Take a scenic ride into the heart of Arkansas timber country as we follow a winding 16-mile stretch of Arkansas Highway 7 from the college town of Arkadelphia to the lakeside hamlet of Bismarck. This drive—cutting through small towns, forested corridors, and lakeside vistas—offers a relaxed and evocative glimpse into the rhythm of life in south-central Arkansas.
We begin our journey at the corner of Caddo Street and 10th Street in Arkadelphia, near the campus of Ouachita Baptist University, a longstanding cornerstone of the town’s identity. Heading north on Arkansas Highway 7, we pass the stately academic buildings and tree-lined blocks that echo the town’s role as both a cultural and educational center. After a short distance, we approach the interchange with Interstate 30—a major east-west artery connecting Little Rock to Texarkana. This junction marks the edge of Arkadelphia proper and the beginning of our departure into the quieter, more rural terrain beyond.
Just past the interstate, we enter the town of Caddo Valley. Though small, it serves as a key junction point for travelers exploring the nearby DeGray Lake Resort State Park, Arkansas’s only resort state park. The road here begins to flirt with the Caddo River, and the landscape shifts—gradually replacing town blocks and roadside businesses with pine-covered slopes and glimpses of water through the trees. This is where the route begins to show its scenic potential. While the road is modest and undivided, its surroundings more than make up for it. Towering pines, hardwood stands, and glimpses of wildlife punctuate the drive, with the occasional sign pointing the way to a trailhead, boat ramp, or campground.
As we press farther north, we skirt the western edge of DeGray Lake itself—though not always in full view, the lake’s presence is felt in the rolling contours of the land and the occasional break in the forest revealing brilliant blue water. This portion of the route is especially popular with campers, fishermen, and weekend road-trippers. DeGray’s proximity brings an uptick in RV parks, bait shops, and small motels—visible reminders of the recreational economy that sustains many of these rural communities.
Soon we descend slightly into the town of Bismarck, a loosely gathered settlement that serves as a gateway to several regional attractions. At the junction with Arkansas Highway 84, our drive comes to an end. This crossroads is modest in appearance but significant for travelers continuing west toward Hot Springs or east toward Social Hill and Malvern. Bismarck’s charm lies in its slower pace, local eateries, and small-town hospitality—elements that have remained largely unchanged for decades.
This short segment of Highway 7 is more than just a connector between towns—it’s a transitional corridor between college-town vibrancy and lakeside serenity, between the hum of student life and the hush of a pinewood shoreline. Whether you’re beginning a camping trip or simply enjoying the winding road on a sunny day, the route from Arkadelphia to Bismarck serves as a gentle introduction to the scenic riches that await farther north along this storied highway.
Note: The video’s title card contains a minor misspelling of “Bismarck” (rendered as “Bismark”).
An updated version of much of this route can be found here
🗺️ Route Map
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