If you’re looking for a drive that mixes quiet countryside, wooded backroads, and a taste of Central Arkansas’s best scenery, you can’t go wrong cruising down Arkansas Highway 5 from Crows to Fountain Lake. This 14-mile stretch takes us from the intersection with AR-9 south at Crows and follows Highway 5 west and southwest all the way to the gateway of the Hot Springs area. It’s a classic drive that hits small towns, local landmarks, and the edge of some of the state’s most popular recreational areas.
Starting out in Crows, we turn onto AR-5 south and immediately notice the landscape shift from farmland and pasture into more wooded, gently rolling hills. It’s a pleasant transition, and while there’s not a ton of commercial development along this section, you’ll spot a handful of local churches, family-run businesses, and quiet homesteads dotting the road. The community of Owensville is one of the first we roll through—not a big place, but it’s a slice of classic rural Arkansas. Keep an eye out for roadside produce stands or even a few locals out walking. As we continue west, the trees start to crowd in, hinting that we’re getting closer to the forests and lakes the area is known for.
The real change comes as we approach the eastern edge of Hot Springs Village, one of the state’s most well-known gated communities. AR-5 passes the East Gate first—a well-marked, landscaped entrance—and then the Balboa Gate a bit farther on. While you can’t just drive into Hot Springs Village without a pass, you’ll notice the uptick in local traffic and some side roads leading into beautiful wooded neighborhoods and golf courses. If you’re looking for a quick side trip or just want to check out some impressive Arkansas real estate, this area is worth a look, even if you’re just admiring from the highway.
From here, AR-5 curves southwest and heads for the outskirts of Fountain Lake. This stretch is a nice blend of pine and hardwood forests, with a few rolling hills and some lovely views, especially in fall when the leaves turn. Just before entering the town itself, you’ll pass the intersection with AR-128 (known locally as the Lonsdale Cutoff), which offers another route toward Lonsdale and beyond if you’re interested in exploring deeper into the backroads. But for our drive, we stay on AR-5 and enter Fountain Lake proper. It’s a small, welcoming town that serves as a gateway to both Hot Springs and the lakes region. The final mile or two of the route brings us to the new traffic circle where AR-5 meets Arkansas Highway 7—a sign you’re almost in the Hot Springs metro area. We end our drive here, turning north on AR-7, with quick access to Hot Springs National Park or a straight shot north toward the Ouachitas.
There’s not a lot in the way of tourist stops along this section of AR-5, but it’s the perfect route for a relaxing cruise, a motorcycle ride, or as a scenic alternative to the more trafficked main roads heading into Hot Springs. If you’re after a taste of small-town Arkansas, some quality Ozark and Ouachita foothills scenery, and a peaceful connection between communities, this route is a solid pick.
0:00 Crows to East Gate
5:53 East Gate to Balboa Gate
9:27 Balboa Gate to Lonsdale Cutoff (AR-128)
11:28 Lonsdale Cutoff to Fountain Lake (AR-7)
🗺️ Route Map
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