 Spring through fall. Spring bloom occurs in April and May; fall foliage peeks from mid-October to early November. Built in the late 1960s expressly for grand views, this two-lane highway ripples over the gentle Ouachita Mountains along the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas. Evergreen and deciduous trees shoulder the road, the latter making for gorgeous floral displays in spring and brilliant color in autumn.

 Here's the auto tour you've been waiting for, where a winding mountaintop drive opens a showcase of enchanting natural beauty and extraordinary views. Wide valleys and majestic peaks stretching to the horizon mirror the changing colors and moods of the South's four distinctive seasons. Spanning the highest mountain range between the Appalachians and the Rockies, the 54-mile Talimena Scenic Byway opens a showcase of natural beauty during each of the south's four distinctive seasons. One breathtaking panorama follows another as this national forest scenic byway winds along the crests of forested mountains between Mena, AR, and Talihina, OK. Whether in search of quiet beauty or active participation, this mountaintop drive offers something special around every turn.

 The Talimena Scenic Drive winds 54 miles along the crest of the highest points between the Appalachians and the Rockies, Rich Mountain and Winding Stair Mountain. This is the highest east-west mountain range in America. If you can resist stopping to enjoy the many vistas and attractions along the way, the route takes 1 hour and 10 minutes to drive. A leisurely drive with stops can take all day. Along the drive are several historic sites and numerous turnouts with panoramic vistas. The Talimena Scenic Drive is known as State Highway 1 in Oklahoma and State Highway 88 in Arkansas. The byway runs between Talihina, Oklahoma and Mena, Arkansas. (Get it: Tali-Mena...)

Should you plan to visit it and want a map, here you go:

http://www.fs.fed.us/oonf/oklahoma/drive/drivemap.html

For more info:

http://www.talimenascenicdrive.com/index.html