November 18, 2025 (Tue.) - Riding the Pig Trail and Beyond!
Today’s adventure took us along the Pig Trail Scenic Byway (AR 23), one of Arkansas’s most famous motorcycle routes. It winds through the Ozark National Forest and connects with other scenic highways, AR 16 (Ozark Highlands Skyway) and AR 7 (Scenic 7 Byway). With warm weather and a forecasted high of 81°, it was the perfect day to ride.
Lynn was up at 7:00, trying to work on the blog but ran into frustrating issues with the hosting site’s Captcha security. No links, no clear instructions—just “unblock challenges.” After googling how to do this – clearing caches, adjusting settings, and adding sites to the safe list – nothing seemed to help. Kirk, up unusually early at 7:45, reassured her it was probably just the website itself. Sure enough, about an hour later, the site was working again, though we’re not sure if Lynn’s fixes made the difference or if it simply resolved on its own.
By 9:30 we were geared up and ready to ride. The morning air hovered in the low 70s—crisp, sunny, and perfect for the road. The Pig Trail lived up to its reputation, serving up twisting curves, winding stretches, shaded tunnels of trees, and the occasional small town tucked into the Ozarks. This 19‑mile stretch of Highway 23 cuts through the Ozark National Forest, celebrated for its steep grades, sharp turns, and breathtaking scenery. The byway earned its nickname “Pig Trail” because University of Arkansas Razorbacks fans often used it as a shortcut to Fayetteville for football games. The name stuck, and today it’s one of the most recognized rides in the state.
We likely missed peak fall colors by a week or two, but flashes of vibrant reds and golds still clung to the hillsides, even as much of the foliage had begun to fade. It was easy to imagine how spectacular the ride would have been at its peak. Still, after soaking in the brilliant autumn displays in Tennessee and North Carolina earlier this month, we couldn’t complain. The Pig Trail, AR 16 and AR 7 were still gorgeous.
We returned to the RV around 2:45, relaxed with some TV, and Kirk booked our next stop in Oklahoma. Lynn sorted through the day’s photos—about 230 kept after deleting half. A much lighter load compared to the 800+ shots from the Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway ride.
The evening was simple: dinner in the RV, more relaxing, and reflecting on a long but beautiful day. The Pig Trail (and beyond) lived up to its reputation, giving us another unforgettable ride.
Weather – High 81*, Low 56*. Winds 5-14 mph with 26 mph gusts. No rain, no humidity.
Traffic – None.
Food – Nothing to report.
Notable – Pig Trail Ride (AR 23) , AR 16 & AR 7 Scenic Byways.
