Talimena State Park

Talimena State Park near Talihina sits at the Oklahoma end of the Talimena National Scenic Byway, one of the state's premier mountain drives. The small park functions as a gateway to the Ouachita Mountains and the long ridge routes that extend east toward Arkansas. Camping and trail access are the main reasons to stay here. The Ouachita National Recreation Trail passes nearby, making the park useful for hikers and backpackers preparing for longer trips. The surrounding mountains are especially dramatic in fall, when hardwood forests produce some of Oklahoma's strongest autumn color. Spring also brings comfortable hiking weather and new growth. Talimena State Park is modest compared with large lake parks, but its location is exceptional. Visitors are there primarily to access the mountain landscape rather than for extensive on-site amenities. As a starting or ending point for the scenic drive, it provides a natural transition between town and the high ridges of the Ouachitas.