Take a backroads journey through central Arkansas as we explore a 7-mile segment of the Arkansas River Trail in Faulkner County. This peaceful stretch follows Rocky Gap Road, Old Military Road, and McNutt Road—quiet corridors that thread through woodlands, pastures, and neighborhoods on the outskirts of Conway. With a mix of rural charm and historical undertones, this drive offers a brief but scenic detour just west of the more traveled arteries of the region.
We begin our route turning north onto Rocky Gap Road from Lollie Road, west of Mayflower and just a stone’s throw from the Arkansas River’s meandering path. Almost immediately, the countryside takes center stage: broad fields roll out on either side, interspersed with stands of pine and hardwood that hint at the region’s natural heritage. The road is narrow, two-laned, and pleasantly winding, giving the sense of a local shortcut—one once known mainly to farmers, anglers, and longtime residents. As we pass the scattered homes and outbuildings of the Rocky Gap community, it’s easy to imagine a slower-paced era.
As we leave the last of the barns and tree-lined pastures behind, Rocky Gap Road quietly transitions into Old Military Road. The name itself is a nod to 19th-century routes that once linked frontier outposts across Arkansas; though now paved and residential in nature, the alignment may follow an earlier wagon path that once carried soldiers, settlers, and supplies through this part of the state. Our surroundings become more wooded, and subtle elevation changes add a touch of topography to the drive. Shortly before reaching Conway’s outer neighborhoods, we cross Donnell Ridge Road—a reminder that we’re entering a growing city from the quiet fringe.
The final leg of our trip begins where Old Military Road becomes McNutt Road, just inside the Conway city limits. Here, the landscape transitions again—from rural buffer zone to established suburb. Homes become more frequent, traffic picks up, and sidewalks appear. We’re no longer in the hills and hollows, but in a well-developed corridor leading into west Conway’s commercial district. Just a few blocks ahead, we reach the route’s end at the intersection with Arkansas Highway 60—also known as Dave Ward Drive—a major east-west thoroughfare that connects Conway with the Arkansas River crossings and towns to the west. From here, the Arkansas River Trail continues in spirit, if not signage, tying into the broader regional effort to provide scenic, multimodal routes across central Arkansas.
Though modest in length, this segment of the Arkansas River Trail captures the varied character of Faulkner County: from riverine backroads and fading rural enclaves to the modern sprawl of Conway’s outer edges. It’s a microcosm of change, where past and present meet on roads that may once have been trodden by wagons, and are now cruised by cyclists, commuters, and curious travelers alike.
🗺️ Route Map
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