If you love the idea of seeing the peaks, canyons, lakes, rivers, streams, and rolling hills across the Ozarks region but lack the desire (or ability) to hike the trails — you’re in luck! There are several opportunities to take in the sights, both natural and tourist-driven, by car.

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The top Ozarks region driving tours provide plenty of places to pull off and take in stunning views of the natural geography, including waterfalls. These tours are terrific for mixed generation or mixed ability families.

Jean Petit State Park Scenic Drive

Since 1923, Jean Petit State Park has been a spot of beauty and inspiration nestled in the Arkansas Ozarks. The entire park encompasses 3,471 acres located approximately 50 miles from Little Rock.

While there are treasures hidden deep in the natural wooded mountainscape, you’ll also be able to take in some sights from the comfort of your car. The Jean Petit State Park driving tour includes miles of scenic roadway along with 15 curated stops inside and outside of the park, including:

• Museum of Automobiles
• Petit Jean’s Gravesite
• Petit Jean Airport
• Winrock International (Organization dedicated to global agriculture research)
• Winrock Farms
• Historic 1886 Lutheran Church & Camp
• Scenic Red Bluff Drive
• Mary Ann Richter Memorial Overlook
• CCC Overlook
• Lake Roosevelt & Lake Bailey
• CCC Native Rock Bridge
• John Walker Pioneer Cabin
• Cedar Falls Overlook (100 Yard hike from road)
• Historic Mather Lodge
• CCC Water Tower (Unique Rock Structure)
• Bear Cave Rock Formations
• Palisades Overlook

Glade Top National Forest Scenic Byway

The Mark Twain National Forest, which spans more than one million acres across the southern half of Missouri is also home to several scenic drives. Among them, the most notable drive is the Glade Top National Forest Scenic Byway which includes 10 notable stops.

Stops include:

• Hayden Park
• Smoke Tree Scene
• Arkansas View
• Watershed Divide
• Caney Picnic Area
• Willie Lee
• Wolf Junction
• Big Creek Basin
• Panorama
• McClung Glade

The Lake Tenkiller Loop & Scenic Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Did you know that Tahlequah, Oklahoma is home to the oldest main street in the state? On top of that unique claim-to-fame, the area is also home to Cherokee Nation filled with centuries of history and is just a few miles from an abundance of raw beauty at Lake Tenkiller.

In downtown Tahlequah, make some room for Presley’s Burgers or a cup of fresh grind coffee from DRIP. Spend some time shopping a unique collection of local shops before hitting the road via the Cherokee Hills Scenic Byway.

The journey begins on Route 10 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma offering spectacular views of the Illinois River. Then the route takes drivers through Gore, Oklahoma on Highway 100 and then into Cherokee Country on highway 82.

Travelers can experience breathtaking views along the shoreline of Lake Tenkiller and among the foothills of the Cookson mountains as the route heads through Cookson, Oklahoma. It then heads into West Siloam Springs, OK/Siloam Springs, AR where it ends the 86-mile route at the state line.

Stops Include:

• Natural Falls State Park
• Tahlequah History Trail
• Cherokee Heritage Center
• Trout Capital Mural in Gore, Oklahoma
• Blue Doors at Tenkiller (Art meets Unique Lodging)
• Talbot Library & Museum
• Pine Creek Cove State Park
• Garrett Historic Home
• Overstreet-Kerr Historic Farm
• Spiro Mounds Archeological State Park
• Fort Gibson Historic Site & Interpretive Center
• Fairfield Mansion
• Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
• Sycamore Springs Ranch

Make the most of your time in the Oklahoma Ozarks with a unique stay in a tiny home built out of a grain bin or a lakefront cabin. Find a vacation rental near Lake Tenkiller.

Plan Your Trip to See the Ozarks Today

If hiking, boating, floating, and generally spending too much time in the outdoors isn’t your ideal family vacation, there is an alternative. Here we have rounded up our favorite ways to see all the beauty that the Ozarks have to offer – by car. There are plenty of opportunities to eat well, shop, see the sights, and immerse yourself in culture and history throughout the area on your scenic driving tour. Get the best deals on a luxury rental car at Economybookings.com to add a flare of style to your travel.