A free booklet that features scenic drives all around Arkansas is a must-have for explorers who love their rides on two or four wheels.

The Arkansas Motorcycle Guide is for travelers who prefer handlebars to steering wheel, but the 29 scenic routes outlined in the 131-page booklet can be enjoyed in the family sedan.

With this guide in hand, travelers can sample marquee routes from the Ozarks to the Delta. The routes visit remote forests and lakes, vast agricultural regions and major cities.

Nine of the scenic routes traverse northwest Arkansas with stops in major cities and small hamlets such as Ponca and Oark. Some take the famous Pig Trail Scenic Byway and the beautiful Mulberry River Road Scenic Byway featured in today’s NWA Outdoors.

The Pig Trail was even ranked #2 in the top 10 most scenic motorcycle rides in the country by USA Today, according to the guide. The Jasper Disaster and Scenic 71 Loop we featured in NWA Outdoors are included. Each scenic drive has its own map and detailed route descriptions. The distance of the route and the estimated running time are indicated.

Fans of less traveled highways should take full advantage of the Ozark Moonshine Run which begins in Jasper and goes deep into the Arkansas backcountry. He visits lightly traveled Arkansas 374 and Arkansas 123 in the boons near Mount Judea.

Ready for a leg-stretching hike along the way? This route passes through Sam’s Throne, a favorite rock climbing location that also has trails. There are trips that take around an hour and more ambitious routes of five hours or more.

The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism publishes the free guide available at state park visitor centers and other tourist destinations. We got ours from the rack of free brochures at the Rogers Historical Museum.

Department staff will even send you a guide. Just search for “arkansas free motorcycle guide”, fill in your address and a guide will be on the way. Or, if you prefer to browse a website, the guide is available at Arkansas.com.

No need to rush with so many stops along these routes. Who doesn’t love stopping for a great view on the rest stop. The guide includes a must-see list of roadside scenic vistas. There’s the Ozark Scenic Overlook along the Pig Trail, the Arkansas Grand Canyon south of Jasper, the Rotary Ann Overlook along Arkansas 7 near Sand Gap and more.

For leathers and handlebars, the guide lists Arkansas’ annual motorcycle rallies and rides, including the just-concluded Steel Horse Rally in Fort Smith and northwest Arkansas’ Bikes, Blues and BBQ. Fun for any Arkansas wanderer could be Mountains, Music and Motorcycles at Mountain View August 19-21.

It is located in the historic Stone County Courthouse Square, known for its bluegrass and country jam sessions. Parking around the square will be reserved for motorcycles only on the Saturday of the event.

It’s popular for wanderers to visit all 52 Arkansas state parks in a year. Another way to see the state is to take the guide’s 29 scenic drives in a year. First on the list is the Eureka Springs Arts and Heritage Tour, right here in our own backyard. Crank up the music and start with “On the Road Again” by Willie.

Flip Putthoff can be reached at [email protected]