Two Days Through the Delta and Ozark Mountains
August 3, 2025
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When Arkansas turns up the heat—and we mean triple digits—it pays to pick day trip destinations that offer a little air-conditioning and a lot of charm. On July 31, with the mercury spiking, Theresa and I opted to take our weekly trip along a shorter route with indoor stops, museum visits and a lunch spot we’ve wanted to try for years. Our loop through Des Arc, Keo and Scott served up plenty of history, culture and one unforgettable slice of pie.
Stop 1: Lower White River Museum State Park – Des Arc, AR
We kicked things off at the Lower White River Museum in Des Arc. Located right on Main Street, this gem explores life on the river during the steamboat era. It’s small but rich with artifacts, interpretive displays and air conditioning that felt heaven-sent. We lingered quite a while over the exhibits detailing river commerce, Civil War history and how the White River shaped the communities along its banks.
Stop 2: Charlotte’s Eats & Sweets – Keo, AR
Next stop: lunch in Keo, where Charlotte’s Eats & Sweets has been drawing hungry travelers for decades. Their motto? “Dessert Comes First.” And they’re not kidding. Our cheerful waitress delivered a towering slice of Buckeye Pie—rich chocolate, peanut butter and whipped cream—before our sandwiches even hit the table. That pie alone was worth the drive, but the sandwiches—a grilled pimento cheese for Theresa and the Charlotte’s Choice (smoked turkey, bacon, onion, avocado and cheddar cheese on fresh grilled white bread) for Keith—were mighty fine, too. This great little eatery lives up to the hype.
Stop 3: Plantation Agriculture Museum – Scott, AR
With full bellies and even fuller appreciation for Arkansas hospitality, we headed to the Plantation Agriculture Museum just up the road in Scott. Housed in an old brick general store, this museum covers the state’s farming history from horse-drawn plows to mechanized cotton gins. There’s even a working seed processing machine from the 1920s. It’s a hands-on kind of place—both educational and nostalgic.
Stop 4: Plum Bayou Mounds Archaeological State Park – Scott, AR
Our final destination was Plum Bayou Mounds Archaeological State Park (formerly Toltec Mounds), just a short drive from the museum. We took a quick spin through the visitor center exhibits, which explain the fascinating history of this prehistoric Native American site. With the sun blazing, we skipped the full walking trail around the mounds, but we’ll be back when it cools down. Even from the shaded overlook, the ancient earthworks were impressive.
Closing Reflection
This day proved that you don’t have to travel far or suffer the heat to enjoy what Arkansas has to offer. Cool museums, a legendary pie shop and short drives between destinations made it an ideal hot-weather day trip. If you’re ever in the mood for dessert first and a little indoor exploring, we highly recommend this loop.
Trip Recap:
• Start: Home in Alexander, AR
• Stop 1: Lower White River Museum State Park (Des Arc)
• Stop 2: Charlotte’s Eats & Sweets (Keo)
• Stop 3: Plantation Agriculture Museum (Scott)
• Stop 4: Plum Bayou Mounds Archaeological State Park (Scott)
• Return to Alexander by mid afternoon
Total mileage: approximately 122 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 2.5 to 3 hours total
Total Trip Time: About 6 hours including stops
Keith “Catfish” Sutton of Alexander, Arkansas, is one of the country’s best-known outdoor
journalists. His stories and photographs about fishing, hunting, wildlife and conservation have
been read by millions in hundreds of books, magazines, newspapers and websites. He and his
wife Theresa own C&C Outdoor Productions Inc., an Arkansas-based writing, photography,
lecturing and editorial service.
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