The route of 10.06 miles (16.19 km) runs from Highway 7 at Lake Hamilton east to Highway 171 west of Lake Catherine State Park.

The route begins a concurrency with Highway 128 and continues east to give access to boat ramps and docks.

After serving the unincorporated community of Red Oak, Highway 128 splits off to the north towards Hot Springs.

Highway 290 continues east to Highway 171, where it terminates west of Lake Catherine State Park.

Media related to Arkansas Highway 290 at Wikimedia Commons