Basics
- Length:
- 212 miles (341 km)
- Time:
- 5.5 hours to drive the Byway
Description
As you drive along Crowley's Ridge Parkway, take in the dramatic landscape and rich history of this portion of the South. From fresh fruit and vegetables from the stands along the roadside, remains of an ancient inland sea, or historic and cultural spots, the Parkway offers much to see and do.
Lake Poinsett State Park offers more than a dozen campgrounds, boat rentals and miles of water to fish in. While you're there, catch a bucket full of bass, bream or catfish and enjoy your meal as you camp underneath the spiny leaves of the trees. The 22,600 acres of the St. Francis National Forest is one of the smallest forests in the country, but you can still let a cool breeze ruffle your hair as you bike among mountain trails or hike among wooded pathways. Mountain streams trail around the forest, so cool your feet off and take pictures to catalog the abundance of birds and other wildlife in the forest.
Prehistoric wildlife and other artifacts come to life at the Discovery Room, filled with information and artifacts of an ancient Mississippi Period Native American Tribe, the Parkin Archeological State Park provides you a variety of fun facts and living history. Once a thriving town that grew up around the ferry that crossed the St. Francis River, Chalk Bluff became home to a Civil War battle, when General Marmaduke attempted to take his army across the river. Pursued by the Union Army, he was forced to retreat, but not before many soldiers lost their lives. Today you can walk around the battle site and learn more about it through the markers there. A few miles down the road is the Four Mile House, which once held many captured soldiers behind its walls.
In October, hundreds flock to the International King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena to enjoy some delicious home cooked Southern food and listen to the talent and variety at the festival. While in Holcomb, known as the watermelon and cantaloupe capital of Missouri, be sure to stop at one of the many stands and pick up some of the sweetest fruit in the country. Visit the town of Malden to learn about the people and culture at the Malden Historical Museum and explore the room holding the Dennis Collection of Egyptian Antiquities.
Crowley's Ridge offers a taste of the culture and history of the Southern people in its examples of their food, music and way of life.
Helpful Links
Points of Interest
Points of Interest Along The Way
Arkansas State University (MO)
Located in Jonesboro, this university was founded in 1909 by the Arkansas Legislature as a regional agricultural training school. This is the only comprehensive public university in the region, and has grown into a successful university in the last century.
Visitors will enjoy perusing exhibits of paleontology, decorative arts, and Mississippi River Delta cultural artifacts at the University Museum. Invite yourself to a choir concert or a play held at the Fowler Center Riceland Hall, or root for the ASU Indians at one of the sporting events held year-round. The university provides a plethora of experiences for Byway adventurers.
Directions
Arkansas State University is located at 1000 W Iowa St, in Beebe, AR.
Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park (AR)
During the Battle of Chalk Bluff, the Confederate GeneralMarmaduke attempted to take his army across the St. Francis River.He was forced to retreat when the Union Army pursued.
Before the battle, Chalk Bluff was a town that grew up aroundthe ferry there that crossed the St. Francis River. With the comingof the railroad, St. Francis became the largest city in thearea.
Now, visitors can take a walk around the battle site, which is listed on the National Register, and learnmore about it through the markers there.
Directions
Located at U.S. 62 at St. Francis, at the northernmost end of the byway.
Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park (MO)
During the Battle of Chalk Bluff, the Confederate GeneralMarmaduke attempted to take his army across the St. Francis River.He was forced to retreat when the Union Army pursued.
Before the battle, Chalk Bluff was a town that grew up aroundthe ferry there that crossed the St. Francis River. With the comingof the railroad, St. Francis became the largest city in thearea.
Now, visitors can take a walk around the battle site, which is listed on the National Register, and learnmore about it through the markers there.
Directions
Located at U.S. 62 at St. Francis, at the northernmost end of the byway.
Crowley's Ridge State Park (AR)
Named for pioneer settler Benjamin Crowley, this state park encompasses his homestead. You'll find log and stone structures that were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early 1900s. Visit a unique geological formation at Crowley's Ridge State Park formed by water, ice, and wind action over a 50-million-year period. The only similar land form is found in Siberia. Enjoy trails, campsites, and a 31-acre lake. Trails throughout the park offer a closer look at the plants and animals that make their homes here.
Directions
Located approximately 20 miles north of Jonesboro on State Highway 141.
