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For our Arkansas day trip last week, we packed a suitcase. Theresa and I set out on a two-day road trip that took us from the farm fields of Cabot to the lakes of the Ozarks, looping through roadside produce stands, state parks and some of the quietest, prettiest spots in the Natural State. From heirloom tomatoes to Civil War relics, fried pies to étouffée, it was one heck of a ride.
Day 1 – Produce Bags, River Crossings and History Underfoot
Date: July 25, 2025
Route: Alexander > Cabot > Bald Knob > Newport > Walnut Ridge > Powhatan > Lake Charles > Davidsonville > Mammoth Spring > Mountain Home
Total Mileage: about 275 miles
Time: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Stop 1: Barnhill Orchards
We hit the road early and rolled into Barnhill Orchards in Cabot just as they opened. We were directed to the drive-by window where we could order from a wide selection of summer produce. We decided on some fresh-picked Arkansas peaches and had the proprietor stamp our Arkansas Farm Trail Passport to show we’d dropped by.
Stop 2: The Cabot Patch
Just a few miles down the road from Barnhill Orchards, The Cabot Patch offers pick-your-own berries and pre-picked squash, melons, cucumbers, okra and other produce. This is one of those farm stops where it’s hard not to fill the trunk. We purchased a basket full of zucchini and yellow squash to take home.
Stop 3: Horton’s Produce
Following Interstate 57 north to Bald Knob, we exited on U.S. 167 north and drove the mile or so up to Horton’s Produce, another quick-stop farm stand on our Farm Trail Passport. Fresh tomatoes rounded out our growing haul, and by this point, our backseat looked like a rolling farmers market.
Stop 4: Jacksonport State Park
On the edge of Newport, we stopped at Jacksonport State Park on the White River. The old courthouse is beautifully preserved, the visitor center holds numerous informative exhibits, and the riverside picnic area gave us the perfect shady spot for a quick outdoor break. It’s easy to imagine steamboats pulling up to this very shore.
Lunch Stop: Heard’s Country Market
Just west of Walnut Ridge on U.S. 63, we stopped at Heard’s Country Market, a local institution that’s primarily famous for one thing: burgers. They sell lots of stuff, including plenty of locally grown produce, but most folks stop in for the excellent eats. Their burgers were the best we’ve had in a long time, and that’s saying something.
Stop 5: Powhatan Historic State Park
This one’s a time capsule. The restored courthouse, old jail and log structures at Powhatan Historic State Park give a deep look at Arkansas life in the 1800s. Bonus: No crowds, and the hills around the park are stunning. A great stop for history buffs.
Stop 6: Lake Charles State Park
A short drive from Powhatan brought us to Lake Charles State Park. Plenty of shady campsites, quiet lake views and towering pines. If we’d had a canoe or johnboat, we might’ve stayed longer. Folks were loading coolers with bream, catfish, crappie and more. The Brag Board at the visitor center was covered with photos of successful anglers.
Stop 7: Davidsonville Historic State Park
Just outside Black Rock, Davidsonville Historic State Park tells the story of one of the state’s earliest settlements. Trails, exhibits and archaeological digs make it worth the stop. This one surprised us—history you can walk through on four easy to moderate trails, including one around the 12-acre lake where visitors can catch panfish, catfish and bass. Watch for wildlife like turtles, songbirds and waterbirds..
Stop 8: Mammoth Spring State Park
We capped the day’s sightseeing at Mammoth Spring State Park near the Missouri border. The gorgeous crystal-clear spring pumps out millions of gallons of water a day before tumbling into the Spring River, a haven for trout and smallmouth bass anglers. The visitor center and restored train depot house lots of interesting exhibits, and the trail around Spring Lake offers superb photography opportunities.
Supper Stop: Cooyon’s Cajun Cooking
Dinner that night was something special. It was our first time to visit Cooyon’s Restaurant in Mountain Home where we ordered rich, spicy bowls of Shrimp Creole and Crawfish Étouffée that would make a Louisiana grandma proud. We both cleaned our bowls and left with happy bellies.
We stayed the night at the Ramada Inn by Wyndham in Mountain Home. Clean room, soft bed and a well-earned rest, all at a very reasonable price (less than $80).
Day 2 – Mountains, Music, Barbecue and a Home Stretch
Date: July 26, 2025
Route: Mountain Home > Mountain View > Heber Springs > Greenbrier > Alexander
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Stop 9: Ozark Folk Center State Park and Alco Discount Store
After a hearty breakfast at our motel, we rolled south through scenic mountain country to the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. Craftsmen were already at work—blacksmiths, potters, herbalists and more—and the music hall echoed with the sounds of dulcimers and fiddles. We visited with our friend Terry who assists with the gift shop, then drove back into town for a short stop at another of our Mountain View favorites, the Alco Discount Outlet, where we bought a variety of discounted groceries. This is a great stop for retired seniors on a budget like us.
Lunch Stop: Brother’s BBQ
As we made our way south toward home, we pulled into Brother’s BBQ in Heber Springs for lunch. A pair of beef barbecue sandwiches, coleslaw and sweet tea hit the spot like only Arkansas barbecue can. Flavorful, smoky and just messy enough.
Stop 10: Woolly Hollow State Park
Winding our way back south, we made one last state park stop at Woolly Hollow. This is a quiet, wooded park with a beautiful lake and easy hiking trails. The scenic swimming area and big fishing pier were bustling with activity, with lots of families enjoying a dip in the cool, clean water of Lake Bennett. We walked through the visitor center to stretch our legs, took some photos and got our state park passport stamped once again..
Final Stretch: Alexander, Home Again
We pulled into the driveway at home by mid-afternoon—tired, happy and grateful. Two days, 14+ stops and a cooler full of vegetables later, we were reminded why Arkansas is still the best kept secret in the South.
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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