Mountain Pass Scenic Drive
A Day On The Pass
| Departure: | Choctaw Visitor Information Center, Oklahoma |
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| Destination: | Winding Stair Campground, Oklahoma |
| Time to allow: | 1 day |
Pack a lunch. Bring charcoal for a hot lunch. Begin mid-morning leaving the Choctaw Visitor Information Center and enjoy the scenery and intrepretive information on recreation and area history.
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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 an early 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.
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Stop 1: The Kerr Nature Center
Directions from previous place: From the Visitor Center, head south on U.S. 59 / 270 for 4 miles to the U.S. 259 junction. Proceed south on U.S. 259 for 4.5 miles to Oklahoma Highway 1 junction. Go east on Highway 1 for 1.5 miles to the Nature Center. There is an entrance sign on the highway.
Distance from Previous Site: 11 miles / 17.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours Located at the Kerr Nature Center are 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.
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Stop 2: Pipe Spring Historic Site and Picnicground
Directions from previous place: From the Nature Center, proceed west on Highway 1 for 1.5 miles to the U.S. 259 junction. Head south on U.S. 259 for 1.5 miles to Pipe Spring. An entrance sign is on the highway.
Distance from Previous Site: 3 miles / 4.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour 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. DO NOT DRINK THE WATER OR USE IT FOR COOKING UNTIL IT HAS BEEN BOILED FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES!
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Stop 3: Three Sticks Monument
Directions from previous place: Continue south on U.S. 259 for 9.5 miles to the Three Sticks Monument and vista.
Distance from Previous Site: 9.5 miles / 15.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 25 minutes The monument's three "sticks" represent land, wood, and water.
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End: Winding Stair Campground
Directions from previous place: From Three Sticks, proceed north on U.S. 259 for 11 miles to State Highway 1. Go west on Highway 1 for 1.5 miles to the campground. An entrance sign is on the highway.
Distance from Previous Site: 12.5 miles / 20.0 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.
