One-Owner Homestead with Private Pond on 11 Rolling Acres in the Ouachita Mountains
$375,000
Mount Ida sits in Montgomery County in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains, a different landscape entirely from the Ozarks to the north — lower, more rounded ridges blanketed in pine and hardwood, with rivers running clear through narrow hollows. The town has an outsized identity as the quartz crystal capital of the world, with commercial mines and public digging sites drawing collectors from across the country to the surrounding hills. Lake Ouachita, the largest and cleanest lake in Arkansas, is a short drive away, and the Ouachita National Forest wraps around the entire region. Hot Springs is roughly 45 minutes to the east, keeping everyday services and a bit of regional character within easy reach without pulling the land into its orbit.
The property at 2742 Highway 270 East has been in one family's hands since the house was built in 1975 — a half-century of single ownership that speaks directly to the character of a place well cared for. The 2,120 sq ft layout across nearly 11 rolling acres includes a private pond, a covered front porch designed for taking in the surrounding landscape, and side and back decks that extend the living space outdoors. Two outbuildings handle workshop and equipment storage needs. A brand-new roof installed in Summer 2025 means the structural foundation is current and the property is ready for its next owner without immediate capital outlays. The rolling acreage and Ouachita Mountain backdrop give this place the kind of setting that photographs as well as it lives.
Listed at $375,000, reduced $24,900 in June 2026. Listing courtesy of Eric Billingsley, McGraw Realtors - HS.
Homestead Potential
Water & Infrastructure
The private pond is the property's most visible water feature — suitable for fishing, wildlife habitat, and small-scale irrigation draw with appropriate pump setup. Buyers should confirm the pond's depth, seasonal level stability, and any water rights relevant to irrigation use. Domestic water supply for a rural Montgomery County property typically comes from a private well; buyers should confirm yield and water quality as standard due diligence. The rolling terrain and pine-hardwood cover of the Ouachita Mountains generally support good groundwater recharge, though site-specific conditions vary.
Crop & Income Potential
Nearly eleven acres in the Ouachita Mountains is primarily a forested and rolling-terrain property, which shapes its agricultural potential toward timber management, wildlife habitat, and small-scale production rather than row crops. The cleared areas around the house, pond, and outbuildings are well suited for a kitchen garden, small orchard, or a few animals — goats or chickens fit the scale and the terrain. The two outbuildings provide storage and workspace that support a small-farm or hobby-homestead operation. Buyers interested in timber income should contact the Arkansas Forestry Commission about a management plan for the wooded portion of the acreage.
Sustainability
A home built in 1975 and maintained by one family for fifty years has the advantage of known history — the new roof installed in Summer 2025 is a meaningful capital improvement that extends the structural baseline. The rural Montgomery County setting provides space for a generator or solar installation if the buyer wants to reduce grid dependence; the two outbuildings also offer flexibility for equipment, processing, or workshop uses that support a self-sufficient operation. The Ouachita Mountains climate brings four moderate seasons, with mild winters compared to the northern Ozarks and manageable summer heat at elevation.
The Boundaries
A 10.99-acre parcel in rural Montgomery County warrants a current survey before closing to confirm property lines, pond boundaries, and any easements along Highway 270. The two outbuildings should be confirmed as permitted structures or grandfathered improvements under Montgomery County regulations. Buyers planning any commercial or agricultural use beyond personal homesteading should verify applicable zoning and land use rules with the county. The listing's also-listed status on HSDS (Hot Springs Direct Sales) suggests the seller may be exploring multiple channels; buyers should clarify the listing structure with the agent to confirm there is no dual-agency or auction process that affects offer terms.
Beyond the Property Line
Local Flavor & Small-Town Character
Mount Ida is a small county seat of about 1,000 people with a strong regional identity rooted in quartz crystal mining and the Ouachita Mountains. The surrounding area draws rockhounds, hunters, anglers, and people looking for genuinely rural land at prices that reflect the local economy rather than resort proximity. The quartz mines and digging sites around Mount Ida are a regional draw that brings a steady trickle of visitors to the area. Hot Springs, about 45 minutes east on Highway 270, provides regional shopping, medical services, and a much larger arts and hospitality scene without changing the rural character of the Montgomery County land market.
Agricultural Resources & Neighbor Networks
The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service maintains a Montgomery County presence with programming on small farms, timber management, livestock, and home production relevant to an 11-acre property. The Arkansas Forestry Commission provides free forest stewardship planning for landowners with wooded acreage and connects owners with licensed foresters for timber management assessments. The USDA Farm Service Agency office serving Montgomery County can provide information on conservation programs, including CRP and EQIP enrollment opportunities relevant to a forested hill-country property. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's wildlife management resources are relevant to buyers interested in managing the property for hunting or habitat.
Outdoor Recreation & Natural Surroundings
Lake Ouachita — the largest lake in Arkansas at over 40,000 acres — is approximately 20 miles from Mount Ida and offers outstanding striper and bass fishing, boating, swimming, and lakeside camping in a setting that remains one of the cleanest large lakes in the South. The Ouachita National Forest surrounds the area and provides extensive hiking, including sections of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail that runs 223 miles across the mountains from Oklahoma to Pinnacle Mountain State Park near Little Rock. The Womble Trail along the Ouachita River is a regional destination for mountain bikers. Rockhounding at the quartz crystal mines around Mount Ida is a local institution — some mines offer public digging by the day for a modest fee.
Listed on Zillow
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