My 5 favorite places
Oklahoman
Leave a comment
Published: March 7, 2010
Beavers Bend State Park. PHOTO BY DAVID MCDANIEL, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
I guess John Steinbeck really seared an image into the minds of many that Oklahoma is a flat, dry and barren land.
Because it amazes me how little outsiders know about Oklahoma.
I’ve met people who are surprised to learn Oklahoma has mountains. They may not be as majestic as the Rockies, but the Ouachitas and the Arbuckles are beautiful places.
I’ve also met others who didn’t realize Oklahoma has water and lots of it. Did you know Oklahoma has 11,600 miles of lake shoreline, almost as much as the coastlines of the Atlantic, Gulf, Pacific and Arctic combined? Add to that 78,500 miles of rivers and streams. Who could love the outdoors and not love Oklahoma? Oklahoma has antelope in the Black Mesa and alligators in the Red Slough. How many states can boast of such wildlife diversity. I’ve lived in Oklahoma for half of a century now and never had a desire to call any other place home.No. 1: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Don’t forget the camera or the binoculars when visiting this magnificent 59,020-acre wildlife refuge in southwestern Oklahoma between Lawton and Altus.
American bison, longhorn cattle, elk, deer, birds and lizards are some of the animals you likely will see. The refuge lakes offer fishing and it’s a popular place for hikers, rock climbers and camping.
Take the three-mile drive to the summit of Mount Scott for a great view and photo opportunities.
No. 2: Beavers Bend State Park
Texans visit this park in McCurtain County more
often than Oklahomans.
It’s a fishing mecca in arguably the most beautiful part of the state.
The Lower Mountain Fork River is the state’s most popular trout stream. Broken Bow Lake is still home to the state largemouth bass record and has a reputation as a great walleye lake.
The forest of hickory, oaks and pines provides a breathtaking backdrop. There are many places to camp and go hiking.
Numerous private cabins can be rented outside the park in the Broken Bow and Hochatown area, although many if not all will already be booked for spring break.
No. 3: Robbers Cave State Park
I stomped around Robbers Cave during my days at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton.
Tucked away in the San Bois Mountains, it’s one of the most popular sites in the state for horseback riding as equestrian trails wind through the park.
A former hideout for outlaws, Robbers Cave features sandstone cliffs for climbing and rappelling and there are plenty of trails for exploring, not to mention the cave itself.
There are small lakes in the park that offer canoeing, kayaking and paddle boating as well as fishing. There is even winter trout fishing until the end of March.
Belle Starr Lodge sits on a mountain top and offers spectacular views.
Early Americans described this are near Sulphur as the "Peaceful Valley of Rippling Waters.”
Pack a picnic basket and spend the day. Many of the nature trails hug the banks of streams, pass by waterfalls and encircle mineral water and freshwater springs.
Hicking trails also offer panoramic view of the Lake of the Arbuckles, which is arguably the best bass fishing hole in the state right now.
No. 5: Red Rock Canyon State Park
Who would not be impressed by sandstone canyon walls nearly five stories high.
Red Rock Canyon near Hinton was once used by the Plains Indians as their winter camp. Now it is a popular place for rock climbers, rappellers and campers.
Again, pack a picnic basket and go. Even if you are not a daredevil, you might enjoy watching those more adventurous scale the canyon walls. I did.
I’ve compiled a list of my five favorite outdoor destinations in Oklahoma.
These are places where you can pitch a tent, cast a line, climb some rocks or hike a trail and enjoy the scenery.
Pack the kids and go during spring break. It’s been a long winter.
Related Topics:
Sports, Culture and Lifestyle, Crime, Travel and Tourism, Travel Destinations, Robbery, Hunting and Fishing, Outdoor Recreation, Sport Fishing, Bass Fishing, Cultural Institutions and Parks, Parks and Historic Sites, Crime and Law, Arts, Entertainment, and Media
NewsOK is in the process of upgrading its commenting and user profile capabilities. We will be adding features that will allow you to enhance your NewsOK profile and connect to other social networking platforms. We hope you find useful tools within these upgrades to enhance your experience on NewsOK.
Would you like to leave a comment?
Log in or sign up (it's free).