{{short description|Highway in Arkansas}} {{Use American English|date=March 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox road |state = AR |type = AR |route = 23 |alternate_name = Pig Trail Scenic Byway |map = Arkansas 23.png |maint = ArDOT |established = 1926 |length_mi = 133.9 |length_ref = <ref name="db">"[Arkansas] State Highways 2009 (Database)." April 2010. AHTD: Planning and Research Division. [http://www.arkansashighways.com/planning_research/technical_services/databases/Arkansas_Roadlog_2009.zip Database.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707161957/http://www.arkansashighways.com/planning_research/technical_services/databases/Arkansas_Roadlog_2009.zip |date=2011-07-07 }} Retrieved May 28, 2011.</ref> |direction_a = South |direction_b = North |terminus_a = {{jct|state=AR|US|71}} near Elm Park |junction = {{jct|state=AR|AR|10}} in Booneville<br />{{jct|state=AR|US|64}} in Ozark<br />{{jct|state=AR|I|40}} in Ozark<br />{{jct|state=AR|US|412}} in Huntsville<br />{{jct|state=AR|US|62}} in Eureka Springs |terminus_b = {{jct|state=MO|Supp|P}} at the Missouri state line near Holiday Island |counties = Scott, Logan, Franklin, Madison, Carroll |previous_type = AR |previous_route = 22 |next_type = AR |next_route = 24 }}

'''Arkansas Highway 23''' ('''AR 23''') is a north–south state highway in north Arkansas. The route runs {{convert|133.9|mi|km}} from U.S. Route 71 (US 71) north of Elm Park north to the Missouri state line through Ozark and Eureka Springs.<ref name="car" >{{Cite map |publisher=Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |title=General Highway Map |url=http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/CarrollCounty.pdf |edition=Carroll County |accessdate=May 28, 2011 }}</ref> Between Highway 16 at Brashears and Interstate 40 (I-40) north of Ozark, Highway 23 winds through the Ozark National Forest and is designated as the '''Pig Trail Scenic Byway''' due to its steep hills and hairpin turns. The route has a strong connection with the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, connecting fans in Central Arkansas with the Northwest Arkansas area.<ref>"Pig Trail Scenic Byway Overview." America's Byways. United States Department of Transportation. [http://www.byways.org/stories/65886 Overview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910124717/http://byways.org/stories/65886 |date=2013-09-10 }} Retrieved 2011-05-28.</ref>

==Route description== [[Image:Arkansas Highway 23 southbound, Ozark Arkansas.jpg|thumb|left|Southbound in Ozark, Arkansas]]

Highway 23 begins at US 71 north of Elm Park and runs northeast to Booneville.<ref name="sco" >{{Cite map |publisher=Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |title=General Highway Map |url=http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/ScottCounty.pdf |edition=Scott County |accessdate=May 28, 2011 }}</ref> The route intersects Highway 116 south of Booneville then crosses Highway 10 in Booneville before continuing north into Franklin County.<ref name="log" >{{Cite map |publisher=Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |title=General Highway Map |url=http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/LoganCounty.pdf |edition=Logan County |accessdate=May 28, 2011 }}</ref> Highway 23 travels through the Ouachita National Forest, winding through mountains and through thick woods.<ref>"Ouachita National Forest Map." [http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/maps/documents/Forest_Map.pdf Map.] Retrieved 2009-10-03.</ref>

Highway 23 eventually meets Highway 22 in Caulksville and Highway 41 near Chismville after which the route runs north across the Arkansas River to Ozark. Highway 23 meets US 64 in downtown Ozark and I-40 north of town.<ref name="fra" >{{Cite map |publisher=Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |title=General Highway Map |url=http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/FranklinCounty.pdf |edition=Franklin County |accessdate=May 28, 2011 }}</ref> The route next enters Ozark National Forest. Highway 23 meets Highway 16 north of the forest west St. Paul where the two roads run concurrent.

