Take a scenic ride through the rolling hills and woodlands of northeastern Oklahoma as we follow a quieter, more rural stretch of U.S. Route 412 Alternate from Locust Grove to Kansas. This 34-mile journey winds past farmland, small communities, and wooded valleys, offering a glimpse into the serene side of the Cherokee Nation. Once part of the original Scenic 412 designation, this route provides a peaceful alternative to the faster Cherokee Turnpike just to the south.
Our drive begins just east of Locust Grove, where U.S. 412 splits—one branch heading onto the high-speed Cherokee Turnpike, and the other, our chosen path, veering off onto U.S. 412 Alternate. We turn left at the fork, immediately leaving behind the divided highway and settling into a quieter two-lane route. The countryside unfolds in broad strokes of pastureland interspersed with small groves of trees. A few miles down the road, we pass through Sams Corner, a tiny rural settlement marked more by its crossroads than by any substantial town center. Continuing east, we quickly arrive at Locust Grove itself, a community steeped in local history. Locust Grove sits near the western edge of the Cherokee Nation and is known for its roots in both Cherokee heritage and Oklahoma farming culture. Here, we meet the junction with Oklahoma Highway 82, which runs north toward Salina and south to Tahlequah, the capital of the Cherokee Nation.
Leaving Locust Grove, the terrain transitions into rolling hills and scattered woodland, the road twisting slightly more as we pass through the small community of Rose. This area is a blend of hayfields, wooded hollows, and the occasional roadside business catering to the local rural population. Just past Rose, the landscape briefly opens up as we cross over the Cherokee Turnpike, its high-speed lanes cutting eastward toward more urban destinations. But we remain on the older alignment, continuing east into increasingly wooded territory. A few miles further brings us into Leach, another quiet outpost along this route, where time seems to slow down amidst modest homes, local churches, and general stores.
As we near Kansas, Oklahoma—not to be confused with the neighboring state—the scenery becomes even more pastoral, with deeper valleys and more prominent tree cover. A curious quirk awaits us just before Kansas: a sign proclaiming the presence of Rocky Ford State Park. In truth, the actual park lies a few miles south of here, accessible via Oklahoma Highway 412A toward the town of Oaks. It’s a quirky, almost charming misdirection that reflects the laid-back nature of rural road signage in this part of the state. Entering Kansas, we reach the busy intersection with U.S. 59 and Oklahoma Highway 10, where U.S. 59 joins our route for a short concurrency. The town of Kansas is a modest community, serving as a local hub for surrounding farms and Cherokee families.
Our journey concludes just east of Kansas, where the slower pace of U.S. 412 Alternate comes to an end as we merge back into the mainline U.S. 412 and the Cherokee Turnpike corridor. Here, the rural tranquility of the past few miles transitions back into the faster rhythm of Oklahoma’s primary east-west thoroughfare. It’s a perfect spot to reflect on the contrast between the old and the new—between the fast-paced turnpike and the meandering backroad. Whether you’re seeking a shortcut through the countryside or a deliberate escape from the highway rush, this stretch of U.S. 412 Alternate delivers a refreshing, timeless slice of Oklahoma road life.
Special thanks to stitchntravel.com for the source video.
🎵 Additional Music:
Sovereign and Sovereign Quarter by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
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