Montgomery County, Arkansas
Montgomery County is located in the Ouachita Mountains of western Arkansas. Much of the county is covered by the Ouachita National Forest, providing abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Mount Ida, the county seat, is known as the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World. Visitors can come to the area and dig for their own crystals at several local mines.
Lake Ouachita is situated in the northeastern part of the county. As Arkansas’s largest lake, it is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and scuba diving. The annual Quartz, Quiltz, and Craftz Festival in Mount Ida also showcases local artisans.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Montgomery County |
| County Seat | Mount Ida |
| Etymology | Named after Richard Montgomery, an American Revolutionary War general |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Mount Ida, Norman, Oden, Black Springs, Sims, Story, Pencil Bluff |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Route 270, State Route 8, State Route 27, State Route 88, State Route 298 |
| FIPS Code | 05-097 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 800 square miles (Land: 780 sq mi, Water: 20 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Yell County (North), Garland County (East), Hot Spring County (Southeast), Clark County (Southeast), Pike County (South), Howard County (Southwest), Polk County (West), Scott County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Standard Time (CST) |
| State | Arkansas |
| Coordinates | 34.5547° N, 93.6616° W |
| Major Landmarks | Ouachita National Forest, Lake Ouachita, Lake Ouachita State Park, Womble Trail, Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area (part), Montgomery County Courthouse |
| Population | Approximately 8,000 |
