CONTENTS YOUR GUIDE TO OKLAHOMA TIPS, RESOURCES, AND REGIONS.............. 6-7 OKLAHOMA OUTDOORS: BY THE NUMBERS........................................... 8-9 STATE PARKS................................................ 12-63 STATE PARKS DIRECTORY....................... 64-67 ACTIVITIES...................................................70-113
9
16
32
Golf ................................................................72-79 Fishing .........................................................80-83 Hunting .......................................................86-89 Watchable Wildlife ................................90-93 Equestrian .................................................94-95 Camping ..................................................... 96-97 Paddling .....................................................98-99 Hiking ........................................................ 100-101 Mountain Biking ..................................102-103 Off-Roading .......................................... 104-105 Rock Climbing & Rappelling .........106-107 Adventure .............................................. 108-109 Seasonal Getaways .............................. 110-113
ACTIVITIES DIRECTORY......................... 114-153 CAMPING DIRECTORY.......................... 154-205 CABINS & LODGING DIRECTORY...... 206-243
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INDEX PARKS, RV PARKS, LAKES, AND CAMPGROUNDS............. 244-251 INDEX CITY.............................................. 252-253
89 CNG REFUELING STATIONS
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DRIVING A CNG VEHICLE? Download the CNG Fuel Finder App at iTunes or Google Play, or visit TravelOK.com for information about CNG refueling stations across the state.
USING THIS GUIDE THIS GUIDE IS DESIGNED TO MAKE EXPERIENCING THE OKLAHOMA OUTDOORS AS EASY AS POSSIBLE. In the first section you’ll find a complete listing of our state’s 35 state parks complete with photos, activities and amenities information, contact information, and directions. The activities section following the state parks section is divided by interest: golf, fishing, paddling, hunting, watchable wildlife, equestrian, camping, hiking, mountain biking, off-roading, rock climbing, adventure, and seasonal getaways. While we couldn’t include every fantastic option for each category, we did our best to suggest a handful of destinations that will take you all over the state. A full listing of activities, campgrounds (including RV parks), and cabins & lodging begins on page 114. An index of parks, RV parks, lakes, and campgrounds begins on page 244 and a city index begins on page 252.
PET FRIENDLY PARKS ALL OKLAHOMA STATE PARKS ARE FRIENDLY TO CATS AND DOGS. Please note pets need to be on a leash no longer than 10 feet, supervised at all times, and cleaned up after. Additionally, many state park cabins are also pet-friendly.
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TIPS, RESOURCES, AND REGIONS Twelve Tourism Information Centers around the state offer state maps, brochures, coffee, and knowledgeable staff. Oklahoma is in the Central Time Zone, except for the Kenton area in the Panhandle; it is in the Mountain Time Zone. Oklahoma is crisscrossed by three major interstates: I-35, I-40 and I-44. Turnpikes are located on I-44 and other regional areas of the state. For turnpike information, visit pikepass.com or call 800-745-3727 Seat belt use is mandatory for everyone in the car. Child restraints are required for children under four years of age weighing 60 pounds or less. For information, visit www.dps.state.ok.us For road and weather conditions: www.dps.state.ok.us or 405-425-2385
Newkirk
Kenton Boise City
Beaver
Guymon
Fishing and hunting information: wildlifedepartment.com or 405-521-3851 Office of Disability Concerns: ok.gov/odc or 800-522-8224 Oklahoma Route 66 Association: oklahomaroute66.com or 405-258-0008 To contact the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, visit TravelOK.com or call 405-230-8300
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Alva
Freedom 412
Blackwell Ponca City Tonkawa
Cherokee Jet
Waynoka Woodward
Throughout the guide, you’ll notice references to different “countries” in Oklahoma. These are the names of the six regions of the state: Northwest RED CARPET COUNTRY
412
Gage Shattuck Arnett
40
Sayre 66
66
Weatherford El Reno
greatplainscountry.com
South Central CHICKASAW COUNTRY Southeast KIAMICHI COUNTRY kiamichicountry.com
Central FRONTIER COUNTRY
Medicine Park
Hollis
Chandler
Oklahoma City Midwest City
Moore Norman Noble Chickasha Purcell
Anadarko Mangum
44
Tuttle
Lone Wolf 44
Lindsay
Lawton
Altus Frederick
Duncan Walters Waurika
Tulsa
Prague
Shawnee Seminole Wewoka Holdenville
44 Pryor
Claremore
Jay 412
West Siloam Broken Arrow Springs Jenks Wagoner Tahlequah Bixby Stilwell Muskogee Okmulgee Henryetta 40 Sallisaw Checotah Eufaula Stigler Poteau McAlester Wilburton
Pauls Valley Ada Wynnewood
Davis
44
Vinita Grove
66
Stillwater Sand Springs Langston Sapulpa Cushing Guthrie Stroud 66 Bristow
35
Edmond Yukon
66
Elk City
Pawnee 412
Erick
Southwest GREAT PLAINS COUNTRY
Perry
Kingfisher
Clinton
Pawhuska
Bartlesville Delaware Nowata Collinsville
Hennessey
Cheyenne
Commerce Miami
Enid
Fairview
Watonga
redcarpetcountry.com
chickasawcountry.com
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management: ok.gov/OEM or 405-521-2481
Buffalo
Sulphur
Hartshorne
Talihina
Tuskahoma Coalgate
35
Atoka Healdton Gene Autry Tishomingo Lone Ardmore Grove Durant Marietta Kingston Thackerville Colbert
Antlers Hugo
Broken Bow Idabel
oktourism.com
Northeast GREEN COUNTRY greencountryok.com
INFORMATION CENTERS TravelOK.com/visitor_information
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OKLAHOMA OUTDOORS: BY THE NUMBERS WELCOME TO THE GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA! Perhaps you’ve arrived from very far away or as close as a neighboring state. Wherever you’re from, we’re glad to have you and appreciate the effort you’ve made to get here. Outdoor enthusiasts of all sorts enjoy Oklahoma for its scenery that teems with lakes and rivers, mesas, prairies, forests, wild animals, and everything else in between. As we say in our state song: “We know we belong to the land, and the land we belong to is grand!” We certainly think Oklahoma is a perfect ten and hope you find it that way, too. All the best, The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
Total surface acres of water
12
Eco-Regions
700,000+
1,800
13
Big Game Species
78,500 1.6 million+ acres devoted to hunters and anglers
