Scenic driving up into Eastern LA, ARK and TN? (El Paso: homes, camping)

[rmissourimule]

I lived in East Texas for a decade. I think poster #2 has it about right. East Texas is vastly different than west Texas. Lot of pretty scenery if one knows where to look. But Arkansas is better and cooler.

Once you get up into Arkansas consider stopping in Glenwood for some of the best catfish you'll find anywhere. 30 miles up the road is Hot Springs and it is about 30 miles onto I30 and then you can go into Little Rock which is a piece of cake. Stay on it until you get onto I40 and then you can drive into Memphis. You don't want to get onto 530 or 630 as that will be out of your way. It is a bit tricky but you will know you are on the right highway as you pass a huge church on the left. Then stay on I40 to Memphis. But I think there may be some construction going on although I haven't been that way in a while.

Trying to see how you might bypass Texarkana to get onto 71. You might want to avoid it if possible. If you can, then you can go up and eventually through Mt. Ida and some very pretty scenery. I think Highway 27 is in there somewhere. I drove up to Fort Smith recently from Hot Springs and it was just stunning along the way. And there are many more drives in Arkansas well worth exploring if you have the time. Highways 7 and 23 come to mind. You could go up to Russellville from Hot Springs on 7 instead of going back to I30 and then double back on I40 bypassing Little Rock altogether.

[annie_himself]

Don't think anyone has mentioned Toledo Bend, worth checking out.

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

Don't think anyone has mentioned Toledo Bend, worth checking out.

I think we can all agree that there's a lot to see between Houston and Nashville and a thousand ways to get from Point A to Point B. I honestly think you can't go wrong with the Ouachitas, though.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by Nairobi

I think we can all agree that there's a lot to see between Houston and Nashville and a thousand ways to get from Point A to Point B. I honestly think you can't go wrong with the Ouachitas, though.

No you cannot, especially us being from the Gulf Coast. I've taken 59 up to Shreveport then went up to Little Rock, there was pretty rolling hills and tall timbers but I think I'd rather see the 5th largest man-made reservoir in the country, largest in the area. Compared to the rest of the trip, hills are a given. But I just love looking at large bodies of water. I've been to Hot Springs and it was amazing, quaint downtown they have.

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

No you cannot, especially us being from the Gulf Coast. I've taken 59 up to Shreveport then went up to Little Rock, there was pretty rolling hills and tall timbers but I think I'd rather see the 5th largest man-made reservoir in the country, largest in the area. Compared to the rest of the trip, hills are a given. But I just love looking at large bodies of water. I've been to Hot Springs and it was amazing, quaint downtown they have.

Toledo Bend is very special, and it's a shame most Texans don't even seem to know about it. East Texas is incredibly underrated.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

No you cannot, especially us being from the Gulf Coast. I've taken 59 up to Shreveport then went up to Little Rock, there was pretty rolling hills and tall timbers but I think I'd rather see the 5th largest man-made reservoir in the country, largest in the area. Compared to the rest of the trip, hills are a given. But I just love looking at large bodies of water. I've been to Hot Springs and it was amazing, quaint downtown they have.

I drove to Shreveport and up to Texarkana and it was the same than going up 59 except that the speed limit in Texas is about 70 and in Louisiana about 55.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by Nairobi

Toledo Bend is very special, and it's a shame most Texans don't even seem to know about it. East Texas is incredibly underrated.

Maybe because our side is more populated. People here have camps there or rent cabins. Never heard much about the Texas side.

Originally Posted by Dopo

I drove to Shreveport and up to Texarkana and it was the same than going up 59 except that the speed limit in Texas is about 70 and in Louisiana about 55.

You mean on Hwy 71? Soon I-49 will be complete and the speed limit back up to 70. I don't recall a 70mph speed limit on Hwy 59 though.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

Maybe because our side is more populated. People here have camps there or rent cabins. Never heard much about the Texas side.

You mean on Hwy 71? Soon I-49 will be complete and the speed limit back up to 70. I don't recall a 70mph speed limit on Hwy 59 though.

Here's one Marshall, Texas

I always think is funny that the little road between Mt. Enterprise and Carthage the speed limit is 70MPH
That's gotta be the highest speed limit for a country road

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by Dopo

Here's one Marshall, Texas

I always think is funny that the little road between Mt. Enterprise and Carthage the speed limit is 70MPH
That's gotta be the highest speed limit for a country road

DANG.

That's nonsense but I like it.

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

Maybe because our side is more populated. People here have camps there or rent cabins. Never heard much about the Texas side.

It's the same thing on this side of border, as far as recreation goes. Pretty much the entirety of the Texas side is in the Sabine National Forest, and there really isn't much of a population in the vicinity.