Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area, located in southeastern Oklahoma, offers a variety of attractions and natural wonders that make it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Summary
Here is a summary of the area, including reasons to visit, points of interest, interesting facts, and the best time of year to visit.
Reasons to Visit:
1. Scenic Beauty: The Winding Stair Mountain area boasts breathtaking landscapes, including lush forests, rugged mountains, and picturesque waterfalls, offering immense opportunities for photography, hiking, and camping.
2. Hiking Trails: The area features several well-maintained hiking trails of varying difficulty levels, allowing visitors to explore the beautiful surroundings and enjoy the serenity of nature.
3. Wildlife Viewing: Winding Stair Mountain is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, black bears, wild turkeys, and numerous bird species. Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the chance to observe and photograph these creatures in their natural habitat.
4. Camping and Recreation: The recreation area provides several campgrounds and picnic areas, offering visitors the opportunity to relax, have a picnic, or spend the night under the stars. Additionally, fishing enthusiasts can enjoy angling in the nearby streams and lakes.
Points of Interest:
1. Talimena Scenic Byway: Running through the Winding Stair Mountain area, the Talimena Scenic Byway is a 54-mile drive renowned for its stunning vistas, colorful foliage during fall, and panoramic overlooks.
2. Winding Stair Mountain Range: The area is named after the Winding Stair Mountain Range, which features rugged peaks, deep valleys, and stunning panoramic views, attracting hikers and nature lovers.
3. Horsethief Springs Trail: This popular hiking trail leads to a scenic waterfall known as Horsethief Springs. The trail offers moderate difficulty and rewards visitors with the captivating beauty of the cascading water.
4. Sardis Lake: Located near the recreation area, Sardis Lake is a popular destination for boating, fishing, swimming, and other water activities. It offers beautiful shorelines and clear water, making it a great spot to cool off during hot summer months.
Interesting Facts:
1. The area gets its name from the winding, rocky staircase-like terrain found throughout the mountain range, which can be challenging yet rewarding for hikers.
2. Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area is part of the larger Ouachita National Forest, known for its diverse flora and fauna.
3. The Ouachita Trail, a well-known long-distance hiking trail that stretches over 220 miles, passes through the Winding Stair Mountain area, attracting avid backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit the Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area is during spring and fall when temperatures are pleasant, and the foliage adds vibrant colors to the surroundings. Spring offers beautiful wildflower displays, while fall showcases breathtaking autumnal hues. Summers can be hot and humid, and winters may bring cold temperatures and occasional snowfall.
Please note that while efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, it is always recommended to verify information across multiple independent sources before planning your visit to Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area in Oklahoma.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Winding Stair Campground
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Winding Stair
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Billy Creek Recreation Area
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Billy Creek
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Cedar Lake Recreation Area
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Indian Nations National Scenic And Wildlife Area
Robert S. Kerr National Botanical Area
Beech Creek National Scenic Area and Botanical Area
Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness