Talimena Drive

Talimena Scenic Drive From Talihina to U.S. Hwy. 259. We reach the west end U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center by way of U.S. Highway 271 and Highway 1 at,Talihina. A short distance from Highway 1, which is the Talimena Drive, is Talihina State Park. This park is right off U.S. 271. With plenty of shade trees and with the most essential facilities, it would make a great place to set up camp and travel the many back roads.
At the visitor center, we spend a little time to familiarizing ourselves with points of interest we will check out along the drive. From clean rest rooms to dozens of information leaflets, to a gift shop, this visitor center is top notch and RV accessible with no problem
Our first stop on the Talimena Scenic Drive is the Old Military Road. In 1832, the military constructed a road from Fort Smith to Fort Towson. The soldiers were paid an extra fifteen cents and a quill of whiskey per day. Wagon trains heading west, also took advantage of this route over the mountains. Today evidence of the original road are still seen north of this point. Much of the road is today a trail open to hiking and connects to other trails for a loop of 23 miles. There are picnicking tables and restroom facilities located on-site.

Potato Hill Vista and Panorama Vista are next on the must see list. From the latter vista, one can see the Kiamichi Valley below. Here, Caddo people are believed to have lived some 1500 years ago.
We are driving along the mountain ridge, described in the literature as the highest mountain ranges between the Appalachians and the Rocky Mountains. Each vista is more beautiful than the one before. As one drives, we can see the road winding ahead of us, disappearing at points, then reappearing around a bend or groove of trees.
In due course, we arrive at Horse Thief Springs. Shady picnic areas greet the traveler. A paved road leave the picnic area near the main road and twists downward to a point lower on the hillside. Here are a couple of secluded picnic tables and a natural spring.
In the 1930's Civilian Conservation Corps crews built a rock structure around the spring to contain its water and protect it from erosion.

Horsethief Springs Hiking Trail, is also accessible from this point. Much of this 11.2 mile trail loop is located along logging roads from the 1920's. It also follows a trail horse thieves used in the 1800's, to camps near Winding Stair Mountains summit. Considered one of the most beautiful trails on the Talimena Drive, Horsethief Springs, is located 6 miles west of U.S. Highway 259.Just a short distance east of Horsethief Springs, is the Winding Stair Campground. Camp area is paved, with plenty of shade. Some 23 sites have grills, fire rings, tables, lantern poles and tent pads. There are two sites accessible for people with disabilities, four sites accommodating two campers, four sites are "pull-thru's." Rest rooms are available with warm showers and flush toilets. Water hydrants are centrally located. There are no dump stations or electricity.

The park is closed in winter, although a backpacker's camp is located 300 feet west of this campground and open year round.

The campground is located two miles west of U.S. Highway 259 junction, mile post 23.7 on the Ouachita National Recreation Trail.
When we were there, fees were $16.00 per night, $8.00 for Golden Age Passport members.
Our drive took us from Talihina to the U.S. Highway 259 junction. This is by no means the end of Talimena Scenic Drive. From U.S. Highway 259, the drive continues all the way to Mena, Arkansas. So far, we have not had the opportunity to take the entire route, but we will soon. So check back from time to time. We will add the last leg of this drive, as quickly as possible. Overall, the Talimena Scenic Drive covers 54 miles of breathtaking beauty.

We are both amazed at how far anyone can see from the many vistas along this beautiful Talimena Scenic Drive scenic byway.

© 2007 Road-Trip-USA. All Rights Reserved.

[Home] [Native American] [Old West Towns] [Old West Outlaws] [National and State Parks] [Mount Rainier Park] [Arches National Park] [Petrified Forest] [Fort Smith Historic Site] [Oklahoma Runestone] [Talimena Scenic Drive] [Prairie Grove Battlefield] [Grand Canyon] [Vacation Getaways] [Back Roads] [About Us] [Camera-Video]