There are many public parks and recreation areas in Oklahoma, including 51 state parks and five state resorts. They're perfect for brief stopovers on the drive between destinations, as well as for extended visits.
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, west of Lawton, encircles Mount Scott, a lone mountain that stands above the surrounding hills and plains. A road to the summit winds around the mountain and the view from the top is spectacular. Camping, fishing and buffalo watching are available. The village of Medicine Park, near the mountain's base, is reinventing itself as an artists and craftsmen's colony.
Talimena State Park in the Ouachita Mountains contains the 54-mi-/87-km-long Talimena Skyline Drive, built on the ridgeline of the only mountain range in Oklahoma that runs east-west rather than north-south. The view is spectacular, and the temperatures are usually lower there than in the flatlands during the Oklahoma summer. Because of its east-west orientation, the northern and southern sides of the mountain range support different ecosystems.
At Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge (Cherokee), you can still dig for selenite crystals in the salt flats of what was once the enormous Great Salt Plains. Today, a man-made lake covers much of the area, and it attracts such migrating birds as whooping cranes, pelicans and eagles. Be sure to walk the Eagle Roost Nature Trail at nearby Great Salt Plains State Park.
The preserve at Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge (Tishomingo) is on one of the main flyways for migrating waterfowl. It has an observation tower that makes it easier to view some of the many species, which include pelicans, geese and eagles.
At Alabaster Caverns State Park (Freedom), you can tour a cave to see the strange shapes alabaster and selenite can take. Beavers Bend State Park (Broken Bow) is home to the Forest Heritage Center, a museum depicting the importance of the forest to human development. (Not unexpectedly, the museum has a courtyard filled with trees.)
Lake Texoma State Park (Kingston) shares a huge recreational lake with the state of Texas. At Robbers Cave State Park (Wilburton), you can see a cavern where such notorious outlaws as Belle Starr and her gang sought refuge.
Arbuckle Wilderness at the foot of the Arbuckle Mountains is an exotic animal theme park with more than 400 acres/162 hectares. Visitors can drive through in their own cars or take a safari bus tour.
Preserves and parks offer a variety of activities and facilities, and some offer overnight accommodations. Contact the state tourism bureau for more information.
Shopping
Oklahoma offers a wide variety of shopping. Choose from the excellent selection of Native American arts and crafts—baskets, jewelry, rugs, blankets, pottery, handcrafted silver, leather goods, beadwork and moccasins. Western goods are also popular (boots, hats, chaps, vests and saddles), making it easy to get completely outfitted as a cowboy. Lovers of antiques will want to stop in Jenks, considered the antique capital of Oklahoma. To get your Oklahoma-shaped ashtrays (Native American and rodeo themes are available, too), look for the popular Frankoma Pottery, made in Sapulpa.
Day By Day
To get the best sense of the state, first-time visitors should make a circuit of the main portion (excluding the panhandle) in a 12-day visit.
Days 1-3—Oklahoma City.
Day 4—Head east and see some sights in Muskogee and the Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah. Overnight in the area.
Days 5 and 6—Tulsa, with a day trip to Claremore.
Day 7—Head north in the direction of Bartlesville and see the Woolaroc Ranch and Museum. When ready drive west on Highway 60 across the Osage Reservation, pausing in Pawhuska and at the nearby Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. Take Highway 60 to I-35 and head south toward Guthrie. Overnight along the way or in Guthrie.
Day 8—Guthrie. Overnight there or return to Oklahoma City to spend the night.
Day 9—Depart from Oklahoma City.
