How difficult is Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex?

Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex is rated moderate.

When is the best time to visit Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex?

The best months are Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb.

Do you need a permit for Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex?

Yes — a permit is required. It is managed by U.S. Forest Service — check the agency listing for current requirements and fees.

Guides/OHV areas/Arkansas

OHV areadifficulty: moderate

Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex

RegionArkansasAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—

Brandonrush (CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Area vitals5 facts

Technical difficulty

Moderate

Vehicle

ATV, UTV/side-by-side (64-inch maximum width), and dirt-bike trails; full-size 4x4 trucks and Jeeps are not permitted.

Best months

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct

Permit

Required

Cell coverage

Minimal

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Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex is a designated off-highway network of about 42 miles of marked, looped trails in the Ouachita National Forest, southeast of Mena in Polk County, Arkansas. The U.S. Forest Service Mena/Oden Ranger District runs it as one of the district's two ATV multiple-use trail complexes, laid largely on converted logging roads between Gap Creek and Board Camp Creek.

The trails carry ATVs, side-by-sides up to 64 inches wide, and dirt bikes; full-size trucks and Jeeps are not allowed. Difficulty ranges from easy graded connectors to rockier climbs, so groups can chain loops to suit the least experienced rider. The system runs seasonally, roughly the first Friday of March through October 31, and can close on short notice after heavy rain to limit erosion.

Hazards

Read before you go

Wet weather is the main variable. Heavy rain triggers short-term closures to prevent erosion, and creek crossings can rise quickly. Terrain hazards include loose rock on the steeper climbs, off-camber sections on old logging grades, and blind curves on the connectors. Cell coverage is minimal once you leave the highway, so plan for self-recovery. Trails are shared with hikers and mountain bikers, and the season overlaps with fall hunting, so wear visible colors. Summer brings heat, ticks, and snakes in the creek bottoms. Night riding is prohibited, and the system is closed between sundown and sunrise.

Area map

OHV area

Coordinates 34.45250, -94.02700

Current conditions

Live weather

Area facts

5 fields

Agency	U.S. Forest Service
Nearest town	Mena, Arkansas
Website	www.fs.usda.gov/r08/ouachita/recreation/wolf-pen-gap
Closed	Dec, Jan, Feb
Coordinates	34.45250, -94.02700

Getting there

Directions

The complex lies southeast of Mena off Arkansas Highway 8. For the West Trailhead, take Highway 8 east to Arkansas 375, then follow AR 375 south about 8 miles. The South Trailhead is farther south along AR 375 on the left. For the East Trailhead, continue on Highway 8 east roughly 20 miles (about 1 mile east of Big Fork) and turn right on Polk County Road 83. For the North Trailhead, take Highway 8 east about 10 miles to Polk County Road 61, drive 3.5 miles, and turn right at the sign. Mena is the last town with full services before any of the trailheads.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Wolf Pen Gap sits in the Ouachita National Forest southeast of Mena, off Arkansas Highway 8 and Arkansas 375 in Polk County. The U.S. Forest Service manages it through the Mena/Oden Ranger District, which oversees roughly 400,000 acres and two ATV multiple-use trail complexes. Wolf Pen Gap is the larger of the two, with about 42 miles of marked and looped trails threaded through pine and hardwood ridges between Gap Creek and Board Camp Creek. Four trailheads (West, South, East, and North) feed the network, so riders can enter close to the loops they plan to run.

Trail Overview

Most of the system follows old logging roads that have been signed and rated as OHV trails, then connected into loops so riders can vary trip length. Surfaces move between graded gravel, packed clay, loose rock, and shallow creek fords. The difficulty spread is real but weighted toward the easier end: the majority of mileage rides at a novice-to-intermediate level, with a smaller share of steeper, rockier climbs for more experienced drivers. Trails are marked and rated at the trailheads, and machines must stay on designated routes because cross-country travel is prohibited.

Points of Interest

Crossings of Gap Creek and Board Camp Creek
A double-trunked (two-footed) oak tree along the trail
An abandoned mine shaft within the complex
Ridge-top vistas over the surrounding Ouachita Mountains

Where to Camp

Camping inside the complex is limited to designated campsites; dispersed camping off the marked sites is not allowed under the forest order. Several private ATV-oriented campgrounds and cabin operations cluster around the trailheads near Mena and Board Camp for riders who want hookups, rentals, or direct trail access. Developed Forest Service recreation areas such as Shady Lake and Big Brushy lie elsewhere in the district for a quieter base.

Permits and Regulations

The Forest Service does not require a separate OHV permit to ride in the Ouachita National Forest, but it has adopted a day-use recreation fee specifically for the Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex. The fee phased in during March 2024 at about $5 per machine per day or $40 for an annual pass, and is scheduled to rise toward $10 per day or $60 annually by March 2028. The riding season runs from the first Friday of March through October 31, with two added holiday windows (the Thanksgiving period and December 22 through January 2). Operating after sundown or before sunrise is prohibited, tracked vehicles are banned, side-by-sides are capped at 64 inches wide, and spark arrestors are required on national forest land. Call the Mena/Oden Ranger District at (479) 394-2382 to confirm status before a trip.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

Check the closure status after any heavy rain; the district shuts trails to protect the soil and reopens them when conditions dry.
Buy the annual pass if you plan more than a few days of riding across the season.
Bring recovery gear, a tire plug kit, and enough water; there is none at the trailheads.
Ride in daylight only. The trails close between sundown and sunrise.
Leave full-size rigs at home; this is an ATV, UTV, and dirt-bike system, not a full-size 4x4 area.
Ride single file where trails narrow and watch for hikers and mountain bikers, who share the routes.

Fuel and Water

Mena is the last place to fuel up, buy groceries, and reach ATV parts or repair shops before heading to the trailheads. There is no fuel or potable water at the trailheads themselves, so top off tanks and carry drinking water for the day. Several private ATV campgrounds near the trailheads sell fuel and basic supplies seasonally, but hours are limited; do not count on them.

Nearby

Fourche Mountain is the district's other ATV multiple-use complex, a short drive away for riders who want more mileage. North of Mena, Rich Mountain carries Queen Wilhelmina State Park and the Talimena National Scenic Byway, a paved ridge drive with long views over the Ouachitas. Shady Lake and Big Brushy recreation areas offer swimming, camping, and hiking within the same ranger district. The small communities of Board Camp and Big Fork sit along Highway 8 near the eastern trailheads.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex?: Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex is rated moderate.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex?: ATV, UTV/side-by-side (64-inch maximum width), and dirt-bike trails; full-size 4x4 trucks and Jeeps are not permitted.
When is the best time to visit Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex?: The best months are Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb.
Do you need a permit for Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex?: Yes — a permit is required. It is managed by U.S. Forest Service — check the agency listing for current requirements and fees.
Is there cell service at Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex?: Minimal