The Natural State is home to breathtaking fall colors. With so many crisp leaves and eye-catching sights, it’s no wonder people flock to our great state to enjoy the surroundings! Arkansans are lucky to have so many beautiful scenic drives from the Talimena to the Jasper Disaster. One of our favorites that highlights the foliage is the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop. Let’s pack some snacks and pick a playlist as we tour this scenic fall drive in Arkansas.
Whether it’s just a daily commute or an out-of-the-way excursion, the drive through the Boston Mountains is a wonderful trip.
Google/Sriabi Gopi The scenic loop joins I-49 and U.S. Highway 71 for an 80-mile tour through the mountains. The drive typically starts just outside of Alma, but it’s just as easy to begin in Fayetteville too.
The I-49 portion of the drive takes you over sweeping views of the mountains.
Facebook/Experience Fayetteville The impossibly tall bridges suspend you over a sea of color in the valleys below. Gazing over the scenery will make you think you’re viewing a Bob Ross painting.
Although the loop takes about an hour and a half, it’s easy to add on a detour or two.
Facebook/The Farmer’s Table Cafe Continue into Fayetteville for a downtown stroll or a lunch break. Don’t forget we still have half of the drive left, though!
The next part of the drive is the winding U.S. 71.
Google/Dan G This road had originally been a stagecoach route to reach the small mountain communities. The pleasant twists and turns make it a favorite for motorcyclists.
In addition to driving by the gorgeous vistas, the trip also leads to some beautiful must-stops.
Facebook/Arkansas Nature Lovers/Steve Lockhart Artist’s Point is one of our favorite quick detours, though you could also spend some time at Lake Fort Smith State Park.
This scenic loop is simply one of the best fall drives in Arkansas.
Google/Sriabi Gopi For directions and trip inspiration, visit this site.
We would love to see your fall photos of this drive in our Facebook Group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning natural beauty.
Google/Sriabi Gopi
The scenic loop joins I-49 and U.S. Highway 71 for an 80-mile tour through the mountains. The drive typically starts just outside of Alma, but it’s just as easy to begin in Fayetteville too.
Facebook/Experience Fayetteville
The impossibly tall bridges suspend you over a sea of color in the valleys below. Gazing over the scenery will make you think you’re viewing a Bob Ross painting.
Facebook/The Farmer’s Table Cafe
Continue into Fayetteville for a downtown stroll or a lunch break. Don’t forget we still have half of the drive left, though!
Google/Dan G
This road had originally been a stagecoach route to reach the small mountain communities. The pleasant twists and turns make it a favorite for motorcyclists.
Facebook/Arkansas Nature Lovers/Steve Lockhart
Artist’s Point is one of our favorite quick detours, though you could also spend some time at Lake Fort Smith State Park.
For directions and trip inspiration, visit this site.
Another wonderful detour along the route is this whimsical state park that’s like something from a fairy tale.
Where’s your favorite spot to see the fall foliage in Arkansas? Shout it out in the comments below!
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Address: Boston Mountains, Arkansas 72839, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
scenic fall drive in Arkansas September 12, 2020 Jackie Ann Can I take a train ride in Arkansas in the fall? One of the best (and easiest) ways to view the fall foliage in Arkansas is by taking a train. Since you don’t have to worry about driving, you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic views out of the window. The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad offers a delightfully scenic train ride that will take you from Springdale to Van Buren and another from Van Buren to Winslow. No matter which one you take, you’ll be met with scenic views galore as you traverse over creeks and through the mountains, showcasing the stunning beauty of the Ozarks in the fall. What are the best Halloween towns in Arkansas? One of the best towns to visit during Halloween is Eureka Springs, Arkansas. During the month of October, the town offers several different Halloween-themed events including ghost tours, underground cave tours, seances, and more. Don’t miss out on the Intrigue Theater’s special event featuring illusionist Sean-Paul and Juliane Fay, a Medium capable of communicating with spirits from the other side. Downtown Eureka Springs will also be decorated for the season and ready for their annual Trick-or-treating event, where downtown merchants will be ready to hand out candy to all the trick-or-treaters from 5:30 p.m. till 7:30 p.m. on October 31, 2020. What is the weather like in fall in Arkansas? While the weather can vary depending on what part of the Natural State you’re visiting, the average temperatures in Arkansas range from 51°F to 80°F. The temperatures will begin to drop in September, and then October is when you’ll begin to see the fall foliage start to pepper the landscape with brilliant tones of reds, oranges, and yellows.
The OIYS Visitor Center
scenic fall drive in Arkansas
September 12, 2020
Jackie Ann
Can I take a train ride in Arkansas in the fall? One of the best (and easiest) ways to view the fall foliage in Arkansas is by taking a train. Since you don’t have to worry about driving, you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic views out of the window. The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad offers a delightfully scenic train ride that will take you from Springdale to Van Buren and another from Van Buren to Winslow. No matter which one you take, you’ll be met with scenic views galore as you traverse over creeks and through the mountains, showcasing the stunning beauty of the Ozarks in the fall. What are the best Halloween towns in Arkansas? One of the best towns to visit during Halloween is Eureka Springs, Arkansas. During the month of October, the town offers several different Halloween-themed events including ghost tours, underground cave tours, seances, and more. Don’t miss out on the Intrigue Theater’s special event featuring illusionist Sean-Paul and Juliane Fay, a Medium capable of communicating with spirits from the other side. Downtown Eureka Springs will also be decorated for the season and ready for their annual Trick-or-treating event, where downtown merchants will be ready to hand out candy to all the trick-or-treaters from 5:30 p.m. till 7:30 p.m. on October 31, 2020. What is the weather like in fall in Arkansas? While the weather can vary depending on what part of the Natural State you’re visiting, the average temperatures in Arkansas range from 51°F to 80°F. The temperatures will begin to drop in September, and then October is when you’ll begin to see the fall foliage start to pepper the landscape with brilliant tones of reds, oranges, and yellows.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
One of the best (and easiest) ways to view the fall foliage in Arkansas is by taking a train. Since you don’t have to worry about driving, you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic views out of the window. The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad offers a delightfully scenic train ride that will take you from Springdale to Van Buren and another from Van Buren to Winslow. No matter which one you take, you’ll be met with scenic views galore as you traverse over creeks and through the mountains, showcasing the stunning beauty of the Ozarks in the fall.
What are the best Halloween towns in Arkansas?
One of the best towns to visit during Halloween is Eureka Springs, Arkansas. During the month of October, the town offers several different Halloween-themed events including ghost tours, underground cave tours, seances, and more. Don’t miss out on the Intrigue Theater’s special event featuring illusionist Sean-Paul and Juliane Fay, a Medium capable of communicating with spirits from the other side. Downtown Eureka Springs will also be decorated for the season and ready for their annual Trick-or-treating event, where downtown merchants will be ready to hand out candy to all the trick-or-treaters from 5:30 p.m. till 7:30 p.m. on October 31, 2020.
What is the weather like in fall in Arkansas?
While the weather can vary depending on what part of the Natural State you’re visiting, the average temperatures in Arkansas range from 51°F to 80°F. The temperatures will begin to drop in September, and then October is when you’ll begin to see the fall foliage start to pepper the landscape with brilliant tones of reds, oranges, and yellows.
