Arkansas State Highway 7
Encyclopedia
Arkansas Highway 7 is a north–south state highway that runs across the state. The route runs 296.01 miles (476.4 km) from the Louisiana Highway 558
at the Louisiana
state line north to Diamond City
near the Missouri
state line. With the exception of the segment north of Harrison, Highway 7 has been designated as one of the Arkansas Scenic Byways
. The road passes through the heart of both the Ozark Mountains and the Ouachita Mountains
, and features scenic views. It's the route favored by motorcycle riders touring the region.
state line near Lockhart, Louisiana. It runs north and meets US 63
/US 167
, which it forms a concurrency
with until El Dorado
. North of El Dorado AR 7 shoots a spur route
named the Calion Cutoff. The route continues north to cross AR 335 before entering Smackover
. Arkansas Highway 7 Business goes through downtown Smackover, while the main route runs around the town meeting AR 172. AR 7 continues northwest to enter Ouachita County. AR 7 runs roughly parallel to AR 376 until meeting the route south of Cullendale
. The route continues north to Camden
, when it intersects US 79
/US 278
(formerly AR 4
). AR 7 continues north through downtown and heads northwest to enter Dallas County.
AR 7 enters Dallas County near Ouachita and continues north to meet AR 208 in Sparkman
. The route continues north to AR 8
/Dalark. AR 7 runs west after meeting AR 8, leading into Clark County
. AR 7/AR 8 runs to meet AR 51/AR 128 east of Arkadelphia
. In Arkadelphia, AR 7 meets US 67
, which it follows north to Caddo Valley
and Interstate 30
. After crossing I-30, AR continues north through De Gray State Park, now entering Hot Spring County, where it meets AR 84 in Bismark.
AR 7 enters Garland County by crossing over Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine
and crossing through the community of Lake Hamilton
. AR 7 continues into Hot Springs
, crossing US 70
/US 270
. The route enters Hot Springs National Park
with AR 128. The route meets AR 298
north of town, running with it until an area near the Perry County line. The route runs through the Ouachita National Forest
until the Fourche Junction meeting with AR 60
.
AR 7 continues in Yell County by running through Ola
. The route meets AR 10 and AR 28
in Ola. AR 7 continues northeast to Centerville
, meeting AR 154
and AR 247
. AR 7 also meets AR 115
before Dardanelle
. The route turns right at Union Street in Dardanelle, entering Pope County. The route continues through Russellville
, meeting US 64 (Main Street)
and O Street
before leaving town. AR 7 also meets I-40
north of Russellville. Continuing north, AR 7 meets AR 164
in Dover
. In the Ozark National Forest, AR 7 meets AR 16 and AR 123
before entering Newton County
. AR 7 breaks north from AR 16 towards AR 74
/Jasper
. AR 7 crosses AR 206
upon entering Boone County
. AR 7 enters Harrison
, meeting AR 43/US 65 BUS and US 62
/US 65
/US 412
. It is after this point that the route is no longer designated scenic. The route continues to AR 14
/Lead Hill before Diamond City
, where the route terminates.
first created a state highway system
. Two main routes, Arkansas State Road B-14 and Arkansas State Road A-5 form a rough trail similar to the modern-day AR 7. Upon creation of the U.S. Route system
in 1925, the north and south portions of the highway were replaced by U.S. Route 65
to Harrison
and U.S. Route 167
, respectively. Arkansas numbered its highways in 1926, and the route became Arkansas Highway 7 (the north part of A-5 remains as Arkansas Highway 5).
runs into town while the city is bypassed by the parent route. El Dorado
, Hot Springs
, and Russellville
all have short spur routes serving as connectors. AR 7 Truck also serves as a bypass in Russellville, where AR 7S near Marble Falls
serves former amusement park Dogpatch USA
.
Louisiana Highway 558
Louisiana Highway 558 is a state highway in Union Parish. The route of runs from Louisiana Highway 15 at Mount Union north to Arkansas Highway 7 at the Arkansas state line.-Route description:...
at the Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
state line north to Diamond City
Diamond City, Arkansas
Diamond City is a city in Boone County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 730 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Harrison Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Diamond City is located at ....
near the Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
state line. With the exception of the segment north of Harrison, Highway 7 has been designated as one of the Arkansas Scenic Byways
Arkansas Scenic Byways
The Arkansas Scenic Byways Program is a list of highways, mainly state highways, that have been designated by the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department as scenic highways. The Arkansas General Assembly designates routes for scenic byway status upon successful nomination...
