Arkansas Highway 155: Petit Jean State Park to Casa

Traveling Arkansas Highway 155 from Petit Jean State Park to Casa is a drive full of steep grades, winding turns, and natural beauty that showcases why this stretch of road is more than just a shortcut—it’s a scenic escape. Covering about 12 miles, this segment begins high atop Petit Jean Mountain and descends into the quiet town of Casa, making for a compact but memorable journey through the central Arkansas countryside.

Our drive begins at the intersection of Arkansas Highway 154 inside Petit Jean State Park, one of the state’s most beloved natural areas. This park is famous for its panoramic overlooks, hiking trails like the Cedar Falls Trail, and historic Mather Lodge, which sits near the mountain’s edge. As we head south on AR-155, the road immediately gets interesting—descending sharply along the south face of Petit Jean Mountain. With switchbacks and steep grades, this descent demands careful driving, especially for larger vehicles. The reward for tackling this challenging section is a front-row seat to the forested hillsides and dramatic drops that define the region.

After winding our way off the mountain, AR-155 passes the junction with Arkansas Highway 324, where the terrain begins to level out slightly. The road then curves westward, giving us a brief change in direction and a new perspective on the rural farmland that dominates the area between the mountain and the town of Casa. At the intersection with AR-247, we’re met with a reminder of just how interconnected Arkansas’s highway network is, even in its most rural corners. Turning south once again, Highway 155 crosses over Rose Creek, a small waterway that meanders through the foothills before feeding into the Petit Jean River. This part of the drive is quieter, flatter, and surrounded by farmland, with pastures and barns dotting the landscape.

As we approach Casa, a small town in Perry County, the highway straightens out and takes on the feel of a local main road. Though the town is small, it’s a classic example of rural Arkansas life, with a few churches, homes, and agricultural buildings lining the route. The segment of Arkansas Highway 155 ends at the intersection with Arkansas Highway 10, a larger east-west route that connects Perryville to the east and Danville to the west. From here, drivers can continue exploring the Ouachita Mountains or head back toward the Arkansas River Valley.

This short but varied route is one of those hidden gems that offers a mix of state park scenery, tight mountain driving, and tranquil countryside. It’s not for the faint of heart if you’re towing, but for anyone wanting to enjoy the landscape and test their driving skills a bit, it’s a must-ride—especially in the fall when the colors explode across the hillsides.

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