Features/Facilities: 20 Park Acres * 22 Campsites * Playground

Talihina, Oklahoma's "village between the mountains" lies in the valley between the Winding Stair Mountains and the Kiamichi Mountains. Talihina is known as the gateway to the Talimena Scenic Byway and the Ouachita National Forest. With its close proximity to Sardis Lake, also Cedar Lake and numerous rivers and  streams, it is a water enthusiast's delight. The Choctaw Nation Museum located in Tuskahoma Oklahoma, Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp, camping, hunting, hiking and fishing are but a few of the activities available.

Visitor information stations are at each end of the scenic byway -- Mena in Arkansas, and near Talihina, OK. They are open daily from April through November. Brochures, maps and interpretive information are available to open gates of learning and enhance your enjoyment of the forest environment.

Other places to camp are the following:

• Billy Creek (camping, picnicing, hiking and fishing)

• Cedar Lake (camping, picnicing, hiking, fishing, swimming and Horseback Riding)

• Horsethief Springs (picnicing and hiking)

• Pipe Springs (picnicing)

• Winding Stair (camping, picnicing and hiking)

There are over 700 miles of trails, two scenic byways and numerous campgrounds and picnic areas. Natural
 scenery and solitude are found in the six wilderness areas. Because mechanized and motorized equipment are
 not allowed in wilderness, these areas provide an opportunity to "get away from it all". Numerous rivers and
streams provide for excellent fishing. These are only a few of the hiking opportunities in the area. The easiest
 hiking trail is Kerr Arboretum Trail Network

For more Hiking, Backpacking and Horseback riding Information Most of the developed recreation areas are open from April through September. However, selected areas remain open year-round to accommodate fall and winter visitors. Contact the Choctaw Ranger District office before each season for specific information on opening dates. For More Information about the USDA Forest Service in Oklahoma, contact:

USDA Forest Service Choctaw Ranger District HC-64, Box 3467 Heavener, OK 74937 Phone: 918-653-2991

USDA Forest Service Kiamichi Ranger District Box 577 Talihina, OK 74571 Phone: 918-567-2326

Reserve Group Camping or Picnicking

You can reserve group camping or picnicking areas for a $5 nonrefundable registration fee payable to the local
 district ranger's office. Other areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Cedar Lake Recreation
 Area picnic shelters and group camping areas can be reserved for $20 per day by calling the Choctaw Ranger
 District, (918) 653-2991. Several camping areas, equipped with electric hookups, may be reserved at 
Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp or the Cedar Lake Recreation Area by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Map of Ouchita National Forest

Kerr Nature Center & Arboretum

Get off the road and into the forest at the Kerr Nature Center & Arboretum, two miles east of the junction of 
US-259 and SH-1. The center has been created in a natural bontanical area in a valley between the Winding Stair Mountain and Rich Mountain. There are three interpretive hiking trails including a tree identification trail that
explains such things as why the vistas have a blue cast (shortleaf pine has a bluish tinge) and which trees were
 used by the Native Americans to make rope (basswood).

Talihina & Talimena Scenic Drive The U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta and Federal Highway Acting Administrator J. Richard Capka announced the designation of Talimena Scenic Drive as an American Byway in an official ceremony held in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, September 22, 2005. A total of 8 All-American Roads and 37 National Scenic Byway designations were announced, bringing the total number in the America’s Byway collection to 125. 

The Talimena Scenic Drive is probably best known for its Autumn colors, but Springtime brings a re-emergence of color and beauty.

From dogwoods to redbuds our mountain top drive offers the visitor a sneak peak into the Talimena Scenic Drive's most wondrous and underrated season.

The heart of the Ouachita National Forest, Talimena Scenic Byway winds its way for 54 miles along the crest  of the Winding Stair and Rich Mountains offering breathtaking scenery, mountaintop lodging at the Queen Wilhelmina State Park, hiking, equestrian and RV trails. Tent camping is available at Emerald Vista
 Campground or any where in the forest.

Almost 200 miles of trails are designed for hikers, equestrians and mountain bicyclists.

EQUESTRIAN CAMPS:

Talihina is Horse & Rider Paradise. With the versatility of the Equestrian Camps in our area there is something that
 every horse rider will love.

Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp is located in the Heart of the Ouachita National Forest. The camp includes: 24
 campsites with electric & water five or accessible. 30 campsites with centrally located water, 75 primitive camp
sites, heated restrooms with flush toilets, warm showers, picnic shelters, horse racks, picnic tables, fire rings and
 cook grills. For more information or reservations, 918-653-2991.

