Print is dying. We see it every day. Newspapers, Magazines, bookstores, newsstands, are closing at a regular and rapid rate. For us motorcycle fans it means many longtime favorites have either cut way back on their publication schedule or have gone out of the print business altogether. Sad. You might think it strange for a writer of an internet website blog to lament the death of print, but you’d be wrong. I grew up on the printed word and still read books and magazines on a regular basis. I enjoy curling up with a good book and some music. I look forward to the printed magazines that still show up in my mailbox. My all-time favorite magazine is RoadRunner Touring and Travel magazine. So much so that it is the only magazine that I refuse to put into the recycling bin. I still have each and every issue they have put out since the beginning, all kept in sequential order from the 1st one in the summer of 2001 until the most current one. I use them as a reference guide for almost any trip I plan to take. I enjoy rereading the stories and looking at the pictures. They are not only a source of information, but they are also a source of inspiration. Like the many books that I also have on shelves here in my home basement office, they are like old friends that I enjoy visiting with from time to time. But Roadrunner also has a web presence. They have a website, a blog, and an email list that anyone can subscribe to. On a weekly basis I get new stories from them right in my email mailbox. I’m going share one of them with you here. If you enjoy it as much as I do….and I know that you will…I want you to go to their website and signup for the weekly emails. Even better, subscribe to the magazine! You will find it a great source of information and most importantly a fun and enjoyable way to spend an hour or two every other month.
Here’s the link….RoadRunner.travel
By Ile Kauppila
“The Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway (OHSB) is a tailor-made road for any motorcyclist on the prowl for curves and gorgeous forested mountain scenery. It’s not a very long road, but we’re talking about a serious “quality over quantity” situation here.
This beautiful stretch of asphalt consists of an approximately 35-mile section of SR 21 in Arkansas. The southern end of the ride is in Clarksville, on the shores of Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River, from which SR 21 heads north.
The road cuts through the Boston Mountains area of the Ozark National Forest, a rugged and forested region. As you roll over the miles, you’ll encounter excellent scenery, even when simply viewed from the saddle as you pass by.
And if you like curves, the OHSB delivers in droves. It serves you a buffet of everything from smooth and sweeping gradual turns all the way to a couple of switchbacks along the route.
Over the ride, you’ll pass multiple beautiful waterfalls, like Bearden and Glory Hole Falls. Some trails leading up to the falls may be closed in winter and spring, but if you miss out on one, that’s just your excuse to come back later.
The OHSB officially ends as you enter the Buffalo National River area, some five miles south of Boxley. SR 21 rolls on all the way to the Missouri border, so you don’t have to end the ride here.
As you approach the Buffalo River Valley, keep an eye out for wildlife. The area is known to be a home for an elk herd, so you might have a chance to see the majestic animals—just be cautious so they don’t jump out from the trees in front of your bike.
Fortunately, the animals are your most likely encounter on the OHSB. The road has typically little to no traffic, with only the fall colors drawing out a few vehicles.
The pavement is overall in good to decent condition (if a bit worn in places) and requires no special precautions. Any type and size of motorcycle should be able to complete this ride without issues.
A final feature to highlight about the OHSB is its proximity to other great routes. It’s very easy to combine it with nearby roads for a longer Arkansas road trip.
One option is to continue north from the OHSB end point onto SR 43 to Ponca, hop west to Jasper on SR 74, and pick the Scenic 7 (SR 7). Alternatively, the Pig Trail/SR 23 runs parallel to OHSB in the west between Ozark and Eureka Springs.
You could take one road up north and return south on another. Just make one of those roads the Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway.
Points of Interest
Ozark National Forest
Ozark National Forest covers 1.2 million acres of scenic woodland and five wildernesses in the Ozark Mountains. The OHSB cuts right through a part of the national forest, making it a great gateway to exploring everything you find in the region.
As a primary attraction, there’s the Ozark Highlands trail, a 165-mile hiking trail from the Buffalo National River to the western reaches of Arkansas. You may not want to leave your motorcycle unattended for the time it would take you to hike there and back again, but the OHSB does intersect with the trail, making it easy to get on it.
Additionally, the Ozark National Forest has opportunities for every outdoor activity you could want to do, from camping to boating, horseback riding, fishing, and hunting.
Buffalo National River
The Buffalo National River was the first river in the U.S. to receive this designation in 1972. This natural area forms the northern terminus of the OHSB route.
With a length of 135 miles, there are a bunch of stunning natural sights along the river. The upper sections of the Buffalo River are particularly dramatic, with caves, springs, waterfalls, and more.
If you’re a fisherman or -lady, this is a prime spot to sink your line in the water. There’s plenty of fish to catch in the river, but the most notable is the smallmouth bass.
Glory Hole Falls
The Glory Hole Falls is among the most striking and, frankly, bizarre waterfalls in the Ozarks. It’s formed by an overhanging cave with a hole in its ceiling, through which the water stream flows down.
Glory Hole Falls is located right off the OHSB toward the road’s northern end point. A short two-mile hike gets you to the waterfall and back, so it’s a great chance to wake your legs up.
If you’re lucky and it has rained shortly before your visit, you’ll also get to marvel at additional free water streams cascading down the rocks walls on the hike to Glory Hole Falls. Hope you don’t mind getting splashed.
Big Buffalo Valley Historic District
The Big Buffalo Valley Historic District (also called the Boxley Valley Historic District) is an American cultural landscape encompassing the sides of the Buffalo River from Boxley to Ponca. The area begins at the end of the OHSB and covers the following miles to Ponca along SR 43.
Along the road and river, you’ll encounter many family-owned farms dating back to 1830 at their oldest. There’s also the Boxley Mill, built in 1840 (and then rebuilt in 1870 after it was damaged in the Civil War during the Battle of Whiteley’s Mill).
The Big Buffalo Valley Historic District is less of a single destination and more of an area that retains some remnants of 19th-century Ozarks life. It’s well worth a detour to ride through this region.
Facts & Info
Recommended Lodging
Hampton Inn Clarksville
With its location in Clarksville near the I-40, Hampton Inn Clarksville is well located for getting on the OHSB, Pig Trail, or Scenic 7. It’s a comfortable and clean chain hotel from which you can easily explore the Ozarks.
The beds are comfortable and the on-site laundry and dry cleaning services let you clean any possibly soiled riding gear. The hotel serves a filling breakfast to get you on the road with a full stomach, and you may be able to park your motorcycle next to one of the multiple entrances (depending on how full the parking lot is).
If you’d prefer more secluded accommodations, there are a bunch of private cabins along the OHSB that are available for rent. Just be aware that groceries and such may be a long-ish ride away.
Food & Dining
Ozone Burger Barn: When on the OHSB, the Ozone Burger Barn roughly half-way through the ride makes for an ideal lunch stop. This local burger shack will serve you one of the best hamburger sandwiches you’ve ever had. Find it at 14433-14499 SR 21, Ozone, AR.
Wrecked Canoe Bistro and Patio: The Wrecked Canoe is the place to hit for dinner if your OHSB ride ends in Clarksville. The restaurant and bar have a fun, friendly atmosphere and the food is delicious, from the sandwiches to the fried shrimp. Find it at 1100 E Main St, Clarksville, AR.
Best Time to Travel
I recommend heading to the Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway either in summer or fall, depending on what you want to do. Summer is the ideal season for those who want to engage in the Ozarks’ many outdoor activities between riding sessions. If you’re simply passing by, then go in the fall so you can catch the impeccable red foliage.”