A Mountain Hideaway in the Ouachitas

Celebrate love where adventure meets serenity.

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We’re Mark & Kris Batte, and Ouachita Meadow Retreat is our little piece of the Ouachita Mountains — 65 private acres near Mena, Arkansas, where we live, play and now have the opportunity to welcome others.

This is a place to slow down, spread out and experience the Ouachitas the way we love them.

 

Meet “The Lazy-Ass”

At the heart of the property sits our real cedar log cabin, affectionately known as “The Lazy-Ass.”

Rustic by design and filled with character, the cabin has the feeling of stepping back to a simpler time without leaving modern conveniences behind. Inside you'll find a comfortable living area with a wood-burning stove, full kitchen and bath, main-floor bedroom and sleeping loft. Outside, the covered porch invites you to sit down, stay awhile and enjoy the peace and quiet of the ranch.

A private road leads to the cabin, tucked away from the main road and overlooking open pasture and the surrounding mountains. There's also a pond for fishing and plenty of room to simply wander.

You can fill your days with adventure — or make absolutely no plans at all.

Both work pretty well here.

Adventure Is Just Down the Road

For those who come to Mena ready to explore, you won't have to go far.

Ouachita Meadow Retreat is located approximately one mile from the Wolf Pen Gap Southern Trailhead, putting miles of ATV and hiking adventure practically at your doorstep. Wolf Pen Gap is one of the area's best-known trail systems and one of the reasons outdoor enthusiasts travel to this corner of Arkansas.

Hop on your ATV and make the ride to Missouri Falls, roughly 20 minutes from the cabin, or spend the day exploring the forests, trails and mountain scenery surrounding Mena.

The Ouachitas have a way of making the journey just as memorable as wherever you're headed.

A Few Miles From Mena — A World Away From Everything Else

When you're ready to venture into town, downtown Mena is only a few miles away.

It's the kind of small Arkansas town where you can browse local shops and art, find something good to eat and catch a live performance at the Ouachita Little Theatre — while still having the everyday conveniences you might need during a longer stay.

The surrounding area continues to grow as an outdoor destination as well, with new recreation opportunities developing around Queen Wilhelmina State Park and throughout the Ouachita Mountains.

And you don't necessarily have to head into town for lunch. Thibodaux General Store is just down the road when a Cajun-style plate sounds better than cooking.

Or Don't Go Anywhere

That's an option, too.

Fish the pond. Drink your coffee on the porch. Walk the property. Watch the mountains change as the sun moves across them. Bring the family. Take pictures. Read a book. Light the wood-burning stove on a cool evening.

Ouachita Meadow Retreat can be the starting point for a weekend full of adventure — or the place you come when you'd rather escape from everything for a while.

The ranch is also available for intimate celebrations, photography and special gatherings, giving guests the opportunity to make these 65 acres part of some of life's biggest moments.

This isn't a resort. It's something much simpler — 65 beautiful Arkansas acres and the freedom to make them your own.