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(If you check
availability and book
online, you save the $10 phone
convenience booking fee,
because it cuts
down on office
paperwork and phone time, and
we pass the savings on to you.
Of
course, you can still call Carolyn
479 883-5492
for information, or if you just prefer
to book by phone.)
Mena, Arkansas, the best-kept secret gateway to the West
Serenity and beauty in the heart of the Ouachitas
When
you visit Mena, Arkansas, make one of our
romantic, private cabins your perfect mountain getaway ...
visit downtown Mena (just 2 miles away) at your leisure, or enjoy
the best of Ouachita Mountain outdoor attractions...
and then return to your very own "cabin in the woods." Our
cabins are
just ten minutes' drive to the Rich Mountain overlooks, and easy
drive to lakes and rivers.
Easy drive to Wolf Pen Gap ATV trails: (Directions: from cabin, go right on 44 to 375 and go for eight miles; trail head will be near County Road 277)
The Willowbrook Cottage and cabins are located near Mena, which is in the beautiful 1.6 million acre Ouachita mountain National Forest (pronounced 'Washita'), on a paved road just two miles from the county seat town of Mena (a Mayberry-like town!), with lots of antiques, art gallery, movie and live theater (seasonal), golfing, tennis, and all the Ouachita Mountain outdoor attractions of the clear rivers and beautiful mountain trails and overlooks. Tourism and outdoor activity thrive with nature, bike, and ATV trails, and there are several beautiful lakes within an hour drive. See activities calendar at www.gomenaarkansas.com .
ATV enthusiasts find our facilities ideal while
riding the nearby
Wolf Pen Gap ATV Trails, only 10 minutes away by car.
Wolf
Pen Gap is one of the most beautiful of the Arkansas ATV trails, leading the
rider through an array of areas featuring a large forest of pine and hardwoods,
mountain vistas and an abandoned mine shaft. The 41 miles of trail loops are
interconnected to accommodate riders who want to vary the length of their trip
and, intersections are conveniently marked for all levels of rider experience.
Experienced hikers will rise to the challenge of the Athens-Big Fork Trail which is a historic, 125-year-old wagon trail that crests eight mountains and features spectacular views of the Ouachita Mountains from high points such as Eagle Rock Vista, Brushheap Mountain and Hurricane Knob. A mystical cave and geologic outcroppings along the way adds to the allure. Other hiking trails include the Buckeye Trail, Valuable Forest Interpretive Trail, Tall Peak Trail and Caney Creek Wilderness Trail.
Wolf Pen Gap
Wolf Pen Gap is a thirty-one mile multi-use trail system just southeast of Mena Arkansas. This trail system has trails for the whole family to enjoy whether you ride an ATV, Off-Highway Motorcycle, Side by Side, Horse, Mountain Bike or enjoy Hiking. The trails are rated from "Easy" to "Most Difficult" and has several places with unique overlooks, a mine shaft, and even creek crossing that are usually as clear as the sky on a bright sunny day.
This area is not just for trail lovers!
There is much more to this area. You can cast a rod at Shady Lake, enjoy the waterfall at Little Missouri Falls, or enjoy the beauty of Caney Creek and Queen Wilhelmina state park. There is something for everybody around Mena.
The friendly people and the mild weather make Mena an ideal place to retreat any time of the year. We have four seasons, but the winters are short and mild; the springs and autumns are long and ideal weather; summer are sunny and warm, with great swimming, water-skiing, etc., and air conditioning makes the relaxing at the end of a day refreshing.
Just ten minutes from the Rich Mountain overlooks, 10 minutes to Wolfpen Gap trails, 30 minutes from Cossatot River state park. Mountains, rivers, fishing, hunting, rv-ing, horseback riding--all within driving distance from your hideaway. Central homebase for visiting all of central and western and northwestern Arkansas. Enjoy the many natural sites.
Centrally located between Hot Springs, Fort Smith, historic Van Buren, and Texarkana, Mena is a cute little old-fashioned county seat town, with antique stores with authentic and well-priced finds from yesteryear, good locally-owned restaurants, a Super Walmart, live theater in season, art gallery, movies, golf, tennis, hospital, veterinary clinic and boarding, public pool only 5 minutes away by car.
Beautiful Rich Mountain with its hiking trails and amazing vistas looks down on the town, and is easy to access by paved highway. The Ouachita Mountains are a wonderful outdoor recreation area, with crystal clear river (the Cossatot) and many hidden clear streams in the National Forest. There are lakes for swimming and water skiing, trails for hiking.
