Pig Trail Scenic Byway

Brashears to Ozark

Ozark Mountains · Arkansas · United States

Key measurements

Distance

17.4 miles

Elevation gain

1,190 ft

Elevation loss

1,850 ft

High point

1,954 ft

Low point

688 ft

Net change

-657 ft (1,479 ft to 822 ft)

Route type

point-to-point

Route Overview

This 17.4-mile stretch of Arkansas Highway 23 represents the defining northern segment of the historic "Pig Trail" Scenic Byway. Traversing the Boston Mountains—the highest and most rugged region of the Ozark Plateau—the route links the high-elevation forest near Brashears in Madison County with the river valley approach outside Ozark in Franklin County.

The trip is defined by dramatic topographic shifts, packed elevation changes, and a dense, overarching canopy of native hardwoods and pine. Dropping nearly 1,200 feet from its high mountain ridge down into the Mulberry River basin, the roadway features tight, continuous curvature, rock bluffs, and minimal shoulders as it contours along mountain slopes.

Key Segments & Geographic Transitions

Pig Trail Ridge & Mulberry Valley Descent — Miles 0.1–17.3

Departing the Brashears junction, the highway climbs quickly through dense forest along a narrow ridgeline, reaching the route’s high point of 1,954 feet near Mile 4.8. From the crest, the character of the road shifts into a sustained, winding descent into the Mulberry River basin.

The geography throughout this mid-section is tight and enclosed, with rock cuts on one side and steep drop-offs on the other. The route reaches its low point of 688 feet around Mile 12.5 near the Mulberry River bottomlands before gently ascending out of the valley through rolling hills toward the destination outside Ozark.

Seasonal & Environmental Context

Spring and summer bring dense green foliage that creates a tight forest tunnel, providing shade but obscuring sightlines through sweeping curves. Summer afternoon rainstorms can leave pavement slick in shaded hollows long after open stretches have dried.

Autumn (mid-October through early November) is peak travel season due to fall foliage, resulting in a significant increase in tourist and motorcycle traffic. In late fall and winter, fallen leaves collect along outer edge lines, and shade in the deeper ravines allows frost or ice pockets to linger on northern exposures well into the day.

Logistics & Services

Services are strictly limited along this remote stretch of highway:

Brashears (North): Junction area with no reliable fuel or commercial services. * Turner Bend / Cass Area (Mile 12.0–13.0): The primary midpoint landmark. Features a local country store offering gasoline, basic food, water, and outdoor gear. * Ozark (South): Comprehensive services, including full-service gas stations, lodging, and dining, are concentrated south of the route's endpoint near the Interstate 40 corridor.

Cellular coverage is inconsistent to non-existent throughout the middle section of the route, particularly in the low drainages around the Mulberry River.

Important Considerations

Wildlife: White-tailed deer are extremely common along the Boston Mountain corridor, especially during early morning and dusk hours. * Debris & Washout: Rain events frequently wash gravel and dirt from unpaved county side roads onto the main asphalt deck. * Traffic Disparities: The narrow, winding nature of the road creates large speed differentials between local commuting traffic, recreational riders, and slow-moving touring vehicles.