This 107-Mile Road Trip Leads To Some Of The Most Scenic Parts Of Oklahoma, No Matter What Time Of Year It Is
By Ashley|Published January 27, 2022
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Ashley
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Ashley has lived in Oklahoma for 30 years and is the Oklahoma staff writer for onlyinyourstate.com. When she isn't writing about Oklahoma, she enjoys visiting the beach and exploring new areas.
Oklahoma is known for its diverse topography, and one of the most beautiful places to see it is in southeastern Oklahoma. If you know the state very well, you’ve most likely heard about the Talimena National Scenic Byway – one of the most scenic drives in the state. We put together a road trip that extends the drive and includes more gorgeous scenery. The 107-mile drive from Lake Eufaula to Kerr Nature Center in Hodgen goes through the Talimena National Scenic Byway, and it’s absolutely breathtaking, no matter what time of year.
The 107-mile drive starts at Lake Eufaula then continues along the 54-mile Talimena National Scenic Byway before ending at the beautiful Kerr Nature Center in Hodgen, Oklahoma. You can extend your trip on the interactive map link at the bottom of the article and take the drive further into Arkansas.
This scenic road trip begins at Lake Eufaula, the largest lake in Oklahoma, located in the southeastern portion of the state. The views are stunning, so be sure and keep your eyes open to the stunning scenery that surrounds you on your drive to Talimena, which takes about 1.5 hours.
Very few places in the state can rival the beauty of The Talimena National Scenic Byway – a 54-mile scenic drive in the Ouachita National Forest in southern Oklahoma. This spectacular area is beautiful year-round. During the summer, the lush foliage is stark green and visible in all directions.
We think the most spectacular time to take this drive is in the fall when the leaves have changed to hues of orange, red, and yellow. It's hard to describe the beauty; it's that gorgeous.
Here's an aerial view of the fall foliage. The Talimena Scenic Drive takes you along the crest of Rich Mountain and Winding Stair Mountain in the stunning Ouachita Mountains. You'll travel through epic scenery, charming small towns, and around breathtaking vistas.
Another epic time to visit is in the middle of summer. If you can make the drive during dusk or after dark, the night sky is magical in this part of the state.
Kerr Nature Center, Talimena Scenic Dr, Hodgen, OK 74939, USA
Your road trip will end at the Kerr Nature Center in the small town of Hodges. Here, you can enjoy hiking trails and nature in an up-close-and-personal way with interpretive trails and magical scenery. It's the perfect spot to get out and stretch your legs after riding in the car.
As a reminder, you can follow along and edit this interactive Google map so it fits your starting and ending destinations.
Enjoy road trips? If so, check out this featured article where we highlight eight unforgettable road trips in Oklahoma.
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