If you’re planning a ride through on the Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway, make sure to visit the Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area by motorcycle. Be ready to hike one or two trails for the area’s best views.
The Route
The Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway is a 290-mile ride starting at the Arkansas-Louisiana border south of El Dorado and passing through El Dorado, Arkadelphia, and Jasper before ending in Harrison.
Turn right onto AR-16 if traveling northbound on the Byway (left if southbound). Follow the road approximately six miles until you reach the Pedestal Rocks & Kings Bluff Trailhead parking lot on your right.
Change out of your riding boots and into your hiking boots, because the rest of the way is on foot! Choose the 1.7-mile King’s Bluff Loop hiking trail or the Pedestal Rocks Loop trail, which is about 2.2 miles long.
The Sights
When you leave the parking lot and enter the trailhead, you can take the left fork to visit the Pedestal Rocks Trail or the right to hike the King’s Bluff Loop Trail. If you pass the entrances, you can take either path in reverse by following the return loop paths not far beyond their entrances.
Both paths feature views of forests, bluffs, Ozark Mountain rock formations, pedestal rocks, waterfalls, and caves. Water carved out the pedestal rocks, bluffs, and caves over millions of years, chiseling the Ozark Mountains out of a large plateau after the land rose above the bed of an ancient ocean.
The Attractions
Take your best friend to the Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area of Arkansas by motorcycle. If your riding buddy has four legs, this is a perfect spot! The Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area is dog-friendly, and many locals enjoy bringing their dogs to walk the trails.
Don’t miss seeing King’s Bluff and the King’s Bluff waterfalls on the Loop Trail of the same name. You can also see the Pedestal Rocks and caves on the Pedestal Rocks Loop.
If you’re not planning to spend all day at the Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area Park, consider continuing your trip north on the Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway to the Arkansas Grand Canyon just south of Jasper. The Buffalo River Canyon scenic overlook offers spectacular views of the forested canyon floor that turns into a fiery masterpiece in the fall when the leaves change.
Are you heading South on the Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway? Stop north of Dover and look for the spooky Dover Lights that appear some nights. Even if you don’t see the lights at night, get there early and see a stunning sunset. The usual viewing area is on a dirt road, so use caution and find an alternate paved route in case of inclement weather.
The Eats
All that hiking will make you hungry. Head east on AR-16 to visit biker-friendly Hillbilly Slim’s BBQ for barbecue platters, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, tacos, and ice cream.
If you take the Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway north, you’ll find the Cliff House Inn and Restaurant just south of the Arkansas Grand Canyon. The restaurant offers American classics, including burgers, ham, biscuits, greens, and heaping helpings of desserts like cobblers, pies, cakes, and more.
Heading south to Dover, stop at El Barrio for delicious Mexican fare like enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, burritos, and grilled platters of pork, shrimp, steak, and more.
Contact Us at The Law Tigers for Help from Lawyers Who Ride
Enjoy your trip to the Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area of Arkansas by motorcycle. At The Law Tigers, we’re attorneys who ride and represent bikers and their families after motorcycle accidents. Call us today at 1-888-863-7216 for a free case evaluation anywhere in the United States, and never leave home without your free rider benefit card.
