Talimena National Scenic Drive

The Talimena Drive snakes along the spine of the Ouachita Mountains for 54 miles between Talihina, Oklahoma and Mena, Arkansas, hitting elevations over 2600 feet. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1960s, this two-lane ribbon of asphalt transforms into gravel and dirt forest roads at higher elevations, especially around Rich Mountain and Winding Stair Mountain. The route crosses state lines multiple times and offers technical side spurs into Ouachita National Forest that’ll test your rig’s clearance on rocky creek crossings.

Moderate difficulty overall with some challenging forest road extensions that require high-clearance 4WD. Spring through fall offers the best conditions, with October drawing crowds for peak foliage. No permits needed for the main route, but dispersed camping is available in national forest areas. Fuel up in Talihina or Mena—there’s nothing between. Cell service is spotty at best on the mountain crests. This is old-school mountain driving with panoramic views that’ll remind you why Oklahoma’s eastern edge deserves respect.