Horse Heaven Ranch is located 7 miles East of Talihina on HWY 63, on the edge of the Ouachita National
 Forest. This riding ranch boasts striking scenery and quick access to miles upon miles of wilderness trails and
 logging roads. Here, pine trees scrape azure skies, balmy breezes stir crisp air, and clear streams cut across rolling hills alive with adventure. This spectacular area beckons you to explore its beauty.

If your idea of paradise is riding peacefully amidst fragrant pines and clear steams on hundreds of miles of trails in
 the pristine forests of Southeastern Oklahoma, training in a first-class arena, then relaxing in a fully-appointed cabin or luxurious RV site while your horse rests safely in an adjacent barn master barn or turnout pen, you’ll love Horse
 Heaven Ranch. And no wonder. Horse Heaven Ranch is the one resort designed specifically for the safety,
 comfort and enjoyment of horses and their owners. Careful attention has been given to every detail to ensure that
 your visit here is all you’ve dreamed of in a vacation. For more information or reservations, 918-567-4200.

Indian Mounds Camp is a trail rider’s dream. The camp is adjacent to Weyerhaeuser Forest with marked &
 maintained trails that clover-leaf back to camp. You have your choice of trails from easy, moderate, or challenging
-long, short or in between. This is truly a campground for all seasons with an array of wild flowers, rocky
 outcroppings & forested mountains. Amenities Nine Organized Rides, Horses for rent by the hour or day, Tent
 Camping & RV Sites W/hookups, Restroom & showers, Pavilion, Tee-Pees, (Horse drawn Surrey is available
 for special occasions). For information or reservations. 918-569-4761, trailleader@juno.com.

A to Z Guest Ranch invites you to come and enjoy trail riding on your favorite horse or theirs.
 Located in the beautiful Kiamichi Mountains, you will ride through tall pines, cross creeks, and travel old logging  roads (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife charges a minimal user fee to ride in the Honobia Creek Wilderness).
 You have the option to spend quiet time enjoying the peace and beauty around you. Amenities include a new log  lodge, Pavilion, Tent & RV Camping, Cabins, Shower House, Original Stone Ranch House, Corral and Inside  Stalls, Hiking & Equestrian Trails. For Information or reservations http://www.atozguestranch.com/ or 580-244-3729

Clancy’s Country Store & Cabins Linda Martin, Owner P.O. Box 54, Honobia, OK 74549 580-244-3433, FAX 580-244-3855 http://kiamichi.com/talihina/clancys.htm Kiamichi Inn Leon & Kitty Warren, Owners P.O. Box 490, Talihina, OK 74571 918-567-2243 http://www.kiamichi.com/talihina/kiamichiinn.html Lazy K Inn David & Paula King, Owners RT. 1 Box 5055 Talihina, OK 74571 918-567-2162

Trail Length:192 miles Surface Type:  Unsurfaced Recommended Seasons:  Spring, Fall, and Winter Access:  There are many developed and undeveloped access points across the forest. These are identified on the Ouachita National Recreation Trail map. Water:  Numerous water sources are shown on the trail map. Water is scarce on many portions of the trail during dry periods. Treat all water before drinking. History:  The Ouachita National Recreation Trail was constructed in mid-1970s. It is the only trail that spans the entire length of the forest west to east. Trail Markings:  Blue rectangles

Talimena Scenic Byway - Arkansas Scenic Byway Here's the auto tour you've been waiting for, where a winding mountaintop drive opens a showcase of enchanting natural beauty and extraordinary views. Wide valleys and majestic peaks stretching to the horizon mirror the changing colors and moods of the South's four distinctive seasons. Spanning the highest mountain range between the Appalachians and the Rockies, the 54-mile Talimena Scenic Byway opens a showcase of natural beauty during each of the south's four distinctive seasons. One breathtaking panorama follows another as this national forest scenic byway winds along the crests of forested mountains between Mena, AR, and Talihina, OK. Whether in search of quiet beauty or active participation, this mountaintop drive offers something special around every turn. The Ouachita Mountains, one of America's oldest land masses, are unique because they stretch east and west, rather than north and south. Rock glaciers are indicative of the fascinating geological history of these mountains. More than 2,500 native plant species and a diversity of wildlife species may be found here. Just north of the town of Mena, the scenic byway

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