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t’s been a rough start to the summer for Sequoyah State Park, west of Hulbert on Highway 51. The 303-acre park has endured historically copious spring rains, and many features remain flooded. Water levels on Fort Gibson Lake remained high in early June. “It’s had a substantial impact on camping, even at the lodge where, though it is fully open, a lot of people have canceled their reservations,” Tony Presley, park manager, said June 5. About 80 percent of the park’s trails have at least some standing water, and Presley expects the flooding to have an effect lasting eight to 10 weeks before everything is back to normal. He expects visitation to be affected during the Independence Day holiday, even if the lake level returns to normal. But that just leaves more room for those willing to make the trip, and there is still much to do at Sequoyah State Park. “Everything is still open,” Presley said. “You can still access parts of the trail. Primitive camping and RV camping is still available. Normally those particular sites that remain open wouldn’t be close to the water, but the water has come to you. Campers will want to
remember that the high water means it will be a little murkier, have more debris, and animals may wander a little closer to the sites. The group camp, marina and riding stables are all open. The golf course is open on nine holes, though you might have to go around some water. They can still rent golf carts or a room at the lodge. They can go see the goats in the pens, because the Three Rivers Nature Center is open.” The Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation maintains a web page for Sequoyah State Park at www.travelok.com/state-parks/13299. There are also SSP Facebook pages, including “Sequoyah Bay State Park,” which park naturalist Angelina Stancampiano updates. A weekly schedule is included for the nature center, and a monthly newsletter is posted with listings of activities and events. “The Three Forks Nature Center is still open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a daily feeding program at 2 p.m.,” Stancampiano said. “We will be planning a program for this summer. We post events and information about our natural resources on Facebook. We do have a new pollinator patch with the trail, so visitors will be able to walk through and see some native plants and pollinators.”
Stancampiano said the nature center is renovating some displays, and will have a new replica fish tank this summer that will include bass, catfish and soft-shelled turtles. Interpretive placards are being redesigned, and additional signs are planned for the nature trail. The park is home to 15 miles of trails, including one featuring fossils. “We also want people to know that we have many species of plants and animals that are native to Oklahoma,” Stancampiano said. A group camp has 10 A-frame cabins and can accommodate 153 people, and the Lodge bunkhouse can sleep up to 43. “We have reunions, churches and youth groups come through,” Presley said. “There is a large kitchen and dining area, with group areas, in the group camp, and it is reasonably priced.” The park also offers the Rayhaven Cabin. It sleeps three and has heat and air, a TV, mini fridge and coffee maker. The rate is $60 a night with a $50 deposit. For information, call 918-772-2046 or toll free at 1-800368-1486. Call the Lodge at 918-772-2545. For golf course conditions, call 918-772-2297.
STORY AND PHOTO BY D. SEAN ROWLEY Senior Reporter
Despite high water levels caused by recent flooding on Fort Gibson Lake, nine holes are still open on the Sequoyah State Park golf course.
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