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Wolf Pen Gap ATV Trail
Winding Stairs Trail
Black Fork Mountain Trail
Brushy Creek Loop
Caney Creek Trail
Little Missouri Trail
Lover's Leap Trail
Tall Peak Trail
Earthquake Ridge Trail
Mill Creek Equestrian Trail
Ouachita Trail
Charlton
Winding Stair Equestrian
Possum Kingdom
Wildcat Mountain
Wolf Pen Gap
Caney Creek
Big Brushy
Womble Biking Trail
Eagle Rock Loop
Athens/Big Fork
Little Missouri
Wolf Pen Gap ATV Trail--A four-wheeler, dirt bike and mountain bike trail that is about 50 miles in length. Many logging roads have been used to form part of this trail system, and riders will see signs of recent logging in the National Forest and on private lands.
Old mines can be found along the trail system, where miners explored for gold, silver, and manganese. Some trails enter the Caney Creek Wildlife Management Area, managed in cooperation with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Important resources along the trail include vegetation, soil and water. Several mountain top areas are home to rare plants, and these sites were avoided when building the trail complex. Erosion and water quality are monitored to ensure maintenance of soil productivity and clean water.
Winding Stairs Trail--Located in an area along the Little Missouri River known for its scenic beauty, unique plant and animal species, and recreational values.
The trail, opened July 15, 1991, and can be reached by taking Forest Service Road 106 out of Albert Pike Recreation Area. The trailhead, identified by Forest Service signs, is about two miles down this road.
Following the Little Missouri River, the trail provides many glimpses of this water resource known for its scenic beauty, running falls, and fishing opportunities. Old growth shortleaf pine and hardwood stands, wildlife, and Spring and Fall colors are just a few of the many natural delights awaiting hikers along this trail.
The trail, which is strenuous at times, crosses the Little Missouri river and Blaylock Creek. It provides several spectacular overlooks of the river. The most scenic spot is where Raven Branch flows into the river. Here, large novaculite rock outcrops, forest and river, form a breathtaking view, a popular place for photographers.
Future plans include extending the trail another two miles to Albert Pike, and tying it into the Little Missouri Trail. Eventually, the Little Missouri Trail will provide 16 miles of varying terrain to hikers in the Caddo Ranger District.
Black Fork Mountain Trail--This wilderness trail has some incredible views up and down the upper Ouachita River, the Big Creek valleys, and the Rich Mountain/Talimena Scenic Drive.
The 7,568-acre wilderness area offers an 11.6 mile round-trip hike. The trailhead is located on Hwy. 270. Look for the "Wilderness Trailhead" sign and turn right into the parking lot. This is one of the best trailheads in Arkansas and the Ouachita Trail runs through it. The Ouachita Trail is a 222.5 mile trail that runs from Little rock to Oklahoma. Several smaller or shorter trails cross it, or follow it for a distance.
There are trail registers on this trail and the National Forest would appreciate it if you would register, for identification and safety.
Along this trail you will encounter many types of wild animals, tree, plant, and water sources. You will see great trees, find many spring-fed ponds and cross an old mule trail.
Brushy Creek Loop--There are several trails in the area of Big Brushy Campground located on Hwy. 270 between Y-City and Mt. Ida, this is one of them.
It is fairly easy trail which crosses the Ouachita Trail. You will find some flat land, plenty of trees, and water in the form of streams, ponds, springs, and creeks, along with some dry creek beds. It is an interesting and scenic trail running 6.9 miles.
Caney Creek Trail--One of the most scenic trails in Arkansas. Most of it runs along picturesque Caney Creek and crosses the Caney Creek Wilderness Area from end to end. Beware if you're hiking in the winter as it crosses the creek 15 times. It also crosses the Cossatot River.
You can reach the trailhead by several different routs depending upon where you wish to start. The best ideas is to obtain a map and find the best starting point from your location.
There is a lot of up and down walking, creek cross and you'll discover some great views of plant life and see the Tall Peak Fire Tower. There are some great campsites along this trail and you really should do a little exploring. The rock formations are outstanding.
In the spring the huckleberries are plentiful and attract many species of birds--which in turn attracts snakes, so be careful.
Little Missouri Trail--A scenic and easy backpacking trail that runs 15.7 miles one way. It follows the Little Missouri River (which is a National Wild and Scenic River), passes the Little Missouri Falls, follows a historic wagon trail, and goes through the Winding Stairs area which is said to have the best swimming hole anywhere.
