The Stunning Oklahoma Drive That Is One Of The Best Road Trips You Can Take In America
Oklahoma usually isn’t a state that comes to mind when you think about stunning road trips, but don’t judge too quickly. The Talimena National Scenic Byway in Oklahoma is a jaw-dropping drive that will take you along epic scenery with majestic views of the surrounding topography. You’ll traverse through mountains you never knew existed in this underrated state and it’s a stunning drive you’ll never forget.
The Talimena National Scenic Byway is a 54-mile drive that winds you through Rich Mountain and Winding Stair Mountain in the Ouachita National Forest in southern Oklahoma and into Arkansas. The road was built in the 1960s and offers two lanes of majestic views for anyone lucky enough to take the drive.
As you can imagine, the sunsets in this part of the state are otherworldly and put on quite a show for any observer lucky enough to catch one on a clear night.
Along the route, there are no service stations so be sure your car is gassed up and ready to hit the road. The drive starts near Talihina, Oklahoma, and ends in Mena, Arkansas so these towns are two good options for getting snacks and gas.
If you’re interested in learning more about the drive, including a map you can download, visit the official website of the Talimena National Scenic Byway.
Curious what this drive looks like in the dead of winter? if so, check out this previous article filled with snowy drive pictures.
Address: Talimena National Scenic Byway, OK-1 Scenic, Talihina, OK 74571, USA
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Ashley has lived in Oklahoma for 25 years and is the Oklahoma staff writer for onlyinyourstate.com. When she isn't exploring Oklahoma, she enjoys visiting the beaches of California.