newest drives in Oklahoma Learn about the newest drives on, perfect for a spontaneous getaway! Talimena Scenic Drive <p>Talimena Scenic Drive is a roller coaster through the Ouachita National Forest, along the crest of Rich Mountain and Winding Stair Mountain. One of the first scenic byways designated by the US Forest Service in the 1960&#8217;s, it is well known for its curvy roads, fabulous breathtaking panoramas, and outdoor adventure opportunities.</p><div class="driveImg"><a href=""><img itemprop="image" src="" alt="Panoramic views of the Ouachita National Forest." /></a><div class="cap">Panoramic views of the Ouachita National Forest.</div></div><p></p><p>The scenic byway&#8217;s name comes from the Frisco Railroad that ran between the towns of Talihina and Mena. The town of Talihina was named by the local Choctaws Native Americans meaning &#8220;iron road.&#8221; When Oklahoma became a state in 1906, they combined the Choctaw phrases for &#8220;red people&#8221; to form the word Oklahoma.</p><p>The scenic drive begins in the town of Talihina in Oklahoma and travels to Mena, Arkansas and is entirely within the boundaries of the 1.78 million acre Ouachita National Forest. You can reach Talihina by US-271 from the south, OK-1 from the west, or US-59 and US-271 from I-40. Make sure you have a full tank of gas as there are no gas stations along the scenic byway.</p><p>Notice that the Ouachita Mountains run east to west as opposed to most mountains which run north to south. This is due to continental plates crashing into North America some 200 million years ago which created the Ouachita Mountains. If you take the time to explore, you will notice that the plant life on the northern portion of the Ouachita Mountains is slightly different from its southern half.</p><p>Heading north on OK-1, the scenic drive enters dense forests of evergreens and pine. The rich soil is ideal for growing the pine forests, making this one of the leading sources of pine in the United States.</p><p><a href="">Continue reading...</a> &#183; <a href="">Find another scenic drive</a></p> Wichita Mountains <p>This scenic drive heads through the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and its four major habitats; rock lands, aquatic, mixed grass prairies and cross timbers, each offering incredible natural beauty, color and texture as well as diverse range of recreation opportunities.</p><div class="driveImg"><a href=""><img itemprop="image" src="" alt="Mount Scott" /></a><div class="cap">Mount Scott</div></div><p></p><p>The drive begins on OK-49 at exit 45 off I-44, just over an hour south from Oklahoma City. Before departing on this drive, consider a side trip to the nearby Fort Sill Historic Landmark and Museum (<a href="">M1</a>), a 19th century frontier army post consisting of 50 buildings. Fort Sill is perhaps best known as the home of Geronimo during his later years and the site of the Apache leader&#8217;s grave after he died in 1909. Currently, Fort Sill is the U.S. Army Field Artillery Center operating the world renowned U.S. Army Field Artillery School. Just south of here is the Museum of the Great Plains which features exhibits about the fascinating past of the Great Plains as well as modern technology with an internet-fed, self-updating exhibit on the Hubble telescope.</p><p>Heading west on OK-49, you will pass ranches and farmlands as you arrive in the town of Medicine Park. Consider a side-trip to Medicine Park by turning right onto Rex Leaf Drive. Approaching the downtown, take a moment to read through the somewhat humorous town rules. Medicine Creek runs through the town, creating the exquisite idyllic setting. Enjoy Bath Lake Swimming Area or stroll the Medicine Park Trail which travels along the creek or visit the small waterfall just before Bath Lake and continue to Gondola Lake and Dam, built in 1918. The creek is well known for its trout fishing, but be sure to purchase a license first. The town itself is known as America&#8217;s Cobblestone Community as many buildings are made from red granite cobblestones unique to the Wichita Mountains and features shopping and restaurants.</p><p>A short, scenic drive in Medicine Creek is to follow East Lake Drive beginning at Bath Lake and continuing through the center of town to Lake Lawtonka, at the base of Mount Scott. Along with beautiful scenery you can enjoy swimming, boating, camping, and of course, a picnic. At the end, head south on OK-58 which will rejoin OK-49.</p><p>Back on OK-49, continue west where you will pass Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area (<a href="">W2</a>). This full-service recreation area features year-round camping and a jam-packed array of activities including fishing, hiking, bird watching and scuba diving. Have a blast on the double plume waterslide, rent a paddleboat, kayak or canoe, play mini-golf and if you have kids in tow that aren&#8217;t exhausted yet, there are playgrounds.</p><p><a href="">Continue reading...</a> &#183; <a href="">Find another scenic drive</a></p> Quartz Mountain State Park <p>Quartz Mountain is on the western end of the Wichita Mountains and is one of Oklahoma&#8217;s grandest state parks. The mountain itself is among the oldest ranges in the United States. Once around 20,000 feet high, continued erosion has reduced it to its current 2,040 feet high. Quartz is one of the many minerals that make up granite and it is this mix that creates magic, as the mountain shimmers like diamonds in the sun.</p><p>The scenic drive begins in the small cotton farming community of Blair, which is on US-283, just north of US-62 from Altus. To the north of the town, the Quartz Mountains welcome you to the region.</p><p>Heading north on OK-44, you travel over the North Fork Red River arriving at OK-44A which leads to Quartz Mountain State Park. </p><p>Native Americans have a rich history here, with Quartz Mountain a ceremonial ground for Kiowa, Comanche, Wichita, Apache and Caddo tribes. Explored by Americans in 1834, Quartz Mountain officially became a state park in 1937. The Oklahoma Arts Institute makes its home here as well, with education programs, library and 700-seat performance hall.</p><p>Entering the park, you are quickly rewarded with a glorious view of Lake Altus-Lugert. The tiny town of Lugert was flooded to create a municipal water supply for Altus in 1927 and today provides irrigation for 48,000 acres of southwestern Oklahoma farmland. Rocky boulders and rugged granite mountains surround the lake, creating a serene picturesque view, perfect for a picnic, swimming, boating, fishing and camping. The park is well-known for rock climbing, being one of the best examples of granite-face climbing outside Yosemite.</p><p><a href="">Continue reading...</a> &#183; <a href="">Find another scenic drive</a></p>