Talimena State Park Campground

This State Park is located in SE Oklahoma and is a hidden gem. The park has a number of RV sites and tent sites. There are a number of picnic tables with covers which make preparing and eating meals easy. There are bathrooms with toilets, sinks, showers and hot water. The grounds are well kept. The Park Host was super friendly and a great source of knowledge about the area. It is a great place to start hiking the Ouachita Trail. The Ouachita Trail is a 220 mile trail that travels from Oklahoma to Arkansas. Near the campground the forest is predominantly made up of pine trees, but as you hike along the trail you'll pass through a variety of hardwoods like oak. In the spring the dogwood trees were blooming with flowers. A short distance from the park is the town of Talihena where you can stock up with supplies or grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants. We picked up Subway sandwiches on our way into the park and dined in at the El Rancho Mexican Grill on our way out of the park. The El Rancho restaurant had friendly service and great food.

Talimena State Park + The Ouachita Trail

Very well kept campgrounds. Full RV hook ups (30 amp). Also has area for primitive camping. Direct access to miles of hiking trails. Also direct access to approximately 45 miles of ATV trails.

A must stay 

I love this park! The Camp host are very kind and helpful!

Grear

This is a great place with awesome camps hosts and a cozy feel. 

A great gateway to the national forest and the Ouachita Trail. The trail starts at the park and heads East for some 200 miles. But you don’t have to do it all! Just get out and enjoy what you can. 

The ATV crowd is present and sometimes a little loud, but they leave out in the morning and don’t typically get back till dusk. 

Tent site 1 is outstanding. Located at the head of the trail it is otherwise pretty remote. 

The RV campsites are against the highway and although you can’t see it, you can certainly hear it. It’s not an interstate though and the traffic does die down at night. 

I don’t think they have a problem in camp, but be aware that the Ouachita National Forest holds a fair number of Black Bears. Proceed accordingly. 

Overall this is a gem of a park, nothing really to do at the park, but the adjacent forest awaits whatever adventure you choose! 



Gateway to the Forest

The people who take care of this camp do a great job. Everything is tidy and well kept.

Spaces aren’t too tight together, but not much privacy either - except for us because we were the only ones there!

The Ouachita Trailhead starts here and two of the primitive camps (1 and 2) are right at the trailhead.

There was at least one other trail leading away from camp.

Camp store is closed during the week - at least during the time of year of our visit. 

The town of Talihina is about 6 miles from camp. I didn’t see a grocery store, but it had a couple of well stocked convenience stores. It also has a few cafes. The food at Pam’s Cafe was good. There was also a nice looking coffee shop, but we didn’t try it.

The Talimena Drive starts very close by, so this would be a good base camp for cruising that scenic drive. I’d love to come back in the fall, but the views are incredible anytime. Pictures don’t do it justice.

Many sites back up right to the adjacent highway. A little hill and some trees block the view, but the road noise is loud. And several trucks in the middle of the night were heavy on their jake brakes. 

Our site had a nice gazebo over the table. My son enjoyed the playground, though it is really sized for kids 6 and under. 

Absolutely wouldn’t mind camping here again. 






Nice, clean little camp

I love this state park and will come back to stay longer!  Super nice trailed, clean showers, big spaces…loved it. My only negative would be that it’s fairly close to highway and can get loud at moments. But no big deal to me. 

Quaint and Clean!

Nice small State Park. Camp host was very helpful. Good clean shower house.

Talimena State Park

Right on the highway bringing road noise, an all-in-one bathroom shower with only one male/female in each at a time, close campsites, and lots of ATV’s. A good place for us to stay the night, but not much longer. 

Small campground with close suites

We had a nice site with a covered table. Only negative part is the road noise.