Missouri Supplemental Highway P: Arkansas State Line to Eagle Rock

Take a backroads journey across state lines as we follow Missouri Supplemental Route P from the Arkansas border into the lakeside village of Eagle Rock, Missouri. Though just a mile long, this short but distinctive segment captures the quiet beauty of the Ozarks and serves as a connecting thread between two scenic drives—Arkansas Highway 23 to the south and Missouri Route 86 to the north.

Our journey begins at the Arkansas-Missouri state line, where Arkansas Highway 23 becomes Missouri Supplemental Route P. This transition is barely marked, save for a subtle change in signage style and a new mile marker. The setting is serene: rolling hills draped in forest canopy, with the faint scent of cedar and oak on the air. We’re in the deep Ozarks now, a region shaped by ancient geology and dotted with limestone bluffs, winding creeks, and the occasional grazing pasture peeking through the trees.

As we move north along Route P, the road twists gently, reflecting the rugged topography it was built to traverse. The pavement is narrow but well-maintained, flanked on either side by dense woods and scattered rural homesteads. Despite its brevity, the route offers a surprising sense of seclusion—an old-school driving experience that’s increasingly rare in our fast-lane world. It’s the kind of place where the radio gets fuzzy, time slows down, and even a one-mile stretch can feel like a meditative escape.

We soon approach the outskirts of Eagle Rock, a quaint village perched near the western edge of Table Rock Lake. As Route P meets Missouri Route 86 at the northern end of our drive, we find ourselves at a gateway to both recreation and history. Route 86 runs east-west here, connecting travelers to nearby Cassville, Shell Knob, and the resort communities that dot the lake’s shoreline. Eagle Rock itself is home to a small marina, a popular campground, and the Eagle Rock Retreat Center, which offers panoramic views and spiritual respite for visitors.

Though only a mile in length, Missouri Supplemental Route P serves as a vital thread between states, highways, and communities. It may not earn a line in most guidebooks, but it embodies the connective charm of rural American roads—a simple stretch that bridges landscapes, people, and eras. Crossing it feels like opening a hidden doorway, not just to another state, but to another state of mind.