Crowley's Ridge State Park (MO)
Named for pioneer settler Benjamin Crowley, this state park encompasses his homestead. You'll find log and stone structures that were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early 1900s. Visit a unique geological formation at Crowley's Ridge State Park formed by water, ice, and wind action over a 50-million-year period. The only similar land form is found in Siberia. Enjoy trails, campsites, and a 31-acre lake. Trails throughout the park offer a closer look at the plants and animals that make their homes here.
Directions
Located approximately 20 miles north of Jonesboro on State Highway 141.
Delta Cultural Center (AR)
The Delta Cultural Center, an agency of the Department ofArkansas Heritage, provides insight into the Arkansas Delta, itspeople, and their history. The center was established to preservethe legacy of the land and the people of the area, combiningeducation and entertainment to fulfill its mission. It is housed intwo locations, a 1912 Missouri-Pacific train depot and a visitorcenter located one block away. The center hosts both permanent andtemporary exhibits on subjects such as the Mississippi River,frontier life, the Civil War, and music of the Delta. Don't forgetto visit the "children's caboose." Located in a restored traincaboose, this exhibit offers a variety of activites forchildren.
Directions
The Delta Cultural Center is located at 141 Cherry Street in Helena, Arkansas.
Delta Cultural Center (MO)
The Delta Cultural Center, an agency of the Department ofArkansas Heritage, provides insight into the Arkansas Delta, itspeople, and their history. The center was established to preservethe legacy of the land and the people of the area, combiningeducation and entertainment to fulfill its mission. It is housed intwo locations, a 1912 Missouri-Pacific train depot and a visitorcenter located one block away. The center hosts both permanent andtemporary exhibits on subjects such as the Mississippi River,frontier life, the Civil War, and music of the Delta. Don't forgetto visit the "children's caboose." Located in a restored traincaboose, this exhibit offers a variety of activites forchildren.
Directions
The Delta Cultural Center is located at 141 Cherry Street in Helena, Arkansas.
Forrest City (AR)
This city began in 1867 as Forrest's Camp, in the area where former Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest made his headquarters while serving as contractor for completion of the railroad through the area. The town was incorporated in 1871 and became the county seat in 1874.
Forrest City was also home to musician Charlie Rich and Reverend Al Green as well as prizefighter Sonny Liston. The city includes the St. Francis County Museum, the Forrest City Convention / Special Events Center, a sports complex, East Arkansas Community College, and several sites on the National Historic Register.
Directions
Off of I-40
Forrest City (MO)
This city began in 1867 as Forrest's Camp, in the area where former Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest made his headquarters while serving as contractor for completion of the railroad through the area. The town was incorporated in 1871 and became the county seat in 1874.
Forrest City was also home to musician Charlie Rich and Reverend Al Green as well as prizefighter Sonny Liston. The city includes the St. Francis County Museum, the Forrest City Convention / Special Events Center, a sports complex, East Arkansas Community College, and several sites on the National Historic Register.
Directions
Off of I-40
Helena (AR)
Settlers arrived in this area after being displaced by the 1812 New Madrid earthquake and the War of 1812. Helena was named for the daughter of Sylvanus Phillips, a land speculator who laid out the town site in 1820. It became the county seat in 1830 and was incorporated in 1833, making it the second oldest incorporated city in Arkansas.
The city is home to the International King Biscuit Blues Festival, the Delta Cultural Center, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, and the historic Queen Anne-style Pillow-Thompson House, which is open for tours. Come and see more than 20 buildings in Helena on the National Historic Register, along with historic residential districts, four Civil War batteries, and a World War I monument. Stop by and visit the Confederate Cemetery in Helena where General Patrick Cleburne is buried. The downtown area includes a Sea Wall Mural.
Helena also offers excellent views of the Mississippi River from the Helena Reach River Park, the Helena Levee Walk, and the Helena Bridge to Mississippi.
Directions
Located at the south end of the byway, this city is full of history.
Helena (MO)
Settlers arrived in this area after being displaced by the 1812 New Madrid earthquake and the War of 1812. Helena was named for the daughter of Sylvanus Phillips, a land speculator who laid out the town site in 1820. It became the county seat in 1830 and was incorporated in 1833, making it the second oldest incorporated city in Arkansas.
The city is home to the International King Biscuit Blues Festival, the Delta Cultural Center, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, and the historic Queen Anne-style Pillow-Thompson House, which is open for tours. Come and see more than 20 buildings in Helena on the National Historic Register, along with historic residential districts, four Civil War batteries, and a World War I monument. Stop by and visit the Confederate Cemetery in Helena where General Patrick Cleburne is buried. The downtown area includes a Sea Wall Mural.
