Take a scenic ride through the Arkansas Delta as we follow U.S. Route 62 west from Corning to Pocahontas, a 27-mile journey across fertile farmlands, small towns, and quiet river valleys that echo the rhythms of a region shaped by agriculture and resilience.
Our drive begins in Corning, nestled along the banks of Black River in Clay County. As we depart the intersection where U.S. 62 pairs briefly with U.S. 67, the road unfurls westward across flat terrain defined by open fields and geometric rows of crops. This is rice and soybean country—land that thrives thanks to the meandering rivers and rich soil of northeast Arkansas. The railroad still runs parallel to parts of the highway, a silent partner in the town’s early economic development. Corning itself once thrived as a hub of timber and trade, and while much of that industry has faded, its presence lingers in the brick storefronts and rail-side warehouses as we roll out of town.
Soon we approach Datto, a tiny unincorporated community whose name is said to be derived from a railroad telegraph code. There’s little here beyond a scattering of homes and roadside outbuildings, but that’s part of the charm: this stretch of U.S. 62 offers an unfiltered view of the Delta’s quieter life, where time moves at the pace of the planting season. The land remains flat and open, dotted with the occasional grain silo or weathered barn. We cross into Randolph County just before reaching Reyno, a small town perched along the Current River. With a population of just a few hundred, Reyno serves as a local waypoint more than a destination, but it’s notable for its river access and proximity to the Dave Donaldson Black River Wildlife Management Area, a haven for waterfowl and hunters alike.
Continuing westward, the road gently curves through Biggers, another modest town that hugs the banks of the Current River. This part of the route offers glimpses of riparian forests and old river channels, where backwater sloughs glint through the trees. Here, the landscape begins to rise slightly in elevation, hinting at the transition from the Delta to the Ozark foothills. The road remains a two-lane affair but carries the weight of history—long serving as a corridor for farmers, travelers, and even Civil War movements. In Biggers, we pass a handful of roadside churches and family farms, each telling their own story in weathered wood and rusting equipment.
The final stretch into Pocahontas is a quiet crescendo. As we draw closer, the terrain becomes subtly hillier, the fields narrower, and the trees more frequent. By the time we approach the junction with U.S. 67, the landscape has clearly shifted from Delta to upland. Pocahontas, the seat of Randolph County, greets us with a blend of historic charm and modern development. Its downtown boasts a notable historic district with antebellum homes, and just beyond the highway lies Black River Overlook Park, a scenic riverside spot that celebrates the town’s connection to its waterways. The highway itself becomes more structured and trafficked as it meets the divided lanes of U.S. 67—a reminder that we’re entering a larger regional hub.
This drive may seem short on paper, but it speaks volumes through its subtle transitions and quiet beauty. It’s a road where cotton fields and rivers tell tales older than the asphalt itself—where every small town holds the echo of railroad whistles and front porch conversations. U.S. Route 62 from Corning to Pocahontas is a reminder that not all great journeys require mountains or monuments. Sometimes, it’s the stretch between two small towns that teaches us the most about a place and its people.
🎵 Music:
Piano March by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/
🗺️ Route Map
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