Average weight in pounds of the American Buffalo— Oklahoma’s state animal
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Miles of rivers and streams
39,000
wildlife species found here
23%
of Oklahoma is covered by forest
4,973
height, in feet, of Black Mesa— the highest point in Oklahoma
acreage of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in north-central Oklahoma, the largest protected area of tallgrass prairie in the world TRAVELOK.COM l 9
STATE PARKS
OKLAHOMA
STATE PARKS
STATE PARKS
Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. –KAHLIL GIBRAN
Rodgers and Hammerstein only partially got it right when they wrote “Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.” With twelve eco-regions inside Oklahoma’s borders, wind also sweeps over mountain and mesa, prairie floor and pine forest, cypress swamp and river rock. Nowhere is this natural beauty and diversity better showcased and preserved than in our thirty-five state parks. Offering activities from rock climbing and hiking to dune buggy-driving and horseback riding, Oklahoma’s state parks are a natural choice for outdoor adventure. However, if your aim is more relaxation than recreation, you’ll find plenty of that here, too. Many of our parks boast forests nestled
in mountain foothills or lakes and rivers far from city life, creating the perfect, peaceful retreat. Camp, climb, hike, go horseback, scuba, spelunk, or spend the night in a lodge— whatever your interest, your Oklahoma outdoor adventure awaits. Get started on your Oklahoma State Park getaway now. You can browse the parks in this guide, where you’ll find information on gettingthere, contacting the parks, lodging, pet accommodations, on-site activities, amenities, and nearby attractions. Or visit TravelOK.com/State_Parks to see more photos and book a lodge room, cabin, or golf course tee time at selected parks.
Great Plains State Park, Mountain Park
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STATE PARKS
REGION: SOUTHEAST (Kiamichi Country)
BEAVERS BEND WINDING ROADS LINED WITH TALL PINES AND BLACKJACK OAKS GUIDE VISITORS INTO BEAVERS BEND STATE PARK. The park sits at the verdant, densely wooded base of the Kiamichi Mountains and offers a plethora of activities from fly fishing to float trips and eagle watches to golfing. (For more information on the course, see page 73.) The park is comprised of two areas—the lake area and the river area. The lake area, which lies along Broken Bow Lake, treats campers and guests of Lakeview Lodge to spectacular sunrises over the lake and peaks of the Kiamichi Mountains. In the river area, the Lower Mountain Fork River flows through the campgrounds and past log cabins, where the overall sense of peace and seclusion is enhanced by the sound of flowing water and the ability to hike along the river. Begun in 1937 as a recreational area for the public as part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal, the pristine wilderness and well-kept facilities have made Beavers Bend State Park one of Oklahoma’s most popular. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING Beavers Bend State Park offers programming including nature walks and creek habitat walks along the Mountain Fork River. Visitors will also find unique dioramas at the Forest Heritage Center Museum that tell the story of prehistoric forests, Caddo Indians, paper-making in the South, 1940s lumbering, and forest appreciation. The center partners with the park to host several festivals throughout the year. Programs include movies under the stars, craft-making, campfire programs, night hikes and winter bald eagle watches. Please call the park office for more detailed information.
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ACTIVITIES 18-hole Golf, Biking, Boating, Float Trips, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Miniature Golf, Nature Center/Trails, Tennis, Softball, Swimming, Trout Fishing, Volleyball, Water Sports AMENITIES ADA Compliant, Amphitheater, Bus/ Motorcoach Parking, Camp Store, Dump Station, Gift Shop, Lake/River View, Marina, Meeting Space Available, Naturalist, Outdoor Grills, Park Ranger, Pets Allowed on Leash, Picnic Area, Playground, Pull-Thru Sites, Restaurant, Restrooms, Seasonal Concessions, Showers LODGING 40 Lodge Rooms, 48 Cabins (10 petfriendly cabins, Pet Fee: $10 per night) CAMPING Beavers Bend: 111 W/E Sites, 4 Handicap; 54 Tent Sites. Hochatown: 23 W/E/S Sites, 2 Handicap; 28 W/E Sites, 149 Tent Sites GROUP CAMP Group Camp One: 12 duplex cabins accommodating 144 guests; Group Camp Two: 10 A-frame cabins accommodating 160 visitors NEARBY ATTRACTIONS Talimena National Scenic Byway, Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area, Museum of the Red River-Idabel, Lake Wister State Park GETTING THERE Highway 259A, Broken Bow (8 miles north of Broken Bow on Hwy 259, then 4 miles east on Hwy 259A) PARK INFORMATION 580-494-6300 LAKEVIEW LODGE 800-435-5514 GOLF COURSE 580-494-6456 TravelOK.com/BeaversBend
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STATE PARKS
REGION: SOUTH CENTRAL (Chickasaw Country)
LAKE MURRAY OFTEN DESCRIBED AS “OKLAHOMA’S YELLOWSTONE,” LAKE MURRAY STATE PARK WELCOMES VISITORS WITH A FOREST OF SHADE TREES AND A LIMESTONE-LINED ROADWAY. As the lake comes into view, sand beds at the shoreline fade gently into pristine aqua waters and visitors become acutely aware that this is one of Oklahoma’s most treasured places. The park’s beauty is more than skin deep. Established in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, Lake Murray was Oklahoma’s first state park and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Take time to explore the park’s more than 12,500 acres, where the Corps’ historic handiwork is still visible in the remaining structures. Not to be missed is Tucker Tower, which was originally planned as a summer getaway for thengovernor William H. “Alfalfa Bill” Murray. Today, the tower serves as a museum and nature center dedicated to both geology and the history of the CCC. The sheer immensity of the park makes it an ideal locale for outdoor activities of all sorts, including boating, swimming, scuba diving, fishing, golfing, camping, horseback riding, hiking, and biking. Off-road vehicles are also permitted in a designated area of the park. FUN FACT Legend has it that an underwater cave, once home to early inhabitants of this area, can be found
beneath Tucker Tower.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING Lake Murray Nature Center is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2013. Please call the park for more detailed information.
