Riders will see elevations that vary from the state's low point in its southeast corner (at only 800 feet above sea level) and rise as you move west into the panhandle where the highest peak resides - Black Mesa at 5,000 feet above sea level. The state has four primary mountain ranges: the Ouachita Mountains, the Arbuckle Mountains, the Wichita Mountains, and the Ozark Mountains.
5. Rune Stone Ride (81 Miles)
Written Directions:
Begin in Broken Bow, OK and head north on US Highway 259 from Broken Bow and just stay on 259 all the way through until you hit a T in the road. At the T, which is US Highway 270, take a left and ride about 20 miles to Heavener.
The scenery is woodsy, mainly pines once you ride North of Broken Bow. Before you reach Heavener you have to pass through about 30 miles of twisting and turning through mountain passes.
Road Quality:
The road is perfect! It's nicely paved and has a lot of curves as well as some straight-aways. There is no traffic!
Roadside Amenities:
There isn't much but a few towns and residential homes along this route which makes it that much more remote. Near the end of the ride, you can take the Telimena Byway Note: You have to ride out to the Rune Stone National Park in Heavener to see the proof the Norsemen discovered America around the date of November 11, 1012 (which is what the lettering represents), long before Columbus fumbled upon it. It is believed that these Norse explorers crossed the Atlantic, rounded the tip of Florida into the Gulf of Mexico, found the Mississippi River, and sailed into its tributaries, the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers, around 750 A.D. This date is indicated by the grammar used on the Poteau Runestone. The park which surrounds the stone is overlooking the whole town of Heavener and is a beautiful site to behold. There is a waterfall and a really nice area made around the stone so you can view the stone and walk around the area.
4. Rural Lake Keystone Ride (25 Miles)
Written Directions:
From Tulsa, take HWY 412 west. Exit at 209th west avenue also called Prue Road. The ride begins here. Ride north and follow the road around the north side of Lake Keystone to Cleveland, OK.
Scenery:
This route is hilly and curvy in the beginning, opening up to a view of Lake Keystone from about a hundred feet up. It winds around the lake going over small sections and through both flat and sparse terrain as well as hilly and wooded.
Road Quality:
This road used to be terrible, but it's brand new blacktop asphalt now (2012) for most of the ride. The last few miles are country road so take it a little slower. Mostly hilly and sweeping curves, just a few of them are tight and twisty.
Roadside Amenities:
This is a rural ride, but has several places to stop for gas because of the state park. There's a gas station at the beginning, two along the way and several at the end in Cleveland. Check out any of several entrances to state parks on Lake Keystone.
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3. The Best of 66 (40 Miles)
Written Directions:
This is Route 66 between Stroud, OK and Arcadia, OK. There are a lot of places to check out and it's just a great road. Be sure to take your time and don't be afraid to turn around to check something out that you missed.
Scenery:
This is a small portion of Route 66 and it's beautiful. Some curves and lots to look at, but you will probably have to backtrack for some photo ops, markings leave a lot to be desired.
Road Quality:
Road changes between counties, but mostly great. Lots of trees and curves. Also just to the west of Arcadia is the Arcadia Lake and Park.
Roadside Amenities:
Lots of little towns and small shops and stations. Chandler has a Route 66 museum that is really a must see, great place. Pops, Bikers Shak, and Round Barn are in Arcadia. Lots of great places to stop and find things you can't live without!
2. Lake Hudson Tour (40 Miles)
Written Directions:
Start in Locust Grove, OK and head north on 82. When you get to Langley turn left on to route 28 and end your route in Pensacola or Adair.
Scenery:
Drive through foliage tunnels, along side Lake Hudson, see open prairies with rolling hills in the distance. You'll also pass next to the Spavinaw Hill State Game Refuge and see its untapped beauty. You'll also be in the vicinity of Snowdale State park (Which sits next to Lake Hudson)
Road Quality:
Lots and lots of twist and turns with a few hills thrown in. Great pavement not a pot hole one.
Roadside Amenities:
You won't be taking this route for the things to do along the way... just gas up and ride!!
1. Talimena Drive (55 Miles)
Written Directions:
This route is located in the southeast region of Oklahoma and starts in a very small town called Talihina, OK. Talihina is about 60 miles south west of Fort Smith Arkansas and
located off of US Highway 271. The general path of this route is simple -- you are traveling east from Talihina, OK to Mena, AR. To start, just get to Talihina and head east out of town on state route 1. Stay on this same road as it crosses into Arkansas and becomes state route 8 and leads you right into Mena, AR.
Scenery:
The Talimena National Scenic Byway or, for short, Talimena Drive extends west to east along the ridgeline of the Winding Stair Mountain and Rich Mountain in southeastern Oklahoma. These are the highest point in elevation between the Appalachians and the Rockies. These fifty miles are filled with sharp curves and 13% grades extending from Talihina, Oklahoma on the west end to Mena, Arkansas on the west end. There are several vistas that overlook the valleys to the north and south as well as picnic grounds along the route as well. Some of the most breathtaking scenery in Oklahoma can be found along this drive.
