Tulsa: Indian Nation Loop
This 6.9-mile circuit in the Ouachita Mountains scopes craggy outcrops, climbs through secluded oak-and-pine hollows, and follows an Indian trail.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 11.2
Waypoints
OCL001
Location: 34.7831687927246, -94.9509963989258
From NW side of campground, head N following seasonal creek
OCL002
Location: 34.7889633178711, -94.9450073242188
Straight @ T onto white-blazed Old Military Road Trail around ridgeline into pine-stocked hollow, then up to the sandstone shoulder of Winding Stair Mountain
OCL003
Location: 34.7960815429688, -94.9442596435547
Cross Talimena Scenic Drive @ Old Military Rd. Vista (built 1832 by U.S. Army to move troops and relocate Choctaws to Indian Territory). Head R, descend from E end of vista
OCL004
Location: 34.8016395568848, -94.9439086914062
R @ T onto yellow-blazed Indian Nations Trail (INT) for climb up tight switchbacks
OCL005
Location: 34.7987327575684, -94.936149597168
Crest windy curves of Talimena Dr.; stay with INT (turns into old road) along hillside
OCL006
Location: 34.7931365966797, -94.937744140625
Road bed swings back E; turn R to stay with INT (bear S)
OCL007
Location: 34.7903213500977, -94.9367370605469
R @ T
OCL008
Location: 34.789134979248, -94.938720703125
Trail turns R, crosses blue-blazed Ouachita Trail, then curls S on switchbacks. Routefinding ahead: After .5-mi. downhill through oak woods, trail reaches a blowdown area and yellow blazes disappear. Turn S and go 200 ft. until blazes return
OCL009
Location: 34.785831451416, -94.9446563720703
Cross forest road
OCL010
Location: 34.7798042297363, -94.9472885131836
Descend out of woods, turn R onto forest road; in 600 ft., R onto old roadbed; return to car