Boston Mountains Scenic Loop/U.S. 71 and I-540
Two very different roads crossing the highest part of the Ozark Mountains combine to make the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop one of the Natural States most interesting driving tours.
Following a former stagecoach route, U.S. 71 rises and falls, twists and turns through the mountain landscape, allowing travelers to intimately experience the rugged terrain. Along the way are small mountain towns, roadside farms, antique and other shops, and travel courts.
Not far to the west, I-540 defeats the mountains streams, valleys and ridges with several soaring bridges and a tunnel carrying the speeding traffic of a super-highway.
Both routes offer impressive mountain vistas. I-540s cleared right-of-way is sufficiently broad to give those traveling 70 m.p.h. a good look at the countryside; U.S. 71 offers many locations to pull off the road and commune with the mountains.
ROUTE: The Boston Mountains Scenic Loop consists of two state-designated scenic byways, U.S. 71 and Interstate 540, both of which run
between Alma and Fayetteville in
Northwest Arkansas.
LENGTH: U.S. 71, 42 miles; I-540, 38 miles.
MAPS
THINGS TO KNOW:
Shopping, lodging and dining are available in Alma at the southern end of the loop and
Fayetteville at the north end.
Cabins and camping are available near the loop at Devil's Den State Park,
at the White Rock Mountain Recreation Area and at the
Lake Weddington Recreation Area.
MAJOR AREA ATTRACTIONS:
REGIONAL TOURISM INFORMATION:
 |
The documents linked above in PDF format require the free Adobe Reader. |