Talimena Scenic Drive
Itinerary For Talimena Scenic Drive
| Departure: | West End Visitor Information Station, Oklahoma |
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| Destination: | East End Visitor Information Station, Arkansas |
| Time to allow: | 1 day |
Pack a lunch or bring charcoal for a warm meal. As you head east stop at the developed vistas and historical sites.
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Start: West End Visitor Information Station
Whether you are entering the byway or leaving the byway. The West End Visitor Information Station is a great place to rest up, get updates on weather reports, and shop for souvenirs.
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Stop 1: Old Military Road Historic Site
Directions from previous place: Follow SR 1
Distance from Previous Site: 1.5 miles / 2.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 15 minutes Visit the old historic site that features the original Military Road used by soldiers during the Civil War. The Old Military Road Historic Site is a great place to sit down and enjoy a picnic.
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Stop 2: Panorama Vista
Directions from previous place: Follow SR 1
Distance from Previous Site: 4 miles / 6.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes This scenic vista provides an almost 270 degree view of Blue Mountain, Lake Wister, Holson Valley, Talihina, Oklahoma, Tombstone Mountain, and the Potato Hills.
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Stop 3: Horse Thief Spring Historic Site and Picnicground
Directions from previous place: Follow SR 1. A sign will indicate the site.
Distance from Previous Site: 9.5 miles / 15.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 35 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 40 minutes Horse Thief offers trails located along logging roads of the 1920's. Some of these trails follow routes horse thieves used in the 1800's. These outlaws made their camps and corrals near the top of Winding Stair Mountain.
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Stop 4: Winding Stair Campground
Directions from previous place: Continue on SR 1. An entrance sign is along the highway indicating the campground junction.
Distance from Previous Site: 4 miles / 6.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour 30 minutes This mountain-top, solar-powered campground offers an excellent opportunity for getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Take a hike or stay overnight! Water supplies at this campground have not been reliable so call before you come to camp if you need a source of water.
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Stop 5: Kerr Nature Center
Directions from previous place: Continue along SR 1. An entrance sign is along the highway.
Distance from Previous Site: 7 miles / 11.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour Located at the Kerr Nature Center are three interpretive trails feature a variety of plants which are identified by trail signs.
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Stop 6: Sunset Vista
Directions from previous place: Continue along SR 1. There is an identification sign along the highway
Distance from Previous Site: 1.5 miles / 2.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes The only west facing vista along the byway.
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Stop 7: Castle Rock Vista
Directions from previous place: Continue along SR 1. There will be an identification sign along the highway
Distance from Previous Site: 4.5 miles / 7.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes This vista has the best opportunity for byway travelers to get off the byway and get a close up view of these very old members of the white oak "family tree".
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Stop 8: State Line Historic Marker
Directions from previous place: Continue on SR 1 until you reach the state line
Distance from Previous Site: 6 miles / 9.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes Drug up the mountain by mules, this five-foot iron marker delineates the historic line between the Choctaw Nation and the State of Arkansas.
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Stop 9: Pioneer Cemetery Historic Site
Directions from previous place: Continue along SR 88
Distance from Previous Site: 5 miles / 8.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 15 minutes The story of the Old Pioneer Cemetery on top of Rich Mountain is a patchwork of tales and parts of tales handed down through the generations of the families who lived on the mountain.
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Stop 10: Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Directions from previous place: Continue along SR 88.
Distance from Previous Site: 4 miles / 6.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour 30 minutes This state park offers a beautiful lodge and restaurant on a ridge top with spectacular views. The State Park offers a number of opportunities for walking and hiking.
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Stop 11: Rich Mountain Fire Tower
Directions from previous place: Continue along SR 88. There will be sign indicating the pull out for this stop.
Distance from Previous Site: 1.5 miles / 2.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 5 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 40 minutes A great place to experience climbing an old fire tower and enjoy a picnic lunch on this end of the byway.
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End: East End Visitor Information Station
Directions from previous place: Continue along SR 88
Distance from Previous Site: 8 miles / 12.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes Pick up an official travel guide at this information station.
