Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway (AR-21)
Arkansas Highway 21 runs 99 miles north from I-40 at Clarksville to the Missouri state line, and its federally designated 35-mile scenic byway section — from US-64 in Clarksville to the Buffalo National River near Ponca — is the standout motorcycle stretch. The road climbs through the Boston Mountains of the Ozark National Forest with sweeping curves, open ridgeline views, and wooded hollows before descending into Boxley Valley, where AR-21 parallels the Buffalo River headwaters. A free-roaming elk herd of roughly 450 animals grazes the valley floor and occasionally crosses the highway. The byway was officially designated in 2005; the pavement is good and traffic stays light through Newton County.
What you'll hit along the way.
Rider-verified stops, overlooks, fuel, and the corners worth knowing about — in the order you'll meet them.
Mount Vernon
A small Ozark community near the route's southern start, offering a grounded entry point into the highlands.
Ozone
A quiet hilltop community with open views into the surrounding Ozark terrain, good for a brief pause early in the ride.
Cabanal
A remote mid-route settlement deep in the Ozark forest, marking a natural halfway point through the scenic byway.
Oak Grove
A small community near the northern end of the route, serving as a natural stopping point as the byway concludes.
No runs logged on this road yet — be the first.
Runs are rider-logged & GPS-traced in the app
Ride your own ride — times are rider-logged & GPS-traced, never a race on public roads.
Shot by the riders who've run it.
Riders upload photos to their profile and tag the road or stop — tagged shots show up here automatically.