The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism is preparing to sign the final permits that will expand Queen Wilhelmina State Park into the Ouachita National Forest. The agreement marks a significant step toward developing a new Arkansas mountain bike park and reflects a model of federal–state cooperation similar to those seen at Mount Magazine and Mississippi River state parks. Under this arrangement, Arkansas State Parks will assume certain management responsibilities for U.S. Forest Service land between Queen Wilhelmina State Park and the City of Mena.
Building on a Model of Cooperation
The new partnership mirrors previous successful collaborations between Arkansas State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service. At Mount Magazine, land within the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest was transferred to the state, allowing for the development of recreational facilities atop Arkansas’s highest peak. At Mississippi River State Park, the Forest Service retained ownership of land while the state developed infrastructure and programming through a long-term partnership. These projects demonstrate how coordinated land management can expand public access while maintaining conservation goals.
A Multi-Phase Effort Toward a Regional Recreation Hub
The vision for a lift-assisted Arkansas mountain bike park connecting Queen Wilhelmina State Park and Mena has advanced through multiple phases:
- Initial Concept and Public Introduction (2021–2022):
The concept was first introduced to the Mena community in May 2022. Backed by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation, the Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation conducted a trail study. The proposed bike park would span lands managed by Arkansas State Parks, the USDA Forest Service, and the City of Mena. A public meeting was held to outline the vision, with a tentative goal of beginning construction in spring 2023, pending environmental reviews. - Formalizing Partnerships (Late 2022):
In December 2022, an official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, the Ouachita National Forest, the Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation, and the City of Mena. This MOU signaled their commitment to trail development and was a key step toward fulfilling National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. - Securing Funding and Initial Trail Construction (2023):
The City of Mena secured $275,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, with an additional $160,613.75 match from the Mena Advertising and Promotion Commission. Progressive Trail Design was hired to design and build initial trail segments. - NEPA Review and Public Input (2023–2024):
A public comment period was held from March to April 2023, during which a plan was proposed to build up to 100 miles of trails, beginning with the Ward Lake Zone. In mid-2024, the Ouachita National Forest released a draft Environmental Assessment and requested further public input. - Ward Lake Trail Opening (October 2024):
A milestone celebration took place on October 25, 2024, with the opening of a new trail system at Ward Lake. Built by Progressive Trail Design on city land, the system supports mountain biking, hiking, and trail running. The project was made possible through collaboration among the City of Mena, Mena A&P Commission, Western Arkansas Planning and Development District, the Economic Development Administration, and the Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation. - Major Federal Approval (Late 2024):
In late 2024, the Ouachita National Forest announced plans to issue a Special Use Permit (SUP) to Arkansas State Parks, covering development on approximately 8,196 acres of National Forest System land. The broader project area includes state and city lands, with a goal of building around 100 miles of trails, installing up to three lift systems, and enhancing access and parking. The permit became effective following a final objection period ending November 25, 2024.
Preparing for Construction
The finalization of land-use agreements clears a major hurdle for the project. Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Shea Lewis emphasized the significance of the approval.
“Finalizing this special use agreement is a pivotal moment,” Lewis said. “It enables the state to develop a world-class mountain bike park featuring lift-assisted facilities—an undertaking that is a really big deal for Arkansas. We are incredibly excited about the transformative impact this project will have on the Mena region and the entire state.”
With permitting complete, the state will now move into design and construction. Arkansas State Parks plans to contract with a qualified firm to develop, install, and build the lift systems. That same contractor is expected to operate the lifts as a concessionaire under the state park system.
At the same time, the Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation will lead efforts to hire a professional trail builder. The approach will be similar to that used in developing Monument Trails at Hobbs, Devil’s Den, Mount Nebo, and Pinnacle Mountain state parks.
Although the opening of the bike park is still several years away, this agreement removes most of the major barriers to completion. The Mena area is now positioned to become a leading destination for mountain biking and outdoor recreation in Arkansas.
The signing will be held at 10am today (June 6, 2025) at Queen Wilhelmina State Park.
The lead photo for this article is courtesy of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
