6 minute read
Edmond Life and Leisure - May 29, 2025
Arcadia Lake is a year-round attraction for residents & visitors
Master plan in place to help the facility grow into the future
From City Source Edmond
Nicole Offutt chuckled at the idea of Arcadia Lake being only a summertime destination.
“Oh, we are definitely busier during the summer, but year-round seems to get busier every year,” said Offutt, the Arcadia Lake Manager. “There are people out here taking advantage of the parks, the lake, the trails, the facilities all the time.
“We have walkers out here year-round. Our bird watchers are here year-round. Our devoted fishermen are out here year-round. We have campers who visit year-round. Our disc golfers prefer the fall and early winter. We get more tourism visitors coming off Route 66 during the winter. Yes, summer is a busy time at the lake, but, really, we’re always busy.”
And there is plenty to keep visitors busy, too.
Located on the Deep Fork River, the City of Edmond’s Arcadia Lake facilities feature water-oriented recreation opportunities in an urban setting. Facilities include picnicking, pavilions, camping, a beach swimming area, playground, water skiing, boating, disc golf, and hiking/biking/equestrian/teaching trails. A fishing pier and a heated, covered dock is provided for year-round fishing for bluegill, channel catfish, blue catfish, and largemouth bass. There are also two Rusty Stores that offer essentials and paddle boat rentals.
Additionally, there is a UCO Boathouse at Arcadia Lake that offers kayak, paddle boat, stand-up paddle
board, and mountain bike rentals to discover picturesque landscapes and breathtaking views. The boathouse also operates a zipline, team-building ropes course, and a venue for celebrations, meetings or corporate retreats.
Arcadia Lake is a relatively young body of water. This lake was constructed as a cooperative effort between the City of Edmond and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and opened in 1987.
The normal elevation of Arcadia Lake is 1,006 feet. The lake has 1,820 surface acres and 26 miles of shoreline. The dam itself is a rolled-earth, earthfill embankment nearly a mile long. At maximum capacity, the lake has an elevation of 1,029.5 feet and a surface area of 3,820 acres.
Arcadia Lake serves many functions: It acts as a flood control for the Deep Fork River Basin.It provides habitat for fish and wildlife.It provides recreational and educational opportunities for the community.It supplies water to the City of Edmond.But what draws thousands to the lake every year is its natural beauty – and the number of popular events it hosts.
Arcadia Lake Kids Fishing Derby: Set June 7 this year, kids ages 5-15 may enter this event held at Spring Creek Park. Kids start fishing at 8 a.m.; final weigh-in is at 11 a.m. Prizes will be awarded at noon. Participants are encouraged to bring bait, fishing equipment, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and lawn chairs. Concessions and worms will be for sale at the event site. Kids may begin registering at 7:30 a.m. and no one will be allowed to register after 9 a.m. A parent or guardian must accompany children.
Arcadia Lake Deer Harvest Management: Scheduled for Aug. 21 this year, the Deer Harvest drawing will take place at 9 a.m. that day for archery hunters only. Any hunts not awarded will go on sale after the draw. The season begins on October 1 and runs into December. Buddy hunters are allowed to hunt with you in your zone. Twenty-five zones will be available.
Storybook Forest: Scheduled for Oct. 23-30 this year, kids and adults are invited to walk through the not-so-scary Storybook Forest to collect candy from storybook characters and see wonderful storybook scenes. After enjoying the trail attendees can gather around the campfire to cook hot dogs, roast marshmallows or warm up with some hot chocolate while listening to children’s books being read. Guests can also enjoy a hayride and a game area for the kids. Storybook Forest takes place in Arcadia Lake’s Spring Creek Park located 2.5 miles east of I-35 on 15th Street in Edmond. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Annual Eagle Watch: Next scheduled for Jan. 2-4, 2026, participants are encouraged to dress warm and bring binoculars. Spectators begin at the Arcadia Lake Park Office, located at 9000 E. 2nd Street – approximately 3.5 miles east of I-35 on Route 66 – to receive information about where the Eagles can be found. The park office provides a raptor wingspan display, videos and educational eagle information.
Arcadia Lake Sweep: Usually held the first weekend of April, participants of this annual cleanup event receive a T-shirt (while supplies last) as well as a pre-packaged breakfast. Participants need to bring their own gloves. Volunteers are equipped with trash bags and clean-up assignments at the registration table.
“We are working with the Rec team to develop programing that’s nature focused,” Offutt said. “We want to do different things that will bring attention to the lake and all it has to offer, but also that will help our younger visitors learn more about what nature has to offer here at the lake and help keep them entertained. The goal is to be able to offer classes and activities that provide options of interest for the whole family.”
Looking toward the future of the lake, in early 2021 a task force was formed and produced the Arcadia Lake Needs Analysis and Master Plan, which provides a map for the future of this exciting regional attraction along historic Route 66. More than $2 million has been designated from
ARPA funds for infrastructure investment in support of the plan. The goal is to protect the integrity of Arcadia Lake while helping it evolve into a modern and inclusive facility that will provide amenities to appeal to outdoor enthusiasts as well as the casual visitor looking for a new experience in a breathtaking setting.
Learn more about the plan at www.EdmondOK.gov/1799/Arcadia-Lake-Needs-Analysis-Master-Plan.“We have been working on things and making strides toward things we can do that have been pointed out by the master plan,” Offutt said. “It is an important document – one that used the input of people who use the lake and its facilities often and have a real stake in seeing it grow and improve. The plan really is a great road map of what’s possible in the future.”Information about the lake, fees, parks, watercraft count and online camp reservations and more can be found at www.arcadialakeok.com. Learn more about what’s happening around the City at www.edmondok.gov/CitySource.
