There’s a short but sweet stretch of highway in Arkansas that’s simply beautiful anytime of the year. Hwy 43 showcases Boxley Valley and takes you by state parks and nearby trailheads. Let’s turn on a roadtrip playlist and see what adventures we can find along this gorgeous drive.

The particular portion of Highway 43 featured today is rather short but packed with beautiful sights.

Google Maps It’s the perfect size to include in your other Ozark National Forest and Buffalo National River excursions. For a closer look of today’s map, click this link.

This particular stretch of highway is simply gorgeous.

AllTrails/Debbie Block Dirt road side-trips, beautiful vista overlooks, and pleasantly winding curves covered by tunnels of trees all reside along this highway.

You can certainly just stick to the scenic drive, but our adventure begins at the Hide-out Hollow Trailhead.

AllTrails/Christopher Hurst The easy 2-mile out and back trail is a wonderful little excursion. The trail passes fantastic bluff views and leads to an impressive 37-ft. waterfall.

The rolling hills and gentle curves make this drive quite a relaxing trip.

Flickr/OakleyOriginals There’s just something about little churches and antique barns that make this drive delightful to any Arkansan.

Another possible side-trip along the way is tackling the trail to Hemmed-in Hollow.

Flickr/Granger Meador Shortly after the our Hide-out Hollow starting point is the Compton Trailhead to Hemmed-In Hollow. Seeing the tallest falls in the state would certainly be an exclamation point of interest to the trip.

One of the best things about this drive is that it’s an entirely different trip depending on the season.

Flickr/Adam Shaver Having the windows rolled down and enjoying the greenery is lovely during the summer.

During the fall and winter the trip turns into a unique wildlife watch.

Flickr/Jonathan Ball Besides enjoying the gorgeous fall foliage, the drive also passes by Boxley Valley. This valley is home to the reintroduced elk herd. The best part is that they can typically be seen from the road in the mornings.

The drive also takes you by the Boxley Valley Historic District.

Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Learn about the early Ozark frontier life and tour the 1840 Villines Mill.

Our scenic drive ends at the Lost Valley trailhead.

AllTrails/Mallory Martinson This Arkansas paradise has beautiful sights to explore including caves and waterfalls.

No matter how you customize this drive, it’s one you’ll want to take a couple times throughout the year.

Flickr/Adam Shaver Besides just enjoying a lovely drive, this part of the state has so many attractions to explore.

If you’re stuck in the office or classroom and would like to pretend you’re here instead, watch this time-lapsed trip of today’s drive: 

Google Maps

It’s the perfect size to include in your other Ozark National Forest and Buffalo National River excursions. For a closer look of today’s map, click this link.

AllTrails/Debbie Block

Dirt road side-trips, beautiful vista overlooks, and pleasantly winding curves covered by tunnels of trees all reside along this highway.

AllTrails/Christopher Hurst

The easy 2-mile out and back trail is a wonderful little excursion. The trail passes fantastic bluff views and leads to an impressive 37-ft. waterfall.

Flickr/OakleyOriginals

There’s just something about little churches and antique barns that make this drive delightful to any Arkansan.

Flickr/Granger Meador

Shortly after the our Hide-out Hollow starting point is the Compton Trailhead to Hemmed-In Hollow. Seeing the tallest falls in the state would certainly be an exclamation point of interest to the trip.

Flickr/Adam Shaver

Having the windows rolled down and enjoying the greenery is lovely during the summer.

Flickr/Jonathan Ball

Besides enjoying the gorgeous fall foliage, the drive also passes by Boxley Valley. This valley is home to the reintroduced elk herd. The best part is that they can typically be seen from the road in the mornings.

Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM

Learn about the early Ozark frontier life and tour the 1840 Villines Mill.

AllTrails/Mallory Martinson

This Arkansas paradise has beautiful sights to explore including caves and waterfalls.

Besides just enjoying a lovely drive, this part of the state has so many attractions to explore.

What’s your favorite thing to do in this area? Share with us in the comments below!

You’ll also pass by the tiny town with endless outdoor attractions along this route.

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