Trip to Arkansas
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: USA
Trip to Arkansas
I'm planning a trip to Mena next month and I could use some input on a good place to stay in that area. My buddies left the plans up to me so I need to find some place not too expensive and maybe even abit off the beatin path. If you guys that live up that way could give me some help I would sure be greatful. Also,anyone whose made that trip to the Ouachita Mountain Range if you have some input I could use that as well. Thanks guys.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: NW Arkansas
I stayed in Poteau, OK at a Best Western, or maybe it was a Super 8. I believe it was on the north end of town. It was good. Let us park the bikes under the awning in front of the office.
Of course you want to ride the Talimena Trail from Mena over to hwy 271. Good place to eat in the town of Talihina. It is a little hole in the wall place on the main drag. Don't remember the name. You will come into town from the north to 'T'. Turn right and the place is on your left. We were there on a Friday and they had a catfish buffet for lunch...very good! Run the scenic routes. hwy 259 in OK is nice. hwy 71 in AR isn't that great. hwy 270 to Hot Springs is great ride. Also hwys 7,8,27 in AR. You might also want to ride up on Mount Magazine, highest point in Arkansas. They have a lodge and resturuant up there, very nice, a little pricey. Sorry I can't be of more help on a place to stay. (If you get nothing here, I would call their Chamber of Commerce)
Of course you want to ride the Talimena Trail from Mena over to hwy 271. Good place to eat in the town of Talihina. It is a little hole in the wall place on the main drag. Don't remember the name. You will come into town from the north to 'T'. Turn right and the place is on your left. We were there on a Friday and they had a catfish buffet for lunch...very good! Run the scenic routes. hwy 259 in OK is nice. hwy 71 in AR isn't that great. hwy 270 to Hot Springs is great ride. Also hwys 7,8,27 in AR. You might also want to ride up on Mount Magazine, highest point in Arkansas. They have a lodge and resturuant up there, very nice, a little pricey. Sorry I can't be of more help on a place to stay. (If you get nothing here, I would call their Chamber of Commerce)
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
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I have been to Mena a few times. If your going around the 20th you will not find a hotel too close. The CMA Changing of the Colors Rally is at that time and the hotels fill up way ahead. If your going at that time you can camp on CMA's Iron Mountain.
If your not going around that time there is some inexpensive hotels on the main drag, HWY 71.
The ride across Ouachita Mountains is a killer 51 miles. There is a cool place called Queen Wilamena (sp) on that ride thats way up there. Nice restaurant with real plates and every stuff to eat at.
On the other side of the mountains you gotta stop by the Hateful Hussy Diner in Wilberton OK. Good eats. (124 W Main St Wilburton, OK 74578)
If you got the time take a ride south on 71 towards Texarcana. Go west 0n 30, then turn right (west) on Texas 82 towards De Kalb and then north (right) on 259 through Broken Bow, OK.
259 is a beuitiful ride. You can take it north and it comes up through the middle of the Ouachita mountains/forest to highway 1 which runs east and west right through the Mountains and you can take 1 east back into Mena.
If you have less time you can also take 88 west out of Mena, 88 turns to highway 1 and come out on the other side by Talimena State Park at 271. Take 271 south to 63 east and 63 turns into highway 8 and takes you back to Mena.
Either way you can't go wrond on any road in Arkansas. Really nice riding.
If your not going around that time there is some inexpensive hotels on the main drag, HWY 71.
The ride across Ouachita Mountains is a killer 51 miles. There is a cool place called Queen Wilamena (sp) on that ride thats way up there. Nice restaurant with real plates and every stuff to eat at.
On the other side of the mountains you gotta stop by the Hateful Hussy Diner in Wilberton OK. Good eats. (124 W Main St Wilburton, OK 74578)
If you got the time take a ride south on 71 towards Texarcana. Go west 0n 30, then turn right (west) on Texas 82 towards De Kalb and then north (right) on 259 through Broken Bow, OK.
259 is a beuitiful ride. You can take it north and it comes up through the middle of the Ouachita mountains/forest to highway 1 which runs east and west right through the Mountains and you can take 1 east back into Mena.
If you have less time you can also take 88 west out of Mena, 88 turns to highway 1 and come out on the other side by Talimena State Park at 271. Take 271 south to 63 east and 63 turns into highway 8 and takes you back to Mena.
Either way you can't go wrond on any road in Arkansas. Really nice riding.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: TX
There are several Hotel/Motels in Talehina, on the OK side of Scenic HWY 1, & there's Queen Wilhelmina Lodge halfway between Talehina & Mena.
From mid September on, keep your eyes peeled for Black Bear.
We've seen them more than once....
From mid September on, keep your eyes peeled for Black Bear.
We've seen them more than once....
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: USA
Thanks guys.I just found out about the CMA Rally because everything is booked. I have decided to ride on the Hot Springs instead. I found some descent places at descent prices there and we can just ride out to the Ouachita Mts. from there. Thanks so much guys for the input. I will accept anymore you guys have to offer as well.
6th Gear
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
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Hwy7 through Jasper is a gorgeous ride but may be too far out of your way. Like Phil said, that Queen Wilhemina is supposed to be a good place to stay.
Last edited by 1931jamesw; Sep 8, 2010 at 07:38 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: 501
The cruise up through Jasper out of Hot Springs on Hwy 7 is a good long fantastic day ride. I used to do it in my cage and haven't had the chance yet to go on my scoot. Hwy 16 runs along the top of the Boston Mountain range which is the heart of the Ozarks, and crosses Hwy 7. I wouldn't call 16 a dragon run, but its pretty and runs you by what they call the Grand Canyon of the Ozarks. It's hard to beat any ride through the Ozarks or the Ouachita mountain ranges. You will run through little hamlet towns all through the Ozarks, and not many have their own constabulary ( aka Law).
Sept 30th through the 2nd of October is the "Bikes, Blues and BBQ event in Fayetteville, Ar. This will be my first time there! I can't wait.
I hope you have a safe and fun trip up through these parts Jukebox. I do enjoy most of the year here. This summers riding was like riding in a convection oven, but the winters are alright unless theirs snow on the ground, which is somewhat a rarity, but is always gone before you know it.
aka Bob
Sept 30th through the 2nd of October is the "Bikes, Blues and BBQ event in Fayetteville, Ar. This will be my first time there! I can't wait.
I hope you have a safe and fun trip up through these parts Jukebox. I do enjoy most of the year here. This summers riding was like riding in a convection oven, but the winters are alright unless theirs snow on the ground, which is somewhat a rarity, but is always gone before you know it.
aka Bob