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The Ozarks Offer Great Riding Too

2K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  RL Lemke 
#1 ·
The closest riding to Dallas is to head to the mountains in Oklahoma & Arkansas - The Quachita Mountains & to the mountains of Arkansas and Missouri - The Boston Mountains or Ozarks.

Here is some info I received from Harrison, Arkansas.
The Motorcycle Curves of the Arkansas Ozarks!

What do the following numbers have in common? 112.667 and 475.83? That’s an easy one. They are the average number of miles (112.667) and curves (475.83) you will experience when you ride one of the six published rides listed in the Motorcycle Riding Guide of the Ozarks produced by the Harrison (Ark.) Convention and Visitors Bureau.

It’s been said that the roads around Harrison are biker friendly and we agree! The winding roads of the Ozarks are perfect for motorcycle riding. For years, the curvy, although well maintained Arkansas roads were a negative to travelers, but for bikers there’s nothing better than beautiful scenery and curves! Come experience the wonderful scenery and breathtaking vistas for yourself.


The six routes vary in length from the Jasper Disaster of 56 miles to the popular Mountain View Run of 168 miles. Curves range from 662 on theOzark Moonshine Run starting in Harrison and traveling through much of the Ozark National Forest in Newton County to just 316 curves on the Jasper Disaster. If you like to ride and enjoy the scenery and beautiful vistas, then these six are as good as it gets in the Arkansas Ozarks. From riding a ferry across Bull Shoals Lake at Peel to watching native Arkansans make crafts at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View to riding the curvy streets of downtown Eureka Springs, these are just a few of the options available when riding from Harrison.



All six routes begin and end in Harrison so that is why Harrison is fast becoming not only the best place to ride in Arkansas, but one of the top locations in the nation. Come headquarter in Harrison for all your riding and find out for yourself!
Here’s a few things to look for when you Ride the Ozarks:

  • Elk in the Boxley Valley on the Jasper Disaster and Moonshine Run.
  • Lost Valley, just south of Boxley, is one of the most popular stops on the Buffalo National River
  • The Historic 62 Loop in Eureka Springs. It will take you right past the Crescent Hotel and Spring Street
  • The Bull Shoals – White River State Park and Jim Gaston Visitors Center on either side of the dam over Bull Shoals Lake
  • The Buffalo National River (America’s first) and some of its finest bluffs at Pruitt, Steel Creek or Ponca when traveling south on Ark. Highway 7 or 74.
  • The Elk Education Center in Ponca
  • The Jasper square in Newton County
  • The Ozark Medieval Fortress (between Omaha and Lead Hill) on Ark. Highway 14
  • Branson Landing in Missouri on the Peel Ferry Route
  • Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View for a taste of true Arkansas crafts
  • Serenity Farm Bakery in downtown Leslie on the Mountain View ride
  • The Cotter Bridge on the Bull Shoals Dam Run
    Rides, miles and curves on routes from Harrison:
1. Jasper Disaster – 56 miles with 316 curves
2. Peel Ferry Route – 110 miles with 378 curves
3. The Ozark Moonshine Run – 110 miles with 662 curves
4. Bull Shoals Dam Route – 100 miles with 326 curves
5. Mountain View Run – 168 mile with curves 602
6. Eureka Springs Backroads Route – 132 miles with 571 curves


To order your very own Motorcycle Riding Guide of the Ozarks, call 870-741-1789 or email tourism@harrisonarkansas.org.

I have attached a map of my favorite roads there.
 

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#2 ·
OK I'm sold never been to Arkansas, but guess I'll have to head that way. Oh wait I still need my #%%##% bike. Well later in the year then. How late is the riding season??
 
#3 ·
Depending on where in the state, you can have a great time nearly all year. January is pretty much out though. If they sand for ice & snow, it really takes the fun out of it.

I put on a dual sport ride there for 9 years, and found that if you watch the weather there are awesome days in November for riding. The fall colors in late October in the north to mid-November in the mid-state are as good as anywhere.

Watch the weather because NW Arkansas gets 45 inches of rain each year. So, I keep an eye on Accuweather.com before my rides, and adjust the weekend if it turns to heavy rains.
 
#4 ·
I'm happy to send a Garmin GPS file of my favorite roads. Just PM me with an email address. Some of these roads you would never find on your own.

I know there are always more to pick from, but these are my personal favorites. There are some other roads marked in Missouri which I have still to ride, but have great reviews.
 