Road Quality:
As mentioned above, the road is filled with lots of curves, switchbacks and steep grades. The speed limit is SLOW which of course allows you to enjoy the scenery. Since the road generally only supports scenic traffic, the road conditions are less than perfect. Since you will be traveling well under the speed limit, you will probably not even notice an occasional pothole.
5. Rune Stone Ride (81 Miles)
Written Directions:
Begin in Broken Bow, OK and head north on US Highway 259 from Broken Bow and just stay on 259 all the way through until you hit a T in the road. At the T, which is US Highway 270, take a left and ride about 20 miles to Heavener.
The scenery is woodsy, mainly pines once you ride North of Broken Bow. Before you reach Heavener you have to pass through about 30 miles of twisting and turning through mountain passes.
Road Quality:
The road is perfect! It's nicely paved and has a lot of curves as well as some straight-aways. There is no traffic!
Roadside Amenities:
There isn't much but a few towns and residential homes along this route which makes it that much more remote. Near the end of the ride, you can take the Telimena Byway Note: You have to ride out to the Rune Stone National Park in Heavener to see the proof the Norsemen discovered America around the date of November 11, 1012 (which is what the lettering represents), long before Columbus fumbled upon it. It is believed that these Norse explorers crossed the Atlantic, rounded the tip of Florida into the Gulf of Mexico, found the Mississippi River, and sailed into its tributaries, the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers, around 750 A.D. This date is indicated by the grammar used on the Poteau Runestone. The park which surrounds the stone is overlooking the whole town of Heavener and is a beautiful site to behold. There is a waterfall and a really nice area made around the stone so you can view the stone and walk around the area.
4. Rural Lake Keystone Ride (25 Miles)
Written Directions:
From Tulsa, take HWY 412 west. Exit at 209th west avenue also called Prue Road. The ride begins here. Ride north and follow the road around the north side of Lake Keystone to Cleveland, OK.
Scenery:
This route is hilly and curvy in the beginning, opening up to a view of Lake Keystone from about a hundred feet up. It winds around the lake going over small sections and through both flat and sparse terrain as well as hilly and wooded.
Road Quality:
This road used to be terrible, but it's brand new blacktop asphalt now (2012) for most of the ride. The last few miles are country road so take it a little slower. Mostly hilly and sweeping curves, just a few of them are tight and twisty.
Roadside Amenities:
This is a rural ride, but has several places to stop for gas because of the state park. There's a gas station at the beginning, two along the way and several at the end in Cleveland. Check out any of several entrances to state parks on Lake Keystone.
$0A
3. The Best of 66 (40 Miles)
Written Directions:
This is Route 66 between Stroud, OK and Arcadia, OK. There are a lot of places to check out and it's just a great road. Be sure to take your time and don't be afraid to turn around to check something out that you missed.
Scenery:
This is a small portion of Route 66 and it's beautiful. Some curves and lots to look at, but you will probably have to backtrack for some photo ops, markings leave a lot to be desired.
Road Quality:
Road changes between counties, but mostly great. Lots of trees and curves. Also just to the west of Arcadia is the Arcadia Lake and Park.
Roadside Amenities:
Lots of little towns and small shops and stations. Chandler has a Route 66 museum that is really a must see, great place. Pops, Bikers Shak, and Round Barn are in Arcadia. Lots of great places to stop and find things you can't live without!
2. Lake Hudson Tour (40 Miles)
Written Directions:
Start in Locust Grove, OK and head north on 82. When you get to Langley turn left on to route 28 and end your route in Pensacola or Adair.
Scenery:
Drive through foliage tunnels, along side Lake Hudson, see open prairies with rolling hills in the distance. You'll also pass next to the Spavinaw Hill State Game Refuge and see its untapped beauty. You'll also be in the vicinity of Snowdale State park (Which sits next to Lake Hudson)
Road Quality:
Lots and lots of twist and turns with a few hills thrown in. Great pavement not a pot hole one.
Roadside Amenities:
You won't be taking this route for the things to do along the way... just gas up and ride!!
1. Talimena Drive (55 Miles)
Written Directions:
This route is located in the southeast region of Oklahoma and starts in a very small town called Talihina, OK. Talihina is about 60 miles south west of Fort Smith Arkansas and
located off of US Highway 271. The general path of this route is simple -- you are traveling east from Talihina, OK to Mena, AR. To start, just get to Talihina and head east out of town on state route 1. Stay on this same road as it crosses into Arkansas and becomes state route 8 and leads you right into Mena, AR.
Scenery:
The Talimena National Scenic Byway or, for short, Talimena Drive extends west to east along the ridgeline of the Winding Stair Mountain and Rich Mountain in southeastern Oklahoma. These are the highest point in elevation between the Appalachians and the Rockies. These fifty miles are filled with sharp curves and 13% grades extending from Talihina, Oklahoma on the west end to Mena, Arkansas on the west end. There are several vistas that overlook the valleys to the north and south as well as picnic grounds along the route as well. Some of the most breathtaking scenery in Oklahoma can be found along this drive.
Road Quality:
As mentioned above, the road is filled with lots of curves, switchbacks and steep grades. The speed limit is SLOW which of course allows you to enjoy the scenery. Since the road generally only supports scenic traffic, the road conditions are less than perfect. Since you will be traveling well under the speed limit, you will probably not even notice an occasional pothole.
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