Arkansas Highway 285: Woolly Hollow State Park to Greenbrier

Join us for a short but scenic drive through north-central Arkansas as we travel 6 miles west along Arkansas Highway 285, starting at Woolly Hollow State Park and ending just north of Greenbrier at the intersection with U.S. Highway 65. This stretch offers a peaceful transition from a forested park setting to the edges of a growing suburban area in Faulkner County.

We begin our journey at the entrance to Woolly Hollow State Park, a hidden gem nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The park itself is worth a visit before hitting the road, offering hiking trails like the Huckleberry Trail, a spring-fed lake for swimming and paddleboating, and some beautiful shaded campsites. AR-285 provides the only direct access into the park, making it the road most folks use to get in and out of this peaceful area.

Leaving the park, we travel west on Highway 285, weaving through densely wooded terrain and occasional clearings that showcase rolling pastures and the rural charm of this part of Faulkner County. The route is almost entirely two-lane and maintains a fairly relaxed pace, perfect for soaking in the countryside. While it’s not a long drive, the roadway does provide a great snapshot of the transition from forested parkland to the more developed outskirts of Greenbrier.

As we approach the end of the route, Highway 285 gradually curves southwest and then west again as it meets U.S. Highway 65, just north of Greenbrier proper. From here, travelers can either head north toward Clinton and the scenic Ozark foothills, or south into Greenbrier, which has grown steadily over the last decade as a bedroom community for the Conway and Little Rock metro areas. If you’re up for a short detour, Greenbrier offers some nice local diners and antique shops that make for a great small-town stop.

This segment of AR-285 is not a major highway by any stretch, but it serves as a key connector for outdoor enthusiasts, residents, and those exploring the quieter side roads of the state. Whether you’re heading to Woolly Hollow for a weekend retreat or simply passing through, this brief drive gives you a taste of Arkansas’s wooded beauty and rural charm.