Hop in with us for a 16-mile journey down one of the prettiest stretches of blacktop in the Arkansas River Valley — the Mount Magazine Scenic Byway, also known locally as Arkansas Highway 309. This drive from Webb City to Paris may not climb all the way to Mount Magazine’s summit on this segment, but it certainly delivers that timeless Arkansas countryside feel with open farmland, river bottoms, and the soft rolling hills that cradle the Ozarks and Ouachitas.
We kick things off just a few miles south of Ozark, where AR-309 branches off from Arkansas Highway 23. Heading east at first, we quickly swing south at the entrance to Aux Arc Park, a hidden gem for fishing and river camping along the Arkansas River. This first stretch is about six miles of pleasant farmland, open fields, and scattered tree lines — the kind of road that makes you drop your shoulders and breathe a little easier.
Approaching the intersection with County Road 422, we pivot east again, meandering into the small community of Roseville. Don’t blink — it’s an unassuming little spot but a great place to feel the pulse of rural Arkansas. Keep an eye out for old barns and local churches tucked just off the highway. South of Roseville, around the area locals call O’Kane Park, AR-309 dips south once more, charting its final leg into Paris. This last portion carries us through more farmland and gentle slopes until the outskirts of Paris come into view, framed by a backdrop of the Ouachita foothills. We wrap up our run at Main Street, just shy of the junction with Arkansas Highway 22 — and right on the edge of downtown Paris, where you can explore antique shops, grab a homemade pie, or even plan your next adventure up to Mount Magazine proper.
🗺️ Route Map
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