ACTIVITIES
18-hole Golf, ATV area, Biking, Boating, Canoeing/Kayaking/ Rafting, Disc Golf, Equestrian Trails, Fishing, Game Room, Hiking, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, Watchable Wildlife, Water Sports AMENITIES
ADA Compliant, ADA Rooms, Airport Shuttle, Camp Store, Concessions, Dump Station, Handicapped Parking, Lake/River View, Laundry, Marina, Meeting Space Available, Naturalist, Outdoor Grills, Park Ranger, Pets Allowed on Leash, Picnic Area, Playground, Pull-Thru Sites, Restaurant, Restrooms, Showers, Shuttle to Ardmore’s Amtrak Depot, Swim Beach LODGING
52 Rooms, 56 Cabins (12 petfriendly cabins, $10 fee/night) CAMPING
124 W/E/S Sites, 12 Handicap; 177 W/E Sites, 1 Handicap; 302 Tent Sites GROUP CAMP
Group Camps One and Two each accommodate 175 in 31 cabins. Group Camp Three accommodates 125 in 15 cabins NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
Greater Southwest Historical Museum, Military Memorial Museum, Pennington Creek Hunting Club, Lake Texoma State Park GETTING THERE
13528 Scenic SH-77 Ardmore, OK 73401 (Lake Murray State Park entrance: 3 miles east of I-35 at Exit 24 or Exit 29. Lodge entrance: Exit 24, located at 3323 Lodge Rd) PARK INFORMATION 580-223-4044 GOLF COURSE 580-223-6613 TravelOK.com/MurraySP
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STATE PARKS
REGION: NORTHWEST (Red Carpet Country)
LITTLE SAHARA
ACTIVITIES
Off-Roading AMENITIES
WITH MORE THAN 1,600 ACRES OF DUNES, LITTLE SAHARA STATE PARK IS THE GRANDFATHER OF ALL OKLAHOMA OFF-ROADING PLAYGROUNDS. This unique state park is the go-to spot for off-roading lovers. Have a dune buggy, jeep, four-wheeler, or dirtbike? Here, you’re home. Sand dune heights range from 25 to 75 feet—not including the extra height achieved when you’re airborne. PARK SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS All vehicles must have a whip attached to the ORV that extends 10 feet from the ground to the top of the whip. All vehicles must have a 6” x 12” bright, solid orange (no writing) flag attached within 10” of the whip’s tip. All vehicles must have bright white front and red rear lights powered by the vehicle for night use. Dune buggies and 4x4 vehicles must have seatbelts for each passenger and a roll bar sufficient to support the weight of the vehicle.
ADA Compliant, Dump Station, Grills, Handicapped Parking, Pets Allowed on Leash, Picnic Area, Pull-Thru Sites, Restrooms, Showers CAMPING
86 W/E Sites, 4 Handicap; 143 Tent Sites NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
Alabaster Caverns State Park, Boiling Springs State Park, Cherokee Strip Museum, Gloss Mountain State Park GETTING THERE
101 Main St Waynoka, OK 73860 (4 miles S on Hwy 281) PARK INFORMATION 580-824-1471 TravelOK.com/LittleSahara
Full coverage helmets are strongly suggested. Riding is at your own risk. Please stay within the posted park boundaries. All operators under the age of 18 must wear a helmet. Double riding is not allowed on ATVs unless the vehicle is specifically manufactured for a passenger. FUN FACT
The park’s vast dunes were left by the Cimarron River, which once flowed over the entire area.
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OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES THE OKLAHOMA LANDSCAPE ABOUNDS WITH SHORELINES AND NATURE FOR EXPLORING WITH NO SHORTAGE OF WOODS, SWAMPS, LAKES AND RIVERS, GRANITE MOUNTAINS, PRAIRIES, AND MORE. THIS EDEN OF OUTDOOR DELIGHT IS NO PLACE TO STAND STILL BUT RATHER IS WAITING TO UNFOLD BEFORE YOU. Whatever your leisure of choice, you will find it here, along with that essential feeling of rapture that isn’t felt anywhere else but in nature—not in buildings or barns, cars
or cathedrals. A feeling we must get out to experience! Whether you choose to sit and observe or be active while enjoying the outdoors, Oklahoma has an option for you. In this section, you’ll find activities like golf, fishing, hunting, wildlife watching, horseback riding, camping, paddling, hiking, mountain biking, off-roading, rock climbing, and more. We welcome you to revel in our great outdoors—try something new, take a different path, invite someone along, and, above all else, have fun!