. The road passes through the heart of both the Ozark Mountains and the Ouachita Mountains
Ouachita Mountains
The Ouachita Mountains are a mountain range in west central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. The range's subterranean roots may extend as far as central Texas, or beyond it to the current location of the Marathon Uplift. Along with the Ozark Mountains, the Ouachita Mountains form the U.S...
, and features scenic views. It's the route favored by motorcycle riders touring the region.
Route description
AR 7 begins at the LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
state line near Lockhart, Louisiana. It runs north and meets US 63
U.S. Route 63
U.S. Route 63 is a long north–south United States highway primarily in the Midwestern United States. The southern terminus of the route is at Interstate 20 in Ruston, Louisiana. The northern terminus is at U.S. Route 2 in Benoit, Wisconsin, about east of Duluth, Minnesota. It is not related to U.S...
/US 167
U.S. Route 167
U.S. Route 167 runs for 499 miles from Ash Flat, Arkansas at U.S. Route 62 to Abbeville, Louisiana at Louisiana Highway 14. It goes through the cities of Little Rock, Arkansas, Alexandria, Louisiana, and Lafayette, Louisiana....
, which it forms a concurrency
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with until El Dorado
El Dorado, Arkansas
El Dorado , a multi-cultural arts center: South Arkansas Arts Center , an award-winning renovated downtown, and numerous sporting, shopping, and dining opportunities. El Dorado is the population, cultural, and business center of the 7,300 mi² regional area...
. North of El Dorado AR 7 shoots a spur route
Spur route
A spur route is a short road forming a branch from a longer, more important route . A bypass or beltway is never considered a true spur route as it typically reconnects with the major road...
named the Calion Cutoff. The route continues north to cross AR 335 before entering Smackover
Smackover, Arkansas
Smackover is a city in Union County, Arkansas. According to the 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city stands at 1,929.The name Smackover comes from an anglicization of the French "Sumac Couvert" which translates to "covered in sumac"...
. Arkansas Highway 7 Business goes through downtown Smackover, while the main route runs around the town meeting AR 172. AR 7 continues northwest to enter Ouachita County. AR 7 runs roughly parallel to AR 376 until meeting the route south of Cullendale
Cullendale, Arkansas
Cullendale is an unincorporated community in Ouachita County, Arkansas, United States. It is part of the Camden Micropolitan Statistical Area.Latitude: 33.53917 : Longitude: -92.82222 : Elevation: 130 ft-External links:**...
. The route continues north to Camden
Camden, Arkansas
Camden is a city in and the county seat of Ouachita County in the southern part of the U.S. state of Arkansas. Long an area of American Indians villages, the French also made a permanent settlement here because of its advantageous location above the Ouachita River. According to 2007 Census...
, when it intersects US 79
U.S. Route 79
U.S. Route 79 is a north–south United States highway. The route is a northeast-southwest diagonal, with both east–west segments and north–south segments equally mixed. The highway's northern terminus is in Russellville, Kentucky, at an intersection with U.S. Highway 68 and KY 80...
/US 278
U.S. Route 278
U.S. Route 278 is a parallel route of U.S. Route 78. It currently runs for 1,074 miles from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina to Wickes, Arkansas at U.S. Highway 71/U.S. Highway 59. It might be notable that it is longer than its parent highway, US Hwy-78. US Hwy-278 passes through the states of...
(formerly AR 4
Arkansas Highway 4
Arkansas Highway 4 is a designation for two state highways in east Arkansas. The western segment of runs from SH-4 at the Oklahoma state line and terminates in Cove. An eastern segment of begins at U.S. Route 278 in McGehee and heads east to Arkansas City then north to AR 1 before terminating....
). AR 7 continues north through downtown and heads northwest to enter Dallas County.
AR 7 enters Dallas County near Ouachita and continues north to meet AR 208 in Sparkman
Sparkman, Arkansas
Sparkman is a city in Dallas County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 586 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sparkman is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
. The route continues north to AR 8
Arkansas Highway 8
Arkansas Highway 8 is a highway in southern Arkansas. It begins at the Oklahoma state line and travels south to Eudora, AR.-Route description:...
/Dalark. AR 7 runs west after meeting AR 8, leading into Clark County
Clark County, Arkansas
Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 22,995. The county seat is Arkadelphia.The Arkadelphia Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Clark County.-Geography:...
