For our third annual girls hiking trip, we visited Mena in the Northwest corner of Arkansas. We normally have a group of 5 or 6, but schedules weren’t aligning, so Carol and I just drove from Dallas to Mena in hopes to soak in some fall colors. The short four-hour drive took us on highways and backroads, and we arrived just before dark.
I was in the area briefly thirteen years ago during my year-long road trip following scenic byways, and I’ve wanted to return for some leaf peeping. Unfortunately, this early November weekend didn’t bless us with vibrant reds and oranges, but we still saw some autumn colors and enjoyed ourselves around town.
History of Mena
Mena, the county seat of Polk County, Arkansas was founded as a railroad town in the 19th Century. It is situated amid the mountains of Ouachita National Forest. Mena has a checkered past. It was once called the sundown town for its unacceptable treatment of African Americans. It was also in the news a lot for its role in a drug-smuggling operation and the Iran-Contra Scandal.
Today, while it has a diversified economy of agriculture and manufacturing, it has become a tourist destination due to its numerous recreational opportunities available in the surrounding national forest and state parks.
- Table of Contents
Where to Stay in Mena
If you aren’t camping in one of the many state parks or national forest, check out one of the following places to stay in Mena.
The Queen Wilhelmena State Park Lodge perches atop Arkansas’ second highest mountain, Rich Mountain. The original structure, built by investors from the Netherlands, was named for the Dutch monarch in hopes that she would visit. She did not visit, and the 1898 venture failed a few years later.
Now, however, the recently renovated lodge features 40 guest rooms with spa tubs and gas fireplaces. And even offers three dog-friendly rooms. It is a perfect place to stay for views of the surrounding nature.
Should you wish to stay in town, Lottie’s Loft, a 2 bedroom, 1 bath loft is a nice option. With a staircase to the second floor, it is not wheelchair accessible. But its nice décor and convenient location to the historic district and Jansenn Park make it a good choice. Its only quirk is that the bathroom is in the master bedroom, so the loft is best suited for one couple, though it sleeps four. From the loft, we walked to dinner each night.
Places to Eat in Mena
The Ouchitas is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from Wednesday to Saturday. We stopped in on Thursday night and enjoyed a great band over dinner. It is an order at the counter restaurant that features pizza. The salad and service were OK and the atmosphere was fun.
Near the Trails
Somehow, we ended up eating BBQ a lot. After a super long hike at Buckeye Trail in Caney Creek Wilderness on Friday, we stopped off at Thibodeaux’s Country Store whose BBQ you could smell for miles along the road leading to the trailhead.
We talked about the place all the way down the mountain as we worked up an appetite after bushwacking 10.5 miles through the forest. Thank goodness for AllTrails which kept us from getting lost.
Fortunately, we pulled into the parking lot 15 minutes before it closed at 4:45pm. It would have been a real disappointment to miss out after talking about it for hours! Thibodeaux’s is only open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday during the spring, summer and fall.
The country store, located just a mile from Wolf Pen Gap South Trailhead which is popular area for ATV’s, sells groceries, fuel, ice, boudin, burgers, sandwiches, and desserts. We liked the sausage links the best!
In Mena
We also picked up BBQ at the Bearded Guy. The food trailer with an outdoor patio offers up some excellent loaded fries. It too has limited operating hours, Thursday through Sunday afternoon, so be sure to plan accordingly.
We did not plan accordingly when trying to grab a coffee to go on our way out of town on Monday. The cute coffee shop, The Q on Main, was closed.
We were also sorry to miss out on the Skyline Café. Located in an historic building for over 100 years, it is one of the oldest restaurants in Arkansas and the oldest eatery in Mena. The cash-only café serves breakfast all day and lunch until 2pm Thursday to Monday. It has hosted many of famous people including Bill Clinton and the radio personalities Chester “Chet” Lauck and Findley Norris “Tuffy” Goff of Lum and Abner.
When we weren’t dining, we were strolling the streets of Mena or exploring the great outdoors. Below are just a few things to do in Mena, Arkansas:
Take a Hike
Anyone that knows me, knows that most of my vacations include hiking. This was our primary focus for our visit to Mena. As such, we hiked four trails that I’d rank from easy to difficult. The hikes in Mena include:
Hike 1: Difficult
Buckeye and Caney Creek Loop: This 10.5 loop gains 1,637 feet as it undulates through the Caney Creek Wilderness. While it doesn’t gain much altitude, what makes it difficult is following the trail. There is one section of downed trees and one section on the west side of its highest point that requires some bushwacking over a faint path.
If I had to do it over again, I’d probably break it into two different out and back hikes: One hike beginning at the Buckeye Trailhead and the other hike beginning at the East Caney Creek Trailhead. This would eliminate the bushwacking section by only hiking to the view as well as the mile along the road.
As the name suggests, the hike follows the lovely Caney Creek which I really enjoyed despite having to steer our way around some trees and needing AllTrails to navigate along the faint trail covered in fallen leaves. While we enjoyed some golden foliage, the year of weather caused mostly green or brown leaves during this normally peak fall season.
The Caney Creek Trail intersects with Buckeye Trail which ascends through the forest and past some interesting rock formations to limited views of the surrounding mountains. At times we pushed through overgrowth and were thankful to be wearing pants! Personally, I liked the Caney Creek Trail more than the Buckeye Trail.
Hike 2: Intermediate
With tired legs, we chose a shorter hike for Saturday, and we quickly found out Winding Stairs Trail is an extremely popular weekend jaunt. It is part of the longer Little Missouri Trail which is a highly trafficked backpacking route in the Ouachita National Forest.