Northeast of St Paul, Highway 23 and Highway 16 split and Highway 23 continues north through Madison County, meeting Highway 74 south of Huntsville and US 412B in Huntsville.<ref name="mad" >{{Cite map |publisher=Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |title=General Highway Map |url=http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/MadisonCounty.pdf |edition=Madison County |accessdate=May 28, 2011 }}</ref> North of town, Highway 23 crosses US 412. Highway 23 next passes Withrow Springs State Park, Highway 127 and Highway 12 before intersecting US 62 in Eureka Springs. Highway 23 and US 62 have a short concurrency before 23 turns north, passing Highway 187 near Holiday Island before terminating at the Missouri state line, where it continues as Supplemental Route P.

==Major intersections== Mile markers reset at some concurrencies. {{jcttop|length_ref=<ref name="db" />}} {{ARint |county=Scott |location=none<!--outside Elm Park per green signs--> |mile=0.0 |road={{Jct|state=AR|US|71|city1=Waldron|city2=Fort Smith}} |notes=Southern terminus }} {{ARint |county=Logan |cspan=6 |location=none |mile=13.5 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|116|dir1=east|location1=Booneville Human Development Center}} |notes=Western terminus of AR 116 }} {{ARint |location=Booneville |lspan=2 |mile=15.5 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|217|dir1=south|name1=East Magazine Street}} |notes=Northern terminus of AR 217 }} {{ARint |mile=15.9 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|10|name1=Main Street|location1=Mount Magazine State Park}} }} {{ARint |location=none |mile=17.0 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|116|dir1=east}} |notes=Western terminus of AR 116 }} {{ARint |location=Chismville<!--maybe--> |mile=22.7 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|217|dir1=north|city1=Charleston}} |notes=Southern terminus of AR 217 }} {{ARint |location=none |mile=23.1 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|41|dir1=north|city1=Branch}} |notes=Southern terminus of AR 41 }} {{Jctco|state=AR|county=Franklin}} {{ARint |county=Logan |cspan=2 |location=Caulksville |lspan=2 |mile=29.7 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|398<!--no direction signed-->}} }} {{ARint |mile=31.1 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|22|city1=Fort Smith|city2=Paris}} }} {{ARint |county=Franklin |cspan=10 |location=none |mile=35.4 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|288|to2=to|AR|41|city1=Roseville}} }} {{ARint |location=none |mile=41.7 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|96|dir1=west|city1=Cecil}} |notes=Eastern terminus of AR 96 }} {{ARint |location=Webb City |mile=43.2 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|309|dir1=south|location1=Mount Magazine State Park}} |notes=Northern terminus of AR 309 }} {{jctbridge |location=none |bridge=Ozark Bridge over Arkansas River }} {{ARint |type=concur |location=Ozark|lspan=4 |mile=44.5 |road={{Jct|state=AR|US|64|dir1=east|name=West Commercial Street|city1=Clarksville}} |notes=Southern end of US 64 concurrency }} {{ARint |type=concur |mile=0.0 |road={{Jct|state=AR|US|64|dir1=west|name=West Commercial Street|city1=Alma}} |notes=Northern end of US 64 concurrency }} {{ARint |mile=1.1 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|96|dir1=east|name1=Airport Road|location1=Airport}} |notes=Western terminus of AR 96 }} {{ARint |mile=3.2 |road={{Jct|state=AR|I|40|city1=Fort Smith|city2=Little Rock}} |notes=Exit 35 on I-40 }} {{ARint |location_special=White Oak |mile=4.8 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|352|dir1=east}} |notes=Western terminus of AR 352 }} {{ARint |location_special=Cass<!--maybe--> |mile=17.2 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|215|dir1=north}} |notes=Southern terminus of AR 215 }} {{ARint |type=concur |county=Madison|cspan=12 |location=Brashears |mile=27.7 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|16|dir1=west|city1=Fayetteville}} |notes=Southern end of AR 16 concurrency }} {{ARint |type=concur |location=none |mile=31.5 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|16|dir1=east|city1=Pettigrew}} |notes=Northern end of AR 16 concurrency }} {{ARint |location=Aurora |mile=45.0 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|127|dir1=south<!--or east?-->}} |notes=Northern terminus of AR 127 }} {{ARint |location=none |mile=47.8 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|74|dir1=east|location1=Kingston}} |notes=Western terminus of AR 74 }} {{ARint |location=Huntsville|lspan=3 |mile=52.2 |road={{Jct|state=AR|to1=to|US|412B|dab1=Huntsville|dir1=west|location1=Huntsville Business District}} |notes=Access via AR 23C }} {{ARint |type=concur |mile=52.5 |road={{Jct|state=AR|US|412B|dab1=Huntsville|dir1=west|location1=Huntsville Business District}} |notes=Southern end of US 412B concurrency }} {{ARint |type=concur |mile=0.0 |road={{Jct|state=AR|US|412B|dab1=Huntsville|dir1=east|city1=Alpena}} |notes=Northern end of US 412B concurrency }} {{ARint |location=none |mile=1.9 |road={{Jct|state=AR|US|412|to2=to|US|62|city1=Springdale}} |notes=Interchange }} {{ARint |location=none |mile=4.2 |road=Withrow Springs State Park |notes=Access via AR 23W north }} {{ARint |location=Forum|lspan=2 |road=Withrow Springs State Park |notes=Access via AR 23W south }} {{ARint |road={{jct|state=AR|AR|127|dir1=south|city1=Alabam}} |notes=Northern terminus of AR 127 }} {{ARint |location=none |mile=15.7 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|12|dir1=west|to2=to|AR|127|city1=Clifty}} |notes=Eastern terminus of AR 12 }} {{ARint |type=concur |county=Carroll |cspan=4 |location=Eureka Springs|lspan=2 |mile=25.9 |road={{Jct|state=AR|US|62|dir1=east|city1=Harrison}} |notes=Southern end of US 62 concurrency }} {{ARint |type=concur |mile=0.0 |road={{Jct|state=AR|US|62|dir1=west|name=Van Buren Street|city1=Beaver Dam|city2=Rogers|city3=Bentonville<!--signed at the other end of the overlap-->}} |notes=Northern end of US 62 concurrency }} {{ARint |location=none |mile=4.6 |road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|187|dir1=south<!--direction not signed here-->|city1=Beaver<!--signed back at US 62 west-->}} |notes=Northern terminus of AR 187 }} {{ARint |location=none |mile=11.0 |road={{Jct|state=MO|Supp|P|dir1=north|county1=Barry}} |notes=Continuation into Missouri }} {{jctbtm|keys=concur}} {{Infobox road small |state=AR |type=AR |route=23C |length_mi=0.23 |length_round=2 |length_ref=<ref name="db" /> |location=Huntsville }}

