I am a strong believer that life is all about the journey. Sometimes on our way to our destination, we find ourselves enjoying the fleeting moments in between. This is the one thing that I love about road trips, there is always something to appreciate along the way. Take for instance, when driving through the Ouachita Mountains in Oklahoma, there is literally a reward around every winding turn. One of which is the drive to Mountain Top Trail Loop near Muse, where you get to cruise one of the most scenic byways in the country. Once you hike the trail, you’ll be gifted with expansive views of the mountains. In my opinion, the drive to this remote destination in Oklahoma is more than worth the reward at the end.

By now, you would’ve heard about the Talimena Scenic Drive, and I can bet that you’ve cruised it before. But if you haven't, now is your chance to do so. Here you will find the Mountain Top Trail, a 3-mile loop that meanders to the top of Winding Stair Mountains. It’s a small portion of the 192-mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail that stretches from OK to Arkansas.

You can access the trail by driving north on U.S. Highway 259 and then head west on State Highway 1. Parking is available near the Winding Stair Mountains Campground, and the trailhead is there too. The area is gorgeous any time of year, but it comes alive the most during the fall when the autumn colors light up the mountainside. 

This drive alone is worth your efforts to get here, but the trail has its rewards too. It leads to a breathtaking overlook that could arguably be one of the best in Oklahoma. You’ll get to witness sweeping views of the Holson Valley and the Talimena Scenic Byway. Certainly, you could easily spend the day here enjoying the stunning views, so pack lunch and you’ll want to carry your camera too. 

Hikers love this rugged trail that meanders along the north and south sides of the mountain. It’s rocky in some areas, so make sure you’re wearing sturdy hiking boots for this trek. Dogs and kids are welcome, but I don’t think this hike is suitable for beginners. For the avid hiker, it will take you about an hour to complete this trail. 

And if you’re craving more scenic vistas, just hop in your car and drive to the entrance of Talimena Scenic Byway and Talimena State Park. On this trip, you’ll soon realize how gorgeous Eastern OK is. There are unmatched views at every turn and the drive is worth it no matter where you live in the Sooner State.   

Folks, this isn’t the only remote destination in Oklahoma that you should explore. Have you seen the views from Skull Hollow Nature Trail in northern OK? They are out of this world! Before you leave for any hike in Oklahoma, we can’t stress enough that you should download AllTrails+ on your phone. The cell phone signal in some of these remote locations can be spotty, and getting lost on a trail isn’t always fun.