Byway Boogie Routs 2.0
- Jerry James
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Sport Touring Routes
"The Original". Great route for those of you that have not traveled much in Arkansas. Highway 7 is known as Scenic Byway 7, hence "The Byway Boogie”. It’s up Hwy 7 to Jasper and return to HSV. Stop at the Low Gap for lunch, it’s just a couple of blocks north of downtown.
Mt Magazine Loop. This will take you to the highest location in Arkansas. Your lunch stop (wp9) is at the Cove Creek Gas and Store. You can get a decent sandwich there. If you prefer a full lunch with a view, turn off at the Mt Magazine visitor center before Cove Creek and ride to the lodge and just come back to AR309 to get back on track. The south side of the ride up 309 from Havana is a little ruff, but has been recently patched. The pavement on the north side to Paris is in great shape and worth the ride. If you go to the lodge for lunch, continue on the road you came in on, there are several vistas that are better than the lodge and it will take you back to the visitor center for your continuation of AR309 north.
Touristy 3 Parks. Hot Springs NatPark, Petit Jean and Mt Magazine. If you haven’t been in Arkansas, you should consider this route as it takes you through 3 magnificent parks with great history and views. Did I mention that all three have some interesting curvy roads along the way? Your lunch stop is at Mathers Lodge in Petit Jean with a great view. This is a long day, but you can easily shorten it up. You can skip the 1st or the 3rd park very easily. To skip the NatPark from AR7 take AR5 to the east instead of turning right at THE traffic circle, that will take you to Petit Jean. If you want to skip #3, from Mathers Lodge continue west on AR154 to AR7, turn south and that will take you back to HSV.
Petit Jean 1 tank loop. If you just want to make a short route or combine with another for the day, you should be able to make this one. The AR9 side has some great sweepers mixed with elevation, but as you approach Petit Jean it will get tight and remain mostly tight until you get back to AR7. Hwy 7 is a great mix of sweeper with a handful of some tight stuff. I like the southern route of AR7 as there is generally less traffic.
Oark General Store. This route is long and curvy on first half and shorter and quicker on the return path to get you back before dark. I recommend leaving HSV Inn no later than 9AM and leaving Oark no later than 130PM. That should get you through the Ouachita National Forest (AR7) before it gets too late in the afternoon.
Adventure Routes In the event of rain, I cannot recommend riding any of these routes. Ride at your own risk.
Winona Lake loop. About 70% off road, the rest is good pavement. This is a long route. Perryville is your gas and food stop. I have you stopping at Casey’s General Store. I have only eaten at the Subway in Perryville but I have heard good things about Hidalgo’s Mexican Restaurant. But remember, you are in Arkansas, they are not known for their Mexican food. Otherwise, you are on your own for lunch. Your return path to AR7 is gravel and mostly parallel to the Fourche-LaFave River.
Lake Ouachita Vista. The vista is probably the best “big picture” of Lake Ouachita. About 20% off road and only a few hours total. However, when you get back to AR7 the route ends. You can go back to hotel, go to the K&R Motoranch or open up Route C and start with WP2 to start that route.
Back roads to Petit Jean. This route takes you through a horse camp on a loop on the west side of AR7. Further north will take you on a collection of pavement and gravel roads including crossing the Fourche LaFave River on an old suspension bridge. You will also pass some nice water features along Casa Aplin Rd. The route will take you to Mathers Lodge in Petit Jean for a lunch stop and return back to AR7 via some curvy paved roads and if you have time a stop at K&R MotoRanch. Note: There are only 2 locations for fuel. Jessieville or Ola. You will have to reroute to go to Ola if you need fuel. If you need fuel when leaving Mathers Lodge, reroute using your GPS to get to Ola at AR7/AR10.