National Scenic Byway · Arkansas, Oklahoma

Talimena Scenic Drive

54 miles along the crests of Rich and Winding Stair mountains in the Ouachita National Forest, between Mena, Arkansas, and Talihina, Oklahoma.

Also known as Talimena National Scenic Byway; Arkansas Highway 88 and Oklahoma Highway 1

Talimena Scenic Drive: Talimena Scenic Byway

Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation, America's Byways collection (National Archives), Public domain, source

  • Length54 miles[1]36 of the 54 miles are in Oklahoma.
  • Drive timeOne to two hours of driving, or about five hours with stops[1]FHWA's "time to allow"; TravelOK says about 1 hour 10 minutes without stopping
  • RoadsArkansas Highway 88 and Oklahoma Highway 1[3]
  • Start and endMena, Arkansas, to Talihina, Oklahoma (Oklahoma end at the junction of US 271 and Highway 1)[3]
  • Fees and passesNo fee[2]
  • Best seasonYear-round; fall color usually peaks from the last week of October to the first week of November[3]
  • SurfaceNot verified
  • Vehicle notesThere are no gas stations along the drive, so fill up before you start.[3]
  • Seasonal closuresThe Forest Service lists the byway as open year-round.[2]

Before you go

Road status and weather can change quickly. Check the official road-conditions link before you go.

Facts last checked against the sources on October 22, 2026.

About the drive

The Talimena Scenic Drive follows the tops of Rich Mountain and Winding Stair Mountain through the Ouachita National Forest. It's Arkansas Highway 88 on the east end and Oklahoma Highway 1 for the last 36 miles into Oklahoma.

The road is lined with named vistas; Oklahoma's tourism office lists 16 on its side alone. Queen Wilhelmina State Park sits on Rich Mountain near the Arkansas end, and the Forest Service runs information stations at both ends.

Without stops it's a little over an hour, but most people take half a day. There are no gas stations on the drive. Fall color usually peaks from late October into early November.

Stops along the way

  1. Rich Mountain

    The mountain the drive follows on the Arkansas end.

    Official information · 34.6742, -94.3292 · about 0.1 mi from the route line

  2. Queen Wilhelmina State Park

    Lodge park on Rich Mountain on the Arkansas side.

    Official information · 34.68581, -94.36944 · about 0.0 mi from the route line

  3. Robert S. Kerr Memorial Arboretum

    Nature center and botanical area in the Ouachita National Forest.

    Official information · 34.69399, -94.63161 · about 0.5 mi from the route line

  4. Horsethief Spring

    Rest stop with restrooms on the Oklahoma side.

    Official information · 34.73794, -94.72706 · about 0.1 mi from the route line

  5. Talimena State Park

    Small state park near the Oklahoma end.

    Official information · 34.78419, -94.9519 · about 0.8 mi from the route line

Stops are listed in order along the route; the numbers match the map. Stop locations come from the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey place-names database, the stop's own official page or, where noted in the data, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors).

Food along the way

Farmers markets within about 25 miles

  • Talihina Farmers' MarketTalihina, OK · about 6.0 mi from the route
  • Polk County Farmers' MarketHatfield, AR · about 11.0 mi from the route
  • Smacker Farmers Market, OK · about 18.6 mi from the route
  • Latimer County Farmers' MarketWilburton, OK · about 22.0 mi from the route
  • Old Town Poteau Farmer's Market, Craft FairPoteau, OK · about 22.5 mi from the route

Markets keep their own seasons and hours, so check with the market before you go. Find more in the Farmers Market Finder.

In season during the best months to drive

The drive's best months are Oct, Nov. Typical U.S. seasons from our Fresh Market Guide; local harvests vary.

Sources

  1. America's Byways: Talimena Scenic Drive (FHWA) (checked 2026-10-22)
  2. Talimena National Scenic Byway (Ouachita National Forest, USDA Forest Service; updated Mar 17 2026) (checked 2026-10-22)
  3. Explore the Talimena National Scenic Byway (TravelOK, Oklahoma Tourism) (checked 2026-10-22)
  4. Queen Wilhelmina State Park (Arkansas State Parks) (checked 2026-10-22)
  5. Route line: U.S. DOT scenic byways map service (geo.dot.gov), retrieved 2026-10-22.

Written by VanillaGoods from the cited official sources. This is a drive to know, not a ranking. Road status and weather can change quickly; check the official road-conditions link before you go.

Spot something out of date? Email help@vanillagoods.com (help@vanillagoods.com).

More drives in Arkansas · All scenic drives