Explore the Billy Creek Area
From scenic mountain drives and hidden swimming holes to trails, festivals, museums, and small-town stops, there’s plenty to discover near Base Camp at Billy Creek. Use this guide to plan your stay, map out a day trip, or find a local event happening during your visit.
Join Us and Embark on New Adventures
Base Camp at Billy Creek places you close to some of the best outdoor recreation in southeastern Oklahoma. Guests can spend the morning hiking forest trails, cool off at Billy Creek Blue Hole, enjoy lunch in Talihina or Mena, and finish the day with sunset views along the Talimena Scenic Drive.
Whether you’re planning a family getaway, hunting trip, riding weekend, fall foliage tour, or quiet mountain escape, this area offers the perfect mix of adventure, history, local culture, and peaceful outdoor beauty.
Scenic Drives
- Talimena Scenic Drive
- Castle Rock Vista
- State Line Monument
- Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Hiking & Recreation
- Billy Creek Recreation Area
- Winding Stair Recreation Area
- Kerr Nature Center
- Talimena State Park Trails
Swimming & Water Fun
- Billy Creek Blue Hole
- Cedar Lake Recreation Area – kayaking, swimming, fishing and boating
- Broken Bow Lake (day trip)
Family-Friendly Day Trips
- Choctaw Nation Museum
- Board Camp Crystal Mine
- Bigfoot Museum
- Hochatown Attractions
ATV & Riding Adventures
- Miles of designated motorized routes and forest roads
- Riding opportunities for ATVs, side-by-sides and UTVs
- Rocky mountain terrain for experienced off-road and rock-climbing enthusiasts
Cedar Lake Recreation Area — 45 min
Surrounded by the pine- and hardwood-covered Ouachita Mountains, scenic Cedar Lake is a peaceful destination for kayaking, canoeing, fishing, swimming and picnicking. Visitors can also enjoy a three-mile trail that circles the lake. Bring your own kayak and spend a relaxing day on the water before returning to the cabin.
Adventure Awaits Beyond the Cabin
Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, riding mountain trails, searching for Bigfoot, or simply enjoying a quiet sunset drive through the Ouachitas, unforgettable experiences are waiting just beyond Base Camp at Billy Creek.
Before You Head Out
- Check weather forecasts before mountain drives.
- Swimming holes vary with rainfall.
- Bring sturdy shoes for hiking trails.
- Cell service may be limited in some forest areas.
- Verify festival dates and attraction hours before visiting.
Closest Outdoor Attractions
Billy Creek Recreation Area — 15–20 min
Creek access, hiking, horseback riding, camping, and trail access in the Ouachita National Forest. The Forest Service lists Billy Creek Recreation Area near Muse and notes access from Hwy 63 and forest roads.
Billy Creek Blue Hole — 15–20 min
A quiet local swimming hole and scenic water spot near Billy Creek. Best for warm-weather exploring, relaxing, and cooling off after time on the trails.
Talimena Scenic Drive — 20 min
One of the area’s biggest draws. This scenic byway stretches more than 50 miles through the Ouachita Mountains with overlooks, fall color, mountain views, and gateway towns along the route.
Kerr Nature Center — 25–30 min
A great family-friendly nature stop with three interpretive trails near the Talimena Scenic Drive. The trails highlight local plants, forest life, and soil formation.
Winding Stair Recreation Area — 25 min
A scenic forest recreation area near the Talimena route, good for hiking, picnicking, photography, and enjoying the Ouachita Mountain setting.
Castle Rock Vista — 30 min
A beautiful overlook stop for mountain views and photos, especially during fall foliage season.
State Line Monument — 45 min
A scenic and historic stop along the Oklahoma-Arkansas border area.
Scenic Stops & Day Trips
Queen Wilhelmina State Park — 1 hr
A classic mountain destination near Mena with sweeping views, hiking, dining, and the “Castle in the Sky” lodge area.
Mena, Arkansas — 35 min
A good day-trip town for dining, shopping, scenic drives, and events. It’s also a gateway to the Arkansas side of the Talimena Scenic Drive.
Board Camp Crystal Mine — 1 hr
A family-friendly crystal digging destination east of Mena. The mine says it operates seasonally from March through October and recommends reservations.
Choctaw Nation Museum, Tuskahoma — 50 min
A meaningful cultural stop located at the historic Choctaw Capitol Building on the Tvshka Homma grounds between Clayton and Talihina.
Honobia Creek Scenic Route — 1 hr
A peaceful mountain drive through the Honobia area, ideal for visitors who enjoy backroads, forest scenery, and quiet exploring.
Bigfoot Museum / Honobia Area — 1 hr
A fun, quirky stop for guests interested in local legends and the famous Bigfoot culture around Honobia.
Broken Bow / Hochatown — 45 min
A longer day trip with restaurants, lake activities, family attractions, wineries, breweries, and tourism stops.
Seasonal Events Worth Planning Around
Talihina Fall Foliage Festival — late October / early November
One of the area’s signature events. It typically includes arts and crafts, food vendors, live music, kids’ activities, quilt show, car show, and fall color along the Talimena route.
Honobia Bigfoot Festival & Conference — early October
A well-known annual event celebrating local Bigfoot legends, speakers, crafts, food, music, family entertainment, and outdoor fun. Some sources note it traditionally occurs the first weekend in October, but guests should check current dates before planning.
Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival — Labor Day weekend
A major cultural celebration with stickball, concerts, arts and crafts, princess pageant, 5K, gospel singing, and Choctaw traditions.
Lum & Abner Music & Arts Festival — Mena, Arkansas
A Mena tradition featuring live music, arts, vendors, a car show, and community activities.
Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run — Mena / Queen Wilhelmina State Park
A multi-day car event that brings hot rods and street rods to Mena and the Queen Wilhelmina area.
Wheel A’ Mena Bicycle Tour — Mena / Talimena Scenic Drive
A scenic and challenging bicycle tour staged out of Mena, with routes through the Ouachita Mountains and Talimena Scenic Drive.
Cruisin’ the Ouachitas Car Show — Mena
A downtown Mena car, truck, and motorcycle show often held in early June with food, games, and entertainment.
