Talimena State Park is situated in the far southeastern corner of Oklahoma. It’s a small park but offers a gateway to a lot of outdoor adventure. The site is situated on the western edge of the Ouachita National Forest and is the start for many fun adventures. It’s camping may be simple but the possibilities for adventure are endless.
Useful Links
Pros
- Ouachita Trail Trailhead
- On the Ouachita National Forest
- Small and Quaint
Cons
- Very noisy road next to the park
- Small park and limited spots
- Lots of people come and go from the trailhead all day
All About the Park
Talimena is a small state park. There are only 10 RV sites and 9 tent spots. There’s also limited parking around the campground if you plan on bringing extra vehicles or pulling ATVs for offroad fun. It is a small park so be prepared for limited lodging options.
There are also 2 bathrooms. One is a family bathroom that encompasses a toilet, sink, and shower in one room and that is located up in the RV area. There is also a normal building that has 2 toilets and a shower. The dump station for RVs is also located near the bathroom building. There is also 1 shelter for group activities and a playground for the kids in the group.
Things to Do at Talimena
The 2 main attractions at the park are hiking trails and off-roading trails. The western terminus of the Ouachita trail is in the state park. The trail is officially 192 miles and traverses the national forest but through a combination of other trails one can hike all the way to Little Rock if you wanted.
The other attraction is an off-road adventure. There were many motocross bikes and ATV vehicles coming and going while I was there. There is a road on the southeastern part of the park that is the starting point for vehicles wanting to enter the national forest.
Around the Area
The area around Talimena is sparse but you’re going there for that exact reason so it’s a good thing. There are several trails through the entire national forest and miles of off-road trails for your ATVs. This is the main attraction and I enjoyed several miles of the trails on the second day I was there. Well worth it!
The nearest city is Talihina Oklahoma and it is a small town. There are a few gas stations, motels, and diners. I went into Pam’s Diner on Main Street and got breakfast on our way out of town.
Area Hospital
The nearest hospital is the Choctaw National Health Care Center west of Talihina Oklahoma. The website indicates it has a 24/365 emergency room and is located here.
Area Veterinarians
Forwoodson and Heavener Vet services are located several miles away so animal care may be far away for your best friends.
Talimena State Park Ratings
Bathrooms
The RV and family bathrooms need some work. They are older and show their age. They did have warm water and didn’t have a lot of bugs or trash laying around. I hope these bathrooms are high on the list for renovation or replacement. In the end, it wasn’t the worst place I’ve seen and I used them.
The toilet at Talimena State Park’s RV bathroom. 
The shower at Talimena State Park’s RV bathroom. 
The sinks in the RV bathroom at Talimena State Park. 
A wide shot of the RV bathroom at Talimena State Park Oklahoma. 
The sink and toilet in the family bathroom at Talimena State Park Oklahoma. 
The shower in the family bathroom at Talimena State Park Oklahoma.
Camp Sites
The RV sites and tent sites were nice. The RV area has flat concrete spots and the tent area even had built up stone areas to place tents. The power box worked and the road in was paved and smooth. This park would be easy to bring in a big RV.
My RV site at Talimena State Park. 
The tent area at Talimena State Park. 
The tent platforms for camping at Talimena State Park.
Activities
The park is the gateway to the national forest and you can start many hikes or rides at the park or just a few miles away. A big perk for any outdoor adventure type.
Location
The park is away from most places and its solitude is a big perk. It’s easy to get to and there are some towns around. Just remember the main road is very noisy.
Visible Cell Service
I had spotty cell service but I was able to make some phone calls in the right areas. Data rates were very low so no streaming or internet service.
Conclusion
Talimena is a wonderful park. I know it has some issues and isn’t the most modern of parks but what it loses in modernity it makes up with charm and solitude. The park has a fun vibe that is filled by people prepping their ATVs or the last hugs from hikers who are starting their trip down the trail. I’d recommend this park to anyone looking for a fun weekend of fresh air!
Talimena State Park is located near Talihina Oklahoma in LeFlore County. It is on the western edge of the Ouachita National Forest.
There is hiking, ATV access, a playground, tent, and RV camping available at the state park.