==Huntsville city route== '''Arkansas Highway&nbsp;23C''' ('''AR&nbsp;23C''') is an unsigned city route in Huntsville.<ref name="db" /> The route is {{convert|0.23|mi|km}} beginning at Highway&nbsp;23. It travels north and turns east, continuing west as US 412B. After briefly traveling to the east, the highway terminates at Highway&nbsp;23 near the beginning of a concurrency with US 412B. {{Clear}}

==Highway 23W== {{Infobox road small |state=AR |type=AR |route=23W |length_mi=2.65 |length_round=2 |length_ref=<ref name="db" /> |formed=November 22, 1966<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arkansashighways.com/minute_orders/Mo53-69.pdf |title=Minutes of the Meeting |date=November 22, 1966 |publisher=Arkansas State Highway Commission |page=563 |access-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-date=October 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001143728/http://www.arkansashighways.com/minute_orders/Mo53-69.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> |location=Withrow Springs State Park }} thumb|left|Northern terminus of Highway 23W at Forum. Highway 23W continues south (left) from this point.

'''Arkansas Highway&nbsp;23W''' ('''AR&nbsp;23W''') is a {{Convert|2.65|mi|km|adj=on}} long north–south loop west of Highway&nbsp;23 in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Arkansas. Its southern terminus is at Highway&nbsp;23 south of Withrow Springs State Park. Its northern terminus is at an intersection with Highway&nbsp;23 just south of Highway&nbsp;127 at Forum, {{Convert|7|mi|km}} north of Huntsville. The highway serves as the primary north-south access road to the state park. {{Clear}}

==See also== * {{Portal-inline|United States}} * {{Portal-inline|U.S. roads}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Attached KML|display=title,inline}} {{commons category-inline|Arkansas Highway 23}}

023 Category:Transportation in Scott County, Arkansas Category:Transportation in Logan County, Arkansas Category:Transportation in Franklin County, Arkansas Category:Transportation in Madison County, Arkansas Category:Transportation in Carroll County, Arkansas