Join us as we drive 11 scenic miles east along Arkansas Highway 10, rolling out from the heart of Danville and winding our way to the small town of Ola. This stretch might be short on big cities, but it’s long on quiet country charm and forested beauty that gives this corner of Arkansas its laid-back appeal.
We begin our journey right in Danville, turning east onto Highway 10 where it’s joined briefly with Arkansas Highway 27. This town is a classic slice of rural Arkansas — a few local shops, friendly folks, and plenty of rolling hills in every direction. Not long after we leave the town limits, the highway skirts the northern fringe of the Ouachita National Forest. It’s easy to miss the official boundary sign, but you’ll know you’ve hit forest country when the roadside fills in with tall pines and oaks arching over the pavement. There’s even a quick cut through a small finger of the forest, giving us a taste of the deep woods that stretch for miles just to the south.
As we cruise along, the landscape opens up to farmland dotted with pastures and the occasional grazing cattle. This mix of forest and fields is a signature look for Yell County. Just off the route to the south, adventurous types can branch off to check out Mount Nebo State Park — a local favorite for hiking and stunning valley overlooks, only a few minutes’ detour if you have the time. Back on Highway 10, we ease into a gentle southeast curve, rolling past quiet homesteads and hints of the forest retreating in the rearview mirror.
Before we know it, the rooftops and water towers of Ola come into view. It’s a small but welcoming spot, with just enough local flavor to make it a neat pit stop. In town, Highway 10 runs right into a brief overlap with the well-traveled Arkansas Highway 7. We hang a right here, following both highways south for a short stretch until we reach the familiar Y-shaped junction where Highway 10 officially splits from Highway 7. Here’s where our drive wraps up, right at the southern edge of Ola — but for anyone curious, staying on Highway 7 will carry you deeper into the Ouachitas or north toward Dardanelle and the Arkansas River.
This route might be more about the journey than the destination, but that’s exactly why we love roads like Arkansas Highway 10. It’s a mellow drive, an easy connection between towns, and a reminder that sometimes the best parts of Arkansas aren’t along the interstates at all.
🗺️ Route Map
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