Introduction to the Bicycle Tour of the Ozarks and Ouachitas
By any standard, this is one of the most scenic and physically challenging bike tours
in America. It is much tougher than the average cyclist should attempt. Your equipment
should be first rate and, if you are going to enjoy yourself, both you and your equipment
must be in first class condition.
This mountain bike tour can be taken any time of year. Spring offers dogwood and redbud blossoms,
ample water in the streams and rivers, festivals -- such as the Arkansas Folk Festival in
Mountain View -- and beautiful pleasant days and cool nights. Early summer is also a great
choice. It offers great scenery, new growth on trees, abundant wildflowers and beautiful
weather. Temperatures are somewhat warmer, which may be important if you would like to do 
any swimming. Of course, fall also offers great weather, numerous fall festivals and craft
fairs, and Arkansas's beautiful fall foliage. Winter, for the most part, is also a
great time for outdoor activities. Most days are comfortable for cycling and there are no
bugs. In addition, expansive views, which are hidden by vegetation any other time
of year, make winter an ideal time to get out. Whatever the season, this mountain bike tour will give you a sample of the best of Arkansas.
For more detailed weather information, refer to
Arkansas Weather.
Any one of these mapped areas provides ample opportunities for extended
bike rides, or the overall tour could easily be stretched to two weeks. To get the most out of your mountain bike tour, plan two days in the Mountain View area to visit the Ozark
Folk Center and Blanchard Springs Caverns; an extra day along the White River for trout
fishing; an extra day or two for a side trip from Harrison to Eureka Springs; a day's
float down the Buffalo River near Pruitt; a day to hike some of the trails along Arkansas's Scenic 7 Byway anywhere between Harrison and Hot Springs; and a day or two extra at Hot
Springs to take the thermal baths, visit the beautiful horse track at Oaklawn (season runs
from late January to early April) or picnic around any of the three lakes in the vicinity
-- Hamilton, Catherine or Ouachita.
Additional Information
Your best overall map is the current Arkansas State Highway Map provided free. You can
receive this, along with a free Arkansas vacation planning kit, by filling out our
vacation kit request. The vacation kit contains an Arkansas
Tour Guide, a current Arkansas calendar of events, an Arkansas State Parks Guide, an Arkansas Adventure Guide, and an Arkansas Highway Map.
More detailed county maps may also be obtained from the Highway Department at a cost of
$2 or $3 each, depending on size. When ordering these maps, you should request maps for
the following counties: Pulaski, Faulkner, White, Cleburne, Stone, Izard, Baxter, Marion,
Boone, Newton, Pope, Yell, Perry, Garland and Saline. The side trip to Eureka Springs
would require the additional map of Carroll County. The alternative route south from
Eureka Springs on Ark. 21 would also require the Madison, Johnson and Logan County maps.