In Polk County, you can discover the mountain landscape on two very different scales: from a scenic road and along trails in the Ouachita Mountains. There are also places where the region’s history comes to life. Shady Lake brings nature and architectural history together: the 25-acre lake was created in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps on the Saline River in Polk County.
By the Water and on the Trails
The Shady Lake Recreation Area has four campgrounds with a total of 54 sites. Since the number may change, it’s a good idea to check the latest information before your trip. The lake offers access for non-motorized boating and a swimming beach. To hike into the Caney Creek Wilderness, start at Loop C on the Tall Peak Trail, which branches off from the Shady Lake Trail. This gives you two ways to experience the area: water activities and a specific access point into the wilderness.
The Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex offers a different experience. Its loops are listed as approximately 35 miles in total; since this figure may have changed, check current route information. The northern trailhead is accessible via Highway 8 and Polk County Road 61. The complex is part of the Ouachita National Forest and is regulated and maintained by the Forest Service. Check the latest operating status before you travel.
The Ouachita National Recreation Trail stretches 192 miles from end to end. It traverses the pine- and oak-covered Ouachita Mountains, passing clear streams, rock outcrops, and distinctive ridgelines. One trailhead is on the Talimena Scenic Drive, just past the western end of the campground at Queen Wilhelmina State Park. These figures refer to different distances: approximately 35 miles describes the loops in the Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex, while 192 miles is the total length of the Recreation Trail.
Mountain Views by Road and Trail
You can also experience the landscape by road. The Talimena Scenic Drive follows Arkansas State Highway 88 from Mena to Oklahoma; the Arkansas section is 18 miles long. The route climbs Rich Mountain and passes through Queen Wilhelmina State Park. The park is located on Rich Mountain, the second-highest mountain in Arkansas, in the Ouachita Mountains. Along the byway, you’ll find views of forested peaks and valleys, as well as lakes and streams. Trails for hiking and mountain biking are open in the state park.
The park’s history includes its original lodge, built in the late 19th century as a Victorian resort called Wilhelmina Inn. This history adds a cultural dimension to the mountain landscape, without implying that the lodge is currently offered as accommodation.
Traces of Mena and Polk County
In Mena, Janssen Park was established in 1906 after Arthur Stilwell and his partners, Mena’s original founders, donated four city blocks. The land was designated exclusively for use as a park. The park is home to a log cabin built by William Shelton in 1851, which later served as a museum and Mena’s city hall. The site brings together the city’s founding history and the building’s changing public uses.
St. Agnes Catholic Church is another architecturally significant building in Polk County. Its Spanish Mission architecture is built from natural stone blocks sourced from the mountains and hills around Mena. The Shady Lake CCC Bridges are another trace of the area’s built heritage; they were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. The Ebenezer Monument features names and brief stories of many citizens from Mena, Polk County, Arkansas, and the United States.
Discover more destinations: Mena, Drew, Van Buren County, Little River, Cleburne County, Sharp County, Jackson County, Mississippi County
For the broader travel overview: Arkansas.
