More challenging than the dragon and a LOT less traffic...Go East from Jasper, AR on 74. South on 123 thru Mt Judea. When the sign says 5 or 10 mph BE IN FIRST GEAR! Dont let the looks fool you. first time thru, take your time, there are a couple of curves that just keep curving. this will bring you back to 7. for a great day trip, keep going south on 123 to Clarksville. 103 North and go to Oark. grab a good burger and some of the best homemade pie around! then leave there and go West to 23. at the 23 junction go south a couple of miles and stop at Tuner Bend store. Pig Trail starts there. go back North on 23 and ride the Pig Trail that everyone is going to ask you if you rode. that way it can be in your "done pile". Follow on up to Eureka Springs and take backroads back to Branson. i dont know your route going to or from home to get there, but if you have the opportunity go from Mena, AR to Talahina, OK. stop at the Queen Wilhelmina lodge. great road across there. my favorite pull off point on this road is "Panoramic View"
Also, when you go over to ride Peel Ferry, take the time to ride Push Mountain. hiway 341 from Mt Home to Mt View. another good road is 9 from Mt View to Mammoth Springs.
Keep in mind, you cant go wrong when your there! so much more to see than i have listed. Elk at Ponca. Food at Ozark cafe. Food at Cliff House. Food at Low Gap. (see a trend?)

 

I should also have mentioned, in the Russellville area. be sure and go up Mt Nebo. again...when the sign says 10 mph...be in first gear. go up to the visitor center and look around. when you come back down you will see the sign that shows 18 % grade. not far away is Mt Magazine and Petit Jean. if you go to Petit Jean, find the route to where the grave site is. fantastic scenery there.

 

CRAP, that sucks! We got caught in a similar traffic jam trying to get out of Sevierville or Pigeon Forge heading to the Tail of the Dragon, I couldn't believe it.

Well it turns out we’re actually staying one mile out of Siver Dollar City, North West of Branson, I hope that’s far enough away from the city to avoid one of the very things we’re trying to get away from, traffic 🤞🤞🤞.

Either way, thanks for the heads up, it’s a good reminder for me to check the traffic before we roll out each day, unlike what I did in Tennessee 😩.

 

The pig Trail looks like a winner, thanks OkieBill!

 

OP, Here's a link to some suggested ride routes in the area for you to look over. They're all good.

https://pigtrailhd.com/check-out-our-ride-maps

 

Branson is just opening back up. not much traffic right now, so you will be there at at good time.

 

Thank you 107inMO! I have printed your suggested routes!!!

 

Perfect!!! thank you very much!

 

one thing no one has mentioned. while riding in Arkansas, pee when you can, dont wait until you need to...unless you like to be behind a tree.

 

May not be a problem this time of year but last Sept while in Ark and Mo I stepped off the pavement/concrete and got eaten alive by chiggers.