Arkansas Camping

[Peteg]

Never been to Arkansas. It sounds like a great place to ride. I plan to set up a tent camp about 10 West of Mena on the Talimena, at Queen Wilhelmina State Park. I'm thinking 4-5 days riding locally including the Talimena and the Diamond run. Based on the all the squiggly lines on the map it looks like there are tons of cool roads in the area in addition to what could be paved county roads through the mountains. I'm thinking of leaving the Pig Tail and northern routes for another trip / camp. If the local roads around Mena are not as good as they look I'll probably head up to the Pig tail this trip and stay in a motel 1 night. Comments from someone who actually knows the area would be appreciated.

I've got a little trailer I'll be pulling and leaving at the camp. Base on a 200 mile trip I took with it last Spring it seems like it should be no issue.

[fgtex]

Have fun and stay safe out there. Last time I was there many years ago, the area was 'dry' so plan accordingly. 

[Disco]

Arkansas gets a bum rap from those not familiar. 

Don't miss breakfast at Pam's Hateful Hussy Diner in Talihina.

Not far off the Scenic Byway is the town of Heavener.  You might find the Rune Stone there interesting.  It's either evidence of Viking presence way back when, or a fun joke (not calling it a hoax) played by a more recent local.

If you do make it up the Pig Trail, Eureka Springs is a neat town with history and lots of lodging and eating options.  Getting from Mena to White Oak is a nice ride.  71 and 540 are nicer than I-40.  You can also take 71 to 23 at Elm Park and avoid the highways.

Have a great time!

[Peteg]

Cool thanks! I've been looking at routes - looks like a more amazing area than even it's reputation would indicate. It looks like I'll likely do some loops on the lower pig tail 23 -  215/103 and 16/21 appear pretty cool but I think Eureka Springs will be another trip.

My wife and I seem to have an annual conversation: I want to take a motorcycle trip to Arkansas. I'll go with you if you load the bike on a trailer and unload it when we get there. Why would I do that when the ride there and back is nearly perfect? Since we typically only get one week, she might actually have a point for once. It looks like I could get up to the base of the pig tail in about 5 hours on a Sunday and dump the truck and trailer. With the hitch hauler on the back of the bike I ought to be able to do 5 days of hotels with her on the northern routes without advanced reservations. I'm just not sure I want to drag the anchor around for 5 days. I'm sure I already told you guys how envious I'm am of the single seat motorcycle configuration!

Lastly I can't believe how many ranger offices there are Ouacita's. I think I'll spend some time talking to the rangers and get some maps of the national forest roads. Possibly I'll leave the anchor home again next trip and just throw the little bike in the back of the pickup and ride the national forest roads. Could be a lot more peaceful!

If I find some interesting routes, I'll post them when I return.

[Peteg]

Anyone thinking of an Arkansas camping trip I would highly recommend spending some time at Queen Wilhelmina State Park. It's about 13 miles west of Mena on the Talimena senic byway. It's pretty much a motorcycle rider destination so if your by yourself like I was you'll likely meet people there. A lot of people  camp there with toy haulers. I was one of the few tent campers. The lodge is really nice too. Campers have full use of the open areas in the lodge including the 365 day a year restraunt and bar. You can even carry your bar order out to the patio and lounge. On the one rainy morning, all the bikers just hung out in the lounge / I just read a book. It would actually be a cool place for an event. 

About 5 miles from the park on a rough section of the Talimena my sh**y welds on my custom trailer hitch broke and I had to drag the trailer the rest of the way by it's chains. The lady's behind the front desk set me up with Vinney, the owner of Lakeside metal fabrication. For a $100 bucks Vinney turned my hitch adapter into a professional fabrication then sat down and proceeded to layout all his favorite valley routes for me to ride.

This map includes Vinney's picks:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1tMtNP6Nm51oceLHVQ-fP_W3uFm_JFWw&ll=34.45747225017636%2C-94.20650499999999&z=9

This is the hitch adapter he fabed up:

post pictures

[Peteg]

I don't think Vinney would be too happy with me. The picture in the previous post was my sh**y adapter before it broke LOL.

Here's his fab:

[HayHauler]

Very nice roads he mapped out for you.  I am saving this.

Hay
Jimmyt

[Peteg]

My wife and I went back to Mena last week as an alternative to an airport / national park trip during the shutdown. We were only able to get two nights in at the Queen Whilhemina State Park Lodge, so we did two nights at the Mena mountian resort. The resort was really nice. The resort is family run and caters to large groups, a lot of family reunions. We got a really nice large room about twice as large as a big motel room with lots of leather furniture in addition to the kingsize bed. The room had the coffee maker, mini frig and micro wave, but there was also a hugh central group area between the rooms with a full sized refrigerator,  a kitchenette, pool table, board games and lots of nice furniture. There was also a nice pool area. Great place for a family reunion or group event. The owners Denny and Lou were really good / helpful. Lou rides and 4 wheels so he's a good source for on and off pavement routes.

[HayHauler]

Thanks for the report!

Hay 
Jimmyt