#6 ·
Im going to have to look those up - shouldnt be too difficult getting there from OKC. Ive been to Eureka Springs starting from Ozark off of I-40 - I rode the "Pig Trail" up to Eureka Springs - also further up to Branson, Mo. - great ride and roads are excellent! :k16:
 
#7 ·
Copied from a State of Arkansas Ozarks ride site:

Ozark Moonshine Run

The Ozark Moonshine Run is without a doubt the most picturesque route in the Ozark Mountains. The route encompasses parts of Scenic Highway 7 and winds through the deepest parts of the Ozarks and Buffalo National River. Along the route you can expect to see magnificent views, ancient bluff lines and the possibility of seeing majestic elk grazing in their natural habitat. Parts of the route makes you feel like you stepped back in time to a slower paced lifestyle. You will see many attractions along the way so take your time and enjoy the scenery but be careful of the many curves along this route. Some parts can be tricky and slightly dangerous.
Directions: Depart Harrison, Arkansas on Scenic AR Highway 7 South heading to Jasper, Arkansas. Travel through Jasper, AR on AR Highway 7 to AR Highway 374 East on your left. AR Highway 374 will join AR Highway 123 where you will turn right. Follow AR Highway 123 through Mt. Judea (pronounced Judy) until its intersection with AR Highway 7 North. AR Highway 123 splits, so be careful to follow the route leading to AR Highway 7 North. Follow AR Highway 7 North to the intersection with AR Highway 16 on your left. Highway 16 will take you through the communities of Deer, Nail and Swain. AR Highway 16 intersects with AR Highway 21 where you will travel north into Boxley Valley. Through the valley, be on the lookout for Elk that graze the fields and sometimes cross the highway. Follow AR Highway 21 to the intersection with AR Highway 43 North. AR Highway 43 North winds through Ponca back to Harrison, AR.

Route Distance: 110 miles with 662 curves


Bull Shoals Dam Route

The Bull Shoals Dam route takes you east out of Harrison, Arkansas through beautiful farm land, across Crooked Creek to Bull Shoals Lake where you will cross the 256 foot dam. The lake covers over 71,000 acres and is used by both boating and fishing enthusiasts. The route passes many attractions including the Bull Shoals-White River State Park and the James Gaston Visitors Center where you can learn of the history and ecology of the lake. Be sure to take a short side trip to Gaston's White River Resort to do a little trout fishing or to enjoy the fabulous restaurant in a romantic setting overlooking the White River.
Directions: Depart Harrison, Arkansas following US Highway 412-65-62 south to Bellefonte. At Bellefonte, turn left onto US Highway 412-62 that goes to Yellville. Before arriving in Yellville, turn left on AR Highway 202 just past the uneven railroad tracks. AR Highway 202 will meet AR Highway 178 in Flippin where you will turn left to the city of Bull Shoals. Follow AR Highway 178 through Bull Shoals, across the Bull Shoals Dam and through Lakeview. Turn right onto AR Highway 126 to Gassville. At Gassville, turn right onto US Highway 412-62 back to Harrison, AR. Follow the business routes through Flippin and Yellville to enjoy the cute towns and attractions they offer.

Route Distance: 100 miles with 326 curves


Peel's Ferry Route

If you haven't experienced the Peel's Ferry Route, you haven't experienced the most unique route in the Ozarks. The Peel's Ferry was developed when the White River was dammed to make Bull Shoals Lake. Bull Shoals Lake now covers the Highway AR 125 leading into Missouri. To compensate for the road loss, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department created the ferry to transport vehicles across the lake into Missouri. There is no charge for the ferry ride. Just pull up to the landing, wait for the ferry to arrive (about every 20 minutes) and enjoy a ride across the lake. The route then takes you through a wonderful ride through the Missouri countryside before arriving in Forsyth, MO and Branson, MO. Take awhile to enjoy the great shopping, dining and shows in Branson before heading back to Harrison, Arkansas.
Directions: The route will start by departing Harrison, AR on Scenic Highway 7 North. Follow Highway 7 to Highway 14 East. Follow Highway 14 for a very short distance to Arkansas Highway 268 North. Highway 268 will meet with Arkansas Highway 125 where it will pass the Corps of Engineer's Park to where it dead ends at the Peel's Ferry crossing. Once on the Missouri side of the lake, continue traveling on Missouri Highway 125 to U.S. Highway 160 West. Highway 160 will meet up with Highway 76 West just east of Forsyth, MO. Take Highway 76 West through Branson to U.S. Highway 65 South in Branson. Enjoy Branson for awhile before heading south on U.S. Highway 65 to Harrison, AR.

