![]() It can be done as an out-and-back hike of about 13 miles or point-to-point with a car drop at either 6.5 or 8 miles. The trail leads hikers through a towering pine forest, up the side of Winding Stair Mountain. This trail in southeastern Oklahoma is part of the Ouachita Mountains trail system. More: How will weather affect Oklahoma's deer population? Bucks could have smaller antlers this fall The Old Military Road An old forest road winds through the Scenic Area, providing hiking opportunities to view the natural beauty. Within the scenic area is a special zone, the 400-acre Beech Creek Botanical Area. Located near Big Cedar, there are 32 miles of interconnecting hiking trails through different ecosystems along the headwaters of Beech Creek. This 7,500-acre scenic area in the Ouachita National Forest in southeastern Oklahoma is known for its beautiful old beech trees. View Gallery: A hidden gem: Native fish and wildlife featured at Medicine Park attraction Beech Creek Natural Scenic and Botanical Area More: Air powered arrow rifles legalized for hunting in Oklahoma If you want something less strenuous, Greenleaf State Park also has other trails rated easy to moderate in difficulty, and backpackers can hike shorter segments of the full loop. It might require some bushwacking along the way in addition to getting wet while crossing creeks. It takes more than seven hours to complete on average with an elevation gain of almost 1,900 feet. The most challenging trail is the Greenleaf Trail Full Loop, an 18-mile hiking trek that begins inside the park and makes its way around the 930-acre Greenleaf Lake and into the adjacent government land of Camp Gruber. "Any starting backpacker should check out the Greenleaf State Park trail loop," said Darrin Hill, a videographer for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation who leads Boy Scout troops on hiking and camping trips. More than one reader recommended the hiking trails at Greenleaf State Park in eastern Oklahoma near Braggs. The trails system at Greenleaf State Park was the most notable omission from the previous list, at least based on readers' comments. More: Where are the best hiking trails in Oklahoma? Try out these places this fall Greenleaf State Park Trails In case you missed it, last week's story included: the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, the Elk Mountain Trail and two others in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Inspiration Point Trail at Roman Nose State Park, the Summit Trail at Black Mesa State Park, trails at Robbers Cave State Park, the trail system at McGee Creek Natural Scenic Recreation Area, the Granite Hills Trails system at Great Plains State Park and the Friends Trail Loop at Beavers Bend State Park. I missed a few, judging from the feedback from readers. ![]() Last week my column was devoted to some of the best hiking trails in the state. ![]() Watch Video: Oklahoma man still hunts the Daniel Boone way
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