Trail Overview
Nunley Road is an easy, scenic connector route that offers offroaders, ATVs, and SxSs convenient access from Mena, Arkansas, directly into the East Wolf Pen Gap trail system. Originally established in the 1980s from old logging roads, this 3.5-mile route features minimal elevation changes ranging from 1,021 to 1,187 feet, with an easy technical rating of 1. It serves as a vital corridor through a rural, residential area in the Ouachita National Forest, starting from Highway 8 and ending where the rugged dirt trails begin. The route is highly accessible, allowing four-wheel-drive vehicles, SxSs, and other off-highway vehicles to easily transition from town or nearby campgrounds directly onto the main trail network.
To access the trail system, travel east from Mena on Highway 8 and turn onto Nunley Road, where a right turn at the 2.2-mile mark leads to a small parking and staging area. Staging and lodging are also highly convenient at the nearby Trailhead ATV resort in Nunley, which offers full-hookup campsites and rentals. While primitive dispersed camping is permitted in designated spots throughout the surrounding national forest, camping is strictly prohibited at the immediate trailheads. The surrounding Wolf Pen Gap trails are open during daylight hours only, making this route the perfect launching point for a full day of exploring the region's diverse and scenic terrain.
History
According to the Ouachita ATV Club, what makes riding here stand out is the diversity of the terrain. "The trails have a little bit of everything in terms of difficulty levels. It's got challenging terrain but also easy trails." Here, you can walk out of your cabin or RV, get on your off-road vehicle, and have direct access to the trails. Camping is not permitted at the trailheads but there are a few small, primitive campsites scattered throughout the forest where it is allowed.
