Arkansas Highway 164: Clarksville to Coal Hill

Join us as we explore a scenic stretch of western Arkansas along Arkansas Highway 164, traveling 9 laid-back miles from the outskirts of Clarksville to the small community of Coal Hill. This short route packs in a surprising variety of local scenery and serves as a quiet connector between the rural hills, creeks, and farm communities north of Interstate 40.

We kick things off at the junction with AR-103, just northwest of downtown Clarksville. From here, Highway 164 rolls westward through gently rolling farmland and tree-lined homesteads. Not far down the road, we pass the turnoff for Horsehead Lake—one of the area’s local spots for fishing and picnicking if you feel like taking a quick detour to stretch your legs or cast a line. After Horsehead Lake, the highway bends southwest for about a mile, providing occasional glimpses of distant Ozark ridgelines, before easing southward into the community of Hunt.

Passing through Hunt, we find ourselves surrounded by a classic Arkansas rural landscape: quiet pastures, occasional old barns, and that timeless sense of small-town calm. In Hunt, Highway 164 meets AR-352. The two routes briefly run together, forming a short concurrency where locals might wave from their porches as we glide by. A quick jog east brings us to the intersection with AR-342—a handy connector for folks heading deeper into the surrounding countryside.

Beyond AR-342, we cross the modest span over Ditty Creek, a reminder of how these waterways carve out the valleys that give this region its rolling charm. Staying on AR-164, it’s just another half mile or so before we approach the interchange with Interstate 40, our final destination on this drive. Here, we swing onto the eastbound on-ramp for I-40, ready to merge back into the quicker pace of interstate travel. For those continuing west, Coal Hill lies just beyond, a quiet little town known mostly to locals and passersby alike.

Arkansas Highway 164 may not be a long route, but it’s a worthwhile detour if you enjoy quiet roads that reveal everyday snapshots of rural Arkansas life. Whether you’re angling at Horsehead Lake, exploring Hunt’s backroads, or using this connector to hop back on I-40, this short drive has a charm that bigger highways often overlook.