Oklahoma’s Most Beautiful Scenic Drives Worth The Drive
September is usually a solemn time of year for Oklahoma and for the country. If you need to take your mind off of things, it's best to get off the straight lines and take a backroad or two. With fall fast approaching, the leaves are changing and the views are getting better and better along the best scenic drives in Oklahoma.
Tips and Tricks for Driving Oklahoma's Backroads
As a general rule, if you're wanting to take actual backroads, away from the highway and with hardly any other markings besides the street signs (if there are any), you'll want to get a little more familiar with your map.
@townsusa Have you ever drove down the most scenic drive in Oklahoma? #oklahoma #townsOK ♬ original sound - TownsOK
You'll also want to drive slow and look out for others on the road. Backroads don't always mean dirt roads, so you'll still run into motorcycle groups, RV drivers trying to avoid the tolls or off to a camping spot and, of course, everyone's personal favorite: the farmer on his way to the next pasture with his tractor.
You're also more likely to run into animals in these areas. If you're planning on driving near sunset, just remember that dusk and dawn are some of the most active times for wildlife and you should drive cautiously.
Related: What Not To Do When You See Deer In Oklahoma
Oklahoma is known for the flat areas that cover much of the state, but some people say the closer to the Arkansas border you get, the better the winding roads and higher the hills. If you head east towards the Texas panhandle or New Mexico, there you'll find most of the flat land that surrounds the Wichita Mountains and other off-the-grid areas.
Read more: What Every Oklahoma Kid Does Before 18
The top scenic drives in Oklahoma are:
The Talemina Scenic Byway
This is the most notable strip of beauty in eastern Oklahoma. It's 54 miles of road running through the hills that take you the Arkansas border.
The Drive Up To Cavana Hill
@oklahoma77.com Called “the world’s largest hill” because it was once believed to be 1999 ft tall, just short of the textbook definition of a mountain. #poteauoklahoma #cavanalhillpoteauok #chocktawnation #worldstallesthill #exploreoklahoma ♬ original sound - oklahoma77 project
Just 1 foot shy of being a mountain, Cavanal hill is known as the "world's highest hill" (if you consider Oklahoma's mountains actual mountains). Take the 45 minute trip to the tip top, where you'll catch a spectacular view overlooking the rest of the Ouachita Mountains.
Route 66
@courtneyadelmann Pops is an iconic destination and a must-see if you are traveling on or near Route 66 in Oklahoma! #route66 #roadtrip #crosscountryroadtrip #soda #landmark #mustseeplaces #iconic #oldfashioned ♬ Route 66 - Chuck Berry
Fun fact: Oklahoma has 400 miles of driveable Route 66 running through the state. How could you not include Americas most iconic highway on this list, knowing that it covers so much land in the sooner state?
Where To See Fall Colors In Oklahoma
Gallery Credit: Kelso
Top 10 Terrifying Oklahoma Scream Parks & Haunted Attractions
Gallery Credit: Don "Critter" Brown