Arkansas Crowley's Ridge
2016-07-21 The Delta of the Mississippi River is a flat alluvial plain which lends itself to great farming in rich bottomlands.There’s another feature within the Arkansas Delta that has an appeal to many riders seeking scenic backroad motorcycle routes and wanting a different riding experience — a rare geological landmark called Crowley’s Ridge.
Crowley’s Ridge is essentially a buildup of loess — windblown soils that accumulate and grow upwards in formations of 250-500 feet elevation above the often swampy areas of the Delta. It stretches for 150 miles, running roughly northeast-southwest. Many Delta towns in Arkansas were settled in areas alongCrowley’s Ridge, which they often found to be more habitable. The top of the ridge is predominantly oak and hickory timberland, studded with a patchwork of farms.
Crowley’s Ridge Parkway Scenic Byway runs alongside the ridge, up across it, and in some places, down through the middle of it. For the rider who wants to get off the beaten path, there are numerous state highways and county roads crisscrossing the uplift. The best way to experience Crowley’s Ridge is to take the byway, a technically easy ride of winding and scenic roads.
Following the rider’s paradigm — that anywhere you go is more fun on two wheels than four — a ride down along Crowley’s Ridge is an enjoyable, uniquely Arkansas experience.
Courtesy of Arkansas Motorcycling