By the time we reached the trailhead at 10:45 am cars were overflowing out of the dirt parking area, complete with a pit toilet. The intermediate 4.5 mile out and back trail wends through the forest, climbs some “stairs,” and makes multiple river crossings. I highly recommend water shoes.
While the path provides lovely scenery amidst the fall foliage, we got sick of changing into our water shoes and stopped at the third river crossing in two miles, especially because the Winding Stairs section does not lead to a specific destination, per se. I can see how backpackers or fishermen would like this trail as there is no shortage of water!
Visit Queen Wilhemena State Park
Face with windy and dreary weather on Sunday, we skipped kayaking and took two short hikes in Queen Wilhemena State Park located on the Talimena Scenic Byway. The one-mile Lover’s Leap Trail provides lovely views of the Ouachita Mountains.
The Reservoir Trail goes to an abandoned rock reservoir used by the hotel in 1898. The out-and-back trail descends through a shaded forest and then ascends back to the parking area.
In addition to the short trails, the Queen Wilhemena State Park features a hotel and restaurant, a campground, a small train, and access to the 223 mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail.
As mentioned above, the park would be a great place to stay in Mena.
Take a Scenic Drive
Queen Wilhemena State Park is one of many stops on the Talimena National Scenic Byway. The Talimena National Scenic Byway is a 56 mile route which stretches between Talihina, Oklahoma and Mena, Arkansas. When I drove 120 scenic byways while on my road trip across the USA, this is the first byway I visited.
It was cloudy and rainy for my first visit, this time it was working on its famous autumn colors that generally peak in the beginning of November. The fall colors in Arkansas were a little late this year, but we got a taste as we visited a few of the 22 vistas and some other interesting stops.
Check out the pioneer cemetery that dates back to the 1800’s and includes several graves of Rich Mountain residents. One grave holds a small girl who froze death escaping a pack of wolves while trying to collect firewood to tend to her ailing family.
Other stops include the 1820 survey marker that erroneously gave more land to Arkansas instead of the Choctaw Nation, as well as the Rich Mountain Fire Tower, the highest point on the Talimena National Scenic Byway.
Across the road from the entrance to Queen Wilhemena State Park is the Wonder House. The stone house is nine levels, but only appears to be two.
While Mena’s outdoor activities are what drew us to the area, the Town of Mena also affords visitors a variety of things to do.
Hit the Antique Shops in Downtown Mena
Mena’s downtown is loaded with antique shops. We popped into several which featured old jewelry and household goods.
Try the Theatre
Also in town is the Ouachita Little Theatre. The non-profit organization has been operating since 1979 and has been performing in the Old Lyric Theatre since 1985. The Old Lyric Theatre was originally constructed in 1923 as a movie house. The company features four plays, including a musical, each year and also holds a free movie night once a month.
Stop By the Mena’s Visitors’ Center and Museum
Historic downtown Mena is cut in two by a two-lane highway and train tracks which parallel it. On the tracks is the visitor center and the town’s museum located in the historic Kansas City Southern Railroad Depot.
The depot was constructed in 1896 but declined when the central division point of the Kansas City – Port Arthur route moved from Mena to Heavner, Oklahoma. The current station was constructed in 1920 and operated as a passenger station until 1969.
The station fell into disrepair and was restored in 1985 and now operates as the museum and Mena’s Visitor’s Center.
Stroll Through Jansenn Park
Just a few blocks from the historic depot station is Jansenn Park. The 10-acre park is home to an 1851 historic cabin, two cannons and two spring fed ponds among other historic items. The cabin was used as a hideout by Jesse James, and also operated as a hospital, post office and city hall.
The park is host to the two-day Lum and Abner Music and Arts Festival held the first weekend of June.
Take a Side Trip to Pine Ridge
Lum and Abner was a radio comedy program produced between 1931 and 1954. On air, the show was set in the Jot ‘Em Down Store in Pine Ridge. Today, you can venture to Pine Ridge, previously known as Waters, and visit the Lum and Abner Museum and Jot ‘Em Down Store.
Dig for Crystals
Another fun adventure on the outskirts of town is digging for crystals at the Board Camp Crystal Mine. Unfortunately, when we visited in early November, they were closed for winter. But in addition to digging for crystals in the above ground mine, they sell a selection of rocks.
They also offer Unexplained Tours, as seen on Josh Gates Expedition Unknown. YouTube videos show strange lights and rocks levitating. The phenomena attracted the attention of MUFON (Mutual UFO Network).
It is best to get reservation before visiting.
In all, for a small town in Arkansas, Mena is a fun place to visit for outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and fishing as well as for exploring their quaint downtown and surrounding area. ETB
Want to Take This Article With You?
This article is now available as a mobile app. To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this post, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Mena on GPSmyCity.
Plan Your Visit to Mena
If you found this article helpful, please use our affiliate links. It is no extra cost to you and gives us a boost! Thanks!!
10 Essentials
Don’t forget your 10 essentials: navigation, sun protection, extra clothing, first aid, head lamp, multi-tool, fire starter, food, hydration, and emergency blanket.
Like It? Pin It
I think Arkansas is a lesser known gem of a place. The more I see of its natural beauty the more I want to see all of the state. I haven’t been to this area yet though so now it is on my list! 🙂 Happy New Year!
Yeh there are a lot of states that get overlooked. Idaho too. But it’s better for us!
Oh I love Idaho! another gem of a state 🙂