I like to think of landscape not as a fixed place but as a path that is unwinding before my eyes, under my feet. –GRETEL EHRLICH
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Lawton
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ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
Lake State Park. Grand Lake is also great for bass; the lake will serve as a venue for the Bassmaster Classic.
fishing Look for this icon in the Activities Directory
LAKE TEXOMA Kingston
WITH MORE THAN 9,000 LAKES AND RESERVOIRS, 1,500 RIVERS AND STREAMS, AND 180 DOCUMENTED SPECIES OF FISH, THE POSSIBILITIES ARE AS FAR-REACHING AS OUR STATE’S 701,000 SURFACE ACRES OF WATER. Some anglers favor huge lakes such as Fort Gibson and Eufaula, while others prefer smaller waters like Cedar Lake or the Glover River. Whatever your choice, Oklahoma will leave you hooked on fishing, begging for one more cast. INDIVIDUAL FISHING LICENSES REQUIRED HERE ARE THREE WAYS TO PURCHASE THEM: 1 ONLINE - wildlifedepartment.com/license.htm 2 LICENSE DEALER – There are over 700 in the state,
from large discount centers and sporting goods stores to smaller convenience stores and bait shops
3 CALL – Non-residents may order a license through
the Wildlife Department by calling (405) 521-3852
Note: Children under the age of 16 do not require a fishing license. Please visit wildlifedepartment.com for further information on licenses, where to fish, fishing clinics, and licensed fishing guides.
CANTON LAKE Canton
Canton Lake is the go-to walleye spot in Oklahoma, supplying walleye stock for other state lakes as well as offering an annual Walleye Rodeo. Oklahoma’s oldest and largest fishing tournament, the Walleye Rodeo has been dishing out fishing prizes since 1968. This nearly 8,000-acre lake is also replete with a swim beach, camping, and a public hunting area.
GRAND LAKE O’ THE CHEROKEES Grove
Go paddlefishing in the spring and have your paddlefish cleaned for free at the Paddlefish Research & Processing Center in Fairland, near the Twin Bridges Area of Grand
Lake Texoma is one of the top freshwater striped bass fisheries in the nation. Although it supports excellent populations of other bass and catfish, the lake is legendary for its stripers and is also known for guided striper excursions. (Look for guide listings under the city of Kingston.) Lake Texoma State Park offers tent and RV camping, hiking trails, and a nature center.
Dripping Springs State Park, Okmulgee
MOUNTAIN FORK RIVER Broken Bow
Above Broken Bow Lake is a first-rate smallmouth fishery that includes good numbers of spotted and largemouth bass. If you’d rather try for trout, the portion of the river below the dam is for you. The Lower Mountain Fork River holds both rainbow and brown trout and is a diverse fishery featuring everything from small-stream pocketwater to calm, quiet pools and deep, cypress-studded sections that more closely resemble a swamp.
Lake Thunderbird State Park, Norman
SPARKS NOODLING Walters
This licensed guide service will teach you the ins and outs of handfishing for catfish in the creeks, lakes, and rivers of southwest Oklahoma. Tours are offered from May to August, which is prime time to find channel, blue, and flathead catfish. Sparks Noodling can take up to six people per tour; bystanders are welcome to witness the action for a fee.
Mountain Fork River, Broken Bow
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EXPERIENCES ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
watchable wildlife
Visitors can expect to see such species as warblers, hooded mergansers, redwinged blackbirds, and marsh wrens, among others.
BLACK MESA STATE PARK Kenton
Look for this icon in the Activities Directory
YOU’LL NOTICE IN THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTIONS THAT OKLAHOMA IS A VERITABLE BIRDER’S PARADISE. More than half of North America’s 800-plus bird species have been recorded in Oklahoma at one time or another. However, with over 760 species of animals, Oklahoma is a great destination for viewing wildlife of all shapes and sizes, both in the sky and on terra firma.
Birders and naturalists have catalogued 72 species of songbirds, six species of jays and crows, six species of upland birds and game birds, 14 different raptor species, and three types of wading or shore birds here. This area attracts species that are typical of the southern Rockies as well as woodland species. Many species are at the easternmost or westernmost portions of their range, making for a wide array of birds.
GREAT SALT PLAINS STATE PARK
HACKBERRY FLAT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
birds Jet
Some 300 species of birds have been identified here, including the snowy plover and the American avocet. According to the Tulsa Audubon Society, about 50,000 geese and ducks find safe harbor and ample food on and around the Great Salt Plains Reservoir. Migrating sandhill cranes and whooping cranes sometimes pass by on their way to Aransas Refuge, and white pelicans can often be seen circling Sand Creek Bay.
RED SLOUGH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA Ouachita National Forest, South of Idabel
The Red Slough Wildlife Management Area has become one of the state’s most popular birding and wildlife-viewing sites due to its variety of mudflats, marshes, riparian zones, hardwoods, wet prairie, and shrub thickets. Species include the roseate spoonbill, black-necked stilt, and the rare golden eagle.
BYRON STATE FISH HATCHERY & WATCHABLE WILDLIFE AREA Cherokee
This area has three habitats and a half-mile, self-guided trail through marsh, swamp, and mid-grass prairie habitats.
Frederick
Containing 3,700 acres of former cropland that have been restored to a wetland habitat, this basin is surrounded by mixed-grass prairie and croplands, making it one of the best locations in the state for viewing waterfowl and shorebirds. Bird watchers have identified more than 200 species here, including the black-necked stilt, stilt sandpiper, and snowy plover.
DEEP FORK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Okmulgee
Many waterfowl find refuge here, including mallard, blue-winged teal, shoveler, pintail, and wood ducks. Approximately 85 percent of the refuge is bottomland hardwood forest, which surrounds oxbow lakes and a river. Wildlife observation, birding, and photography are encouraged. Fishing and deer, rabbit, squirrel, and duck hunting are also available. Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Pawhuska
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ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
equestrian Look for this icon in the Activities Directory
SOME PEOPLE SAY A HORSE WILL TEACH YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW. WHAT BETTER PLACE TO LEARN THAN IN OKLAHOMA? Not only do we feature world-class equestrian shows around our state, but Oklahoma has the fourth-largest horse population in the nation. Okies are a horse-loving bunch who welcome you to saddle up and explore our mesas, lakes, mountains, and streams on horseback.
