ARCO (Arkansas Regional Coalition of the Ouachitas) – Montgomery County
Our purpose is to lead in promoting and advancing sustainable prosperity and well being for the people of Montgomery County, Arkansas through broad-based development including economic, community, educational and leadership initiatives.
338 Whittington St.
Mount Ida, AR 71957
A division of the University of Arkansas Agricultural Department, this organization provides education and information to the community about gardening, and volunteering. Community projects include the Montgomery County Courthouse grounds, Montgomery County Nursing Home, Tasty Acres, and the Caddo Gap “Indian Monument”.
The Master Gardeners meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:00am (Annex Bldg., 117 Ray Dr.). These meetings are open to the public and feature a speaker and refreshments.
117 Ray Drive
Mount Ida, AR 71957
Looking for more privacy and “social distancing” for your camping? Wind ‘n’ Wood is the place for you!
Rustic camping meets the modern trendy glamping for a unique, peaceful experience. Choose from one of four campsites with flat tent spots, great views, and permanent fire pits.
Wind ‘n’ Wood (sounds like Rock ‘n’ Roll or Fish ‘n’ Chips) is an organic teaching garden and private campground just four miles from a launch point into the Ouachita River and a few minutes from the Womble Trail (IMBA Epic Hiking/Biking Trail). Crystal digging and rock shops are just minutes away, come dig it!
Come enjoy one of the best spots in the nation without worrying about the pandemic while you go fishing, biking, hiking, floating, hunting, or just sitting around your campfire. Astounding sky views at night with a full view of the milky way.
If you are interested in the educational aspects of Wind ‘n’ Wood let us know and we will set up soap making demonstrations, foraging hikes, sky watching and constellation identification, organic and permaculture techniques, campfire cooking, and so much more. If you just need some time away, enjoy the privacy and seclusion of your own place in the woods away from the hustle and bustle of daily life or public campgrounds.
The University of Arkansas Rich Mountain continues the tradition of being a comprehensive community college providing a broad range of educational programs and learning opportunities in the three county service area. In 2017, when the merger with the University of Arkansas System was finalized, the college name changed to the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain. During the decision making process, the RMCC Board of Trustees and administrators wanted to retain the identity we had as Rich Mountain Community College since 1983 and as Rich Mountain Vo-Tech with it’s beginnings in 1973. With over forty years of presence in the service area, UA Rich Mountain has been at the forefront of progress. Its mission to provide educational opportunities for the region continues to guide programming, services, and involvement in its communities.
The service area of Polk, Montgomery, and Scott counties remains the same as does the College mission. The main campus is in Mena with permanent off-campus sites in Mount Ida and Waldron.
UA Rich Mountain faculty and staff are committed to student success. During the most recent 2014 Higher Learning Commission visit, the visiting team commented that it was evident to them the College “lives the mission.” In the 2004 HLC accreditation report, the College was recognized as “a model rural community college.”
1100 College Dr
Mena, AR 71953 US
The mission of Arkansas Extension Homemakers (EHC) is to empower individuals and families to achieve the best quality of life through:
Being an EHC member means belonging to one of the largest adult volunteer organizations in Arkansas. Programs planned by our membership focus on issues affecting our community, our families and our world.
Contact the Montgomery County Extension office on how to become a member.
The Heritage House Museum of Montgomery County is a non-profit, local history museum dedicated to preserving the history and culture of Montgomery County and making that history available to the public through exhibits, outreach programs, and special demonstrations.
The museum includes in its collection, items that originated in, were used in, or had an impact on Montgomery County during the time period from 1800 to 1975. Among the items in the museum collection are artifacts used in daily life, photographs, letters, and documents relating to the life of Montgomery County Residents during this time period.
Heritage House Museum also has a collection of oral history tape and is adding to this collection as residents record their memories to share with future generations. In addition, the museum solicits and has on file genealogy materials and family stories of many residents of the county
819 Luzerne St.
(Intersection of Luzerne Street and Arkansas Highway 27 South)
Mount Ida, AR 71957
The Caddo-Womble Ranger District consists of approximately 310,000 acres located in the Ouachita Mountains. The district has very diverse natural resource and recreational programs. Annually, there are timber sales of 18 to 20 MMBF (million board feet), prescribed burns of 25,000 – 30,000 acres, diverse wildlife and fisheries programs, and a unique quartz minerals program. The district office is located in Mount Ida, a small rural community of 1000 people surrounded by national forest, Corps of Engineers managed lands, and Lake Ouachita. Lake Ouachita, at 40,000 acres, is one of the largest, cleanest, and most beautiful lakes in the Southern Region of the USDA Forest Service. Hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, canoeing, and water sports such as swimming, scuba diving, and boating attract people from all over the south and midwest to the district. Come visit the Caddo-Womble District to experience our beautiful scenery, vast natural resources, and developed and dispersed recreation programs!
