Talimena Scenic Drive, OK-1 / AR-88

Driving

by Plot Along: Heartland

The Talimena Scenic Drive is a 54-mile National Scenic Byway that rides the crest of the Ouachita Mountains between Talihina, Oklahoma, and Mena, Arkansas. Its name is a portmanteau of the two towns. The Ouachitas are one of the few major mountain ranges in North America that run east to west, and the byway takes full advantage, staying up on the spine of Winding Stair and Rich Mountain with long ridgeline views off both sides rather than dropping into the valleys.

It's a well-known fall-foliage drive, and the high point, literally, is Rich Mountain, Arkansas's second-highest peak, topped by Queen Wilhelmina State Park and its "Castle in the Clouds" lodge.

Fully paved and open year-round, but it's a ridgetop road with no services along the crest and weather that can turn fast, with fog, ice, and wind up top. Fuel and food are at the Talihina and Mena ends. Best in mid-to-late October for color.

Learn more: en.wikipedia.org

Talihina
The Oklahoma gateway, at the Dallas Street / 2nd Street (US-271) corner in downtown Talihina where the route turns toward OK-1 and the climb onto the Winding Stair crest. Last services before the ridgetop run.
Potato Hills Vista
An early overlook on the Winding Stair Mountain crest, looking north over the distinctive low Potato Hills rising out of the valley.
Panorama Vista
A sweeping pull-off along the ridgeline, with views off both sides of the narrow east-to-west crest the byway follows.
Deadman Gap Overlook
An overlook at a gap in the ridge, a good spot to take in the folded parallel ridges that define the Ouachitas.
Lake Wilhelmina Vista
A pull-off on Skyline Drive near the crest of Rich Mountain, looking down over Lake Wilhelmina and the Ouachita ridges. Queen Wilhelmina State Park and its 'Castle in the Clouds' lodge sit just up the road, near Arkansas's second-highest point.
Mena
The Arkansas terminus, at the Mena Street / Janssen Avenue corner in downtown Mena, where AR-88 comes off Rich Mountain into town. The eastern bookend of the Ouachita crest drive.

Talihina

Potato Hills Vista

Panorama Vista

Deadman Gap Overlook

Lake Wilhelmina Vista

Mena