The tail can be picked up at several points so you might make it a day hike or an overnight camping hike.
The trail was constructed by the Student Conservation Association over a five-year period and the trail is marked with white blazes. It follows a 100-year-old mail route and parts of it are extremely steep. There are also some river crossings that can be dangerous in winter.
This is a great trail for finding holly trees which are green year-around, with red berries. There are many nice rock formations on this trail as well as many old and large trees. The highlight of the trip is the Winding Stairs area.
Lover's Leap Trail--If you are only in the area for a short time and you want to take a hike through the forest, we suggest this trail. Located just behind the Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge, it takes off down a set of rock steps and continues downhill through a lush forest. There is a large wooden deck which was built by a pioneer, who charged tourist to visit the spot. At one time it was called Reeder's Point. There are plenty of plants, wildlife, and rock gardens to view on this trip, as well as great mountain scenery. The entire trip is 1.1 miles long.
Tall Peak Trail--This 6.4 mile round trip takes you to the tallest peak in the area, which is 2,330 feet, and is called Tall Peak. It begins at Shady Lake Campground in the Ouachita National Forest, and most is within the confines of the 14,433-acre Caney Creek Wilderness Area. You can also drive to the top of Tall Peak and visit the old lookout tower there.
Earthquake Ridge Trail--The Earthquake Ridge Hiking and Mountain trail is a distance of 2.7 miles. Allow one to one and one-half hours. It is located at the Visitors' Center on Highway 88, better known as Talimena Scenic Drive.
The trailhead is marked with a split-rail fence and a sig. The trail is blazed with white rectangle markings, making it easy to follow. The trail is a "single track" meaning hikers must form a single line.
It crossed the Talimena Scenic Drive, parallels the highway, then climbs the ridge above Ward Lake, giving an excellent view of the valley below.
Shortly after starting the trail you will be crossing a small field that was once farmland and is now a large pine forest.
The trail will then fork, forming a loop. There is a large ravine nearby and the forest will become pine and hardwood, mixed.
If you take the left fork you will cross Highway 88 again. The hiker will view several interesting outcroppings of rock formations and will see a beautiful view of Ward Lake, below. As you cross under a power line you will find a small valley north of the lake. This area is were the headwaters of Ward Creek start and eventually run into the Lake.
The trail will take you through an excellent area offering a variety of plants. One of the most common is the blueberry, better known locally as the huckleberry. It is a small, dwarf shrub with small, dark blue berries. these bushes bloom and produce fruit in the spring which is excellent eaten alone or used in pies and other dishes. Since the blueberries have no pectin they don't make the best jelly, but are wonderful in muffins.
In the early spring you will find flowering dogwoods which are common to this area. Other varieties found are redbud, wild cherry, and most of the hardwoods found throughout the Ouachita National Forest. This wonderful mix of varieties is what creates the beautiful array of fall colors for which the Talimena Scenic Drive has become famous.
As the trail comes to the end of the loop there is a nice rest stop before you cross the Drive.
One the return hike over this loop, you will have an excellent view of the Ouachita Valley. You will cross several rocky stream beds and the terrain will become very steep on this side of the ridge. The trail is cut into the side of Rich Mountain. It follows the contour of the ridge where you will see more pine and hardwood. A deep ravine will become visible and you will be treated to a nice view of the outlying business section of Mena.
In the fall you should spot some muscadine vines and several varieties of wild flowers. If you are not familiar with the muscadine, you are in for a treat. This very potent wild grape will offer a taste treat you won't forget. However, if the taste is a little too strong for you, consider taking some home to make jelly. The fruit is excellent for making jelly, you treat them just as you would any other grape.
Mill Creek Equestrian Trail--Is actually in Waldron, a short distance from Mena.
For horseback riders who would like to enjoy the beauty of the Ouachita National Forest, these routes provide opportunities to see some of the most interesting and scenic areas. In addition to the marked routes, you can shorten or lengthen your ride by using roads that connect the routes. Distance figures are shown on the map. Trail riders are advised to consider the steepness of the terrain, the weather, and the condition of their horses when planning a ride.
Check with Poteau Ranger District, Ouachita National Forest, Waldron for more information and maps--479-637-4174.
For information on other trails and maps contact the Mena Ranger District, Ouachita National Forest 479-394-2282