Arkansas Highway 7 travels across western Arkansas between Harrison and Hot Springs. The 160-mile scenic drive follows AR 7, which is a two-lane paved road suitable for all types of vehicles. Arkansas Highway 7 usually remains open year-round.
From Harrison, the Arkansas Highway 7 scenic byway travels south through the Ozark National Forest, winding its way through the Ozark Mountains. The byway then descends into the Arkansas River Valley before climbing into the Ouachita Mountains of the Ouachita National Forest.
The byway cuts through the Buffalo National River just south of Dogpatch. The Buffalo National River offers nearly 150 miles of free-flowing river for canoeing or rafting. There are outfitters that will provide you with all the necessary items to enjoy a float down this scenic river of white water, long stretches of calm water, and rock bluffs reaching high above the river.
The Ozark National Forest covers more than a million acres of hardwood forests and gently rolling mountains. There are numerous public campgrounds that offer campsites for tents or recreational vehicles. You’ll also find many areas for enjoying a picnic. Hiking trails are plentiful through the national forest. The 160-mile Ozark Highlands National Recreation Trail passes through the forest and its wilderness areas. In the Alum Cove picnic area is a short one-mile trail that leads to the Alum Cove Natural Bridge. This 130-foot natural bridge was carved out of the solid rock by a small stream.
The southern portion of the route passes through the Ouachita National Forest. Like the Ozark National Forest, there are numerous camping and picnicking areas throughout. Hundreds of miles of trails lie within the forest, including the 192-mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail. Two camping areas along Arkansas Highway 7 offer a wooded setting next to a meandering stream. Iron Springs has 13 campsites and South Fourche has 7 campsites. Both areas also have picnic facilities, drinking water, and sanitary facilities.
Lying between the national forests are two Corps of Engineers projects, Lake Dardanelle and Nimrod Lake. On the byway’s southern end is Lake Ouachita, another Corps project. The Corps of Engineers has developed several public use areas that provide camping facilities for tents and recreational vehicles as well as numerous picnic areas. The lakes also offer opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. In addition to the public use areas, Arkansas has developed state parks around each lake.