Spanning 21 miles through the heart of central Arkansas, Arkansas Highway 60 offers a tranquil and scenic drive that connects the vibrant college town of Conway with the historic county seat of Perryville. This route follows the gentle descent of the Arkansas River Valley, passing through a mix of suburban fringes, farmland, river crossings, and wooded hills that hint at the nearby Ouachita Mountains. Whether you’re heading out for a weekend at Petit Jean State Park or simply enjoying the quiet beauty of rural Arkansas, this stretch of AR-60 offers a satisfying journey through varied and picturesque terrain.
Traveling west along Arkansas Highway 60 from Conway to Perryville, we leave the bustling city limits of Conway behind and ease into the rural rhythm of central Arkansas. Our journey begins on Dave Ward Drive, a major arterial route in western Conway, where the road carries both local traffic and through-travelers heading toward the Ouachita foothills. As we pull away from McNutt Drive, commercial development gives way to more open landscapes and pockets of residential housing.
Soon, we arrive at the intersection with Prince Street near the eastern entrance of Toad Suck Park, a popular recreation area that hugs the banks of the Arkansas River. Here, Highway 60 makes a hard left turn and crosses the river via the Toad Suck Dam. The crossing itself is scenic—a wide view of the river below and the tree-lined banks that define this part of the state. On the west side of the bridge, we enter the small community of Toad Suck, marked more by local lore and tradition than commercial activity. The name alone conjures curiosity, but the surroundings—quiet fields, forest edges, and the ever-present river—offer a peaceful charm. From here, the road bends southward as we begin our descent into the Arkansas River Valley, skirting the edge of the Ouachita Mountains.
As we head south and then west, we approach Bigelow and soon meet Arkansas Highway 113 at a small but important junction just north of town. AR-60 continues west from this point, threading through wooded stretches and open farmland in a series of gentle curves and long straightaways. The rolling hills and occasional pasture fences remind us that we’re deep in ranching country, where cattle graze along the highway and farm equipment might share the road during planting or harvest. Near Houston, the road intersects again with AR-113, this time joined by AR-216 in a compact three-way crossing that serves as a central node for local traffic. Houston is a modest but historically rooted community, and here, AR-60 subtly shifts direction once more, now angling southwest for the final approach to Perryville.
The final miles into Perryville trace the edge of the Ouachita National Forest, brushing against a landscape that feels increasingly wild and wooded. Pines and hardwoods crowd close to the roadside, and the land begins to undulate more steeply. Just as the forest begins to deepen, we enter Perryville, the county seat of Perry County. The town has long served as a gateway to outdoor recreation—particularly Petit Jean State Park to the north—and the junction at AR-9 and AR-10 is a hub for travelers and locals alike. We end our journey here, in the quiet downtown, where brick buildings, a small courthouse square, and a few local eateries signal that this stretch of Highway 60, while rural, remains connected to a larger regional rhythm.
🗺️ Route Map
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