Basics
- Length:
- 23 miles (37 km)
- Time:
- Allow 1 hour to tour this byway.
Description
The Mountain Pass Scenic Drive is in southeast Oklahoma. It followsUS Highway 259 for 23 miles between Page, Oklahoma and Octavia,Oklahoma. This state highway is a two-lane paved road with many steepgrades and sharp curves. All types of vehicles can safely drive thebyway. Temporary closure is possible during winter, otherwise the bywayremains open year-round.
The Mountain Pass Scenic Drive bisects the tops of the forestedOuachita Mountains, one of America's oldest land masses. Thesemountains are unique because they stretch east to west rather thannorth and south. The byway also cuts through the 26,445-acre WindingStair Mountain National Recreation Area. Several scenic turnouts arelocated along the route providing beautiful panoramic views of thesurrounding valleys wilderness areas. Numerous side roads and otherscenic byways invite the traveler to further explore these heavilyforested mountains. Wildflowers in spring proudly display their colorswhile autumn, not to be outdone, also puts on its own beautifuldisplay.
White oak trees that are 200 years old and 100 feet tall on thenorth slopes have cousins on the ridge lines that are only 10 feettall. The results of these two extremes are distinct plant and animalcommunities. Typically, shortleaf pine, post oak, blackjack oak, blackhickory, and serviceberry are predominant on the south slopes. Thenorth facing slopes will support white oak, red oak, sugar maple,dogwood, paw paw, Carolina silverbell, wild hydrangea and variousspecies of salamanders and snails not commonly found on any otherslope. Large, unusual rock fields, made up of sandstone blocks andboulders, are located on several of the Ouachita Mountain slopes andare often called rock glaciers. Communities of wormsand snails enjoy these talis environments.
The byway offers nearly unlimited opportunities for outdoorrecreation. Wilderness areas and the Kerr Arboretum are adjacent to thebyway and offer seclusion for hikers, backpackers, and horsebackriders. Also popular with the hiker or backpacker is the OuachitaNational Recreation Trail, showcasing many unique vistas and can beaccessed from the byway. There is a backpacker's camp on the TalimenaScenic Drive which this byway bisects that is open all year and has abreath-taking view of Holson Valley. Several national forestcampgrounds are located a short drive off the byway. Cedar LakeRecreation Area is one of the larger camping areas. It is situated onthe shores of the 90-acre lake and has 132 sites for tents,recreational vehicles, and equestrians. Many of the sites have water,electric and sewer hookups. The campground also has drinking water,restrooms, a boat ramp, shower facilities, hiking trails, fishing, andswimming beaches. Hundreds of miles of horseback riding trails are alsoin the area. Billy Creek Recreation Area is a short drive off the bywayand has picnicking and 11 camp units. Winding Stair Recreation Area isa solar-powered facility campground located along the byway withpicnicking and 26 campsites. Drinking water and restrooms are provided.
The Mountain Pass Scenic Drive is a component of the State ScenicByway network located in southwest Oklahoma and includes the TalimenaScenic Drive and the Mountain Gateway Scenic Drive. All three of thesestate byways are applying for national status in 2005 in hopes of creating Oklahoma's first national scenic byway network.
Tourism Resources
Helpful Links
Tourism Resources
Points of Interest
Points of Interest Along The Way
Choctaw Visitor Information Center (OK)
This is a full service information and education facility that highlights the message of the Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area. Spend time here to stretch your legs, eat lunch, browse the gift shop, study exhibits, and gather information on the scenic, recreational, cultural, and historical sites of the area. Here, the US Forest Service will help with any questions or comments you may have about the Ouachita National Forest.
Directions
From the US Highway 259 and US Highway 59/270 junction, proceed north on the byway for about 4 miles to the visitor center. Signs are located on the highway.
Emerald Point Vista (OK)
Appropriately named for the emerald green haze typically found upon this part of the Ouachita Mountains. Pull out your sack lunch and stay awhile. Walk off lunch on the neighboring Mountain Top Trail or the Ouachita National Recreation Trail.
Directions
From the US Highway 259 and Oklahoma State Highway 1 junction, proceed west on Highway 1 (Talimena Scenic Drive) to Emerald Point Vista. Follow the signs to Winding Stair Campground posted on the highway. The vista is just beyond the campground.
Horse Thief Spring Historic Site and Picnicground (OK)
A historic spring and picnic ground on the Talimena Scenic Drive, Horse Thief offers trails located along logging roads of the 1920s. Some of these trails follow routes horse thieves used in the 1800s. These outlaws made their camps and corrals near the top of Winding Stair Mountain because of the existence of a perennial spring. Civilian Conservation Corps crews built a stone structure in the 1930s to contain the spring water and prevent subsequent erosion.
Directions
From the US Highway 259 and Oklahoma State Highway 1 junction, proceed west on Highway 1 (Talimena Scenic Drive) to Horse Thief Spring. Signs are posted on the highway.
Kerr Nature Center (OK)
Located at the Kerr Nature Center on the Talimena Scenic Drive, three interpretive trails feature a variety of plants which are identified by trail signs. The interpretive signs tell fascinating stories of how a tree competes with other forest inhabitants for survival, help explain the process of soil formation and its importance in the forest life cycle, and help to experience the variety of ecological areas that exist on Rich Mountain.
Directions
From the US Highway 259 and Oklahoma State Highway 1 junction, go east 1.5 miles to the Nature Center. An entrance sign is on the highway.
Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OK)
This trail parallels the entire length of the Talimena Scenic Drive and provides hiking and backpacking opportunities for the Byway traveler at almost any point. There are many other trail systems that intersect the Ouachita National Recreation Trail providing for a variety of loop-hike opportunities in various locations.
Pipe Spring Historic Site and Picnicground (OK)
This historical site is part of the railroad construction that took place during the logging days of the 1920s. The spring, a pipe in the ground, was developed by railroad workers for a daily drink of water and is still used that way today. Please do not drink the water or use it for cooking until it has been boiled for at least 10 minutes.
Three Sticks National Forest Monument (OK)
The three "sticks" stand for LAND, WOOD, and WATER. A dedicationsign on the sight reads:
"In Appreciation of the Leadership in the Rapid Development ofOur State Roads, Water, Recreation, Forests
"LAND --- WOOD ---WATER"
We, the Grateful Citizens of McCurtain and LeFlore CountiesContribute and Dedicate This Monument to the Following:
SENATOR ROBERT S. KERR
SENATOR MIKE MONRONEY
CONGRESSMAN CARL ALBERT
GOVERNOR RAYMOND GARY
R.G. MILLER
Winding Stair Campground (OK)
This mountain-top, solar-powered campground offers an excellent opportunity for getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It lies on a scenic ridge along the Talimena Scenic Drive in the heart of the 26,445-acre Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area. The campground provides an excellent base from which to enjoy the beauty of the scenic highway, or the natural wonders of the national recreation area. Parking and 21 campsites for hiking and backpacking.
Directions
From the US Highway 259 and Oklahoma State Highway 1 junction, proceed west on Highway 1 (Talimena Scenic Drive) to Winding Stair Campground. Signs are posted on the highway
