Talimena National Scenic Byway is a 54-mile road between Talihina, Oklahoma and Mena, Arkansas. The curving drive winds along the spine of Rich Mountain and Winding Stair Mountain with panoramas of the Ouachita Mountains. It offers scenic vistas, historical sites, picnic areas, and hiking trails.
The scenic byway is actually two highways – Highway 1 in Oklahoma and Highway 88 in Arkansas.
Things to Know
Some overlooks have name signs, but many do not. I recommend the Ouachita National Forest website for a good map of the drive and stops.
The Oklahoma side has paved pull-offs with parking spaces. Arkansas has mostly gravel pull-offs and some paved pull-offs without spaces.
Only a few stops have restrooms available. There are no gas stations or convenience stores on the byway, plan accordingly.
Ouachita Mountains
Unlike most mountain ranges, the Ouachita ridgelines run east to west with north and south-facing slopes. Plant types differ on the two sides. South-facing slopes receive more sunlight and are dominated by evergreen, shortleaf pines. North-facing slopes are cool and moist environments because they tend to be shaded. North slopes are crowded with hardwood trees, like oaks, sugar maples, and dogwoods, which change color in the fall.
Scenic Vistas
Talimena National Scenic Byway has 26 scenic turnouts. Many have information signs highlighting natural, historic, and geographic points of interest.
Because we visited in mid-October, the leaves were starting to get their autumn colors. We started at the Oklahoma entrance. Below are some of my favorite vistas.
Deadman Vista
This vista’s name origin is a mystery; however, legend suggests that horse thieves were caught on a nearby trail and hung from an oak tree in a gap close by.
Horsethief Springs
This pull-off has bathrooms. Down a narrow road, there is a picnic area and a short path to the natural spring. Horse thieves and cattle rustlers were a big problem in the 1800s. Tom Starr’s gang ran rustled horses from Texas into Cherokee Country. Many believe these outlaws used this spring to water the horses.
Emerald Vista
My favorite overlook was Emerald Vista. It is down a side road that passes the Winding Stair Trailhead. Views include Sugar Loaf, Stapp, and Black Fork Mountain. In October, walkingsticks/stick insects covered the ground near the picnic tables. I had to watch every step I took not to step on them!
A gorgeous view of Black Fork Mountain and the turning leaves framed by the trees was too good to ignore.
Sunset Point Vista
The Ouachita Mountains are a “fold-and-thrust” mountain range, formed when the Earth’s crust was compressed and bent, shoving rocks hundreds of miles over each other. An example of a syncline (large fold) can be seen at Sunset Point Vista between the Simmons and Rough Mountains.
Choctaw Nation/Stateline
Choctaw Indians were relocated here in 1832 when settlers encroached on their ancestral lands. From the first treaty, the eastern boundary of the Choctaw Nation in Indian Territory has been disputed. An 1877 marker at the end of a trail here preserves the permanent boundary line.
Until 1907, the Choctaw Nation functioned as a country separate from the United States with their own government, school systems, farms, and businesses. In 1907, the land was absorbed as part of the state of Oklahoma, though the tribe retained its sovereignty.
Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Queen Wilhelmina State Park is atop Rich Mountain, Arkansas’ second highest peak. It has a lodge, restaurant, miniature railroad, picnic areas, hiking trails, and campsites.
We hiked two trails – Reservoir Trail and Spring Trail – and enjoyed the Wonder House.
For more information on the trails and what we saw on our visit, check out my Queen Wilhelmina State Park blog.
Eagleton Vista
Eagleton may have been named for the golden eagles soaring above the mountains.
There are many more vistas and hiking trails to explore along this drive. In addition to Queen Wilhelmina, there is another state park nearby – Talimena State Park near the west end visitor information station in Oklahoma.
Other beautiful scenic drives I love are the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and the Kancamagus Scenic Byway in New Hampshire.