The Best Scenic Drives in Oklahoma To Check Out This Summer

 

Whether you’re planning a day trip from Broken Arrow or an extended road trip to explore Oklahoma, the state has many scenic drives that you shouldn’t miss. On these beautiful country back roads, you can see some of the state’s most amazing and diverse scenery. Here are some of the best scenic drives in Oklahoma. View our inventory of New Vehicles, or if you have any questions, give us a call at (539)-766-8990 today!

Cherokee Hills Scenic Byway

The Cherokee Hills Scenic Byway gives travelers the opportunity to experience the extreme diversity that eastern Oklahoma has to offer. Set in the rolling foothills of the Ozark Mountains, the 84-mile byway takes in lush natural scenery, the majesty of the mountains and the Cookson Hills, and the crystal-clear waters of the Illinois River and Lake Tenkiller. You can also immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Cherokee people along the way.

The route runs from Siloam Springs, 80 miles east of Broken Arrow, to Interstate 40 at Carlisle, taking in Highways 412, 10, 82, and 100. You can visit Natural Falls State Park, home to Oklahoma’s highest waterfall, make a short detour to the 17,000-acre J.T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve, or take time out to explore the Cherokee Nation capital of Tahlequah.

Talimena Scenic Drive

Talimena Scenic Drive is located in southeast Oklahoma, and winds its way through the Ouachita National Forest and traverses the Ouachita Mountain range. Officially designated as a National Scenic Byway, the drive is renowned for its varied and breathtaking vistas. Understandably, many people visit in the fall for the stunning reds and golds of the autumnal foliage and the misty mountain views. But the vibrant shades of green in the spring and summer can be just as beautiful.

The route begins at the meeting of Highway 1 and Highway 271 near Talihina, 141 miles southeast of Broken Arrow. It travels for 35 miles to the Arkansas state line, where the route’s name changes to Skyline Drive and continues to Mena, Arkansas, a further 17 miles. Without stopping, you could complete the drive in around an hour and 15 minutes.

However, with the many designated viewing points along the way, you should allow a few hours for the journey so you can stop and enjoy the splendor of the forest and mountain views. You could also take time out to visit Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area, which houses the Talimena Drive Visitor Information Station.

Mountain Gateway Scenic Byway

After completing the Talimena Scenic Drive, you could head back toward Broken Arrow on Highway 59/270 to experience the Mountain Gateway Scenic Byway. This byway, which features some sharp curves and steep hills, covers 22 miles from the Arkansas state line to Heavener in southeast Oklahoma. It takes you through the heavily forested valleys of the Ouachita Mountains and offers the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife.

In the fall, the various evergreen and deciduous trees provide a riot of color, while in the springtime, the wildflowers put on their own magnificent multicolored display. Many side roads could tempt the inquisitive and the adventurous to further investigate off the beaten path. You can break up the journey with a detour to the Cedar Lake Recreation Site, with its beautiful 86-acre lake.

Mountain Pass Scenic Byway

In the same area as the Talimena Scenic Drive and Mountain Gateway Scenic Byway is the Mountain Pass Scenic Byway, which follows Highway 259 for 22 miles from Page to Octavia, Oklahoma. This scenic route has many sharp bends and steep grades and passes through the stunning Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area. Short detours will take you to the Kerr Arboretum (open spring to fall), Billy Creek Recreation Area, and several campsites from which you can explore the forest’s many hiking trails.

Wichita Mountains Scenic Byway

Located to the southwest of Oklahoma City, the 93-mile Wichita Mountains Scenic Byway is a loop that incorporates Highways 19, 58, 115, and 49. The awe-inspiring route takes you through ever-changing scenery, from the Wichita Mountains to swaths of mixed grasslands, rocky lowlands, ancient forests, and historic communities. This byway also gives travelers the chance to spot many species of wildlife.

The route passes through one of the country’s oldest nature preserves, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, which is home to more than 50 mammal species, 240 birds, 64 reptiles and amphibians, 36 fish, and 806 plant species. Herds of bison and elk are maintained at the preserve, and it has one of the world’s last populations of the endangered black-capped vireo, which is indigenous to the area.

Osage Nation Heritage Trail Byway

The Osage Nation Heritage Trail runs for 70 miles along Highway 60, between Bartlesville, 56 miles north of Broken Arrow, to Ponca City in northern Oklahoma. It passes through Pawhuska with its history of Native American culture. Many turnouts along the route feature information panels that highlight the heritage of the Osage Nation, the area’s oil and ranching history, and the tallgrass prairie. Among the beautiful and unique scenery along the byway, you might be able to spot buffalo and wild horses in their natural habitat.

In the 1920s and ’30s, the hills were renowned for the grand estates of oil barons, as well as for providing hideouts for gangsters. If you’re not in a hurry, pay a visit to the former Native American settlement of Osage Hills State Park, Bluestem Lake and Falls, and Kaw Lake on the Arkansas River. The Osage Nation Museum in Pawhuska traces the fascinating history of the Osage people, while the small town of Burbank houses the tiny abandoned jail, known as a calaboose.

So, there you have it, the best scenic drives in Oklahoma that are not to be missed. Gas stations can be scarce on these out-of-the-way routes, so fill up before you go. Also, before you set out to explore these back-country roads, it’s important to make sure your car is up to the trip. Schedule a service or vehicle checkup at our Chris Nikel Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram FIAT service department to ensure a trouble-free journey.

 

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Tags: Family friendly fun, Local activities, Scenic drives in Oklahoma, Things to do in Broken Arrow
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