Where is Mena, Arkansas

Mena is a city in western Arkansas and the county seat of Polk County. Located in the Ouachita Mountains near the Oklahoma border, Mena is surrounded by forests, lakes, and mountain scenery. The city is known for its historic downtown, outdoor recreation, nearby Queen Wilhelmina State Park, and its connection to the Ouachita National Forest.

Location Map of Mena, Polk County, Arkansas

About Map: The map shows the location of Mena in Polk County, in the U.S. state of Arkansas.

Mena Map, Arkansas

Where is Mena Located?

Mena is a city located in Polk County, Arkansas, the United States. It lies in western Arkansas within the Ouachita Mountains, about 20 miles east of the Oklahoma state line and roughly 85 miles west of Hot Springs. Mena is located at approximately 34.586° North latitude and 94.240° West longitude. The 2020 Census recorded 5,737 residents, and the city covers about 11.05 square miles (28.62 sq km). Mena was founded in 1896 and incorporated in 1898 as a railroad community. The arrival of the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad played a major role in the city's early growth by connecting the area with markets and transportation routes farther west and east. Mena serves as the county seat of Polk County and remains an important center for government, tourism, retail, education, and services in the surrounding mountain region. The city is surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest, one of the largest national forests in the southern United States. The forest provides extensive opportunities for hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, scenic driving, and wildlife viewing. Queen Wilhelmina State Park is located nearby on Rich Mountain and offers panoramic mountain views, hiking trails, camping, and access to the Talimena Scenic Drive. The Ouachita River and numerous mountain lakes and streams add to the area's outdoor appeal. A unique feature of Mena is its location in a forested mountain setting close to both the Arkansas-Oklahoma border and some of the region's most scenic drives. The historic downtown includes older commercial buildings, local shops, restaurants, and community landmarks. U.S. Highway 71 and Arkansas Highway 8 provide important transportation connections to Waldron, De Queen, Hot Springs, and other communities in western Arkansas.

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Mena City Facts

Distance from Mena, AR to Nearby Cities

• Acorn, AR – 15 miles (24 km)
• Waldron, AR – 30 miles (48 km)
• Broken Bow, OK – 45 miles (72 km)
• De Queen, AR – 45 miles (72 km)
• Mount Ida, AR – 50 miles (80 km)
• Heavener, OK – 50 miles (80 km)
• Paris, AR – 65 miles (105 km)
• Booneville, AR – 70 miles (113 km)
• Fort Smith, AR – 75 miles (121 km)
• Hot Springs, AR – 85 miles (137 km)
• Russellville, AR – 100 miles (161 km)
• Texarkana, AR – 110 miles (177 km)
• Little Rock, AR – 125 miles (201 km)
• Oklahoma City, OK – 170 miles (274 km)
• Tulsa, OK – 150 miles (241 km)

Top Attractions in Mena

• Queen Wilhelmina State Park – A mountain park on Rich Mountain offering scenic overlooks, hiking trails, camping, a lodge, and access to the Talimena Scenic Drive.
• Ouachita National Forest – A vast forested area surrounding Mena with hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing.
• Talimena National Scenic Byway – A scenic mountain route connecting western Arkansas with southeastern Oklahoma and offering expansive views of the Ouachita Mountains.
• Janssen Park – A community park in central Mena with walking areas, open green space, playgrounds, and local events.
• Mena Historic Downtown – The historic city center features older commercial buildings, local shops, restaurants, and landmarks connected to Mena's railroad history.
• Rich Mountain – One of the prominent peaks near Mena and a major destination for hiking, scenic driving, and mountain recreation.
• Wolf Pen Gap Trail Complex – A popular nearby trail system for off-road vehicles, mountain biking, hiking, and exploring the Ouachita Mountains.
• Lake Ouachita – A large nearby reservoir known for clear water, boating, fishing, camping, and scenic mountain surroundings.

Airports Near Mena

• Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport (MEZ) – 5 miles
• Fort Smith Regional Airport (FSM) – 80 miles
• Texarkana Regional Airport (TXK) – 110 miles
• Memorial Field Airport (HOT) – 85 miles
• Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) – 130 miles

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the official Mena city website and local government records.

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