Not as well known drives offer Arkansas fall foliage viewing

Every color associated with fall — candy apple red, lime green, pumpkin orange, sunshine yellow, brassy bronze — is on display in Arkansas during autumn, usually from mid-to-late October into November.

The Natural State has its noted drives: Scenic 7 Byway in the Ozarks, the Talimena National Scenic Byway in the Ouachitas, Crowley’s Ridge National Scenic Parkway in the Delta, the Pig Trail in the Ozarks, and the Great River Road National Scenic Byway in the Delta, just to name a few. But there are numerous back roads that traverse small town Arkansas while affording some of the best scenery the state has to offer.

Workers at the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism suggest their favorite “off the beaten path” scenic drive. Below are their suggestions.

Richard W. Davies, executive director:

“I like Arkansas 22 from Dardanelle through Subiaco to Paris. It’s sort of a mixture of pastures and mountains that is just, well, scenic. And Arkansas 21 out of Clarksville to Ponca is often overshadowed by the Pig Trail, and it can be spectacular.”

Joe David Rice, tourism director:

“Arkansas 16 from Clinton all the way to Fayetteville can be spectacular when conditions are just right. It’s a nice quiet drive through the very heart of the Ozarks, winding through quaint little towns like Crabtree, Ben Hur, Deer, Fallsville and a dozen or so others. Also, the roads in Village Creek State Park near Wynne are an unexpected fall delight in eastern Arkansas. Stop in at the park and visit The Ridges at Village Creek golf course even if you don’t play the game. The scenery is gorgeous”