Arkansas has some of the best sports car roads in the nation!

Without a doubt, Arkansas mountains have spectacular scenery and some of Arkansas' scenic byways link to a world-class system of state parks, camps and park hotels that encourage its citizens and visitors to enjoy Arkansas. In fact, 14 state parks are located within a two-hour radius of Fort Smith and Van Buren.

Picture: The scenic loop in Mount Magazine State Park.
 
Offering spectacular vistas from the several pull-outs along the loop road around the perimeter of Mount Magazine's 2,753 foot summit and the new lodge, cabins and full service restaurant, Mount Magazine State Park offers a full range of activities for all age groups and interests. Sometimes it's just nice to drive over and enjoy a fine lunch and all the scenery on both sides of the mountain.

Picture: Fall colors extend as far as the eye can see from Mount Magazines pull-outs and short walking trails

Offering spectacular vistas from the several pull-outs along the loop road around the perimeter of Mount Magazine's 2,753 foot summit and the new lodge, cabins and full service restaurant, Mount Magazine State Park offers a full range of activities for all age groups and interests. Sometimes it's just nice to drive over and enjoy a fine lunch and all the scenery on both sides of the mountain. 

Almost any time of year, one of my favorite day trips is the Talimena Scenic Drive between Mena, Arkansas, west across the Winding Stair Mountains to Talihina, Oklahoma with a scenic lunch stop at Queen Wilhelmina State Park. 

Picture: Queen Wilhelmina Lodge, is just one of several first-class hotels and restaurants in the Arkansas state park system.   

UPDATE: 3/5/12 - Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge is closed for major renovations and will reopen in summer 2013. This temporary closure applies to the entire lodge including all guest rooms and the restaurant. The Lodge expects to reopen in the summer of 2013. The remodeled guest rooms will be more spacious with larger windows for guests to enjoy the view from the top of Rich Mountain. Two additional guest rooms increase the number of guest rooms to 40. Camping, trails and other facilities in the park remain open.

Picture: The lodge will expand from 26,335 square feet to 36,538 square feet to include a new hearth room with fireplace and a completely remodeled lobby, gift shop, and reception/registration area. Credit: Arkansas State Parks

The Talimena Scenic Drive has been listed by the U.S. Department of Transportation as an official American Byway. The 54 mile scenic highway, located between Mena, on the Arkansas side of the border and Talihina, in Oklahoma, provides spectacular views on both sides of the road as it follows along the mountain ridges of the Ouachita National Forest. Visitors in early October through late November can enjoy an extended Fall season.  

Picture: A tiny Junco was one of several Fall tourists who posed for pictures during our short November walk around Mount Magazine.


The spectacular Fall scenery as the Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains turn yellow, orange and brilliant red are just two of the many reasons that kept drawing us back to Arkansas as we looked for a place to retire. Be sure to check out some of those Arkansas Forest Byways listed in the favorite links section and you'll see why many people believe Arkansas has some of the most scenic sports car roads in America. In the meantime, I'm having too much fun exploring more of Arkansas' scenery in my little Saturn "Super Coupe" and our Saturn VUE. Who wants to work when you can get away and travel the scenic byways in Arkansas. 

Special Bonus:
The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism offers a free collection of wallpapers with spectacular views of Arkansas State Parks. There even "how to" directions for PC's and Macs. If these photos don't encourage you to enjoy a visit to Arkansas, I hope you enjoy your Green Bench in St. Petersburg.
Arkansas Wallpaper - Spring and Summer
Arkansas Wallpaper - Fall
Arkansas Wallpaper - Winter

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Updated: 4/17/12 -Details of Queen Wilhelmina Lodge renovations.