. AR 7/AR 8 runs to meet AR 51/AR 128 east of Arkadelphia
Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Arkadelphia is a city in Clark County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 10,548. The city is the county seat of Clark County. The city is situated at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. Two universities, Henderson State...
. In Arkadelphia, AR 7 meets US 67
U.S. Route 67
U.S. Route 67 is a 1,560 mile long north–south U.S. highway in the Central United States. The southern terminus of the route is at the United States-Mexico border in Presidio, Texas, where it continues south as Mexican Federal Highway 16 upon crossing the Rio Grande. The northern...
, which it follows north to Caddo Valley
Caddo Valley, Arkansas
Caddo Valley is a town in Clark County, Arkansas in the United States of America. The population was 563 at the 2000 census....
and Interstate 30
Interstate 30
Interstate 30 is an Interstate Highway in the southern United States. I-30 runs from Interstate 20 west of Fort Worth, Texas, northeast via Dallas, Texas, and Texarkana, Texas, to Interstate 40 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The route parallels U.S. Route 67 except for the portion west of...
. After crossing I-30, AR continues north through De Gray State Park, now entering Hot Spring County, where it meets AR 84 in Bismark.
AR 7 enters Garland County by crossing over Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine
Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine
Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine are a pair of man-made lakes around Hot Springs, Arkansas. The two lakes have greatly improved the tourism in Hot Springs. Both Lakes were created by Arkansas Power & Light .-Lake Hamilton:...
and crossing through the community of Lake Hamilton
Lake Hamilton, Arkansas
Lake Hamilton is a census-designated place in Garland County, Arkansas, United States. It is part of the 'Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 2,135 at the 2000 census...
. AR 7 continues into Hot Springs
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
, crossing US 70
U.S. Route 70
U.S. Route 70 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 2,385 miles from eastern North Carolina to east-central Arizona. As can be derived from its number, it is a major east–west highway of the Southern and Southwestern United States...
/US 270
U.S. Route 270
U.S. Route 270 is a spur of U.S. Route 70. It currently runs for 643 miles from Liberal, Kansas at U.S. Route 54 to White Hall, Arkansas at Interstate 530 and U.S. Route 65. It passes through the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas...
. The route enters Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park
Established from Hot Springs Reservation, Hot Springs National Park is a United States National Park in central Arkansas adjacent to the city of Hot Springs. Hot Springs Reservation was initially created by an act of the United States Congress on April 20, 1832, and the area was made a national...
with AR 128. The route meets AR 298
Arkansas Highway 298
Arkansas Highway 298 is a designation for three state highways in Lower Arkansas. The eastern segment of begins at Sims at Arkansas Highway 88 and runs southeast to US Route 270. A middle segment of runs from AR 27 at Story east to AR 7...
north of town, running with it until an area near the Perry County line. The route runs through the Ouachita National Forest
Ouachita National Forest
The Ouachita National Forest is a National Forest that lies in the western portion of Arkansas and portions of eastern Oklahoma.-History:The Ouachita National Forest is the oldest National Forest in the southern United States. The Forest encompasses , including most of the scenic Ouachita Mountains...
until the Fourche Junction meeting with AR 60
Arkansas Highway 60
-Section 1:Arkansas Highway 60 is a long state highway in Central Arkansas. It connects U.S. Route 65 Business in Conway with AR 29 near Plainview, Arkansas. It runs through Faulkner, Perry, and Yell Counties. It has a spur route in Conway that connects to the Offices of Emergency...
.
AR 7 continues in Yell County by running through Ola
Ola, Arkansas
Ola is a city in Yell County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,204 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Russellville Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Ola is located at ....
. The route meets AR 10 and AR 28
Arkansas Highway 28
Highway 28 is an east–west highway of in Arkansas running from OK 128 and the Oklahoma state line east to Dardanelle.-Route description:...
in Ola. AR 7 continues northeast to Centerville
Centerville, Yell County, Arkansas
Centerville is an unincorporated community in Yell County, Arkansas, United States. Centerville is located at the junction of Arkansas Highway 7 and Arkansas Highway 154 north-northeast of Ola. Centerville has a post office with ZIP code 72829....
