If you’re looking for a peaceful and incredibly scenic road trip through the Ouachita Mountains this loop from Mena, Arkansas is perfect.
It’s a full-day adventure that winds through some of the most beautiful corners of the Ouachita Mountains.
NOTE: There are several sections of this road trip that are on gravel or dirt roads. We drove the loop in our Subaru Outback on a dry day and had no problems. The roads were well-maintained.
A Scenic Road Trip Through the Ouachita Mountains
Begin in Mena, Arkansas
Start your road trip through the Ouachita Mountains in the charming mountain town of Mena, nestled at the foot of Rich Mountain.
Fill up your tank, grab a coffee from the Mena Coffee Company drive through or a hearty country breakfast from The Skyline Cafe, and get ready for a day of backroad exploring.
We have an entire post about things to do in Mena, Arkansas! While you are in town you might also want to visit the Queen Wilhelmina State Park!
From Mena you will head south on US-71 and then take a left onto AR-246 to the Brushy Creek Recreation Area.
Brushy Creek Recreation Area on the Cossatot River
This gorgeous spot is part of the Cossatot River State Park Natural Area. This Cossatot river is famous for its crystal-clear water and boulder-strewn rapids.
This recreation area has bathrooms and picnic tables and access to the river.
It’s a peaceful place to stretch your legs, dip your toes in water, or take a few photos of the gorgeous pools framed by rugged rocks. In fall the hardwoods along the river blaze with color.
I honestly could have stayed here all day but we had more stops so off we went.
From Brushy Creek you will head on down AR-246 to Shady Lake. The recreation area is marked with signs. You will turn off of AR-246 onto County Road 694 and then into the recreation area.
Shady Lake Recreation Area
Shady Lake Recreation Area is one of the prettiest forest lakes in Arkansas.
The CCC built the stone dam here in the 1930s, and it’s still as lovely as ever.
You can picnic beside the water, take a short hike around the lake, or just enjoy the reflections of the trees in the still water. There is also camping here and some of the sites have electric and water.
If you are doing this road trip during warm weather then definitely bring you swimsuit as Shady Lake has a nice swimming area that is open during the summer months.
There are restrooms and a bathhouse that are open seasonally.
To get to Bard Springs you will continue on down the road from Shady Lake. It is well marked with signs.
Bard Springs Recreation Area
A few miles down the road, you’ll reach Bard Springs which is another CCC-era gem tucked deep in the Ouachita National Forest.
The drive between Shady Lake and Bard Springs is especially scenic, following twisting forest roads through tall pines and hardwoods.
At Bard Springs, you’ll find picnic tables and and a small dam which creates a pool of water for swimming as well as a pretty spillway/waterfall. The area below the dam is especially scenic.
It’s a serene, shady spot perfect for a quiet break or a picnic lunch.
From Bard Springs head back out the way you came past Shady Lake and back out to AR-246 where you will take a left. Go to AR-84 and take a left, then to AR-369 and take a left, until you get to Albert Pike Road. You will be on a dirt/gravel road for a while! But the drive is gorgeous and the signage is decent. Albert Pike Road will lead you to Mine Creek Rd. which will take you to the trailhead for the Little Missouri Falls.
Little Missouri Falls Trail
Little Missouri Falls is one of the highlights of the Ouachita Mountains!
This is not a tall waterfall but it is a long one. The falls are a wide, stair-stepped cascade where the Little Missouri River tumbles through a rocky gorge.
You will cross a pretty bridge and then follow a trail that leads you to overlooks with great views of the falls. This is an easy trail and although rocky, it is not too steep.
We were there in the fall and, as you can tell in the photos, the water wasn’t flowing much. If you want to really experience the waterfalls roaring then I suggest visiting in the spring.
Even so this is just a gorgeous place to visit.
Drive From Little Missouri Trail to Highway 8
From the Little Missouri Falls Trailhead you will go back out to Albert Pike Road and take a left onto the Caney Creek Wildlife Management Area.
You will be on dirt roads for another 5 miles until you reach AR-8.
This is just a stunning part of the drive. You will climb up the mountains through some hairpin turns and beautiful vista. Eventually this will lead to Highway 8.
Return to Mena via Highway 8
Once you get back to Highway 8 you will head back west to Mena. This drive is also lovely with sweeping views of fields, forests, and quiet valleys.
Tips for the Drive
- Road conditions: The gravel and dirt roads are pretty well maintained, but do check the weather before you go and plan to drive slowly.
- There is no internet service on many sections of this drive: This is very important! You will have little to no internet service most of the way so definitely download your maps before you begin!
- Best time to go: We have done this drive in both spring and fall. Both are amazing. Fall is spectacular for color, but spring brings waterfalls. In late spring and summer you can do a little swimming and in winter the views would be even more expansive.
- What to bring: Picnic supplies, water, bug spray, and your camera — there are photo ops around every bend.
One of our favorite places to stay near Mena are the cabins at A Quiet Place Mountain Escape. These lovely cabins are located in the mountains near Wolf Pen Gap. They are the perfect stay for peaceful luxury.
I hope that you enjoy this road trip through the Ouachita Mountains!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
