Choctaw Nation Trail

The trail begins at an intersection with Old Military Road Trail near state Highway 1. It climbs up the flank of Winding Stair Mountain and crosses the highway east of Old Military Road viewpoint. The route then descends the south side of Winding Stair, crossing the Ouachita Trail several times before reaching the valley floor near Talimena State Park. From here, the hike heads east toward Bohannon Lake. This section is a rolling descent with a handful of steep, short climbs. There is a big climb as you skirt north past Bohannan Lake, hiking in and out of small drainages along the way. This section of the route also has some beautiful forest and nice views from a prominent ridge. The descent into Sycamore Creek is steep and quick. You may or may not encounter water here, depending on the season. The last bit of the route takes you across the wooded bottomland of Billy Creek, which runs over some boulders along the way. Once across, look for Forest Road 6020B and turn right (south), following it to the parking area.