What is the Arkansas Grand Canyon?
The Arkansas Grand Canyon, also called the Grand Canyon of the Ozarks, is the vast valley you see from Scenic Highway 7 just south of Jasper. It isn't one carved gorge like Arizona's. It's a wide basin of forested ridges stacked layer on layer toward the horizon. The most famous vantage point is beside the Cliff House Inn, where the land drops away from the highway and the view opens up.
How far is it from Bearly Earth?
The overlook is about 20 min (10 mi) north of the cabin on the way to Jasper, making it the closest marquee sight to Bearly Earth. It's an easy stop on any trip into town, and close enough to drive up just for sunrise.
When to go
- Sunrise and early morning: fog often fills the valley floor, leaving the ridges floating above it.
- Fall color: late October into early November turns the whole basin red, orange and gold.
- Spring: fresh green ridges and dogwoods along the byway.
- Winter: with the leaves down, you can see the shape of the mountains, and the crowds are gone.
Tips for visiting
The classic view is beside the Cliff House Inn, a private business that serves meals with a view of the canyon. The easiest way to enjoy it is to stop in as a customer, and be respectful of their parking. Scenic Point, a separate stop on Highway 7 closer to Jasper, looks over the Little Buffalo and Buffalo River valleys and is worth a second pull-off. Highway 7 is steep and curvy here, so pull completely off the road and watch for motorcycles, which love this stretch.
Scenic 7: Arkansas's first scenic byway
The overlook is a highlight of the Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway, the state's first designated scenic byway. Its Ozark section climbs through the Ozark National Forest past Rotary Ann Overlook, the Arkansas Grand Canyon and Jasper's square on its way north to Harrison. From Bearly Earth you're in the middle of the best part, and on a clear evening the view from the cabin's porch and lawn is pretty spectacular too.
