|
   
    
|
|
 CENIC HIGHWAY DRIVING TOURS
WHEREVER YOU GO IN
THE TRI-PEAKS AREA,
THE SCENERY IS OUTSTANDING!
TOUR
THREE:
Morrilton,
on Highway 64 just off I-40, is the starting point
for Tour Three. Morrilton thrives in the shadow of
Petit Jean Mountain and serves as a gateway
to Petit Jean State Park and other
sightseeing adventures. It's also the home of the
Great Arkansas Pig Out, a festival
renowned for an abundance of good food. Make time
to enjoy nostalgic old-time shopping in
Morrilton's historic downtown and
visit the Depot Museum before
continuing your tour.
To visit Petit Jean Mountain, drive south on
Highway 9 from Morrilton to Oppelo, where you take
Highway 154 to Petit Jean Mountain and Petit Jean
State Park, the first park in Arkansas' excellent
state park system. Other landmarks atop Petit Jean
Mountain include the Museum of
Automobiles, an impressive collection of
antique and classic vehicles, and the
state-of-the-art farming operations of
Winrock International. Oppelo has a
restaurant and convenience store for lunch or
snacks before visiting Petit Jean. The flea market
at Oppelo is loaded with bargains. After visiting
Petit Jean, return to Highway 9 and continue south
for more Tour Three adventures.
You'll soon come to the little hamlet of Perry,
where a side trip on Highway 10 will take you to
more little hamlets; Adona, home of the
Bluegrass Festival, and Casa, where
you can take an alternate route, Highway 155, up to
Petit Jean Mountain. A little farther south on
Highway 9 is Perryville, a host community for great
crappie fishing on Harris Brake Lake.
Nimrod Lake is close by via Highway 60 west.
Heifer Project International near
Perryville features a "global village" which
displays how HPI gifts of livestock help people
around the world. The facility offers guided
tours,overnight lodging, meals and an international
gift shop.
Continuing south on Highway 9, next up is pretty
little Lake Sylvia, which is reached
by taking Highway 324. Then, if you have plenty of
time for enjoying some of the best of our region's
pristine beauty, take the Winona Scenic
Drive (Forest Road 132) off Highway 9 for
panoramic views of the Ouachita Mountains,
Lake Winona Watershed, Flatside Wilderness
and Forked Mountain
managed by the Jessieville Ranger District,
Ouachita National Forest. Note: This is a 26-mile
gravel road, including a free quartz digging
area.
Return to Highway 9 and travel north back to
Morrilton to continue Tour Three. Back at
Morrilton, you can take Highway 9 or 95 to
Lake Overcup for a little fishing.
Lake Brewer, another popular fishing
spot, is reached from Morrilton by taking Highway
92. How about a leisurely look at the pristine
forest and rugged bluffs of our great out-of-doors.
Take Highway 9 from Morrilton to
Solgohachia, home of the Solgohachia
Days Festival, connecting with Highway 124 at
Center Ridge, where you drive west to connect with
Highway 95, traveling south back to Morrilton. This
easy-to-drive loop is packed with scenery. Ask
someone in Sologohachia about the origin of that
name.
|
|
