# The Talimena Scenic Drive, Oklahoma to Arkansas

> 3-day road trip of about 282 km (175 mi) with 7 stops, from Wilburton to Hot Springs. About 3 h 08 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b9-talimena/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 282 km (175 mi) with 7 stops, from Wilburton to Hot Springs. About 3 h 08 min of driving in total. An outlaw cave, then 54 miles of ridge-top road through the Ouachita Mountains to Mena and on to Hot Springs.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 282 km (175 mi) |
| Driving | 3 h 08 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 7 |
| Route | Wilburton → Hot Springs |
| States | OK, AR |
| Updated | May 20, 2026 |

## Route description

Start at Robbers Cave State Park north of Wilburton, where sandstone bluffs and a cave are tied to outlaw legends; it has lakes, trails and cabins. Back roads then lead south-east through farm valleys to Talihina, the western gateway to the byway.

The Talimena Scenic Drive (OK-1, becoming AR-88 at the state line) runs 54 miles along the crest of the Winding Stair and Rich Mountains. Pull-offs look over layered forest ridges; October brings the best color, and fog can settle on the ridge in any season.

The road is well paved but has steep grades and sharp bends, so larger RVs should go slowly and use low gear downhill. Near the eastern end, Queen Wilhelmina State Park sits on top of Rich Mountain with a stone lodge and campground, before the road drops into Mena.

From Mena, US-270 crosses the Ouachita National Forest past Lake Ouachita to Hot Springs, about two and a half hours away. Allow time for the bathhouses and a walk on the Grand Promenade at the end of the trip.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Wilburton** (OK)
2. **Robbers Cave State Park** (Wilburton, OK): Sandstone bluffs and a cave said to have hidden outlaws like Belle Starr, in the forested San Bois Mountains. The short climb to the cave is fun for kids.
3. **Talihina** (OK)
4. **Talimena Scenic Drive** (Talihina, OK): A ridge-top road along the Winding Stair and Rich Mountains, lined with pull-offs over the Ouachita forest. Best in October for fall color; grades are steep, so use low gear coming down.
5. **Queen Wilhelmina State Park** (Mena, AR): A stone lodge atop Rich Mountain, one of the highest points in Arkansas, first built by Dutch-backed railroad investors in the 1890s. Stop for the view even if you are not staying.
6. **Mena** (AR)
7. **Hot Springs** (AR)