Take a scenic ride through the Ouachita foothills as we follow a charming 16-mile stretch of Scenic Arkansas Highway 7 from Hot Springs to Jessieville. This journey begins just north of the bustling resort town and winds its way past small communities, piney woods, and hidden historic parks—all on one of Arkansas’s most beloved scenic byways.
Our drive starts at the junction of Arkansas Highway 7 and Arkansas Highway 5 just outside of Hot Springs National Park, where the urban edge fades quickly into rolling forest. Just beyond the city limits, we enter the newly realigned corridor through Fountain Lake, where a roundabout now manages traffic at the intersection of AR-5 and AR-7. This modern upgrade replaces an older, more congested three-way intersection, improving flow while serving as a visual gateway to the scenic route ahead. As we leave Fountain Lake and head north on Highway 7, signs for Scenic 7 remind us that this isn’t just any state highway—it’s a nationally designated byway steeped in history and natural beauty.
The landscape begins to shift as we move deeper into the Ouachita Mountains’ lower elevations. To our east lies Hot Springs Village, one of the largest gated communities in the country. Though we never actually enter the Village, Highway 7 flanks its western border, offering occasional glimpses of homes, golf courses, and forested hills that give the area its appeal. This part of the route is marked by gentle curves, well-maintained pavement, and a blend of pine and hardwood forest, offering a relaxing yet engaging drive through one of Arkansas’s most scenic corridors.
North of the Village, the route quiets down even more as we pass scattered homes and the occasional roadside business near Jessieville. The terrain becomes increasingly wooded, and the two-lane highway gently winds through the undisturbed foothills of the Ouachitas. Jessieville itself is little more than a wide spot on the map—a school, a few businesses, and a welcome break from urban sprawl. But it’s also the gateway to something special: the Ouachita National Forest.
Soon, we reach our destination—Iron Springs Park, a small but significant site nestled just off the highway. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, the park features stone picnic shelters, trails, and a tranquil spring-fed creek that gives the site its name. Though it’s easy to miss if you’re not looking, Iron Springs is a living piece of Depression-era heritage and a testament to the legacy of Scenic Highway 7 as more than just a road—it’s a journey through Arkansas history.
As we end our drive at the entrance to Iron Springs Park, we reflect on how this short stretch of highway manages to blend past and present so seamlessly. From the modern roundabout at Fountain Lake to the hand-cut stonework of a CCC picnic site, Highway 7 reminds us that progress and preservation can share the same road. Whether you’re seeking scenic beauty, a quiet escape, or a window into Arkansas’s layered history, this route offers all that and more—one curve at a time.
🎵 Music:
Go Not Gently by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/
🗺️ Route Map
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