shelter on hunting expeditions. This route can be combined with Scenic 7: take Highway 43 just past the Buffalo River to Ponca, then 74 to Jasper to meet up with 7. The Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway runs parallel with the Pig Trail to the west. Either taking Interstate 40 from Clarksville to Ozark or Highway 74 at Kingston can join the two byways.
(photo: arkansas.com)

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ROUTE: AR-74
DISTANCE: 56 miles
TIME: 1 hour

This is a great Arkansas motorcycle road to ride through the Boxley Valley area. Since it’s a very scenic area, you’ll have other drivers slowing down to watch for elk. So this route is best ridden slower for the scenery, not the curves. The section from Huntsville to Piercetown is the best part of this route to ride by motorcycle, and will take you through some of the best scenery in Arkansas. Note the first couple of miles out of Ponca is especially technical with lots of tight curves, and riders will want to be aware of the oncoming traffic as you navigate this fantastic motorcycle road. If you’re looking for motorcycle rides near me in Arkansas, don’t miss Highway 74!
(photo: D. Davis)

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ROUTE: AR-88
DISTANCE: 18 miles
TIME: 30 min

The Talimena Scenic Drive is one of the best motorcycle roads in Arkansas. It’s a 18 mile ride along AR-88 to the Oklahoma state line. It takes the rider up Rich Mountain through Wilhelmina State Park. There’s scenic, panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. If you like curves, this is the road for you! Not only does the ride feature lots of curves, but there’s also switchbacks and steep grades. The drive has plenty of pullouts along the ridge as well, which gives motorcycle riders an opportunity to take in the views. Continuing west along OK-1 will make for more exceptional riding with vista overlooks, and is also one of the best motorcycle rides on Oklahoma. Traffic is minimal here as well, which makes this an Arkansas motorcycle route you would not want to miss!
(photo: A. Butterfield)

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ROUTES: AR-341, AR-14, AR-87
DISTANCE: 46 miles
TIME: 1 hour

If you’re looking for an exciting ride in Arkansas, this is the one for you. Push Mountain is well known among riders for its curves and drop-offs. You’ll descend from mountain-sides with sheer drop-offs to the valley floor. This is one of the most scenic rides you can take in the Ozarks, as it winds through three mountainsides. And while there are plenty of great curves and switchbacks to keep you on your toes, it’s not too technical that intermediate riders couldn’t handle it. Push Mountain Rd is a great ride all year, but it’s simply breathtaking in the fall. For a longer loop ride check our Route 14 south of Yellville for some more excellent riding.
(photo: arkansas.com)

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GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is the place to find the best motorcycle roads and rides near Arkansas and the Southeast United States. Discover more great motorcycle roads in the Southeast with our detailed route descriptions and Google Maps links!