Quarantine has been taking its toll on a lot of activities in my life to include my camping excursions! Oklahoma camping is so unique and has so many opportunities to explore so many different biomes and geography. Oklahoma is known to be one of the most environmentally diverse states in the USA. So with that in mind, and for my own sanity, I’m going to determine which are the top 5 Oklahoma state parks I need to visit for camping this year.
Beaver Bend State Park
Beaver Bend State Park located near Broken Bow Oklahoma is an awesome gem and I’m going as soon as I can. The park is located near the Ouachita National Forest and on Broken Bow Lake which is part of the Mountain Fork River. The entire Ouachita forest is enchanted with beauty beyond measure.
The park has many amenities beyond just camping. The park is near a national forest and has a thick timber covering across their entire area. The lush forest is accompanied by a large reservoir lake which has fishing and hiking. This place is truly for an outdoor lover. The park also includes fishing streams, biking, nature center, river float trips, and horse riding. There is even an 18 hole golf course for those who need to get away from nature but still be in nature.
The camping is noteworthy too. There are 2 distinct camping areas. One is the Beaver Bend river area and the other is the Hotchatown lake area. Combined, these two camp areas have over 12 established campground areas. Ample room to park your camper, RV, or pitch a tent to settle in for the weekend. There are group camp areas available if you want to host a large party or family gathering.
Beaver Bend State Park is a top Oklahoma State Park destination and it is a top destination for me too. There is ample camping, miles of trails, swimming, lakeshore, and the gateway to the Ouachita National Forest. This state park is the start of a great weekend and I’m traveling post haste!
Boiling Springs State Park
Boiling Springs State Park is located east of Woodward Oklahoma and is one of the seven original Oklahoma state parks. As you can figure, it’s named after the boiling springs the bubble up out of the ground and appear to be “boiling” and that is where the park got its name.
This Oklahoma state park has lots of amenities. The park has three established campgrounds located in the park, a privately owned golf course, cabins, and even a swimming pool. There are a few trails, Canadian river trail access, and access to the springs area. There is even some original Conservation Corp construction from the depression era if you’re a big history buff like I am.
The main attraction here is its abundance of water. Its nickname from the old days was the “oasis on the plains” and it appears to be accurate! There isn’t a bounty of activities like in other state park but there is plenty of water and if you want summer fun this is the place!
The big allure for me is the water! I love summer swimming and an established camping area is nice too. While I’d wish it had some more trails to explore or maybe more acreage, I can still enjoy a day of exploring, swimming, and some natural water for a fun weekend at the oasis! That’s why it’s on the list. Set your tent up and go see the springs!
Black Mesa State Park and Nature Preserve
Black Mesa State Park is located near Kenton Oklahoma. This is one of my favorite Oklahoma state parks and one of my favorite parks of all I’ve ever been to! This park is a gem in the rough and truly a special place since it’s out in the far northwest of the Oklahoma panhandle. If you want wide-open skies, extreme silence, and great sunsets, this is the park for you. This state park is unique because it includes a large natural area about 10 miles northwest of the main state park. This area is the nature preserve.
The state park section is a built-up camping area and a few trails that meander around a half-filled lake and wild grass. But what the park lacks in water or trails, it makes up in prairie beauty and giant skies! They are unforgettable! The simplicity of the state park area allows you the ease to relax and enjoy the silence.
The nature preserve is the area around the Black Mesa landmark. The mesa towers over the rest of the plains by several hundred feet and there is a trail from a small parking area to the top of Black Mesa and coincidentally the highest point in the state. The hike is about 5 miles one way and takes about 2 hours and yes, you will have to climb switchbacks to get up the side of the mesa. The switchback portion is a moderate hike but the rest of the trail is flat and has many views. When you arrive at the top of the mesa, an obelisk greets those trekkers who survived the journey with lots of views all around.
The Giant Sky in Black Mesa
This state park is notable for its location. It’s located in one of the darkest sky areas of the United States. It’s far from any city and the nearest city is Boise City and that’s 27 miles away! Kenton is only a few miles to the northwest but lacks any sort of amenities. Unfortunately, there are some lights in the state park that can be bothersome but regardless, the sky is so dark and clear you can see multiple galaxies only found in the darkest of skies. This is a must-see and must-stop part of the state and country. The park won’t let you down. That’s why it’s a yearly trip for me…I’ll be back!
Robbers Cave State Park
This Oklahoma state park is located just north of Wilburton Oklahoma. The park is located in the Sans Bois Mountains in southeastern Oklahoma and is a forested wonderland and part of the state known for its forests and lakes. This park has some fun amenities that include horse trails, hiking trails, a small lake, and repelling. There is also a cave that was known to be a hiding location for outlaws like Jesse James.
The camping is varied and it offers something a lot of the other state parks don’t offer – dispersed camping or backcountry camping. This Oklahoma state park has ample hiking, established campgrounds, and 3 separate bodies of water. This area is another great example of the southeastern Oklahoma environment. Dispersed camping is allowed along many different trails throughout the park and at even certain special places in the park.
This area also has an ATV area for those looking for more modern thrills. Yurts, lake activities, horse riding, rock climbing areas, and Conservation Corp areas for historians. This park really has lots of activities for all types of people. Even if you don’t like camping, you can stay in cabins, or stay at one of the established campgrounds and explore at your own speed!
Lake Murray State Park
This special place is the state’s first and largest state park and one of the original seven established. Lake Murray is located south of Ardmore Oklahoma and near the border with Texas. The entire lake is surrounded by the state park and this set up offers a great opportunity for fun summer activities. Lake Murray is known for its blue water and floating cabins on the lake.
The amenities include 6 campgrounds, 56 cabins, lodge, water sports rentals, trails, golf, and of course swimming! There are 6 established campgrounds and a number of trails all around the lake. The main picturesque view is from the Tucker Tower and has a nature center colocated with the tower. The tower is situated on a peninsula into the lake and allows for a 270-degree view of the lake.
The water and space are undeniable at this state park. It offers so much for those wanting the full spectrum of summer fun. You can set your tent up and explore all day! This lake park is for sure in my top 5 places to visit this summer to enjoy and explore.