Paris to Lake Sylvia

ROUTE #30: Paris to Lake Sylvia This dual-sport route in Central Arkansas connects the Ozark National Forest of Mount Magazine to the Ouachita National Forest and ends near Lake Sylvia. Head south on scenic AR 309 and turn right onto Robert Hill Rd. When this road ends, turn left onto Greenbench Road for an epic ride up and over the curvy roads of Mount Magazine back to AR 309. At 2,753 feet, Mount Magazine is Arkansas’s highest peak. On its summit stands The Lodge at Mount Magazine, the showpiece of the state park, which also offers secluded cabins and rustic campsites. On the south side of the mountain is West Cedar Piney Rd., a dirt connector that cuts from AR 309 over to Waveland. Turn left onto AR 10 then take the first right onto CR 309 and head west around the eastern end of Blue Mountain Lake. The road changes to gravel and becomes CR 28 (FS 18) and turns south into the Ouachita National Forest. Another short stretch of pavement comes as you turn west onto AR 80. Make a left onto Cheyenne Rd. (CR 33/FS 18). A winding CR 33/FS 18 leads the way up and over the mountain to FS 818 for a long ride through the tall southern pine forests. At the intersection of AR 307, turn south onto Straight Rock Rd. Follow CR 1 south as it winds its way toward Chula Rd. (CR 2] and turns to the east toward Aly and AR 27. South of Aly on AR 27, you will leave pavement once more onto CR 6 where it follows along the Irons Fork Creek. The road becomes Gladstone Forest Rd. Continue east all the way to AR 7. There, you will cross the highway and travel east on Winona Scenic Drive (FR 132). FR 132 intersects Reform Rd. just past Lake Winona, where you turn north (left) toward Lake Sylvia. This will be the most difficult section of the ride. Reform Rd. is an old washed-out path with deep ruts and large rocks that make it difficult to navigate. Follow it to CR 57, then to FR 152/CR 58 for a short stretch to Lake Sylvia, a picturesque 18-acre lake with great fishing, as well as swimming, picnicking and camping.