Take a breathtaking ride through the heart of the Ouachita Mountains as we follow the Talimena National Scenic Byway from Mena, Arkansas, to U.S. Highway 271 in Oklahoma. This 53-mile adventure along Arkansas Highway 88 and Oklahoma Highway 1 climbs ridgetops, explores windswept vistas, and winds through the pristine wilderness of the Ouachita National Forest, offering some of the most dramatic scenery in the region.
Our journey begins in the charming town of Mena, Arkansas, where we leave behind U.S. Highway 71 and turn north onto AR-88. Almost immediately, we start gaining elevation, the road twisting upward into the rugged hillsides. As we rise into the Ouachita Mountains, the dense forests of pine and hardwoods envelop us, broken only by brief glimpses of the valleys below. Not far along, we enter Queen Wilhelmina State Park, perched high atop Rich Mountain — the second-highest point in Arkansas. The lodge here offers not only accommodations but also stunning views and a taste of local hospitality. This area marks the first of many scenic turnouts that dot the byway, each inviting us to pause, reflect, and soak in the sweeping vistas.
Continuing westward, we cross the Arkansas-Oklahoma border, where AR-88 seamlessly becomes OK-1. The character of the byway remains unchanged — a high-mountain road tracing the ridge line with panoramic overlooks on both sides. With every curve, we encounter another scenic vista, and the video captures stops at many of them, each providing a unique perspective on the Ouachita Mountains’ rolling sea of green. The absence of major intersections or towns enhances the sense of remoteness, making the byway feel like a true escape into nature. Notably, about midway through the route we reach U.S. Highway 259, the sole major crossroad along the drive. This intersection offers the only direct route down from the mountains — a convenient exit for those who may need a break from the winding roads or a quick trip to nearby gas stations and services.
From there, we resume the tranquil drive northwestward, where the byway stretches across ridgelines with more sweeping curves and switchbacks. We encounter an increasingly rugged landscape, with fewer man-made intrusions and more untouched natural beauty. Occasional pull-offs reveal hidden gems: dense forest canopies, distant mountain silhouettes, and on clear days, views stretching for miles. The occasional campground or picnic area provides options to linger longer, though facilities are limited — a reflection of the byway’s emphasis on raw scenic beauty over commercial development. Gradually, we begin our descent from the ridgetops, the road gently lowering us toward U.S. Highway 271, where the byway comes to its western conclusion.
Traveling the Talimena National Scenic Byway is more than just a drive; it’s an immersion into one of the most spectacular natural regions of Arkansas and Oklahoma. It’s a trip back to a time when the journey itself was the destination — where each mile is marked by grandeur rather than gas stations, and every bend in the road reveals a new vista waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re visiting in the vibrant colors of fall, the lush greens of summer, or the quiet stillness of winter, this route promises an unforgettable escape into the wild beauty of the Ouachitas.
We would like to thank our friends at Stichn Travel for shooting this video for us. While we do have a video of this route in our archives, it is very old and is a timelapse recorded from a cell phone — this is much better. When you are done watching our videos here at Interstate 411, check them out — they have a great site and promise more great content in the coming weeks.
🎵 Additional Music:
Parting of the Ways parts I and II, Sovereign, Sovereign Quarter, Autumn Day, Eternal Hope, and Dreamer by Kevin MacLeod are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100765
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
0 Comments