Glade Creek Road to Brushy Lake — Ouachita National Forest Wilderness Rim via Big Fork Ridge
Red clay ridges and creek bottoms nobody bothers.
The Ouachita Mountains don’t get the overland press they deserve, and that’s exactly why you go. Glade Creek Road drops you into the Big Fork drainage south of Mena, threading a narrow corridor of shortleaf pine and white oak that closes in tight after any rain. The route climbs to Brushy Lake via Big Fork Ridge, passing through one of the least-trafficked corners of the Ouachita National Forest. Expect creek crossings that vary by season, rutted red clay on the ridge descents, and zero cell signal from the moment you leave pavement.
This is a high-clearance trail at minimum — a stock 4WD with a locking differential will handle it dry, but wet clay on those ridge faces turns the trail into a greased chute and bumps the required skill level up fast. Spring runoff means meaningful creek crossings; summer and fall are the reliable windows. No permits required. Fuel up in Mena before you leave — there’s nothing out here. What you get is genuine southern wilderness solitude, good dispersed camping near Brushy Lake, and a trail that’ll tell you honestly what your rig is made of.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2340 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Mena, AR |
| Land manager | Ouachita National Forest — Womble Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Womble Ranger District Ouachita National Forest |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted Tacoma or stock 4Runner handle this, or does it need something more capable?
A stock 4Runner or Tacoma will struggle — high-clearance 4WD is the minimum, but expect rocky shelf sections and embedded roots along Big Fork Ridge that will punish anything with less than 8–9 inches of clearance. Lockers or a locking rear diff are a serious advantage on the wet red clay sections. A bone-stock crossover or 2WD truck has no business here.
When does the trail get impassable — is it rideable in early spring?
Spring is the worst window. The red clay turns into a greasy mess after rain and can stay slick for days. Best access is June through October when the ground has dried out. Winter can crack a weather window but creek crossings run higher and the clay stays wet — treat it as expert-only then.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp out here?
No permit required for dispersed camping or trail use in the Ouachita National Forest under standard Forest Service rules — 14-day stay limit applies. There are no fees for this corridor. It's worth a quick call to the Womble Ranger District before you go to check for any seasonal closures or fire restrictions: (479) 394-2382.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it hard?
The descent off Big Fork Ridge into the creek bottoms is where most rigs get humbled — steep, loose shale over slick clay with off-camber exposure and no real bailout line. The creek crossings themselves aren't deep under normal conditions, but the exit angles are rutted and rocky. If it's rained in the last 48 hours, that ridge descent becomes a genuine recovery situation.
There's no cell service — how far is the nearest gas and what should I know about water on the trail?
Fuel up in Mena before you leave — it's the last reliable stop and you're looking at a full day of 18 miles of low-speed technical driving, so don't cut it close on range. The creek crossings offer water but bring a filter; cattle grazing upstream is possible. Tell someone your route and expected return time — there's zero cell signal the entire run.
Trail track
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