Mountain Gateway Scenic Drive
A Day in the Valley
| Departure: | Choctaw Visitor Information Center, Oklahoma |
|---|---|
| Destination: | Winding Stair Campground, Oklahoma |
| Time to allow: | 1 day |
As you head south enjoy the vista as you drive over the pass of Pine Mountain. Stop in the pull-off if you like for pictures. Stop at the Choctaw Visitor Information Center and enjoy the scenery and intrepretive information on recreation and area history. Head for Cedar Lake and have enjoy a sack or hot lunch using charcoal in the available cooking grills. Cedar Lake provides a walk, a hike and/or a swim for the afternoon. If you are camping as you travel, spend the evening here. Water and electric hook-ups are available. Continue east on the byway toward Mena, AR and enjoy viewing the wilderness of Black Fork Mountain and the arboretum of Rich Mountain. The Black Fork Wilderness is great for hiking. Spend the night at Winding Stair Campground.
-
Start: Choctaw Visitor Information Center
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 U.S. Forest Service will help with any questions or comments you may have about the Ouachita National Forest.
-
Stop 1: Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Directions from previous place: Access from Hwy. 59/270
Distance from Previous Site: 4 miles / 6.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour 30 minutes This state park offers a beautiful lodge and restaurant on a ridge top with spectacular views. The State Park offers a number of opportunities for walking and hiking.
-
Stop 2: Cedar Lake Recreation Area
Directions from previous place: From the Visitor Center, proceed north on U.S. 59 / 270 to the Holson Valley Road junction, about 1/4 mile. Proceed west on Holson Valley Road for 3.5 miles to the Cedar Lakeentrance road. Approach and welcome signs are located on the highway.
Distance from Previous Site: 3.5 miles / 5.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours This 86-acre lake, surrounded by oak and pine covered hills, is a perfect place to enjoy the sight and sounds of nature. Campers and day visitors are welcome and can choose from a wide variety of water and trail activities. Facilities include tent camping, RV camping with water, electric, and sewer, separate equestrian camping, hiking around the lake, cross-country hiking and equestrian trails, picnic shelters, two beaches, a boat ramp, fishing decks, flush toilets, hot showers.
-
Stop 3: Black Fork Mountain Wilderness
Directions from previous place: From Cedar Lake, proceed east on Holson Valley Road 3.5 miles to the U.S. 59 / 270 junction (Mountain Gateway Scenic Drive). Go south on U.S. 59 / 270 for 7.5 miles to Page, Oklahoma. Turn north on Big Creek Road (a Black Fork Wilderness sign is at the junction) for 2 miles to the Black Fork Mountain Trailhead.
Distance from Previous Site: 11 miles / 17.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 4 hours A day hiker or an overnight backpacker may enjoy stunning views of Queen Wilhelmina State Park, Rich Mountain Fire Tower, and the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas and Oklahoma.
-
End: Winding Stair Campground
Directions from previous place: Go south on Big Creek Road 2 miles to U.S. 59 / 270 (Mountain Gateway Scenic Drive). Proceed north for 2.5 miles to the U.S. 259 junction (Mountain Pass Scenic Drive). Proceed south on U.S. 259 for 4.5 miles to the Oklahoma State Highway 1 junction. Go west for 1.5 miles on Highway 1 to the campground. An entrance sign is on the highway.
Distance from Previous Site: 11 miles / 17.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes 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. Enjoy the Mountain Top Trail loop and/or the longdistance Ouachita National Recreation Trail.
