Driving Guide

Cruising on Hwy. 309: A Driving Guide to Mount Magazine Scenic Byway

The 309, a scenic two-lane highway known as Mount Magazine Scenic Byway, is just one of the routes that separates you from the normal stresses of life and allows you to unwind into the present moment with nature. On this scenic drive, there is no shortage of natural beauty and memorable destinations to discover.

Start your journey into nature at the charming and unique town of Paris, Arkansas. Here you will find the Eiffel Tower Park and Love Lock Fence that has a 25-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower in France and is constructed on top of a two-tiered fountain. Make the visit special and grab food from one of the local eateries and enjoy a meal under the Eiffel tower as bells ring from the courthouse. If you are feeling romantic, bring a lock to place on the Love Lock Fence or purchase one from a local shop.

Love Lock Fence - Paris, AR

After a morning in Paris, hop on highway 309 from the town square and make your way towards Mount Magazine State Park. On this first part of the drive, you will see spectacular views of Mount Magazine rising in the distance and rolling foothills that cover your entire line of site. During the spring and summer, you will behold a lush backdrop of vibrant green trees that extend out to the horizon. In the fall, a rainbow of dazzling colors sweep across the landscape and will make you feel like you’re driving through a watercolor painting.

Unwind through these scenic mountain views as you make slight twists and turns and slowly rise in elevation. Soon you will arrive at your first major stopping point, Cove Lake Recreation Area. This hidden gem in Arkansas rests at the base of Mount Magazine and has numerous camping sites, hiking trails, a swimming area, boating opportunities and gorgeous seating areas along the lake for you to slow down and take it easy.

After exploring the enchanting forest and maybe taking a dip in the water, stroll back to the car and head 2.8 miles up the road to Cove Creek Supply Company. Here you can stop for a good country meal inside this cabin-style restaurant, grab essentials from the attached convenient store and even pick out something nice to drink on top of the mountain from their large selection of wine.

Begin your drive again and head 3.3 miles to the first scenic overlook. Pull over to experience panoramic views that look northeast to the valley and surrounding hills, then drive just around the corner to the second overlook that takes your gaze out to the south. Relax here for a moment and soak in the expansive view of the Arkansas River Valley before heading 0.7 miles up the road to the Mount Magazine Horse Camp.

If you own a horse or an ATV, stop here to experience thrills on the Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail. This trail is part of 168 miles of the multi-use trails that roll through the Mount Magazine Ranger District and is perfect for an exciting afternoon of riding down dirt roads.

If off-roading is not your thing, stay on Highway 309 and head 1.5 miles to the visitor center that has a museum, nature center, gift shop, wildlife and history programs, and special workshops. From the visitor center, you can also lace up your hiking boots and take the North Rim Trail to have your fill of forest exploration and sweeping views of the valley and nearby mountains.

After hiking or learning about the history of the area, you can either stay on Highway 309 or turn right onto Mount Magazine Road to experience something special. Here you will find multiple overlooks extending out in every direction and the 1-mile Signal Hill Trail that takes you to the highest point in Arkansas at 2,753 feet.

The Lodge at Mount Magazine State Park

After standing tall over Arkansas, make your way back to Highway 309 and head 1.8 miles to your final destination on the scenic driving route, Petit Jean River Valley Overlook. Stop here for dramatic photos of the valley, mountain ridges and the stunning Blue Mountain Lake. This is also the perfect spot to treat yourself to that glass of wine as the sun sets and colors mix across the sky.

With you heart content, turn back around to spend the night in Paris or extend your stay with an evening at The Lodge at Mount Magazine. Whatever direction you choose to go, just make sure to relish in those final twists and turns of the road, the exquisite views and fond memories of a day well spent.

Origin

In the words of Mattie Ross, “Here is what happened.” In 2019, constituents approached Mary Bentley, State Representative for district 73 (which included Dardanelle), about designating State Highway 22 as "True Grit Trail" as an homage to the world-renowned novelist and Arkansas son, Charles Portis. Portis is the author of True Grit, a story about the Ross family from "near Dardanelle in Yell County."

Representative Bentley filed House Bill 1628 to create the True Grit Trail on February 28, 2019. HB1628 was co-sponsored by State senators Gary Stubblefield and Matthew Pitsch, State Representatives Justin Boyd, Cindy Crawford, Jay Richardson, Jon Eubanks, and Lee Johnson. The Bill passed through both chambers 135-0, on March 14, 2019. Governor Asa Hutchinson signed the act on March 20.

True Grit Trail became a project of the Yell County Historical Society on September 21, 2020 which is registered as a 501c3 organization in Arkansas.

Mission

The purpose of the True Grit Trail is to bring tourists to communities in the seven counties—Yell, Pope, Logan, Johnson, Franklin, Crawford and Sebastian—that span the Arkansas River Valley. The True Grit Trail “Posse” works to create partnerships among businesses and communities to achieve that purpose.