People say Mena is the best-kept secret in the 4-state area, a real jewel. Come visit, and you will return often!
Scroll to bottom of page for current events in Mena--live theater, art gallery, etc.
Local Outdoor Attractions
Fishing: The state's more than 600,000 acres of lakes and 9,700 miles of streams offer anglers numerous chances to land a trophy or catch a limit from a variety of freshwater species. Millions of trout are stocked annually in Arkansas's waters. Non-resident fishing licenses are only $11; call 800 364-4263 for license info.
The Ouachita
National Forest offers beautiful mountainous scenery and
breathtaking vistas overlooking tranquil, forested valleys. In addition to the Wolf
Pen Gap ATV Trails and various hiking trails mentioned on our
home page, you will also find the following attractions tempting.
Mountain biking is accommodated by Eagle Rock Loop which is the longest loop trail in Arkansas. This trail was developed along a 100-year-old postal route and old wagon roads; it crosses the Little Missouri River, numerous creek crossings and travels over nine mountains.
The Viles Branch Equestrian Trail will be of interest to trail riders as it provides a view of the wild and scenic Little Missouri River through the Winding Stairs area which is known for its unique geological formations and outstanding water features.
Rock climbing in the area is abundant and can be specifically found at Albert Pike (Window Rock) and along the Little Missouri Hiking Trail.
Leader Mountain Walk-In Turkey Hunting Area, Caney Creek Wildlife Management Area and the Ouachita National Forest provide a haven to hunters as they pursue a variety of wild critters. Little Missouri River, Cossatot River and Shady Lake allow for fishing.
While Shady Lake permits motorless fishing boats, lakes for boating and water skiing activities are not conducive to our location. However, Little Missouri Falls is right around the corner from us and must be experienced during your stay. This exceptionally beautiful area offers serene waterfalls, fishing, swimming, hiking trails and a picnic area.
The Talimena scenic drive and Craters of Diamonds are a short car ride away and well worth including in your travel plans. Please take some time to explore the official web site of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and learn more about our State's diverse destinations. Click to go to Arkansas.com, the website for Arkansas Parks and Tourism.
Current events in Mena Click on calendar events at GoMenaArkansas.com for current productions.
LIVE THEATER:
Visit their website, www.oltmena.com or www.ouachitalittletheatre.org, for information on PayPal purchases. Telephone Info Line is 479-243-0186.
You may e-mail the Theatre at info@ouachitalittletheatre.org.
Email, text or call for more information:
Carolyn MacMahon
479 883-5492
carolyn@willowbrookcottage.com
<a href="http://www.bedhunt.com">Bedhunt.com</a>
Back to Home Page
Considering moving to Mena? Below is more information about Mena:
 |
Mena Arkansas Was
Known Mena was named
after the wife of a Dutch coffee broker, Jan DeGoeigen, who furnished
financial assistance needed by builder Arthur Stilwell to construct the
Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad (later known as Kansas City
Southern). |
| Extending from Kansas City to
Port Arthur, Texas, Mena was known as the "division town", or
the halfway point between the two cities. The Depot serves as the focal
point of Mena and greets any visitor who passes through on U.S. Highway
71 or State Highway 88. The beautifully restored depot houses the Polk
County Chamber of Commerce and a historical museum guarded by a 1939
Dodge police car. For additional information on a brief history of Mena
Arkansas visit the "100 years of Mena Arkansas" web site. This is one of the most colorful and scenic areas of the United States, with mountain peaks reaching up to 2,861 feet. Mena's average high temperature reaches 90 degrees F in July and August, dipping to 27 degrees in January. |
 |
| 6 public schools and 2
private schools provide education to local students. Those seeking
higher education can attend Rich Mountain Community College, located
right in town. Or they can check out Westark College, Henderson State
University, Arkansas Tech University or the University of Arkansas' main
campus, all of which are located within a 90-minute drive. Mena Medical Center, which was completely renovated, updated and expanded in 2005, serves the area's health care needs. Medical facilities provided by Wilhelmina Medical Center with a 51-bed capacity, emergency room and outpatient services. The population of Mena has been rising steadily along with its economy. 5,475 people call Mena home and 17,347 in Polk County. Economic development was spurred by the railroad in the early 1900s and is prospering to this day. Many industries call Mena home such as timber and forestry products, motor manufacturing, aircraft painting, spring water suppliers, aluminum casting, clothing and furniture manufacturers. Agriculture thrives with an abundance of poultry, beef and dairy farms. Religion is prevalent in the community with over 12 different denominations. Ten motels/hotels offer a total of 327 units for visiting relatives or tourists. Many other businesses provide the community with all conveniences of the city and the quietness of a small town. The Ouachita Mountains provide the people of Mena with many splendid recreational distractions. Canoeing and rafting enthusiasts enjoy the scenery of the Ouachita River, offering rapids for the adventurous and calm stretches for others. The Cossatot River State Park Natural Area is one of the most rugged and spectacular river corridors in the United States, encompassing over 4,200 acres. This stream's rapids are definitely only for the daring... and not beginners. The Ouachita National Forest consists of 1.5 million acres and is the South's oldest and largest National Forest. Visitors can enjoy 32 recreational areas by picnicking, camping, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, fishing, hunting and boating. Queen Wilhelmina State Park, situated along Talimena Scenic Drive atop Rich Mountain, stands out as a vacation land for visitors and locals alike. The Wilhelmina Inn attracts thousands of visitors to Polk County each year. It features 36 guest rooms plus 2 "Queen's Rooms" with woodburning fireplaces. Mena provides other activities as well, including a public 9-hole golf course, community theatre, bowling alley and many stores and antique shops.
