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Read More about this safari issue.Arkansas’s Pig Trail is a scenic byway that winds through the Ozark Mountains, offering stunning views of the state’s natural beauty. In the fall, the Pig Trail is transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors as the leaves change from green to vibrant red, orange and yellow shades.
Arkansas’s Pig Trail is among the top 8 places to look for fall color in Arkansas and rightly so; the roadsides and hillsides in view burst with a variety of colors aimed to mark the changing seasons. Those visiting the region can only hope for the right mixture of warm days and cool nights that make the colors burst!
But most people in Arkansas know the Pig Trail as the old route to get to Fayetteville for a Hogs football game. Still, many traveling from Central or South Arkansas will use the scenic route as they climb the hill for Sept. and Oct. home games. Or when heading home with a little extra time for a Sunday drive.
Image used with permission from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
The Pig Trail was originally a narrow, winding road built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program. They named the road after the many feral hogs that roamed the area.
Hogs were introduced to the Ozarks by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. They quickly became a nuisance, destroying crops and competing with native wildlife for food. The CCC workers who built the Pig Trail often had to contend with feral hogs. It’s dually named to match Hugo Bezdek’s description of the Arkansas football team in 1909.
In the 1950s, the Pig Trail was widened and paved, making it more accessible to tourists. The Pig Trail quickly became a popular scenic byway, and it remains so today as a testament to the beauty of the Ozark Mountains.
Image used with permission from the Arkansas Departments of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
There are a handful of safe places to stop and visit along the Pig Trail, including Highways 23 and 16. Some of the most notable stops include:
Image used with permission from the Arkansas Departments of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
The Pig Trail is a popular motorcycle route due to its winding roads and scenic views. The fall is a beautiful time to ride the Pig Trail, as the leaves change color and the air is crisp and cool.
Side trips you may enjoy on each end of the trip
Don’t overthink it; driving the Pig Trail can be a last-minute decision once you see the day’s weather or your schedule. Fill your car with gas and hit the road!
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