Arkansas Highway 9: Perryville to Williams Junction

Hop in as we cruise south for about 10 miles along Arkansas Highway 9, taking in a quiet but scenic stretch from the small town of Perryville down to Williams Junction. This short but rewarding drive shows off a slice of the Ouachita Mountains’ northern edge while threading through forested hills and tucked-away communities that many folks just pass by unnoticed.

We roll out from downtown Perryville, a peaceful spot where AR-9 intersects with AR-60 on the west side of town. Right after leaving Perryville’s modest grid of streets, we cross the Fouche La Fave River — a name that’s every bit as Arkansas as it sounds — and from here the landscape starts its gentle climb into the lower folds of the Ouachitas. Even though we’re not climbing to any grand peaks, the road winds over rolling hills that hint at the larger mountain ranges just to the south and west.

About halfway through our drive, we pass through Thornburg — more of a scattering of homes and farms than a town proper — but charming nonetheless. This area is all about rural tranquility: wooded patches broken up by small clearings, farm fences, and the occasional old church. Just past Thornburg, we meet Arkansas Highway 324, a local connector that swings west toward more foothills and Lake Sylvia. From here, Highway 9 tips slightly downhill, coasting us off the ridgeline and easing us toward Williams Junction.

As we roll into Williams Junction, the road flattens out again, giving way to a blend of forest edges and open stretches. Here, Highway 10 crosses our path, offering a quick hop east toward Little Rock or west back toward the heart of the Ouachitas and towns like Ola. Meanwhile, Highway 9 keeps right on heading south for travelers bound deeper into Arkansas’ central highlands.

For drivers who love a quieter side of Arkansas, this piece of AR-9 is a pleasant surprise: no tourist crowds, just winding blacktop, wooded vistas, and a glimpse of life tucked into the Ouachita foothills. If you’ve got time, consider detouring to nearby Lake Sylvia for camping or a picnic, or take a side drive on AR-324 to discover more hidden corners of Perry County.