The Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma provide a rich resource for the outdoor enthusiast.  Rugged Mountain Trails for Mountain Biking and Hiking, Scenic Bluffs for Hang Gliding and Paragliding, Pristine Rivers Lakes and Creeks for Canoeing and Kayaking, and Rocky Cliffs for Rock Climbing and Rappelling and Sailing. 

The Ouachita Mountain Range is the only West to East running mountain range in North America.   Within the Ouachita Mountains are many state Parks, National Forest Recreation areas, Scenic Byways, and private lodging and camping facilities.

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SCENIC BYWAYS OF THE OUACHITA MOUNTAINS

Scenic Byways -  From the Ouachita National Forest Web Site

The Ouachitas has two designated national forest scenic byways, Scenic 7 Byway in Arkansas and Talimena Scenic Byway in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Both byways offer you outstanding opportunities to enjoy pleasure driving and scenic viewing. Brochures are available from forest offices and interpretive outlets.

Scenic 7 Byway
Arkansas State Highway 7 runs from the Louisiana State line near El Dorado, Arkansas to Diamond City, Arkansas near the Missouri State Line. Approximately 60 miles of the Highway that passes through the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests has been designated by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the National Forest Scenic Byways system. Distinctive mountain scenery and outstanding fall colors can be enjoyed while traveling through the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains on the Scenic 7 Byway. There are numerous recreation areas providing opportunities to camp, hike, mountain bike, canoe, and ride horses along or within a few miles of the highway.

Visit the new interpretive trail at the site of the Hollis Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp or stop by the reconstructed campground at South Fourche. These sites are located along Scenic 7 north of Jessieville. Along this stretch of highway you will can also enjoy the Ouachita Trail, Iron Springs picnic and camping area, and the Jessieville CCC interpretive site.

Talimena Scenic Byway
The Talimena Scenic Byway falls gently like a ribbon over Winding Stair and Rich Mountains. Cresting the highest points between the Appalachians and the Rockies, this byway showcases nature's quiet solitude. One breathtaking panorama follows another as this National Forest Scenic Byway winds along forested mountain tops between Mena, Arkansas and Talihina, Oklahoma. Visit Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Arkansas and the Talihena State Park in Oklahoma as well as the Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area which surrounds the byway in Oklahoma. Here you can enjoy the four distinctive seasons of the Ouachita National Forest at their best. 

Information stations are located at each end of the drive; just outside Mena in Arkansas and the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 271 northeast of Talihina in Oklahoma.

For more information, visit the
Ouachita National Forest Web Sites for Oklahoma and Arkansas.

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