This Arkansas Scenic Byway Is The Road Trip Of A Lifetime
Arkansas is known for its hot springs, Ouachita Mountains, and walkable small towns. Coming in from Oklahoma, roadtrippers can take part in a segment of the 54-mile Talimena National Scenic Byway to see some of the best of western Arkansas' wild beauty and ride a seasonal miniature train on top of Rich Mountain. The byway winds through the Black Fork Mountain Wilderness, Ouachita National Forest, and Queen Wilhelmina State Park. Mena provides a comfortable and convenient end point, with a Colonial Revival stay at the 1898 Carriage House Inn and breakfast at the Skyline Cafe or coffee at The Ouachitas. Note that sometimes this popular drive is closed due to high winds, snow, and ice in winter. But the golden fall foliage is really something, so this might be the trip to make in a couple of months when the leaves start turning.
Day 1: Hikes, Trains & Mountain Majesty
Most people will start the journey driving in from Oklahoma, crossing over the state line east into Arkansas through the Black Fork Mountain Wilderness. The 192-mile-long Ouachita National Recreation Trail of the Ouachita Mountains runs alongside this byway for more adventurous car-free hikers. Of particular note is the Mountain Fork Vista on Skyline Drive, its greyish hues blending into a moody backdrop in overcast weather, or a brighter blue with clearer skies. Several pull-offs along the way make good places to stop.
Get out at Queen Wilhelmina State Park for lunch at the lodge's Southern-inspired Queen's Restaurant and an immersion into the woods, a much-needed break from sitting in the car. A seasonal miniature train also runs here in summer on Rich Mountain, Arkansas' second-highest peak at 2,681 feet. Stop for snacks, a game of mini golf, or a cold ice cream. Just a few minutes further down the road are viewpoints of local natural beauty, like Lake Wilhelmina and Round Mountain. The Earthquake Ridge Trail, close to the final destination of Mena, is a great place to hike for two to three hours, better for more able-bodied roadtrippers who can navigate steeper and more uneven terrain.
The Arkansas section of the Talimena National Scenic Byway ends in Mena, where you have multiple options to sleep. Janssen Park Place is an early 20th-century property built in the Georgian Revival style. The Carriage House Inn is set in the 1898 Shaver House, a late 19th-century home rich in Colonial Revival architecture, where travelers can stay in a private guest house, a cottage, or a suite. There is also the Budget Inn right off US Highway 71 for basic amenities.
Day 2: Explore Mena
Having had a full night's rest, your energy for the new day awaits. Take pride in your road trip accomplishments, and get to explore the Arkansas town of Mena. Eat breakfast at the Skyline Cafe, not far off the Talimena National Scenic Byway, a Mena tradition since 1922, serving home-style pancakes until its early-afternoon closure. Janssen Park is worth it for a brief stroll, watching ducks, and a pretty water fountain, or catch a flick at the Silver Screen Theater, which offers reduced admission for seniors and children. There is also the Mena/KCS Historic Depot & Museum for an educational history lesson on Mena's past, specifically its role in the passenger-railway era. To end the day, The Ouachitas presents top-quality coffee with a selection of salads, pizza, and dessert, a local business proud to treat the Mena community with great food. Of course, weary travelers benefit greatly from this, too.
Alternatively, venture out to the Ouachita National Forest for the day. Bring the mountain bikes or hiking boots, or get back into fishing in the quiet wilderness, surrounded by tree species like white and red oaks, blackgums, and locusts. Maybe even book a night of camping out under the stars at one of the many campgrounds and recreation sites here to fully land in Mena.
Why Stop There?
Mena does not have to be the endpoint of this journey, and travelers may consider extending their stay in the area at one of the Ouachita National Forest's campgrounds. Drive to the eastern part of the state, and explore areas like the supposed healing waters of Hot Springs, or the capital city of Little Rock for a change of scenery.
Or, make your way back through Oklahoma and see the cool-toned mountains and hills from another perspective, finishing the Talimena National Scenic Byway by circling back to the beginning. The US is full of scenic drives, and this is just one of the many hundreds worth experiencing in your lifetime. Other scenic byways in Arkansas include Crowley's Ridge Parkway, which also goes through Missouri, and the Great River Road along the Mississippi River. If you are looking to extend the summer a little and see more of the US from the independence of your vehicle, this may be just the right excursion to pursue.