, meeting AR 154
Arkansas Highway 154
Arkansas Highway 154 is a east-west state highway in the western portion of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The highway begins at Arkansas Highway 27 in Yell County northeast of Danville and runs east to Arkansas Highway 113 in Conway County east of Oppelo...
and AR 247
Arkansas Highway 247
Arkansas Highway 247 is a state highway of in Pope and Conway Counties.-Route description:The route begins at AR 7 in south Russellville. AR 247 runs east until forming a concurrency with US 64 to Atkins. The route turns north in a short concurrency with AR 105. AR 247 next enters Conway County...
. AR 7 also meets AR 115
Arkansas Highway 115
Arkansas Highway 115 is a state highway of that runs in Sharp, Lawrence, and Randolph Counties.-Route description:AR 115 begins at US 167/AR 58 in Cave City running with AR 58 north. The route continues northeast to meet AR 117 in Smithville. AR 115 arrows north to Imboden where it meets US 62/US...
before Dardanelle
Dardanelle, Arkansas
Dardanelle is a city in Yell County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,228 at the 2000 census. Along with Danville, it is one of two county seats for Yell County...
. The route turns right at Union Street in Dardanelle, entering Pope County. The route continues through Russellville
Russellville, Arkansas
Russellville is the county seat and largest city in Pope County, Arkansas, United States, with a population of 27,920, according to the 2010 Census. It is home to Arkansas Tech University and Arkansas Nuclear One, Arkansas' only nuclear power plant...
, meeting US 64 (Main Street)
U.S. Route 64
U.S. Route 64 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 2,326 miles from eastern North Carolina to just southwest of the Four Corners in northeast Arizona. The western terminus is at U.S. Route 160 in Teec Nos Pos, Arizona. The highway's eastern terminus is at NC 12 and U.S. Route...
and O Street
Arkansas Highway 124
Arkansas Highway 124 is a designation for two state highways in Central Arkansas. The western segment of runs from Russellville to Rose Bud. An eastern segment of runs east in White County from Pangburn to AR 157.-Russellville to Rose Bud:...
before leaving town. AR 7 also meets I-40
Interstate 40
Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
north of Russellville. Continuing north, AR 7 meets AR 164
Arkansas Highway 164
Arkansas Highway 164 is a state highway of that runs in Johnson and Pope Counties.-Route description:The route begins at US 64 near Coal Hill. It runs north across Interstate 40 and AR 352 before turning west. A concurrency begins with AR 103 into Clarksville. The route again meets US 64 before...
in Dover
Dover, Arkansas
Dover is a small town in Pope County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,329 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Russellville Micropolitan Statistical Area.- Geography :Dover is located at ....
. In the Ozark National Forest, AR 7 meets AR 16 and AR 123
Arkansas Highway 123
-Boone County:Arkansas Highway 123 is a brief state highway in Boone County, Arkansas. It runs vertically from Salmon Lane north to U.S. Route 65 near Harrison.-Johnson/Pope/Newton Counties:...
before entering Newton County
Newton County, Arkansas
Newton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population is 8,330. The county seat is Jasper. Newton County is Arkansas's 46th county, formed on December 14, 1842, and named for Thomas W. Newton, an Arkansas Congressman...
. AR 7 breaks north from AR 16 towards AR 74
Arkansas Highway 74
Arkansas Highway 74 is a series of state highways of total in Northwest and north central Arkansas and comprises eight separate sections....
/Jasper
Jasper, Arkansas
Jasper is a city in Newton County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 498 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Newton County.Jasper is part of the Harrison Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. AR 7 crosses AR 206
Arkansas Highway 206
Arkansas Highway 206 is a designation for two east–west state highways in north Arkansas. The longer segment of runs from Highway 43 in Boone County to the Marion County line. A shorter segment of runs east from Highway 14 to Marion County Route 6022. Neither route has any spur or business...
upon entering Boone County
Boone County, Arkansas
Boone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 36,903. The county seat is Harrison. Boone County is Arkansas's 62nd county, formed on April 9, 1869. Boone County is part of the Harrison Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Boone County...
. AR 7 enters Harrison
Harrison, Arkansas
Harrison is a city in Boone County, Arkansas, United States. It is the county seat. According to 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 13,108. Boone County was organized in 1869, during reconstruction after the civil war. Harrison was platted and made the county seat. It is...
, meeting AR 43/US 65 BUS and US 62
U.S. Route 62
U.S. Route 62 runs from the US-Mexico border at El Paso, Texas to Niagara Falls, New York, near the United States-Canada border. It is the only east-west US Route that connects Mexico and Canada.Parts of U.S...
