Crowley's Ridge Parkway
Crowley's Ridge Driving Tour

Departure: Helena, Arkansas
Destination: Cotton Gin, Missouri
Time to allow: 4 days

In addition to the unique flora and fauna of the Ridge, the parkway passes by or near state parks, St. Francis National Forest, Civil War sites, a home of Ernest Hemingway, the Delta Cultural Center, historic homes, museums, and through some of the richest growing regions in the nation.

Day 1

  • Start: Helena

    Suggested time at this stop: 3 hours

    While you're in Helena, listen to some amazing music at the International King Biscuit Blues Festival or learn about the history of the area at the Delta Cultural Center. In addition you can visit many historical buildings and Civil War batteries along with the Confederate Cemetery.

  • Stop 2: St. Francis National Forest

    From previous stop: 47 minutes / 25.67 mi (41.1 km)
    Directions:

    Follow US 49 northeast, then turn right at State Road 1. From State Road 1, turn onto Lee Road 216 which turns into Lee Road 230. Continue on Lee Road 230 and turn left onto State Road 44. The address for the St. Francis National Forest is 2675 Highway 44, Marianna, AR 72360-7936.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    St. Francis National Forest offers an array of recreational activities for you to do within a few hours time. Go picnicking, hiking, fishing, or observe the wildlife and enjoy the scenery.

  • End: Forrest City

    From previous stop: 45 minutes / 22.45 mi (35.9 km)
    Directions:

    Drive northward on State Road 44 toward Lee Road 240. Turn right onto State Road 1 and follow it all the way to Forrest City.

    For your stop in Forrest City consider visiting the County Museum or a sports complex known as the Forrest Convention / Special Events Center.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled: 48.12 miles / 77.0 km
Total Travel Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 5 hours

Day 2

  • Stop 1: Village Creek State Park

    From previous stop: 29 minutes / 16.97 mi (27.2 km)
    Directions:

    Drive to Exit 242 off of Interstate 40 at Forrest City. Drive 13 miles north on State Road 284 to the Village Creek State Park.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    Take in the view or venture on one of the many hiking trails at Village Creek State Park. Since many trees that grow here don't grow anywhere else in the state make sure to admire the area for its uniqueness. Stop by the visitor's center to learn more about the area.

  • Stop 2: Parkin Archeological State Park and Arch

    From previous stop: 30 minutes / 18.14 mi (29.0 km)
    Directions:

    Follow State Road 284 in the northwest direction. When you come to US 64 turn right and follow this road to Parkin. Parkin Archeological State Park is on the northern edge of Parkin at the junction of US 64 and State Road 184 north.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    Visit what was once the home of the Mississippi Period Native American village from A.D. 1000 to 1550 and wander around the grounds of the Parkin Arch while you are there.

  • End: Lake Poinsett State Park

    From previous stop: 50 minutes / 27.82 mi (44.5 km)
    Directions:

    Drive south on State Road 184 toward US 64 and turn right onto US 64. When you come to State Road 75 turn right again. At this point turn left onto State Road 42, from State Road 42 turn a sharp right onto State Road 163. Continue on State Road 163 until you reach Harrisburg. The address for Lake Poinsett is 5752 State Park Ln, Harrisburg, AR 72432

    Have fun participating in recreational water activities including swimming, fishing, or boating. Enjoy the great outdoors while you sit down to a picnic. There's a playground for the kids along with a basketball court and a sand volleyball court.

Totals for Day 2

Total Distance Traveled: 62.93 miles / 100.7 km
Total Travel Time: 1 hour 49 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 4 hours

Day 3

  • Stop 1: Crowley's Ridge State Park

    From previous stop: 1 hour 18 minutes / 40.81 mi (65.3 km)
    Directions:

    Begin going northwest on State Park Road and stay on State Park Road until you see State Road 163 and turn right. Now turn left onto State Road 14 and then turn right when you reach State Road 1. Follow State Road 1 and turn left onto Harrisburg Road. From here turn left onto US 63. Now turn right onto US 49, this is also known as South Main Street. Now turn right onto State Road 141 and keep straight to drive onto State Road 168. The address for Crowley's Ridge State Park is 2092 Highway 168 N, Paragould, AR 72450.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    Visit a unique geological formation at Crowley's Ridge State Park, which was believed to have been formed by water, ice, and wind action over a 50-million-year period. The only similar land form is found in Siberia. Here you'll also find log and stone structures constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early 1900's. Enjoy hiking trails, the nearby lake, along with the native wildlife.

