Ouachita National Forest

Featuring high mountain vistas, the trail leads the rider through an array of areas, including scenic Gap Creek and Board Camp Creek. The trail continues through a forest of large pines and hardwoods before passing the unique 2-foot-tall oak tree and an abandoned mine shaft. The trail loops are connected to accommodate riders who want to vary the length of their trips.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Cossatot Scenic and Recreational River. For an extended hike, there are 18 miles of hiking trails in the Caney Creek Wilderness. South of Caney Creek is the Shady Lake Recreation Area, which offers camping, fishing, swimming, boating, and hiking at the 95-unit campground.

Length: 41 miles of loop trails

Directions: From Mena, take State Highway 8 east for 1 mile to Arkansas 375, then south 8 miles to the trailhead near County Road 277. Additional trailheads are farther south on Arkansas 375 and south on Forest Road 38.

Trail Information: Trail surface is either gravel or unsurfaced.

Site Amenities: Vault toilet at the trailhead on Arkansas 375 closest to Mena. All three trailheads are graveled and built for small trailers.

Difficulty Level: Trails are easy to most difficult. Trails 01, 03, 05, and 06 have sections for experienced riders only.

Safety: Watch for truck and automobile traffic on Trails 01, 01A, 02, 05, 07 and 07A. Watch for other ATVs on all trails. There is two-way traffic on all trails.

Requirements: No camping is allowed at trailheads. It is recommended that users wear helmets. ATVs are not allowed in Recreation Areas.

Recommended Seasons: Trail complex is open year-round except for deer-gun season. This season lasts from mid-November until early December.