TRAILS Lexington, Pushmataha, Hugo Lake, and Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Areas offer equestrian trails, as do the following State Parks: Arrowhead, Foss, Great Salt Plains, Lake Murray, Lake Thunderbird, McGee Creek, Robbers Cave, Roman Nose, and Sequoyah. City parks offering equestrian trails include Arcadia Lake, Bell Cow Lake, Stroud Municipal Lake, Sportsman Lake, Lake Stanley Draper, and Prague Lake, among others. For more information on trails, visit TravelOK.com or the Oklahoma Equestrian Trail Riders Association at oetra.com, or see the Activities listings section in the back of this guide.
CAMPING Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp, Hodgen: Located within the Ouachita National Forest and the Cedar Lake Recreation Area, this campground serves as the central hub for over 100 miles of equestrian trails. The camp offers over 130 camping sites for equestrians, many with water and electric hookups. Bell Cow Lake & Equestrian Campground, Chandler: Bell Cow Lake has great fishing, trails for horseback riding, and a sandy swimming beach. The lake has four developed areas which offer primitive camping and RV sites.
Platter Flats Campground, Platter: The campground offers quick access to Lake Texoma, which is surrounded by 40 miles of horseback riding trails. Platter Flats offers primitive and modern camping. Recommended State Parks for Equestrian Camping: Foss, Robbers Cave, Walnut Creek There are many more equestrian campgrounds in the state, as well as a multitude of guest ranches. For listings, please see the Campgrounds and Cabins & Lodging listings sections in back of this guide.
A to Z Guest Ranch, Smithville
EQUESTRIAN EVENTS Great Western Trail Drive & Festival, Vici The Old West is still alive in northwest Oklahoma at the Great Western Trail Drive & Festival in Vici. Participants immerse themselves in the life of the American cowboy as they drive a herd of cattle across the prairie, through creeks and canyons, and under endless Oklahoma sky. Bring your own horse or ride in a covered wagon during the three-day cattle drive. All horses are required to have negative Coggins papers. Registration is required. Woolaroc Spring & Fall Trail Rides, Bartlesville Everyone is a cowboy on this ride. Participants camp the night before and cover approximately 15 miles on horseback the next day, all the while watching out for buffalo, elk, deer, and longhorn cattle on the ranch. Total time in the saddle will be approximately five hours and riders must provide their own horses and gear. Coggins papers are required.
Roman Nose State Park, Watonga
For more information on these and other equestrian events, see TravelOK.com.
Horse Heaven Ranch, Talihina
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ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
camping Look for these icons in the Activities Directory: Modern Campsite (electric, water, sewer hookups) Semi-modern Campsite (electric, water) Primitive Campsite (no hookups)
FROM THE RUGGED WICHITA MOUNTAINS IN THE SOUTHWEST TO THE HILLY OZARKS OF THE NORTHEAST, OKLAHOMA IS FULL OF RV AND TENT-WORTHY LANDSCAPES. Not only does the state claim over 300 sunny days per year, but Oklahoma is also home to scenic, ancient mountains, uncrowded lakes, winding rivers, and spectacular sunsets and sunrises perfect for camping. Use the detailed state parks section at the beginning of this guide to find the perfect spot to pitch your tent or check out some of our other suggestions:
OUACHITA NATIONAL FOREST Hodgen
The Ouachita National Forest is a 352,000-acre recreation area complete with breathtaking views, hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, hunting, fishing, and ORV riding. Four campgrounds are available to the public, offering everything from modern tent/RV sites with full electric and water hookups to an equestrian camp and primitive tent sites. For the ultimate in peace and relaxation, stay at the backpacker’s camp, which is only accessible by foot. Backpack to the camp, which features just five tent pads, a table, fire ring and toilet, to reconnect with nature and enjoy quiet solitude.
WICHITA MOUNTAINS WILDLIFE REFUGE Lawton
In addition to being the home of free-range prairie dogs, elk, deer, longhorn cattle, and buffalo, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is also the location of Mount Scott, one of Oklahoma’s most prominent mountains. Guests can partake in nearly any kind of outdoor hobby here including hiking, fishing, rock climbing, mountain biking, and birding.
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The Doris Campground is the only public campground on the refuge and offers 47 sites without electricity and 23 sites with electricity for either tent or RV campers. An additional 20 sites are available for tent camping only. All campsites have a grill, fire ring, and picnic table. Showers and a comfort station are centrally located in the campground.
CHICKASAW NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
Sulphur
Chickasaw National Recreation Area is a camper’s paradise. Here, cool creeks flow over travertine terraces to create spring-fed swimming holes and rippling waterfalls throughout the park. Spend the day boating or relaxing along the shores of the Lake of the Arbuckles, hiking forested trails. or visiting the Travertine Nature Center to learn about the area’s wildlife and mineral springs.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Sulphur
Three campgrounds offer a range of modern and primitive sites. Buckhorn and The Point campgrounds offer comfort stations, while Guy Sandy Campground does not.
TURNER FALLS
Davis
Turner Falls Park draws thousands of visitors each year to enjoy swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and camping. Located in the Arbuckle Mountains— among the oldest mountains on earth— Turner Falls Park has been described as a geological window into our past.
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Lawton
The highlight of Turner Falls Park is the clear water that flows throughout the park, creating rippling creeks and natural swimming pools, perfect for keeping visitors cool on hot summer days. The crown jewel of the park is the picturesque waterfall. Campers will find RV and tent areas as well as rental cabins in the park.
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ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
UPPER KIAMICHI RIVER
paddling Look for this icon in the Activities Directory
MORE THAN 600 MAJOR CREEKS AND RIVERS MEAN OKLAHOMA HAS A RIVER RIDE TO SUIT YOUR TASTE. Whether you’re looking for rapids to raise your adrenaline or a dreamy drift down a scenic river with the family, here are a few of our favorites:
Big Cedar
The Kiamichi River is a pristine, mostly undeveloped river flowing through mountainous southeastern Oklahoma. There are several access points between Clayton and K River Campground, which is the only outfitter and campground in the immediate area. Generally, the river is a slow, flat ride, but at high water it does provide the opportunity for Class I-II rapids.
