Oklahoma--Talimena Scenic Byway
Date: 2004-12-09
The Talimena Scenic Byway is a 54-mile trip from Talihina, Okla.
to Mena, Ark. The two-lane highway was built specifically for sightseeing
through the 1.6 million-acre Ouachita National Forest. This trip starts
at the Visitors Information Station seven miles northeast of Talihina
at U.S. 271 and Rte. 1. Just past the information station, you can see
the dark blue hills and valleys from Choctaw Vista on the west end of
Winding Stair Mountain.
After leaving Choctaw Vista, you will enter the forest. Five miles past the entrance is Panorama Vista, overlooking Holson Valley. The next stop is Horse Thief Springs, where 1800s horse thieves often rested on their way in between Texas and Missouri. Seven miles later, stop at the Robert S. Kerr Arboretum and Nature Center for a walk down three short trails. Around mile 40, stop and visit the Old Pioneer Cemetery.
The Queen Wilhelmina State Park, with views of the south from Rich Mountain, lies two miles past the cemetery. The highest point of the drive, Rich Mountain Fire Tower, stands 2,681 feet tall. The drive ends two hours later at the Mena Visitor Information Station.
Starting Point:
Talihina, OK
Distance of Drive:
54 miles
Must Eat:
Corner Cafe
Hwy. 2 and 271, Clayton, OK 74536
Phone:918-569-7845
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Best Time of Year for Drive:
Year round
Points of Interest on Drive:
Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Ouachita National Forest
Robert S. Kerr Arboretum and Nature Center
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