Oklahoma is home to variegated terrain and diverse ecosystems over its broad reaches, from rolling grasslands and colorful forests to mesas that stand like monuments on the horizon to winding roads that snake past western vistas. Roadside attractions hark back to an earlier age of motoring. All this makes Oklahoma ideally suited for taking a scenic drive.

Route 66

Route 66 was once America’s mother road, providing early motorists from eastern states with a vital and bustling link to the west. A trip on Route 66 was an adventure in those bygone days, and on 400 miles of Oklahoma blacktop much of what made Route 66 great is still intact. Pick up Route 66 in Quapaw near the Missouri border; you will pass first through historic Tulsa before hitting Oklahoma City. Continue westward, passing through charming small towns and roadside attractions, such as the famous metal and cement sculpture called the Blue Whale in Catoosa.

Talimena National Scenic Byway

One of the nation’s great scenic drives, and one of the most famous in Oklahoma, is the Talimena National Scenic Byway. This Byway stretches for 54 winding miles from Talihina in the southeast, onward through the tree-covered Ouachita National Forest with its woodlands nestled along the valleys, ridges and heights of the Kiamichi Mountains. In the autumn, the forest bursts into a dazzle of orange, yellow, and red leaves, while the numerous roadside turnouts and viewing areas make for a great scenic drive any time of the year. Cultural and historical sites dot the route, such as the Wheelock Academy, which played an important role in bringing education to Oklahoma’s Choctaw women.

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Wichita Mountains Scenic Byway

If you want to see Oklahoma with buffalo roaming and longhorn cattle grazing, you need go no further than the southwestern corner of the state and drive the Wichita Mountains Scenic Byway. This road twists through the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, and in its rugged scenery the alert traveler can spot a number of native animal species. Prairie Dogs, coyotes, deer, elk, and a population of free-roaming buffalo all inhabit the refuge. Rock climbing and rappelling are popular activities among the exposed rocks of the Wichita, and numerous campsites and trails can make a nice diversion from the day’s drive.

Panhandle

Head to the Northwestern most region of Oklahoma, the state’s famous Panhandle region, to enjoy a distinct topography and ecology. As east meets west, the shortgrass prairie gives way to the Rocky Mountains and many species are at the limit of their range and mingle here in a way not found elsewhere. This area, bordered by three states, is the site of the famed Black Mesa, Oklahoma’s highest point at almost 5,000 feet above sea level. In the Black Mesa Nature Preserve, visitors can see wildlife, mesas, and rugged peaks. Follow scenic highway 325 between Boise City and Kenton to enjoy the rugged beauty of the Panhandle.

Oklahoma out the window of your car can offer an incredible range of views.

Scenic drives in Oklahoma can be brief runs that take an afternoon, or encompass the length of the state, taking in numerous attractions and memorable vistas, all well worth a little seat time in the car.