Oklahoma usually doesn't come 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. Let's take a look at one of our favorite Oklahoma scenic byways.
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.
The drive is so spectacular and doesn't look like what most people envision the topography to look like in Oklahoma.
But it is just one of several Oklahoma scenic drives that delight and inspire.
You can make it a full-day trip...
... or if you don't want to make any stops along the way to see the sights, you can make the drive in about two hours.
During your road trip, you'll encounter majestic evergreen and deciduous trees.
It's like driving through a beautiful forest.
The drive is gorgeous in every season...
...but if you get the chance to visit during autumn, it's quite spectacular.
As you can imagine, the sunsets in this part of the state are otherworldly.
They put on quite a show for any observer lucky enough to catch one on a clear night, which is also great for stargazing.
Along the route, there are no service stations so be sure your car is gassed up and ready to hit the road.
The Talimena National Scenic Byway starts near Talihina, Oklahoma, and ends in Mena, Arkansas so these towns are two good options for getting snacks, gas, and a Talimena scenic drive map.
Enjoy a Talimena National Scenic Byway review and footage of these beautiful mountains you can drive up in Oklahoma in this video from Rhetty for History:
If you're interested in learning more about the drive, including a map you can download, visit Talimena Drive, the official website of the Talimena National Scenic Byway. Check out our ultimate road trip packing list before you start your journey.
Have you ever traversed along the beautiful Talimena scenic drive? If so, what was your favorite part? Would you agree that it is among the most stunning Oklahoma scenic byways? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section!
Curious what this drive looks like in the dead of winter? if so, check out this previous article filled with snowy Talimena National Scenic Byway photos in the winter.
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/oklahoma/winter-scenic-drive-ok/
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