Talimena Scenic Drive
Queen Wilhelmina State Park is the crowning glory of Rich Mountain, and the drive there is considered a treat of royal proportions as well.
Talimena Scenic Drive (Ark. 88), a Scenic Byway, winds 54 miles along the crest of Rich Mountain and Winding Stair Mountain in the Ouachita National Forest (pronounced Wash-i-tah) *. The ride is spotted with many alluring vistas and attractions along the way.
The route only takes one hour and ten minutes to drive, yet few travelers can resist prolonging the journey to enjoy the drive's charm and the historical treasures that await.
Along the drive are several historic sites and numerous turnouts with panoramic vistas. Many of the sites have exhibits that explain the natural and historical significance of the area. Learn about the prehistoric Caddoan people, early settlers of Rich Mountain, the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Choctaw Nation (tribe) in Indian Territory. Discover interesting facts about the natural environment while absorbing the beauty of shortleaf pine and hardwood forests.
For more information on the Talimena Scenic Drive go to www.TalimenaScenicDrive.com
*Excerpts from this text were taken from "A Guide to the Talimena Scenic Drive: Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas-Oklahoma" published by Talimena Scenic Drive Interpretive Association 1999.
|
