Travel with us as we drive 25 scenic miles north along Arkansas Highway 27, from the small town of Hector to the rustic community of Tilly, deep in the heart of the Ozark National Forest. This stretch offers a peaceful, forested escape that showcases the best of rural Arkansas and its winding mountain routes.
We kick things off in Hector, merging onto Highway 27 from Arkansas Highway 105. Hector itself is a quiet spot, but it’s the gateway to some of the region’s best natural scenery. Almost immediately, we roll north out of town and dive into the dense, rolling terrain of the Ozark National Forest. This part of the highway twists and climbs through thick hardwood forests, with the occasional clearing offering glimpses of the rugged hills that define this part of Pope County. For nature lovers, the area is a haven for deer, wild turkeys, and the occasional black bear sighting if you’re lucky — so keep your eyes peeled.
Roughly 20 miles into our drive, Highway 27 reaches a key junction with Arkansas Highway 16. Here, we hang a left to stay on 27 for a few more miles, cutting deeper into the hills just west of Tilly. This segment feels even more remote, with forest roads branching off into trails and camping areas popular with hikers and hunters alike. The road itself is a classic Ozark mountain drive: plenty of curves, elevation changes, and shady canopies overhead that make you feel a world away from the city.
As we approach Tilly, the forest starts to open up slightly, revealing the rugged homesteads and scattered farms that dot this highland area. Tilly is tiny but charming — more a cluster of houses and community buildings than a full town — but it’s a well-known waypoint for travelers exploring the Ozarks’ backroads. We wrap up our drive by turning east to roll right into Tilly, then cap off the journey by heading north again on Highway 16, which carries you even deeper into the forested hills if you want to continue the adventure.
🗺️ Route Map
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