Lower Mountain Fork River, Broken Bow
NEARBY CAMPING AND OUTFITTERS
LOWER MOUNTAIN FORK RIVER Broken Bow
The Lower Mountain Fork River is an exciting river frequented by experienced paddlers and a great place to hone paddling skills. Starting just below Broken Bow Lake, the river has several Class I-II rapids. Note: Red beacons on Broken Bow Lake dam signal if the dam upstream is generating electricity. Take proper precautions if it is. Ask local outfitters about river conditions before driving there or before putting in. NEARBY CAMPING AND OUTFITTERS
Beavers Bend & Hochatown State Park, Beavers Bend River Floats, Ambush Adventures, WW Trading Post and Canoe Rentals and Sales—all in Broken Bow.
GLOVER RIVER Battiest
The last major free-flowing river in Oklahoma, the Glover is remote and wild, offering no nearby outfitters or shuttle services. However, if you’re an experienced paddler, you shouldn’t miss it—the reward for your efforts will likely be a day spent in solitude, never seeing another soul. Due to the area’s topography, water levels rise very quickly in the event of heavy rainfall, so take note of the weather before you go. Note: A Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area permit is needed unless you launch and exit at a public access and stay in your boat the entire time. Visit wildlifedepartment.com for more information.
Clayton Lake State Park, Clayton; K River Campground, Moyers
ILLINOIS RIVER Tahlequah
Probably the most popular place in Oklahoma for float trips, the Illinois River offers over 60 miles of winding river, mild rapids, and clear waters. This Class II river is perfect for novices and experts alike. Several outfitters along the river offer rentals, overnight and day float trips, and campgrounds. Public access along this route is excellent. Note: People with private boats are required by the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission to pay a user fee, $1 per day. See oklahomascenicrivers.net for more information.
Spavinaw Creek, Spavinaw
NEARBY CAMPING AND OUTFITTERS
Camping is available at any of the OSRC public access areas for a fee. Numerous commercial campgrounds and outfitters are located along the river—check the listings in Tahlequah or visit oklahomascenicrivers.net. Also, see Cherokee Landing State Park in Park Hill.
NEARBY CAMPING
Primitive campsites are available along the river’s banks, but require a permit. Consult the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area for more information. Beavers Bend State Park in Broken Bow is also nearby, as are a number of campgrounds in Valliant. Illinois IllinoisRiver, River,Tahlequah Tahlequah
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ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
HORSETHIEF SPRINGS TRAIL
Heavener
hiking Look for this icon in the Activities Directory
HIKING, ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO GET A SENSE OF OKLAHOMA’S DIVERSE TERRAIN, IS ENJOYED HERE YEAR-ROUND. Whether you’re an expert hiker or looking for easy recreation, Oklahoma offers trails for your skill level. Many trails are lengthy with no water available, so be sure to bring plenty along. Most state parks offer hiking and nature trails and there are more to be found in the listings section at the back of this guide. Below, you’ll find a few suggestions that will take you all over the state.
CHARON’S GARDEN WILDERNESS TRAIL Indiahoma
Charon’s Garden Wilderness Trail is located in the southwestern corner of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. At 2.4 miles in length, Charon’s Garden is a relatively short trail that opens out onto a boulder field. From here, hikers climb, hop, scramble, and crawl over the irregular terrain. Hiking boots are absolutely necessary, as you’ll need the traction, stability, and ankle protection that this type of footwear offers. While the trail isn’t long, it is considered very technical and demands a certain degree of fitness, strength, and stamina. Bring plenty of water and watch out for rattlesnakes.
BLACK MESA SUMMIT TRAIL Kenton
The highest point in Oklahoma—4,973 feet above sea level— lies at the end of the Black Mesa Summit Trail. At 8.4 miles out and back, this is an intermediate to expert-level trail with distinct elevation changes. The trail is mostly flat for the first few miles before moving into rockier and steeper climbs. About two miles into the trail, you’ll make a sharp turn, entering a series of switchbacks as you begin the 600-foot climb up the mesa. From the top of the mesa, you’ll begin a one-mile stretch to the summit marker.
Horsethief Springs in southeastern Oklahoma takes hikers through rugged country covered in sweetgum, maple, hickory and pine, and laced with clear mountain streams. This strenuous, steep, and lengthy route begins at Cedar Lake and winds through the mountains of Ouachita National Forest along a primitive trail. There are several creek crossings along the way before connecting with the 192-mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail. At this point, the trail turns back down Winding Stair Mountain and ends at Cedar Lake, completing an 11-mile loop.
Quartz Mountain Nature Park, Lone Wolf
Robbers Cave State Park, Wilburton
OSAGE HILLS STATE PARK HIKING TRAILS Pawhuska
Osage Hills State Park features five miles of hiking trails, separate from the park’s mountain biking trails. The hiking trails were built to be accessible to a broad range of people, though they present a moderate challenge due to hilly terrain. Smaller sections of the trail are as short as one mile in length. Steep areas feature switchbacks up steep grades, making for easier and more enjoyable hiking.
GREENLEAF STATE PARK TRAIL SYSTEM Braggs
The Greenleaf State Park Trail System offers three trails for visitors to enjoy: the 1.5-mile paved Family Fun Trail, 1-mile Deer Run Nature Trail, and 18mile Ankle Express Hiking Trail, used by hikers and mountain bikers. The south loop of the latter crosses through 10 miles of densely wooded, secluded terrain, some of which lies in the Cherokee Wildlife Management Area. Make sure to bring bug repellant and wear long pants—the woods are thick with chiggers, but the seclusion and views of the lake are worth it.
