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The Winding Stair Recreation Area, Arkansas, Oklahoma
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This campground is one of many attractions along the
Talimena Scenic Drive, a 54-mile highway winding along the crests of Winding Stair Mountain in Oklahoma and Rich Mountains in Arkansas.
Also, Emerald Vista with several picnic tables is located just north of this campground, and boasts a birds-eye view of the
Ouachita National Forest from atop the Scenic Byway.
Location:
This campground is located on the Talimena Scenic Drive in Oklahoma, two miles west of US Highway 259 junction by turning north from the scenic drive onto the Emerald Vista road.
Coordinates:
34.7145000 -94.675500
Elevation:
1920 feet
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Established Trails
This is a peaceful setting at this campground located within three miles of several trail systems, including Horsethief and Billy Creek Trails. Adjacent to the campground, a mountaintop trail has a one-mile loop and a two-mile loop.
Also, the 192-mile
Ouachita National Recreation Trail passes the campground as it extends from Talimena State Park in Oklahoma to Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Arkansas. At mile post 23.7, the Winding stair campsite is accessed by a short white blazed side trail.
A backpacker camp, located about 300 feet west of the Winding Stair campground is open year-round and includes five tent pads, table, fire ring, lantern poles and pit toilet.
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Campsites
There are 23 campsites which have paved parking, picnic tables, grills, fire rings, lantern poles and tent pads.
Vault toilets are available on site. Water is available seasonally.
Open 01 March - 01 December
Camping Fees:
$8.00 per night. Senior Pass Holder, half price.
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The 2026 Journey,
Winding Stair Campground
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Monday, 23 March 2026, Talimena Scenic Drive, Oklahoma
(Day 771 TS) 47°F. 6:00 am, sunny and clear
Journey On™, Day 37
After Leaving Texarkana right after the meeting ended yesterday, I drove north into Oklahoma and stopped at Winding Stair Campground on the Talimena Scenic Byway, arriving just after the sun had set and due to it being a bit on the cold side, I did not get out to cook anything, rather, I just ate what I had available, some nuts, an apple and almond butter spread onto a couple slices of sprouted bread.
Then, I get under the covers to stay warm.
(m4camp-07-ok-winding-2026-0322.1845)
(m4camp-07-ok-winding-2026-0322.1847)
Arise, awake, climb out of the jammer, open the rear lift gate, get out my backpacking stove and cookpot, carry it to the picnic table, fire the stove up and then start a pot of water to boil. I then take my sierra cup from the rear end of the jammer and load the cup with my Daystart. Too, I grab two coffee packets, two tea bags, which I put into my pocket and also grab my two insulated cups to carry and then walk back to the table and begin preparing my f-meal. When the water boils, I turn off the stove, pour the measured amounts into each of the three cups, and while my f-meal begins to cool, I begin breaking down the stove and stowing it back into its stowage bag, as well as putting the cookpot back into its stowage bag. Next, I carry the bags to the rear of the jammer and put each in its place. Finally, I carry the three cups, consisting of two cups of hot and a cup of Daystart to the drivers door and put them in their place.
Finally, I drive out of the campground and then looking to see that no one else is on the scenic byway, I pull out of the campground, turn left and continue north through eastern Oklahoma.
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The 2022 Journey,
Winding Stair Campground
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The 2020 Journey,
Winding Stair Campground
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The 2016 Journey,
Winding Stair Campground
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See Ya above the Treeline!
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This Page Last Updated: 31 March 2026
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