Arkansas has earned its name as the Natural State many times over. From the incredible mountain peaks to river valleys, the beauty of our state is unmatched. So, it’s no surprise that it’s sprinkled with scenic byways making it the perfect state for road trips. One of the best road trips through Arkansas crosses the Bull Shoals Dam on Highway 178. This stunning drive will take you to a few of the state’s legendary attractions.
This road trip is short in length, but it is packed with tons of Arkansas’ most iconic places. With just over 85 miles long and 2 hours of drive time, this road trip is perfect to stop and fully enjoy what the Natural State has to offer.
Google Maps Want to add more stops to this road trip? No worries. Click the interactive map to make the adjustments. Now, let’s get started on this fantastic journey!
- Skipper’s Restaurant (Mountain Home)
Red Laustic/Google Not only do you need to gas up the car for this road trip, but you must also add some fuel to your system. Stop in at Skipper’s Restaurant on Highway 15 and enjoy one of the hearty breakfast meals. Skipper’s Restaurant, 711 AR-5, Mountain Home, AR 72653, USA
- Highway 178 (Midway)
Ltljltlj, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons After you leave Skippers, continue north on Highway 15 until you get to Midway where you will head west on scenic Highway 178 to get to Bull Shoals. A favorite for motorcyclists, Highway 178 provides a meandering drive through lots of dense Ozark forests.
- Bull Shoals Dam (Bull Shoals)
MarshallKe, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Once you clear the serene forest, you will be amazed as you cross the incredible Bull Shoals Dam. Built in 1951, this magnificent 256-foot dam is one of the largest concrete structures in the world. It’s quite Impressive! Bull Shoals Dam Boulevard, Bull Shoals Dam Blvd, Bull Shoals, AR, USA
- James A Gaston Visitor Center and Bull Shoals–White River State Park (Bull Shoals)
Darryl D/TripAdvisor Then, stop at the James A. Gaston Visitor Center where you will witness the breathtaking views of the dam, the White River, and Bull Shoals Lake. In addition, the center offers exhibit halls, learning experiences, and it even has a theater. You can spend a couple of hours immersed in the experience. James Creek Drive & Center Road, James Creek Dr & Center Rd, West Springfield, VA 22152, USA
Alex Keyser/Google Besides the visitor center, Bull Shoals State Park offers lots of recreational activities including fishing, camping, and swimming. But we recommend you take one of the scenic hikes along the shores of the vast 45,000-acre lake.
- Buffalo River Float Service (Yellville)
Brandonrush, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Continue through the forest on the winding byway of AR 14 until you get to the town of Yellville. What makes Yellville iconic is that the Buffalo River, America’s first national river, flows through the town. Buffalo River Float Service, 11637 AR-14 N, Yellville, AR 72687, USA
Christian Capehart/Google Stop in at Buffalo River Float Service and rent a canoe and drift along the legendary waterway.
- Ozark Folk Center State Park (Mountain View)
Jason McAlister/Google Now that you are relaxed from drifting on the river, continue along the scenic Highway 382 through the Ozark forest and head to the iconic town of Mountain View. Ozark Folk Center State Park, 1032 Park Ave, Mountain View, AR 72560, USA
Facebook / Ozark Folk Center State Park Mountain View is known for its rich musical heritage, and it is packed with plenty to do. But we recommend you visit the Ozark Folk Center State Park, where you will be transformed back in time. Walk through the craft village, and the herb garden, and witness live historical reenactments as well as live Southern Mountain music. This one-of-a-kind experience is unlike any other.
Besides the scenic routes through the Ozark Forest, this road trip captured a few of Arkansas’ most iconic attractions. Which makes this trip one of the best road trips you can take in America.
Google Maps
Want to add more stops to this road trip? No worries. Click the interactive map to make the adjustments. Now, let’s get started on this fantastic journey!
Red Laustic/Google
Not only do you need to gas up the car for this road trip, but you must also add some fuel to your system. Stop in at Skipper’s Restaurant on Highway 15 and enjoy one of the hearty breakfast meals.
Skipper’s Restaurant, 711 AR-5, Mountain Home, AR 72653, USA
Ltljltlj, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
After you leave Skippers, continue north on Highway 15 until you get to Midway where you will head west on scenic Highway 178 to get to Bull Shoals. A favorite for motorcyclists, Highway 178 provides a meandering drive through lots of dense Ozark forests.
MarshallKe, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Once you clear the serene forest, you will be amazed as you cross the incredible Bull Shoals Dam. Built in 1951, this magnificent 256-foot dam is one of the largest concrete structures in the world. It’s quite Impressive!
Bull Shoals Dam Boulevard, Bull Shoals Dam Blvd, Bull Shoals, AR, USA
Darryl D/TripAdvisor
Then, stop at the James A. Gaston Visitor Center where you will witness the breathtaking views of the dam, the White River, and Bull Shoals Lake. In addition, the center offers exhibit halls, learning experiences, and it even has a theater. You can spend a couple of hours immersed in the experience.
James Creek Drive & Center Road, James Creek Dr & Center Rd, West Springfield, VA 22152, USA
Alex Keyser/Google
Besides the visitor center, Bull Shoals State Park offers lots of recreational activities including fishing, camping, and swimming. But we recommend you take one of the scenic hikes along the shores of the vast 45,000-acre lake.
Brandonrush, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Continue through the forest on the winding byway of AR 14 until you get to the town of Yellville. What makes Yellville iconic is that the Buffalo River, America’s first national river, flows through the town.
Buffalo River Float Service, 11637 AR-14 N, Yellville, AR 72687, USA
Christian Capehart/Google
Stop in at Buffalo River Float Service and rent a canoe and drift along the legendary waterway.
Jason McAlister/Google
Now that you are relaxed from drifting on the river, continue along the scenic Highway 382 through the Ozark forest and head to the iconic town of Mountain View.
Ozark Folk Center State Park, 1032 Park Ave, Mountain View, AR 72560, USA
Facebook / Ozark Folk Center State Park
Mountain View is known for its rich musical heritage, and it is packed with plenty to do. But we recommend you visit the Ozark Folk Center State Park, where you will be transformed back in time. Walk through the craft village, and the herb garden, and witness live historical reenactments as well as live Southern Mountain music. This one-of-a-kind experience is unlike any other.
So, have you been to any of these iconic places in Arkansas?
For more legendary adventure, check out these scenic road trips.
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