  • End: Piggott

    From previous stop: 1 hour 6 minutes / 42.89 mi (68.6 km)
    Directions:

    Begin driving northeast on State Road 168 and turn right onto US 412. From US 412 turn left onto US 49, West Court Street. Continue on US 49 and turn left onto South Terminal Avenue, and then turn right onto South Front Avenue.

    Visit Piggotts Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum, or the Pfeiffer Foundation Learning Center along with the Chalk Bluff Civil War Park. The historical downtown square features antique shops, collectibles, and tasteful decor.

Totals for Day 3

Total Distance Traveled: 83.7 miles / 133.9 km
Total Travel Time: 2 hours 24 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 2 hours

Day 4

  • Stop 1: Chalk Bluff

    From previous stop: 16 minutes / 9.09 mi (14.5 km)
    Directions:

    Drive southwest on North Front Avenue toward US 62 and turn left onto US 62. Now turn left onto North Allen Street and then left onto Cleveland Street. Cleveland Street becomes Clay Country road 338, to stay on this road you will have to turn right two times. Clay Country Road 338 will take you to the Chalk Bluff Conservation Area in St. Francis.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    The Chalk Bluff Conservation Area is a great place to stop by to visit a Civil War battlefield. There are places for picnicking, and RV services, or taking a walk along the river and seeing the trenches from the battle of Chalk Bluff. There are campsites if you wish to spend the night.

  • Stop 2: Beachwell Gullies

    From previous stop: 10 minutes / 7 mi (11.2 km)
    Directions:

    Drive US 62 northward until US 62 changes to Route WW. The Beachwell Gullies can be accessed by a pedestrian route approximately 1 mile from Route WW.
    Suggested time at this stop: 20 minutes

    The beachwell gullies provide an entertaining and fun experience to the byway. Enjoy looking at formations unique to the area along with the unique scenery.

  • Stop 3: Billy DeMint Grave

    From previous stop: 5 minutes / 3 mi (4.8 km)
    Directions:

    Continue on Route WW, it will change to Route J. The Billy DeMint Grave can be accessed by a pedestrian trail approximately a half mile long.
    Suggested time at this stop: 20 minutes

    Lay some flowers on the grave of Billy DeMint, a 10-year-old boy that was killed during the Civil War for refusing to tell a group of guerrillas where his father was.

  • Stop 4: Jim Morris State Park

    From previous stop: 4 minutes / 2 mi (3.2 km)
    Directions:

    The Jim Morris State Park can be directly accessed from Route WW.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    Come and visit the Jim Morris State Park to enjoy lots of hiking, biking, and walking paths. From the park the Military Road is visible, you can access the road either on foot or on a bike.

  • Stop 5: Museums in Malden

    From previous stop: 7 minutes / 5 mi (8.0 km)
    Directions:

    From the Jim Morris State Park backtrack to Route J, it will lead you directly to Malden.
    Suggested time at this stop: 3 hours

    Learn about the people and culture of Malden, Missouri at the Malden Historical Museum (open Wed. and Sat. 1-4 pm). Take your children to the Bootheel Youth Museum where they can enjoy many hands-on activities such as milking a cow, shopping at a farm store, and playing on an obstacle course at the Children's Village. Travel to the Red Planet at This Island Mars: A Space Adventure, or follow in the footsteps of great explorers in Making Tracks on the Lewis and Clark Trail.

  • End: Cotton Gin

    From previous stop: 27 minutes / 16 mi (25.6 km)
    Directions:

    From Malden, drive southward along State Road 25. Continue along State Road 25 past Clarkton and Holcomb. Though the Cotton Gin is not accessible it can be seen from State Road 25 just past Holcomb.
    Suggested time at this stop: 20 minutes

    Come and take a glimpse at the equipment used in the past, as this functional cotton gin still has its original parts.

Totals for Day 4

Total Distance Traveled: 42.09 miles / 67.3 km
Total Travel Time: 1 hour 9 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 6 hours 30 minutes