Gloss Mountains StateRiver, Park,Tahlequah Fairview Illinois
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ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
off-roading
the Blue Trail, which is 14 miles long and can be used only by dirt bikes; and the Moto X track. Note: Permits are required for access and can be purchased at the Lake Stanley Draper Marina.
BEAVER DUNES PARK Beaver
Look for this icon in the Activities Directory
FROM DUNE-BASHING TO MUDDING TO ROCK-CRAWLING, THERE IS AN OKLAHOMA OFF-ROADING EXPERIENCE WAITING TO THRILL YOU. Many lakes and state parks offer ORV trails, but here are a few other suggestions to get you started:
HOGAN’S OFF ROAD PARK Disney
This off-road campground and recreation area is perfect for any ORV. Located right beside the neighboring dam spillway, the park gives off-roaders easy access to the range with about five square miles of trails and rock structures. Guests can also take advantage of primitive tent camping sites or RV sites.
APPALACHIA BAY ORV AREA Sand Springs
These 600 acres of ORV heaven sit on a peninsula of Keystone Lake. Used mostly by ATV and motorbike riders, this area is maintained by the Corps of Engineers. Primitive camping in the area allows riders to ride from and offload at their campsites. There is a nominal day-use fee per carload. Note: If the water’s up, the area becomes an island and can’t be used. For more information call the Keystone Lake Project Office at 918-865-2621 or Appalachia Bay Park at 918-243-7822.
CROSSTIMBERS MOTORIZED ORV PARK Oklahoma City
Bring out your ATV or dirt bike to enjoy over 1,500 acres of riding area and 50 miles of trails. There are five trails including the Green Trail, which measures seven miles and can be used by ATVs and dirt bikes; the Red Trail, which is 12 miles long; the Grass Track, which is three miles long;
Located in the sandy panhandle, this park offers 520 acres of dune buggy riding and 300 acres of sand hills. Inside the park, the Hackberry Bend Campground rests next to the cool, welcoming Beaver Lake.
Little Sahara State Park, Waynoka
CROSS BAR RANCH Davis
Consisting of 6,500 acres of prime, virtually untouched Arbuckle mountain range, Cross Bar Ranch offers the largest area in Oklahoma dedicated to ATV and motorcycle off-road riding. There are also 3,000 acres of equestrian and mountain biking areas. Nearby outfitters Thrills & Chills and Western Wilderness Adventures will rent and deliver ATVs to the ranch.
A TO Z GUEST RANCH Smithville
The ranch offers more than 150 miles of trails for hikers, ATV riders, and horseback riders to roam. The ranch’s motto? “Where the asphalt ends, your riding adventure begins.” The only distractions here are flowing creeks, lush pine forests, and an abundance of wildlife. A nearby outfitter in Mena, AR, will rent and deliver ATVs to the ranch, but guests are welcome to bring their own. Note: ATV riders must be guests at the ranch.
A to Z Guest Ranch, Smithville
Recommended State Parks for Off-Roading: Clayton Lake, Keystone, Lake Murray, Little Sahara, Talimena
Tatanka Ranch, Stroud
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ACTIVITIES EXPERIENCES
EXPERIENCES ACTIVITIES
QUARTZ MOUNTAIN NATURE PARK
rock climbing & rappelling Look for this icon in the Activities Directory
BECAUSE OF THIS SPORT’S HIGHLY TECHNICAL NATURE, ROCK-CLIMBING THRILL-SEEKERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CHECK OUT THE OKLAHOMA CLIMBER’S GUIDE BY CHUCK LOHN OR OKLAHOMA SELECT BY TONY MAYSE. These guidebooks are geared to get you out on the rocks, enjoying spectacular views and challenging climbs. In the meantime, here are a few other suggestions:
CHARON’S GARDEN WILDERNESS AREA, WICHITA MOUNTAINS WILDLIFE REFUGE Indiahoma
This is a great place for bouldering. With boulders of varying size, climbers can focus on individual moves or short sequences. Several trails lead to different boulder fields. Mount Scott, also located within the refuge, offers climbing for experienced and beginner climbers. Stop at the refuge visitor’s center to get pointed in the right direction.
ROCKTOWN CLIMBING GYM Oklahoma City
Housed in a grain elevator made up of 16 silos just south of downtown OKC, Rocktown’s gym is mostly indoors but does offer some outdoor options. On the outside of the silos are several walls ranging in level from beginner to advanced. In the winter (weather permitting) Rocktown offers authentic ice climbing. The gym affixes a chain-link fence to the exterior of the building, directs water to it, and the ice forms to the fence. Rocktown also takes climbers on guided climbs in the Wichita Mountains. The guides are American American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch certified instructors, and equipment is provided.
Lone Wolf
Maintained by the Wichita Mountains Climbers Coalition, the climbs at Baldy Point Natural Area have wellestablished routes that allow climbers to enjoy the natural resource of the park at minimal damage to the faces. Baldy Point is a no charge, climb-atyour-own-risk, day-use area with toproping, lead climbing, and rappelling available. There are also other areas in the park available for climbing. For more information, call the park or check out wichitamountains.org.
CROWDER LAKE UNIVERSITY PARK Colony
Formerly a state park, this area offers 22 acres of park grounds and 158 lake acres. Facilities include a ropes course, rappelling tower, and a rock-climbing wall. The park has five full-hookup RV sites and seven covered picnic tables with cooking grills available for tent camping. Visitors not keen on climbing can enjoy the one-mile, scenic asphalt trail that winds throughout the park.
ROBBERS CAVE STATE PARK Wilburton
A popular spot in the state for toproping and trad climbing, Robbers Cave State Park offers two areas for climbing: one area is near the namesake cave and the other area is at a bluff near Lake Wayne Wallace. Stop at the information center/cabin office and pay the recreation fee, get free park and trail maps, and hit the sandstone. Other State Parks for Rock Climbing and Rappelling: Great Plains, Red Rock Canyon
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Lawton
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ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
SAIL GRAND WATERFRONT
adventure Look for this icon in the Activities Directory
STILL LOOKING TO GET YOUR HEART PUMPING AND ADRENALINE FLOWING? HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO UP THE ADVENTURE IN OKLAHOMA.
