JH Caravan #1 - "Prize Drive of the Ozarks," September 17-19
Sample a tiny bit of the often-overlooked Arkansas Scenic JH and the Prize Drive to Joplin MO, both sections that started out as Ozark Trails paths. Group will gather Thursday in Bentonville for visiting world-class contemporary attractions such as Crystal Bridges (and other local museums) before settling in for the evening. Friday the group will traverse through scenic western Benton County to historic Ozark Playgrounds Association towns of Gravette and Sulphur Springs AR before crossing into Missouri to visit Noel, Lanagan and Anderson before rolling into Neosho for the evening where there will be a visit to Big Springs Park before experiencing your choice of eateries (all housed in historic buildings) that circle the downtown square.
Saturday morning will complete the route via the Neosho-Joplin Scenic Drive and going through Tipton Ford and Saginaw before continuing on to Joplin to meet up with JH Caravan #2, the Route 66 Association of Missouri Fall Motor Tour and other groups to kick-off our conference and start Saturday's activities.
Sept. 17 Lodging: The Block Hotel, 911 SE Walton Blvd., Bentonville AR. Rate for this night is $110.24 plus taxes and includes free hot breakfast. Make ONLINE reservations here. To call hotel, use 479-326-7623, and ask for Jefferson Highway rate. Manager is Chelly Davis. Reservations should be made by September 01 to access our block of rooms.
Sept. 18 Lodging: Big Spring Best Western, 1810 Southern View Dr., Neosho MO. Reservations must be made by calling hotel directly, 417-455-2300, and asking for Jefferson Highway Caravan rate of $99.99 plus taxes. This location also includes free hot breakfast. Reservations should be made by September 01 to access our block of rooms.
All meal stops will be self-pay. Reservations for designated lodgings are the responsibility of participants, and we will be listing special JH rates and reservation numbers/instructions on both JH Facebook pages and via emails to registrants during July. You may join us for one day or two as you prefer. (You are also welcome to make lodging reservations elsewhere in each town and Michele Hansford would be glad to help you locate alternatives.) REGISTRATION DEADLINE will be Sept. 01, 2026.
Fee is $20 per car for JH members and $30 for non-JH members (one guidebook per car). Most stops will be free and/or by donation, but some special exhibits at Crystal Bridges are by fee (main museum is free). Tours of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home on grounds at Crystal Bridges, does require advance reservation tour tickets. We will provide further information on options in late July and assist you in attaining any necessary advance tickets for special tours in Bentonville and/or other stop locations once detailed schedules have been released.
Caravan t-shirts will be available this summer and ordered at maker's online site and information, again, will be placed on website, FB pages, and emailed to JH members/registrants.
NOTE: Also note, this particular drive will include hilly and curvy terrain. Remember, it's the Ozarks!
