Lonesome Lake Road — Ouachita Mountains to Rich Mountain via Big Fork
Ridge road solitude deep in the Ouachitas.
Forest Road 106 and its connecting spur roads climb out of the Big Fork community in western Arkansas and thread along the crest of Rich Mountain, touching elevations above 2,600 feet with long, open views south into the Ouachita River basin and west toward the Oklahoma line. This is not a glamorous trail by Rocky Mountain standards, but it’s legitimately isolated — the kind of road where you can run 20 miles and not see another vehicle. The Ouachita National Forest up here is dense shortleaf pine and hardwood, with the ridge road cutting through occasional rock outcroppings and wet-weather creek crossings. Several fire towers and abandoned CCC-era structures mark the route, and the corridor overlaps with the Ouachita National Recreation Trail at multiple points.
A stock 4WD with decent clearance handles this in dry conditions. The clay-heavy soils turn greasy and deep after rain — if it’s been wet in the last 48 hours, add a locker or stay home. Best season is late spring and fall when the hardwoods are doing their thing and summer thunderstorms aren’t a daily event. No permits required. The nearest reliable fuel is in Mena or Mount Ida. Cell service is essentially nonexistent on the ridge. Dispersed camping is permitted throughout the Ouachita National Forest. Bring your own water — creek sources here require treatment.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 24 mi / 38.6 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2681 ft |
| Best season | April-June, October-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Mena, AR |
| Land manager | Ouachita National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Lonesome Lake Road without modifications?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner is the minimum you want here. 2WD trucks and crossovers will struggle on the loose dirt climbs, especially after rain — don't try it.
When is Lonesome Lake Road passable and what makes it sketchy off-season?
April through June and October through November are your windows. Winter ice on the ridge and spring mud after heavy rain can make the road impassable even with 4WD — the Ouachita National Forest doesn't maintain it aggressively, so downed trees and washouts are common outside peak seasons.
Do you need a permit or pay any fees to run this route?
No permit required and no fee to drive or camp dispersed on Ouachita National Forest land along this route. Standard forest rules apply — pack out your trash, no campfires during burn bans, and check current restrictions at fs.usda.gov/ouachita before you go.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it difficult?
The climb up to the Rich Mountain ridge near the Big Fork area is the crux — steep, loose gravel with off-camber sections that get genuinely sketchy when wet. It's not a rock-crawling trail, but one wrong line on a muddy slope and you're sideways fast.
Is there any water available on the trail, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There are water crossings on the route but treat anything you take from them — no potable water on trail. Mena is your last stop for fuel and it's roughly 15–20 miles from the start, so top off before you head out.
Trail track
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