Helena also offers excellent views of the Mississippi River from the Helena Reach River Park, the Helena Levee Walk, and the Helena Bridge to Mississippi.
Directions
Located at the south end of the byway, this city is full of history.
Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Conference Center (AR)
From 1927 to 1940, American novelist and Nobel Prize winnerErnest Hemingway was married to Pauline Pfeiffer of Piggott.Hemingway wrote portions of his novel A Farewell toArms during the couple's frequent visits here to her familyhome. He used the Carriage House behind the house as his writingstudio. Visitors can now see the home and learn more about the1920s and 30s there.
Directions
The Museum is located at 1021 W. Cherry St. in Piggott, Arkansas.
Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Conference Center (MO)
From 1927 to 1940, American novelist and Nobel Prize winnerErnest Hemingway was married to Pauline Pfeiffer of Piggott.Hemingway wrote portions of his novel A Farewell toArms during the couple's frequent visits here to her familyhome. He used the Carriage House behind the house as his writingstudio. Visitors can now see the home and learn more about the1920s and 30s there.
Directions
The Museum is located at 1021 W. Cherry St. in Piggott, Arkansas.
Lake Poinsett S.P. (AR)
Lake Poinsett is 640-acres long making it one of the largest lakes in the state. Join in the recreational water activities including swimming, fishing, or boating. If you wish to spend the night, there are campsites available in the area. Enjoy the scenery and the great outdoors as you sit down to a picnic. There’s a playground for the kids along with a basketball court and a sand volleyball court.
Lake Poinsett S.P. (MO)
Lake Poinsett is 640-acres long making it one of the largest lakes in the state. Join in the recreational water activities including swimming, fishing, or boating. If you wish to spend the night, there are campsites available in the area. Enjoy the scenery and the great outdoors as you sit down to a picnic. There’s a playground for the kids along with a basketball court and a sand volleyball court.
Lake Poinsett State Park (AR)
This 640 acre lake is a great place to camp and fish for a fewbass. Or if crappie, bream, or catfish suit your fancy, you canfish for them too. Surrounded by trees, the lake offers a greatsetting for a picnic or a hike as well. Boat rentals and launchareas give visitors the opportunity to enjoy being in the middle ofit all.
Directions
Located at Ark. 163, off Ark 14, near Harrisburg.
Lake Poinsett State Park (MO)
This 640 acre lake is a great place to camp and fish for a fewbass. Or if crappie, bream, or catfish suit your fancy, you canfish for them too. Surrounded by trees, the lake offers a greatsetting for a picnic or a hike as well. Boat rentals and launchareas give visitors the opportunity to enjoy being in the middle ofit all.
Directions
Located at Ark. 163, off Ark 14, near Harrisburg.
Marianna (AR)
Marianna, one of the oldest towns in the Arkansas Delta, wasfounded in 1820 by settlers from Alabama and named for Mary AnnHarland, who donated the property for the town. It was incorporatedin 1870 and became the county seat when Lee County was formed in1873.
A downtown walking tour features a beautiful town square, with aClassic Revival style courthouse anchoring the north end, and apark with a gazebo and a General Robert E. Lee Monument in thecenter. Marianna's commercial district recently joined numerousother structures in the city on the National Historic Register.
The city also includes the Lee County Museum, thestate-of-the-art McClendon-Mann-Felton Cotton Gin, and theUniversity of Arkansas Cotton Branch Experiment Station and SoilTesting Lab. Marianna is the home of Rodney Slater, Federal HighwayAdministrator and later Secretary of Transportation, during theadministration of President Bill Clinton (1992-2000).
Directions
State Highway 44
Marianna (MO)
Marianna, one of the oldest towns in the Arkansas Delta, wasfounded in 1820 by settlers from Alabama and named for Mary AnnHarland, who donated the property for the town. It was incorporatedin 1870 and became the county seat when Lee County was formed in1873.
A downtown walking tour features a beautiful town square, with aClassic Revival style courthouse anchoring the north end, and apark with a gazebo and a General Robert E. Lee Monument in thecenter. Marianna's commercial district recently joined numerousother structures in the city on the National Historic Register.
The city also includes the Lee County Museum, thestate-of-the-art McClendon-Mann-Felton Cotton Gin, and theUniversity of Arkansas Cotton Branch Experiment Station and SoilTesting Lab. Marianna is the home of Rodney Slater, Federal HighwayAdministrator and later Secretary of Transportation, during theadministration of President Bill Clinton (1992-2000).
Directions
State Highway 44
