Join us as we explore a scenic 16-mile stretch of Arkansas Highway 309 traveling north from Paris to just south of Ozark, Arkansas. This drive offers a glimpse into the quiet beauty of the Arkansas River Valley, weaving through wooded hollows, open farmland, and historic communities along a route that forms part of the Mount Magazine Scenic Byway.
We begin our journey in downtown Paris, Arkansas, a small town with a charming square and historic courthouse. Turning north onto AR-309 from AR-22, we immediately leave the small-town grid behind and begin a trek through the Arkansas River Valley. The road here is narrow but well-kept, flanked by occasional farmsteads and stretches of mixed hardwood forest that display brilliant seasonal color in both spring and fall.
About five miles north of Paris, just before O’Kane Park, AR-309 makes a distinctive dogleg west. This curve isn’t just a road shift—it marks a transition from the steeper foothills into more gently rolling agricultural land. For about a mile and a half, we cruise west through peaceful countryside dotted with hayfields and distant ridgelines, passing an occasional farmhouse or equipment barn. This stretch offers big-sky views when the trees open up, especially in the early morning or near sunset.
We turn north again just before entering the small, unincorporated community of Roseville. While there’s not much more than a few homes and crossroads here today, Roseville has deep roots in the region’s settlement history and served as a stagecoach stop in the 1800s. Continuing through the community, AR-309 bends west again for another two-mile segment. This portion of the route feels particularly remote, bordered on both sides by dense woodland and scattered creek beds that flow toward the Arkansas River to the north.
At Mathis Road, Highway 309 angles north once more and enters a particularly scenic stretch. This section is part of the Mount Magazine Scenic Byway, which highlights some of the most picturesque terrain in west-central Arkansas. Though this segment doesn’t ascend the mountain itself—that occurs farther south beyond Paris—it still offers glimpses of the Magazine ridge to the south and follows a pleasantly curvy alignment typical of routes carved through old hills and valleys. Watch for wildlife, especially deer, along this rural stretch.
As we near the final leg of the journey, the forest begins to thin, giving way to patchwork farmland and hints of Ozark’s outer limits. A few miles southeast of town, Highway 309 makes its final turn westward. We end our drive at the intersection with Arkansas Highway 23, just south of Ozark and not far from Interstate 40 and the Arkansas River Bridge. From here, travelers can continue north into Ozark proper or follow AR-23—the famed Pig Trail Scenic Byway—south into the heart of the Ozark National Forest.
Whether you’re road-tripping across western Arkansas or just taking the scenic route between towns, this lesser-known stretch of AR-309 is a quiet and rewarding drive. It’s especially enjoyable for motorcyclists, photographers, and anyone who appreciates the road less traveled.
🗺️ Route Map
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