Written Directions
This review is for the section from Russellville to Harriet. The Ouachita Mountain section of Arkansas Highway 27 has a separate review on this site. From Russellville, Highway 27 runs with Highway 7 to Dover. Turn east at the north end of Dover towards Scottsville and Hector. At the north end in Harriet you can continue your fun on Highway 14 in either direction and enjoy much more great riding.
Scenery
The first section from Russellville to Hector is in the foothills where you'll see rolling hills and family farms. Once you leave Hector, you enter the Ozark National Forest. You cross a mountain stream and climb about 1,000 feet into the Ozark Plateau. The scenery is rural mountains with occasional scenic overlooks. The trees are mostly hardwoods and they look great in fall colors. There is a nice mix of sweepers and straights with light traffic. (Twist the grip) As you go down the plateau near Marshall the road levels out and follows another creek bottom for a few miles. The family farms are great scenery. There are no real towns from Hector to Marshall, just a few rural communities and a couple of country stores. This is one of the most remote areas of the state. The town of Marshall is frozen in time. The buildings are old and the big stores killed the downtown area years ago. From Marshall you get some good curves and a few hills until you get to the end in Harriet.
Drive Enjoyment
The surface is above average with minimal pot holes. Watch out for gravel on the road after large rainfall events.
Tourism Opportunities
Being a rural road in one of the most remote areas of the state, amenities are few and far between. Fill up before you leave Dover. There are no public restrooms from Hector to Marshall. There is a burger joint on the north side of Marshall that's pretty good, but that's about it as far as the food goes. If you're looking for a GREAT burger, take Hwy 74 east instead of staying on 27. Go to Timbo. It's the only place in town to eat so you can't miss it. If you're on a cholesterol restricted diet, you picked the wrong state to visit.
Motorcycle Road Additional info
The rural roads of Arkansas are used by farmers and timber people to get their goods to market. Traffic is light in most places and it is not hard to find a place to pass. Many times they will pull over and let you get around. Give them a nice wave as you go by. Please be patient if you do get stuck behind someone for a while. They're just trying to make a living.
