planning a ride (Help)

[polarissalesman]

LuAnn & I are planning our late spring-early summer ride. We are looking to ride into Arkansas, maybe skirt Missouri, and Oklahoma... besides the obvious, pigtail and Eurika Springs what are some roads or must-see places in the area of Harrison Ak?

[Chuck & Susan]

I don't know if this is any help but I was given this route last year by a club member that was planning a group ride. It was called "The Peel Ferry Ride".
I wasn't able to make the ride with them but it did look interesting and I saved it.

From (35.3058410,-92.6069959) to 2440-2514 Hwy 31 via AR-9 N.

6 hr 56 min (316 mi)
6 hr 56 min in current traffic


1. Head east on AR-9 N toward Oliger Dr
2. Turn left onto US-65 N
3. Turn right onto AR-27 N
4. Turn left onto US-412 W/US-62 W
5. Turn right onto AR-125 N
6. Turn left onto AR-125 N/AR-14 W
7. Turn right onto AR-125 N
8. Arrive at location: Peel Ferry
9. Head northwest on AR-125 N
10. Take the Peel Ferry
11. Slight right onto AR-125 N
12. Arrive at location: Buck Creek Park Use Area
13. Head northwest on AR-125 N
14. Turn right onto Dean Rd
15. Turn right onto MO-125 N
16. Turn left to stay on US-160 W
17. Turn left onto MO-76/State Hwy 76 W
18. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto US-65 BUS N/Red Rte
19. Exit the traffic circle onto US-65 BUS N/Red Rte
20. Turn left
21. Arrive at location: Branson
22. Head east toward Red Rte/Veterans Blvd
23. Turn left onto Red Rte/Veterans Blvd
24. Turn left onto W Main St
25. Turn left onto the ramp to US-65 S
26. Merge onto US-65 S
27. Turn left onto US-65 S/Arkmo Dr
28. Turn left onto Gravesville Cutoff Rd
29. Turn left onto AR-124 E
30. Turn left onto Heber Springs Rd W
31. Slight right onto AR-124 E
32. Turn left onto AR-36 E
33. Turn right onto AR-5 S
34. Turn left onto Hwy 31 S
35. Arrive at location: 2440-2514 Hwy 31

Good Luck

Chuck

[Chuck & Susan]

Took a min to find it. Here is a link to the route on google maps .

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LRgj5JjvTY4vBLX59

Hope it helps.

Chuck

[polarissalesman]

Took a min to find it. Here is a link to the route on google maps .

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LRgj5JjvTY4vBLX59

Hope it helps.

Chuck

Chuck, when you only been in AK 1x and was in a truck moving your son and his wife you don't explore so this is a starting point.... Thank you ....

[klaviator]

I've ridden Arkansas a couple of times, once in 93 and once in 2013.  I did a ride report for both.   Here are the links:

https://advrider.com/f/threads/you-only-live-twice.1042598/page-15#post-30037730

https://advrider.com/f/threads/you-only-live-twice.1042598/page-33#post-32839774

One thing I learned from those trips is that it can be really HOT in Arkansas and unlike the Blue Ridge or Rocky mountains, the elevations aren't high enough in the Ozarks to really get out of the heat. 

[polarissalesman]

One thing I learned from those trips is that it can be really HOT in Arkansas and unlike the Blue Ridge or Rocky mountains, the elevations aren't high enough in the Ozarks to really get out of the heat.
[/quote]

that is one thing I wondered about... but I'm hoping to go in early/mid-May

[klaviator]

One thing I learned from those trips is that it can be really HOT in Arkansas and unlike the Blue Ridge or Rocky mountains, the elevations aren't high enough in the Ozarks to really get out of the heat.


that is one thing I wondered about... but I'm hoping to go in early/mid-May

The first time I went was in early May and it seemed really hot but that was back in the days before mesh riding gear.  I was wearing leather ???

The second time was in September and even with mesh riding gear it was HOT. 

I just looked at the 10 day forecast for Eureka Springs and its not hot at all.  Same for Harrison but there is a chance of thunderstorms every day.  Most likely you'd be OK in early or mid May.

[norton73]

My wife and I rode Arkansas several years ago. We went the week before Memorial Day. The only time I thought it was unbearably hot was Memphis across the delta and rice paddies to the start of the mountains. We stayed in Mountain View, home of the Ozark Folk Center State Park. The cabins there were nice, reasonably priced, and clean.

The Folk Center is something not to be missed, great music, crafts, and it supports the local community. The riding was great, we used an old article in Road Runner Magazine as a guide;

https://www.roadrunner.travel/magazine/read/may-june-2010/page/14/

and a book by Mario Caruso https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3163499-arkansas-rider-s-guide for info.

Some pics from our trip;

https://norton73.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Arkansas-2010/

[jrobinson]

Many years ago, we stayed at The Inn at Mountain View. It's a B&B that was nice. They would sit on the porch in the evening and play music. It's only a couple blocks from the courthouse. There were 10-12 groups around the courthouse playing music. The only issue with the B&B is you have to share the bathrooms. There isn't one for each room. Mountain View is close to Branson, MO.

Best I remember the roads were good motorcycle roads.

[polarissalesman]

Well, our plans have changed. We are going back to Tellico Plains (Coker)... A cabin we love to stay in came open for just the days we needed so ...Smokies, north Jawja here we come...we are going 23-27th a little later than we usually go, but, anytime is a good time in that area.