/US 65
U.S. Route 65
U.S. Route 65 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 425 in Clayton, Louisiana. The northern terminus is at Interstate 35 just south of Interstate 90 in Albert Lea, Minnesota...
/US 412
U.S. Route 412
U.S. Route 412 is an east–west United States highway, first commissioned in 1982. Its route number is a "violation" of the usual AASHTO numbering scheme, as it comes nowhere near its implied "parent", US 12. U.S...
. It is after this point that the route is no longer designated scenic. The route continues to AR 14
Arkansas Highway 14
Arkansas Highway 14 is a designation for two east–west state highway in Arkansas. The primary route from the original 1926 Arkansas state highway numbering runs from Table Rock Lake east to Interstate 555/U.S. Route 63...
/Lead Hill before Diamond City
Diamond City, Arkansas
Diamond City is a city in Boone County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 730 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Harrison Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Diamond City is located at ....
, where the route terminates.
History
The route now known as AR 7 first appears as a state highway in 1924, when the Arkansas General AssemblyArkansas General Assembly
The Arkansas General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of the upper house Arkansas Senate with 35 members, and the lower Arkansas House of Representatives with 100 members. All 135 representatives and state senators...
first created a state highway system
1926 Arkansas state highway numbering
In 1926, Arkansas renumbered its highways into a more traditional format. The system to be replaced was established in 1924 as Arkansas' first comprehensive highway plan. Roads were designated as "primary federal aid roads", "secondary federal aid roads", or "connecting state roads"...
. Two main routes, Arkansas State Road B-14 and Arkansas State Road A-5 form a rough trail similar to the modern-day AR 7. Upon creation of the U.S. Route system
United States Numbered Highways
The system of United States Numbered Highways is an integrated system of roads and highways in the United States numbered within a nationwide grid...
in 1925, the north and south portions of the highway were replaced by U.S. Route 65
U.S. Route 65
U.S. Route 65 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 425 in Clayton, Louisiana. The northern terminus is at Interstate 35 just south of Interstate 90 in Albert Lea, Minnesota...
to Harrison
Harrison, Arkansas
Harrison is a city in Boone County, Arkansas, United States. It is the county seat. According to 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 13,108. Boone County was organized in 1869, during reconstruction after the civil war. Harrison was platted and made the county seat. It is...
and U.S. Route 167
U.S. Route 167
U.S. Route 167 runs for 499 miles from Ash Flat, Arkansas at U.S. Route 62 to Abbeville, Louisiana at Louisiana Highway 14. It goes through the cities of Little Rock, Arkansas, Alexandria, Louisiana, and Lafayette, Louisiana....
, respectively. Arkansas numbered its highways in 1926, and the route became Arkansas Highway 7 (the north part of A-5 remains as Arkansas Highway 5).
Auxiliary routes
Arkansas Highway 7 has six total auxiliary routes. AR 7 business in SmackoverSmackover, Arkansas
Smackover is a city in Union County, Arkansas. According to the 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city stands at 1,929.The name Smackover comes from an anglicization of the French "Sumac Couvert" which translates to "covered in sumac"...
runs into town while the city is bypassed by the parent route. El Dorado
El Dorado, Arkansas
El Dorado , a multi-cultural arts center: South Arkansas Arts Center , an award-winning renovated downtown, and numerous sporting, shopping, and dining opportunities. El Dorado is the population, cultural, and business center of the 7,300 mi² regional area...
, Hot Springs
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
, and Russellville
Russellville, Arkansas
Russellville is the county seat and largest city in Pope County, Arkansas, United States, with a population of 27,920, according to the 2010 Census. It is home to Arkansas Tech University and Arkansas Nuclear One, Arkansas' only nuclear power plant...
all have short spur routes serving as connectors. AR 7 Truck also serves as a bypass in Russellville, where AR 7S near Marble Falls
Marble Falls, Arkansas
Marble Falls is an unincorporated community in Newton County, Arkansas, United States. It lies along Arkansas's National Scenic 7 Bywaybetween Harrison and Jasper. The Marble Falls Post Office is located in the parking lot of the now defunct theme park called Dogpatch USA...
serves former amusement park Dogpatch USA
Dogpatch USA
Dogpatch USA is an abandoned theme park located on State Highway 7 between the cities of Harrison and Jasper in Arkansas, USA, an area known today as Marble Falls...
.