D-DAY ADVENTURE PARK Wyandotte
D-Day Adventure Park’s seven paintball fields make for a fun, action-packed adventure for the entire family, church group, or company party. Night games are also available. The park has over 40 miles of trails for 4x4s and ORVs and has several 4-wheelin’ events on the calendar. D-Day Adventure Park is also home to the world’s largest paintball scenario game. 3,500 to 4,000 players come to the park’s signature annual event for a series of battles unfolding on the field throughout the day. Sides are awarded points for holding or taking critical objectives at key times. Please visit TravelOK.com or ddaypark.com for more information.
OK KITE
Oklahoma City The instructors at OK Kite will get you kiteboarding and riding toeside in no time! They offer one-on-one lessons every Saturday at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, weather permitting, and during the week when weather and seasons allow. All gear is provided for the lessons. Kiteboarding is a year-round sport—when there’s ice on the lakes, these guys will take you snow-kiting. For more information, call 405-367-4403 and be sure to leave a message.
OKLAHOMA PARAGLIDING Talihina
Paragliding adventures begin with a tandem instructional flight, where guests learn the basics of paragliding and experience a flight with an instructor. Individuals may also take lessons, from introductory to advanced, in order to learn the skills to fly on their own. Paragliding flights take place in Buffalo Mountain Flight Park, where hills and mountaintops provide a place for takeoff, and mowed, flat fields are used for landing. For more information, call 203-671-7413 and be sure to leave a message.
Afton
Sail Grand offers parasailing, Jet Skis, ski boats, pontoons, tritoons, water trampoline passes, and yacht charters. Sail Grand’s parasailing experience offers the only bird’s-eye view of Grand Lake. The 500-ft parasailing ride is available in single and tandem rides.
OKLAHOMA SKYDIVING CENTER
Paintballing, Statewide
Cushing
The Oklahoma Skydiving Center at the Cushing Regional Airport provides United States Parachute Associationrated staff, all the equipment needed, and 350 acres of large, unobstructed landing area. Three types of jumps are available: solo, accelerated freefall, and tandem. Skydivers must be at least 16 years of age and reservations are required. See TravelOK.com for more information or call the center at 918-225-2222. Skydive Tulsa in Haskell also provides a fun, professional, and safe atmosphere for all your skydiving needs. Visit TravelOK.com or call 918-482-5867 for more information. Skydiving, Statewide
POSTOAK CANOPY TOURS
Tulsa
Zip your way through rolling hills in Green Country while enjoying a picture-perfect view of downtown Tulsa at POSTOAK Canopy Tours. This high-action zip line adventure is held on the grounds of POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat. POSTOAK Canopy Tours consists of seven landing platforms and nearly 4,000 feet of cable. Each zip line tour is led by an experienced guide and lasts about three hours as guests are whisked from one platform to another, the wind on their faces, and unbeatable panoramic views all around. Kite Surfing, Lake Hefner, Oklahoma City Illinois River, Tahlequah
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ACTIVITIES EXPERIENCES
ACTIVITIES
seasonal getaways
fall BEAVERS BEND FOLK FESTIVAL & CRAFT SHOW Broken Bow
WITH BALMY SPRING SEASONS, COOL, DRY AUTUMNS, AND CRISP, BRIGHT WINTERS, OKLAHOMA IS AN OUTDOOR DESTINATION YEAR-ROUND.
spring AZALEA FESTIVAL Muskogee
Considered one of the top spring festivals in the south, the Azalea Festival glorifies the beauty of the season as 30,000 azaleas come into bloom. Since 1968, this festival, held in Honor Heights Park, has enchanted flower-lovers with 132 acres of dogwoods, redbuds, tulips, purple phlox, wisteria, and, of course, the lovely azaleas.
LESSER PRAIRIE CHICKEN FESTIVAL Woodward
This April festival on the western prairie spotlights a burgeoning niche of eco-travelers and birders anxious to observe and appreciate threatened or endangered species before they disappear. The festival features nationallyrenowned speakers, conservation-oriented workshops and activities, and tours to view other bird species, wild turkeys, and prairie dogs.
SPRING TRADERS ENCAMPMENT Woolaroc
Experience living history at its best with approximately 125 tents and teepees set up for this annual Western heritage event. Participants from all over the United States recreate the rugged pioneer life of trappers and traders throughout 1820-1840s-era Indian Territory. Note: The public is welcome to view the camp, but participation requires pre-1840’s camp, dress, and trade goods and a camping fee. Woolaroc also hosts an encampment in the fall.
Visitors will enjoy the sounds of some of the best folk musicians in the region while marveling at the spectacular fall foliage throughout Beavers Bend State Park. A true autumn delight, this festival also offers visitors the chance to try their hand at making candles, lye soap, musical instruments, and other old-time crafts.
MONARCH MIGRATION & BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL Washington
Azalea Festival, Muskogee
Celebrate the Monarch’s migration through central Oklahoma at this quaint, small-town, annual fall festival. Visitors will learn about butterfly gardening, the migration needs of these amazing insects, as well as enjoy butterfly displays, education, art, a butterfly plant sale, and the carefullytended demonstration gardens that teem with butterflies.
ROBBERS CAVE FALL FESTIVAL Wilburton
Set amidst the spectacular scenery and beautiful fall foliage of Robbers Cave State Park, the annual Robbers Cave Fall Festival invites visitors to enjoy an array of outdoor events and seasonal activities. Grab some deep fried zucchini, an outlaw burger, or a heaping bag of kettle corn and wander through the event grounds searching for handmade arts and crafts, live entertainment, and amusement rides for kids.
Beavers Bend, Broken Bow
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