Arkansas · Hiking

E.Ridge - Inner Loop

1.5 mi
loop
31 ft
climb
1,388 ft
high point
Loop
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is E.Ridge - Inner Loop open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ouachita National Forest. It doesn't name E.Ridge - Inner Loop, so check the source for the area it covers (5 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Ouachita National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

E.Ridge - Inner Loop is a 1.5-mile loop hike in the Mena Ranger District of Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is short and easy, with a total elevation gain of 31 feet and a loss of 70 feet over the course of the loop. The climb is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 0.24 miles in, and the high point reaches 1,388 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Mena show October highs around 73°F with lows near 48°F, and April highs around 70°F. July and August average highs of 90°F. The loop makes an easy addition to a day spent exploring the E.Ridge area. E.Ridge - Fern Loop is about 0.3 miles away, and E.Ridge - Southern Loop and E.Ridge - Orchard Trail are each about 0.4 miles off. For a longer outing, the Ouachita River is about 3.9 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit E.Ridge - Inner Loop

    Best months: March–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      49° / 28°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      54° / 31°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      62° / 38°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 46°

      10 wet

    5. May

      77° / 56°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 65°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      90° / 68°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      90° / 66°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 59°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 48°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 38°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 30°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mena, AR, 2.9 mi away at 1,152 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Rich MountainPhoto: SlapTheWorld, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Rich Mountain

~12 min drive

15.88-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 1,162 ft elevation gain.

Wolf Pen Gap 8Photo: thigpen.robert, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Wolf Pen Gap 8

~17 min drive

3.33-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 471 ft gain.

Wolf Pen Gap 624Photo: thigpen.robert, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Wolf Pen Gap 624

~22 min drive

1.48-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 188 ft gain.

HIKE

Beech Cr - Blue Bouncer

~28 min drive

4-mile out-and-back trail in Oklahoma with 266 ft elevation gain. Moderate difficulty.

Caney CreekPhoto: thigpen.robert, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Caney Creek

~23 min drive

19.20-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 1,308 ft gain.

Wolf Pen Gap 6 WestPhoto: thigpen.robert, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Wolf Pen Gap 6 West

~18 min drive

7.9-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 560 ft gain.

Wolf Pen Gap 614Photo: thigpen.robert, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Wolf Pen Gap 614

~22 min drive

1.88-mile loop trail in Arkansas with 478 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Fourche Mountain Trail

~28 min drive

5.60-mile out-and-back hike in Arkansas with 481 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Black Fork Mountain

~13 min drive

9.36-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 1,387 ft elevation gain.

Wolf Pen Gap 8Photo: thigpen.robert, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Wolf Pen Gap 8

~20 min drive

9.38-mile out-and-back trail in Arkansas with 603 ft elevation gain.