Our society is full of stress. We go to work, we haul our kids to their events, we worry about bills, our kids, our schedules, politics, the future—everything. Because we’re so full of anxiety, we all need ways to escape from it. One of those ways is to go on an aimless drive, one where you’re not worried about going somewhere in particular or arriving at a certain time. One where you can’t look at your smartphone for at least an hour. Luckily, our state is full of scenic byways. Other roads may be more popular, but Old Highway 71, which was supplanted by I-49 as a favorite way to travel from Northwest Arkansas, has low traffic and lots of scenic spots along the way. It runs right through the heart of the Boston Mountains, where the views are spectacular.
We didn’t choose it only because it’s beautiful and has low traffic, it’s also easy to get to from other parts of the state. Simply turn off of I-40 at the small town of Alma and head up 71. Driving up from Alma puts you on the side of the road where the views are most scenic. And if you’re feeling sufficiently decompressed by the time you get to the town of West Fork, simply pull onto I-49 and take the quicker road back home.
If you’re looking for a map to this road, click here.
Google Maps
The road winds through the mountains, and when it was the primary road connecting Northwest Arkansas to I-40 and the rest of the state, it was a dangerous place to drive. It’s curvy and mountainous even without the traffic, and part of the appeal is that you’ll want to take it slow.
Flickr/Doug Wertman
Highway 71 is part of the Boston Mountains Scenic Route, and you may want to pause awhile and look out into those places.
Flickr/Doug Wertman
Flickr/Clinton Steeds
You’ll come across the small community of Artist Point, where there are shops and incomparable overlooks where you can enjoy the view.
Flickr/Clinton Steeds
You may want to take a few minutes to drive over to Lake Fort Smith, where you’ll find a soothing lake to sit beside and a panoramic overlook right behind the visitor center.
Flickr/Jonathan Ball
Flickr/AR Nature Gal
JB Weisenfels
No need to pull off the road or pause at the overlooks, however. The view from the road is gorgeous for the entire trip.
Flickr/silhouettesgem
Flickr/Clinton Steeds
For more scenic byways where you can get away from it all, check out this list.
Google Maps
Flickr/Doug Wertman
Flickr/Clinton Steeds
Flickr/Jonathan Ball
Flickr/AR Nature Gal
JB Weisenfels
Flickr/silhouettesgem
To find overlooks where you can enjoy all the splendor of the natural state, click here.
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