Chasing Fall Color Through the Ouachita National Forest

Fall Color Across the Forest

The Ouachita National Forest covers nearly 1.8 million acres across Arkansas and Oklahoma, making it the largest national forest in the South. That's a lot of land to explore. It's worth visiting any time of year, but if you're on the lookout for fall color it fills that bill quite nice.

The bounty of fall color found in the forest changes from year to year depending on weather patterns but overall, peak fall color season usually runs from the third week of October through mid-November.

The forest itself is largely pine-hickory, so expect gold and rust more than the reds you'd find further north.

How you take it in is up to you. Hundreds of miles of trails wind through the forest, open to hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers and off-road vehicles, with ADA-accessible options as well.

Scenic Drives Through the Forest

The Talimena National Scenic Byway in Mena is one of the best drives in the state, running along ridgelines with panoramic views of the Ouachita Mountains. From U.S. 71 in Mena, the route follows Ark. 88 into Oklahoma — 54 miles total, 18 of them in Arkansas, cutting through shortleaf pine and hardwood forest the whole way. In Mena, the route climbs 2,681-foot Rich Mountain, Arkansas' second-highest peak, and passes Queen Wilhelmina State Park along the way. 

It's a good drive any season, but fall foliage turns it into something else entirely.

Keep an eye out along the route. Wildlife sightings can range from black bear to soaring birds.  If you'd rather get out and explore on foot or by bike, the Ouachita National Recreation Trail and the trails at Queen Wilhelmina State Park are both nearby, and the Earthquake Ridge Trail offers 6.8 miles of singletrack for mountain bikers.