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Just 10 minutes from Queen Wilhelmina Lodge and park, 35 minutes from the Cossatot State Park, 45 minutes from Lake Ouachita, 1 hr.20 min from Hot Springs, 1 hour from Diamond State Park
You can check availability or make reservations online:
(If you check availability and book online, you save the $10 phone booking fee, because it cuts down on office paperwork and phone time, and we pass the savings on to you. You can text or phone Carolyn to ask questions, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 479 883-5492 without charge. Of course, you can still call Carolyn to book by phone if you prefer.)
For more info, email anytime: carolyn@willowbrookcottage.com ,
Just 10 minutes from Queen Wilhelmina Lodge and park, 35 minutes from the Cossatot State Park, 45 minutes from Lake Ouachita, 1 hr.20 min from Hot Springs, 1 hour from Diamond State Park
Just 10 minutes from Queen Wilhelmina Lodge and park, 35 minutes from the Cossatot State Park, 45 minutes from Lake Ouachita, 1 hr.20 min from Hot Springs, 1 hour from Diamond State Park
Just 10 minutes from Queen Wilhelmina Lodge and park, 35 minutes from the Cossatot State Park, 45 minutes from Lake Ouachita, 1 hr.20 min from Hot Springs, 1 hour from Diamond State Park
Just 10 minutes from Queen Wilhelmina Lodge and park, 35 minutes from the Cossatot State Park, 45 minutes from Lake Ouachita, 1 hr.20 min from Hot Springs, 1 hour from Diamond State Park
Just 10 minutes from Queen Wilhelmina Lodge and park, 35 minutes from the Cossatot State Park, 45 minutes from Lake Ouachita, 1 hr.20 min from Hot Springs, 1 hour from Diamond State Park
Just 10 minutes from Queen Wilhelmina Lodge and park, 35 minutes from the Cossatot State Park, 45 minutes from Lake Ouachita, 1 hr.20 min from Hot Springs, 1 hour from Diamond State Park
Just 10 minutes from Queen Wilhelmina Lodge and park, 35 minutes from the Cossatot State Park, 45 minutes from Lake Ouachita, 1 hr.20 min from Hot Springs, 1 hour from Diamond State Park
Just 10 minutes from Queen Wilhelmina Lodge and park, 35 minutes from the Cossatot State Park, 45 minutes from Lake Ouachita, 1 hr.20 min from Hot Springs, 1 hour from Diamond State Park
Just 10 minutes from Queen Wilhelmina Lodge and park, 35 minutes from the Cossatot State Park, 45 minutes from Lake Ouachita, 1 hr.20 min from Hot Springs, 1 hour from Diamond State Park
Just 10 minutes from Queen Wilhelmina Lodge and park, 35 minutes from the Cossatot State Park, 45 minutes from Lake Ouachita, 1 hr.20 min from Hot Springs, 1 hour from Diamond State Park
Just 10 minutes from Queen Wilhelmina Lodge and park, 35 minutes from the Cossatot State Park, 45 minutes from Lake Ouachita, 1 hr.20 min from Hot Springs, 1 hour from Diamond State Park
Willowbrook Cottage