Mount Magazine Scenic Byway

Mountain Magazine (AR) [1]

Travel to the highest point in Arkansas along the Mt. Magazine Scenic Byway. This winding mountain drive with its sharp curves and hairpin switchbacks will impart you with spectacular views of timber covered mountains, rugged rock bluffs and placid lakes.

Mt. Magazine shares a long history of mountain-top homesteads, and you can now enjoy a picnic on what was once a home site. The Forest Service operates the Cove Lake and Mt. Magazine recreation areas, so there are several opportunities for enjoyment in the shaded paths of the Ozark National Forest and the peaceful waters of Cove Lake. Put on your hiking boots or saddle up a horse to take advantage of the numerous hiking and horse trails in the forest. If you enjoy playing in the water more, Cove Lake is a favorite spot, with areas for swimming, fishing, boating and other water activities avaliable.

Fall on the Byway (AR) [2]

Park your car to fully take in the overlooks provided along the north and south slopes of Mt. Magazine, or spend a night at one of the many campgrounds provided. The Arkansas and Petit Jean River Valleys give a sweeping view of the patchwork of the many small farms that have been settled for generations. As you walk through the hushed pathways of the forest, make sure to note the varied wood, such as Short Leaf Pine, Red Oak, White Oak and Hickory. The ever changing fauna and flora along this byway provides the traveler with a variety of unique viewing possibilities.

Mount Magazine in Winter (AR) [3]

Mt. Magazine Scenic Byway is easily accessible to Interstate 40 and a short drive to the Fort Smith National Historic Site. Take the whole family or just a group of friends and step back in time to see the remains of two frontier garrisons. Walk through the now silent halls of "Hangin' Judge Isaac C. Parker's courtroom, the jail and 1886 gallows.

Not only is Mt. Magazine the highest point in the state, it is considered the tallest mountain between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains. Whether you visit in the fiery colors of the autumn season, or the pastel colors of the spring, this byway provides numerous opportunities for scenic beauty and recreational fun.