Arkansas Highway 9: Eagle Mills to Malvern

Join us as we drive the 53-mile southern segment of Arkansas Highway 9 from the quiet rural outpost of Eagle Mills to the city streets of Malvern. This stretch of road captures a lesser-traveled path through central-southern Arkansas, blending pine-covered hills, rolling farmland, and a healthy dose of local charm. Beginning at the highway’s southern terminus in Eagle Mills—just southwest of Bearden—Arkansas 9 starts its journey northbound with a rural two-lane profile that perfectly suits the surrounding landscape.

Shortly after setting off, the highway enters Holly Springs, a small community that serves as a local hub for nearby residents. Here, AR-9 meets the junction with Arkansas Highway 122 and shifts from a northbound orientation to a more northeastward course. Continuing through sparsely populated countryside, the road intersects AR-273 and then AR-8 South—key regional connectors—before veering north again into the quiet crossroads town of Princeton. Princeton, though small, has historical significance as a former county seat and retains an old-town atmosphere that’s reflective of this part of the state.

Beyond Princeton, the route continues through rolling terrain toward Tulip, one of Arkansas’s oldest communities and a one-time contender for the state capital in the 19th century. Though most of Tulip’s population and early prosperity have long faded, a few remaining structures and cemeteries hint at its deep roots. At Tulip, AR-9 curves slightly northwest and meets Arkansas Highway 48 before heading toward Lono, a scenic but sleepy village that marks the final stretch of rural surroundings. Along the way, we cross AR-46 and AR-222, both serving as east-west lifelines in this section of the state.

As we leave Lono, the road begins its final push northwest toward Malvern. The scenery transitions gradually from thick pine forests and pastureland to more suburban textures. Entering Malvern—the county seat of Hot Spring County—Arkansas 9 becomes Main Street, threading through residential neighborhoods before reaching its northern terminus at U.S. Route 67 (Page Street). Though this video ends here, AR-9 itself continues north some 25 miles later, resuming near Crows at its intersection with AR-5, eventually making its way toward Clinton and Mountain View in the Ozarks.

While this route doesn’t have any major tourist attractions, it does offer a relaxing drive through quiet countryside. Travelers will enjoy stretches of solitude, a glimpse of Arkansas’s deeply rural character, and occasional scenic views over creeks and wooded ridges. If you’re looking for a peaceful backroad journey between Camden and Malvern—or just a scenic alternative to more heavily trafficked highways—this section of AR-9 delivers.

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