Scenic Drives

For those looking to meander the forest by vehicle we have three National Forest Scenic Byways:

Blue Buck Knob: Dissects 24-miles of the Mark Twain National Forest. The byway travels through farmland, open pastures, and densely wooded hillsides. Several overlooks treat adventurers to resplendent panoramas.

Glade Top: This 23-mile Scenic Byway is named for the beautiful glades that surround the ridge tops where the Scenic Byway traverses. Along the trail are seven overlook “pull-outs” that provide panoramic views that reach to the Springfield Plateau twenty miles to the northwest and forty miles south to the Boston Mountains in Arkansas. Visit the detail stop links below for more about each of the views.

Sugar Camp: 28-mile drive, which combines 20 miles of paved highway and a nice 8-mile section of national forest scenic byway on maintained gravel-road. Most of the route is along wooded hills and valleys, which are covered with mixed hardwoods, intermingled with eastern red cedar and pine stands.  Vistas provide the opportunity to view distant landscapes.  Two areas provide spots to rest and picnic—Onyx picnic area and Sugar Camp Tower.

What is a National Forest Scenic Byway?

National Forest Scenic Byways are designated by the Chief of the Forest Service and have to meet several archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic criteria. These byways are part of a larger network of scenic byways, including State Scenic Byways and National Scenic Byways

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Scenic Driving (14)

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Blue Buck Knob National Forest Scenic Byway

Site Open

The Blue Buck Knob National Scenic Byway dissects 24-miles of the Mark Twain National Forest. The byway travels through farmland, open pastures, and densely wooded hillsides. Several overlooks treat…

Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River

Site Open

The Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River was established in 1968 as a 44-mile scenic river, free of impoundments with a largely undeveloped shoreline and watershed. This portion of the river…

Glade Top National Forest Scenic Byway

Site Open

Welcome to Glade Top Trail, a National Forest Scenic Byway in Missouri!This 23-mile Scenic Byway is named for the beautiful glades that surround the ridge tops where the Scenic Byway traverses.Along…

Stop 1: Haden Park

Site Open

Haden Park is the northern most stop along the Glade Top Trail National Forest Scenic Byway.The lands upon which Haden Park are situated were purchased from Mr. Michael Ryan on June 24, 1935, under…

Stop 10: McClurg Glade

Site Open

Welcome to McClurg Glade! This is a small pull-off where visitors can view the glades. There is an old trail/road you can walk down to get a closer view of the flowers.Before you is a prime example…

Stop 2: Smoke Tree Scene

Site Open

American Smoke Tree (Cotinus obovatus) is found is central Texas, eastern Oklahoma, northwest Arkansas, southwest Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.In Missouri it occurs on the…

Stop 3: Arkansas View

Site Open

As you look out to the south and into Arkansas, the furthest range of mountains lined against the sky are the Boston Mountains.  While the view to the Boston Mountains has always been a prominent…

Stop 4: Watershed Divide

Site Open

Watershed Divide is the location where rainwater flows north or south into streams in the glade top area. Everything south of the divide flows into Big Creek. Everything north of the divide flows…

Stop 8: Big Creek Basin

Site Open

This is a very small site located on a sharp curve, please be aware of your surroundings and passing traffic if you pull off.What you see in front of you is oak woodland habitat which surrounds…

Stop 9: Panorama

Site Open

Panorama is a very small pull-off along the Glade Top National Scenic Byway. From here you can see panoramic views of the glades and valley below.In February 1905, all federal forest administration…