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.
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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.
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But it is just one of several Oklahoma scenic drives that delight and inspire.
You can make it a full-day trip...
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... 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.

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 Route 66 Practically Runs Through All Of Oklahoma And It's A Beautiful Drive

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During your road trip, you'll encounter majestic evergreen and deciduous trees.
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It's like driving through a beautiful forest.
The drive is gorgeous in every season...
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...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.
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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.
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The Talimena National Scenic Byway starts near Talihina, Oklahoma, and ends in Mena, Arkansas so these towns are two good options for getting snacks and gas.

Enjoy Talimena National Scenic Byway reviews 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.

Have you ever traversed along this beautiful Oklahoma byway? If so, what was your favorite part? Would you agree that it is among the most scenic drives in Oklahoma? 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.

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More to Explore

More To Love About Oklahoma

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | May 11, 2023

Where can we find other haunted attractions in Oklahoma?

  • The Bird Creek School in Pawhuska is a former one-room schoolhouse for Native American children built in the early 1900s that is said to have some spooky activities happening with visitors.
  • The Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City is a historic hotel believed to be haunted by a ghost named Effie, who was a maid at the hotel.
  • The Cherokee Strip Museum in Alva is a former hospital that people believe is haunted by the spirits of patients who died here back in the day.

Read on to learn about some of the many other haunted attractions in Oklahoma.

Where can we find the best steakhouses in Oklahoma?

  • The Boulevard Steakhouse in Edmond is an area known for its amazing USDA Prime steaks.
  • Click's Steakhouse in Pawnee has been around since 1962 and serves up a wide array of options from steaks to prime rib, seafood, and more.
  • Costello's Continental Cuisine in Enid not only has excellent steaks but also a great wine selection.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other delicious steakhouses in Oklahoma.

Where can we find farmers' markets in Oklahoma?

  • The Tulsa Farmers’ Market in Tulsa encompasses both a weekly Saturday Farmers' Market and a Second Sunday Arts & Eats Market.
  • The Bartlesville Farmers Market in Bartlesville offers fresh, locally-produced vegetables, fruits, homemade baked goods, and a great deal more.
  • The Muskogee Farmers Market in Muskogee is one of Oklahoma's premier markets and draws folks from all over the area.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other popular farmers' markets in Oklahoma.

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Featured Addresses
Talimena National Scenic Byway, OK-1 Scenic, Talihina, OK 74571, USA