Ouachita National Forest
24436 OK-63, Hodgen, OK
Hodgen, OK
A great mountain forest of pine-covered ridges that run east and west, the largest and oldest national forest in the South, spilling across the Oklahoma and Arkansas line.
The Ouachita National Forest spreads across the mountain country of southeast Oklahoma and western Arkansas, the largest and oldest national forest in the American South. Here Oklahoma sheds its plains-state image entirely, giving way to a landscape of long, pine-covered ridges, clear rivers, and deep forest that feels closer to the Appalachians than to the prairie.
The most remarkable thing about the Ouachitas is the way they lie. Unlike most American mountain ranges, which run north and south, the Ouachita ridges run east and west, the result of an ancient collision of continents that folded the rock the long way. That gives the forest its distinctive grain of parallel ridges and valleys, best seen from the scenic byway that rides along the crest.
What Guests Love
- Long pine-covered ridges that run east and west, unusual among American mountains
- The Talimena scenic byway riding the crest of the range with sweeping views
- Miles of trails, rivers, and quiet backcountry to explore
- Cool, green mountain country in a state better known for its plains
Worth Knowing
- The forest is vast and rural, so plan routes, fuel, and supplies before heading in
- Mountain weather can shift quickly, and some byway sections may close in ice or fog
- Fall color is a highlight but also a popular time on the scenic byway
- Check current conditions and any seasonal closures before setting out
Details
Hodgen, OK
Learn about Ouachita National Forest
The mountains that run the wrong way
The Ouachita Mountains are geologically unusual because their ridges run east and west rather than north and south. Long ago, immense forces folded and pushed up layers of ancient rock as landmasses collided, and the range that resulted lies crosswise to most of North America's mountains. Over vast spans of time erosion wore the folds down into the parallel, forested ridges you see today.
This east-west grain shapes everything about the forest, from the way roads and trails thread the valleys to the play of sun and shadow on the slopes. It is a subtle thing to notice at first, but once you see it from a high overlook, the neat parallel lines of ridge after ridge marching to the horizon, the deep-time story of the land comes into focus.
The Talimena byway and getting out into it
The best-known way to experience the forest is the Talimena scenic byway, a mountain road that climbs onto the crest of the range and follows it, offering long views across the parallel ridges and valleys. It is a celebrated drive, especially when the hardwoods turn in autumn, and it links the Oklahoma and Arkansas ends of the range.
Beyond the byway, the forest offers miles of hiking, including a long-distance trail that traverses the range, along with rivers for paddling, spots for camping, and quiet backcountry to lose yourself in. Whether you come for an afternoon drive or a multi-day trek, the Ouachitas reward time spent among the pines.
Wildlife and the forest
The Ouachitas are cloaked in shortleaf pine and hardwoods, with clear streams running through the valleys, and they shelter a rich mix of wildlife. White-tailed deer move through the woods, black bears range the more remote country, and the forest rings with birdsong, from songbirds to hawks and owls. The rivers and creeks hold fish and support their own web of life.
This is one of the greenest and wildest parts of Oklahoma, a striking contrast to the plains and prairies farther west. The mix of southern forest and rugged terrain makes the Ouachitas a haven for both wildlife and the people who come to walk, paddle, and camp among them.
The people of the mountains
This mountain country lies within the Choctaw Nation, and the deeper history of the region is bound to the Choctaw people, who were forced from their southeastern homelands to Indian Territory in the nineteenth century along the routes remembered as the Trail of Tears. The Choctaw Nation remains a strong and living presence across southeastern Oklahoma today.
For travelers, the Ouachita National Forest is a gateway to a side of Oklahoma many never see, a genuinely mountainous, forested landscape rich in scenery and recreation. Nearby lie the Talimena byway, the pineywoods and lakes of the southeast, and the popular Beavers Bend country, making the forest a fine base for exploring this green corner of the state.
Closest Boutels
The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.
Things to Do Near Hodgen
Talimena National Scenic Byway
Along the ridge crest
A celebrated mountain drive following the top of the Ouachita range, with sweeping views and brilliant fall color.
Talihina
About 20 miles west
A small mountain gateway town at the Oklahoma end of the Talimena byway.
Beavers Bend State Park
About 50 miles south
A forested park on the Mountain Fork River with clear water, cabins, and hiking in the southeast Oklahoma pineywoods.
Heavener Runestone State Park
About 25 miles north
A wooded park protecting a large stone carved with mysterious runes, set in a rugged ravine.