City Escape: Tahlequah, Oklahoma
The rugged landscape in northeastern Oklahoma offers tree-canopied lanes of twisty asphalt alongside clear mountain streams—perfect for flowing rides sprinkled with diverse restaurants and historical sites dating to the days of Indian Territory. Moderate temperatures and bright foliage make fall the best time to ride this loop, but the temperate weather in Oklahoma (except for July and August) makes riding a pleasure most of the year.
Length
Approximately 154 miles
Meetup Spot
Cherokee National History Museum, 101 S. Muskogee Ave, Tahlequah, OK.
Lunch Stop
The crops of corn, beans, and squash, known as the "Three Sisters," have provided the basis of Native American culinary traditions and anchor the menu at 3 Sisters Diner, which features fried squash, "authentic native tacos," and "native onion blossoms" as complements to the usual burgers and BLTs. Find it at 32002 Hwy 82, Cookson, OK, (918) 457-0692.
Scenery (4 out of 5)
Secondary highways wind through wooded hills and high bluffs and along clear, flowing streams and lake shorelines. Colorful fall foliage is a bonus on autumn rides.
Difficulty (2 out of 5)
The area's roads are pleasantly twisty but not particularly difficult.
Road Conditions (3 out of 5)
You can expect good paved roads and usually very little traffic on this route.
Points of Interest
Hunter's Home
Hunter's Home, built in 1845, is the only remaining pre-Civil War plantation home in the state. It is part of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, a National Historic Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Tenkiller State Park
Known as Oklahoma's "heaven in the hills," this park offers lots of recreational opportunities within and around the clear waters of Lake Tenkiller, one of the state's most popular locations for scuba diving. Lodging options include cabins and tent and RV camping.
Fort Gibson
Established in 1824, Fort Gibson was originally intended to keep peace between the Osages and the Cherokees. The log fort and stockade are reconstructions, and the site also features original mid-1800s buildings.