ADVENTURE Great Outdoors IN THE
What adventure will you discover in the Ouachita Mountains?
Family Friendly Fun Board Camp Crystal Mine
Dig your own crystals at the all natural Board Camp Crystal Mine! Everyone will find crystals to take home! We respect teh Earth and don’t use heavy equipment. We only dig by hand and will show you how! We are family and dog-friendly, mobility accessbile, and shady in the summer! Visit our Crystal Shop and relax at our Crystal Cottage with moutnain views! Also, experience the UnXplained Tour! Hear the story, see the evidence, then you decide! Please reserve your get-away at boardcampcrystalmine.com or call 479-243-0771.
Mountain Glory Station and the Glory Train
All aboard! It’s time for a rail trip around Queen Wilhelmina State Park. You’ll discover a miniature train and depot perched high atop Rich Mountain. The Glory Train chugs around two miles of track with stops along the way to capture the views along the southern vista. While you’re there, make plans to have some fun on the newly refurbished Rich Mountain Minigolf. Once you have worked up an appetite, stop by the Mountain Glory Station and enjoy their eats and sweets. 3897 Hwy 88. Mena. 479-437-3331
The Blue Zip Line & Farm
Fly like a bird and soar among the trees! The Blue Zip Line and Farm provides its guests with a thrilling adventure. Located on the Banks of the Irons Fork River, come experience a new way to view the incredible Ouachita Mountains. Set among 300 year old oak trees, The Blue is an excursion like no other. If you are looking for a unique gift idea or would like to arrange a group outing, the owners can help you plan your adventure. They are also autism friendly; hence the name The Blue. 142 Polk Road 185 in Mena. 479-216-8639
Bucket List Excursions Cossatot River State Park
The Cossatot River flows through the Ouachita National Forest offering a beautiful, yet challenging course for kayakers and canoeists. Cossatot is roughly translated from an Indian word meaning “skull crusher” and the river has been called “the most challenging section of whitewater between the Smokies and the Rockies.” The Cossatot is 89 miles long, begins southeast of Mena, and is listed as a National Wild and Scenic River and an Arkansas Natural and Scenic River. When local rainfall increases the watershed, the river forms Cossatot Falls, a rocky canyon with a series of back-to-back class III-IV+ rapids that drop around 40 feet in 1/8 of a mile. With names such as Washing Machine, Whiplash, and Devil’s Hollow Falls, adventure and adrenaline are likely flow as fast as the river. Camping sites are located near the Cossatot Falls area, and at the nearby Brushy Creek Recreation area with four scenic trails, spanning nearly 20 miles, for hikers to enjoy. Cossatot River State Park Visitor’s Center is located at 1980 Hwy 278 W, in Wickes. 870-385-2201.
Queen Wilhelmina State Park
For views that go on for miles and miles, a trip to the Queen Wilhelmina State Park is a must. The park is located on Ark. 88 (Talimena National Scenic Byway) 13 miles west of Mena and encompasses 460 acres, featuring a campground with 41 campsites and a bathhouse. There are picnic areas, trails, and a seasonal miniature train and mini-golf course. The park offers daily, weekly, and monthly activities to participate in including park interpretive programs that highlight Rich Mountain’s unique fauna and flora. Park campsites, hiking trails and overlooks are just a short walk from the lodge. For more information or to make a reservation call 877879-2741 or 479-394-2863.
Wolf Pen Gap
Bring your off-road vehicles, mountain bikes, and backpacks and hit the trails. Discover what outdoor adventurers from across the nation return to again and again. From challenging trails to leisurely paths, you can pick your pace at Wolf Pen Gap. Explore the majestic mountains, lush valleys and discover something new at every turn. Immerse yourself in the Ouachita Forest, where beautiful flora and fauna happily greet you as you wind down the many shady paths. Beautiful and untamed, the winding rivers and hidden swimming holes filled with cool, clear, mountain water invite you to take a break away from it all. Whether it’s adventure or serenity you seek, Wolf Pen Gap has something for everyone.
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