Boardstand Trail

Boardstand Trail is a 13.4-mile long-distance hiking route in the Ouachita National Forest near Talihina, Oklahoma, running through the western end of Holson Valley and the Indian Nations Scenic and Wildlife Area.

It’s a multi-use trail: hiking is allowed, and it also supports horseback travel and mountain biking; there are loop options that combine it with the Old Military Trail and the Ouachita National Recreation Trail for about a 23-mile itinerary.

The trail follows an old 1832 military road alignment. Expect an old forest-road character when you’re in Holson Valley, with steeper climbing when the route turns up Winding Stair Mountain.

For route planning, treat water as a key constraint on the ridges—prepare to carry what you need or plan around available creeks. A practical base is the Old Military Picnic Ground area and the Holson Valley Trailhead access off US Highway 271 and Holson Valley Road.

The forest manages the surrounding corridor year-round, but the loop’s Ouachita National Recreation Trail portion has use restrictions (notably closed to horses and motorcycles on that segment).

Even though the broader long-distance route is designed for multi-day travel, Boardstand Trail itself is a straight shot lengthwise (roughly 13.4 miles total) that you can pair with one of the connected trails for a longer loop without needing a shuttle.

More information: Map, Visitor information, Boardstand-Old Military Road Loop. - Ouachita Maps