Route Distance: 110 miles with 378 curves


Eureka Springs Back Roads Route

Eureka Springs is a beautiful Victorian Village nestled in the Ozark Mountains. The city has a great downtown shopping district and many attractions such as the Great Passion Play and the Pine Mountain Jamboree . A great route has been developed to take the rider through beautiful mountain scenery, rolling farmland and quaint little communities. Experience locations and roads like the Pig Trail, Kingston, Race Track Road and Withrow Springs State Park . Enjoy the Elk herds in Boxley Valley, Ponca Elk Education Center and other unique attractions.
Directions: Start in Harrison, AR and travel Highway 43 South to Highway 21 North just south of Ponca. You will drive through scenic Boxley Valley where the Elk herd is visible most days. Many hiking trails are off this route as well. Follow Highway 21 North to Highway 74 West in Kingston. Highway 74 West will join with Highway 23 North just south of Huntsville. Detour through Withrow Springs State Park and enjoy the short drive through the park. The park road is a straight shot through the park and comes out again on Highway 23 North. Take Highway 23 North, known as the Pig Trail, to Eureka Springs. Follow Highway 23 North where it will meet with Highway 62 East in Eureka Springs. After enjoying Eureka Springs, take Highway 62 East to Rockhouse Road in Eureka Springs. Rockhouse Road will meander through the countryside before meeting with AR Highway 221, known as Race Track Road. Take Highway 221 South to Berryville where it will meet with Highway 62 East. Follow Highway 62 East back to Harrison through Green Forest and Alpena.

Route Distance: 132 miles with 571 curves


Mountain View Run

The Mountain View Run takes you down Arkansas Highway 14 across the Buffalo National River through the Sylamore National Forest. The best attraction along this route is Blanchard Springs Caverns that is incredible! The caverns are huge with three different routes through the caverns. You start by taking an elevator down to the entrance. The cavern is managed by the U.S. Forestry Service. After visiting Blanchard Springs Caverns, continue on to Mountain View. Mountain View has a quaint and charming historic square with great shops and food. If visiting on a Friday or Saturday in the summer months, be sure to catch the live music on the square each of those nights. Mountain View is also home to the Ozark Folk Center State Park.
Directions: Start in Harrison, AR and travel U.S. Highway 412/62 East to Yellville. In Yellville, turn on Arkansas Highway 14 South. Highway 14 East will take you through beautiful Ozark's scenery, past the Buffalo National River and through the Sylamore National Forest. Stay on Highway 14 East all the way to Mountain View. Once in Mountain View, enjoy the small-town charm and shopping on the square. From Highway 14 East, take Arkansas Highway 66 West to Leslie. At Leslie, take U.S. Highway 65 North to Harrison.

Route Distance: 168 miles with 602 curves


The Osage Trail

The Osage Trail is a great ride for scenic beauty. It takes you through small towns, scenic countryside and mountain overlooks. In the fall and winter, bald eagles are prevalent around many of the hillsides and fields. The trail meanders through the small community of Osage. Osage was a stopping off point in the old days for travelers heading to Northwest Arkansas. The Osage Clayworks is located in the historic Stamps General Store built in 1901. It is a great representation of the buildings of the times.
Directions: Leave from Harrison and travel west on Highway 392 through the small communities of Capps and Batavia. Highway 392 will meet with U.S. 412/62 where you will head west through Alpena on Highway 62. Follow Highway 62 West through Green Forest to Highway 103 South. The south intersection is on the west side of Green Forest. Don't be confused with Highway 103 North that meets in the center of town. Follow Highway 103 South to U.S. Highway 412 East. Travel east for a short distance on Highway 412 to the intersection again with Highway 103 South at Osage. Highway 103 will take you to Highway 43 North that leads back to Harrison.

Route Distance: 76 miles and 311 curves


Jasper Disaster

The Jasper Disaster has the name for good reason. Mile for mile, this route is the curviest riding route. The route encompasses the most scenic section of Highway 7, follows Highway 74 over the mountains and joins Highway 43 in Boxley Valley. The scenic beauty of this route is incredible with wonderful overlooks, massive drops in elevation and many opportunities to see wildlife like deer, turkey, elk and eagles. Be sure to enjoy the Elk Education Centers along the route as well as Boxley Valley to view the elk herd.
Directions: Depart from Harrison, AR on Scenic Highway 7 South to Jasper. Turn on Highway 74 West and travel to Highway 43 North in Boxley Valley. Take Highway 43 North back to Harrison, Arkansas.

Route Distance: 56 miles with 316 curves

 
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