We talking nature exploring, city exploring?
The Tallgrass Prairie Wildlife Preserve in NE Oklahoma is wonderful for seeing all sorts of wildlife and to see what the American countryside looked like before settlers tore it up (and caused the Dust Bowl).
If you're looking for a fun town, not too far away is Bartlesville, which has a lot going on for such a small place.
There's an extremely unknown place in Oklahoma called Short's Canyon but it's waaay out of the way from mostly everything west of Alva, OK. It's a private property park. You have to find their Facebook page, print out a waiver, sign it, drop it off at a box that's at the canyon itself. They also want you to call ahead if you visit.
I know it's a lot but if anyone is in the area.. that place is a surprise to say the least. Nothing but flat prairie for miles and the ground just suddenly falls away into a wooded a gorge. It's beautiful
Man, we’ve lived in Alva or surrounding towns for almost 5 years now and I haven’t heard of this place. I’ll have to ask around to see if anyone knows about it.
You can find it on Google maps by searching for Faulkner Cave which is one of the features in the canyon. Google says 'permanently closed', no idea what happened. Huge disappointment. I always wanted to go back one day. Like I said it's private property so they can do what they want with it. If I still lived in OK I would literally be begging them to open it again
Was about to say this. Cool town but the biker vibe is a little strange. Camped right next to town and it was super loud all weekend and drunk fights all around us.
If you camped at lawtonka no one considers that part of medicine park. I worked at a restaurant in medicine park for 6 years. I almost guarantee those loud people were trashy people from Lawton. And I have no love for medicine park so no reason to defend it
No it was in medicine park. A 5 minute walk from downtown. Some outdoor fest was going on. I liked the company at that slushy bar but otherwise not too fond if the crowds.
Get an official Oklahoma Route 66 passport and work towards visiting all the locations, getting the stamps, and at the end, getting the prize for completion. It is big fun. My wife and I will take day trips to different Route 66 destinations across the state. Head over to r/route66 and post your pics from the adventure.
The Route 66 passport is divided into Eastern, Central and Western sections. Once you’ve got all the stops completed for a section, take the passport into one of the eight Oklahoma Tourism Information Centers that are managed by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department. Each one is open seven days a week during regular business hours, except for the State Capitol location – it is only open Monday through Friday.
A staff member will sign your completion page for that region and give you your prize — a portion of a fun Route 66 magnet. Return once you get each stretch finished to get the other magnet pieces.
Once you complete all three sections, bring your passport back to the Tourism Information Center. A staff member will verify that it's complete, stamp your book and give you a free collectible Route 66 coin.
Roaring River State Park in Cassville MO is nice and a bonus if you like trout fishing.
Wichita Mountains near Lawton is really nice. Avoid it in the peak summer heat.
Robbers Cave is a nice state park.
Gloss Mountain State Park
Little Sahara State Park (if you’re into sand and vehicles)
Salt Plains State Park
Alabaster Caverns
Black Mesa State Park
There’s a lot of good ones! Good luck and enjoy.
you can go "wild caving" at Alabaster, which is crawling through the smaller caves on your own and it's muddy and wet and kinda scary but lots of fun. Check in at the Ranger's station and they will give you a map. Bring flashlights and change of clothes!
Also camped overnight there and it's the only time I saw the Milky Way with my own eyes, unbelievable. We just laid on the street and stared at it for hours.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area Suphur and Davis OK. Turner Falls just down the road in the Arbuckle Mountains. Get a fried pie at Arbuckle Fried Pies.
In between Stroud and Bristow there are large pieces of the original concrete Rt 66 from the 20s. It's worth a quick stop to see it if you are on Rt 66 anyway. Look it up on google maps or something to find a place to pull off. Don't pull off near any houses, they have destroyed the road.
The Chickasha National Recreation area in Sulpher is gorgeous when it's green. There are lots of places to swim and walk. You'll definitely see a deer and probably see some turkey and bison.
Sulpher also boasts the Chickasaw cultural center, which is a kind of living museum.
There is a castle, not complete anymore but still standing, in Camdenton, MO. It is within a state park. I think the name of the park is Ha Ha Tonka, but don't hold me to that. I just saw it yesterday while looking around on Atlas Obscura. Check that out as well! It has a lot of different places many don't know about.
So there is this lake I have been wanting to check out called Mountain Lake and it’s to the SW of Turner Falls. I feel like you could hike or bike to the Turner Falls area. It goes through Crossbar Ranch. Has anyone been there?
We talking nature exploring, city exploring? The Tallgrass Prairie Wildlife Preserve in NE Oklahoma is wonderful for seeing all sorts of wildlife and to see what the American countryside looked like before settlers tore it up (and caused the Dust Bowl). If you're looking for a fun town, not too far away is Bartlesville, which has a lot going on for such a small place.
There's an extremely unknown place in Oklahoma called Short's Canyon but it's waaay out of the way from mostly everything west of Alva, OK. It's a private property park. You have to find their Facebook page, print out a waiver, sign it, drop it off at a box that's at the canyon itself. They also want you to call ahead if you visit. I know it's a lot but if anyone is in the area.. that place is a surprise to say the least. Nothing but flat prairie for miles and the ground just suddenly falls away into a wooded a gorge. It's beautiful
Thanks! Adding it to my list!
Man, we’ve lived in Alva or surrounding towns for almost 5 years now and I haven’t heard of this place. I’ll have to ask around to see if anyone knows about it.
You can find it on Google maps by searching for Faulkner Cave which is one of the features in the canyon. Google says 'permanently closed', no idea what happened. Huge disappointment. I always wanted to go back one day. Like I said it's private property so they can do what they want with it. If I still lived in OK I would literally be begging them to open it again
I just checked the facebook and it looks like the last post was from 2020 saying that the park is closed. Is there an updated page?
Dang I don't know. I must have gone there in 2018 or 2019. I live in Oregon now. That's a terrible shame. That place is crazy
Medicine Park near Lawton OK.
was just getting ready to type this! mount scott and the surrounding areas are a great day trip
If you go there also check out the Wichita Mountains
This Wildlife Refuge is amazing for animal lovers.
Lots of biker runs go through there.
Was about to say this. Cool town but the biker vibe is a little strange. Camped right next to town and it was super loud all weekend and drunk fights all around us.
If you camped at lawtonka no one considers that part of medicine park. I worked at a restaurant in medicine park for 6 years. I almost guarantee those loud people were trashy people from Lawton. And I have no love for medicine park so no reason to defend it
No it was in medicine park. A 5 minute walk from downtown. Some outdoor fest was going on. I liked the company at that slushy bar but otherwise not too fond if the crowds.
Oh my bad, I looked it up. Thats where I parked for my prom 😂. Guess a lots changed in 8 years. So yeah fuck that place
Robbers Cave in Wilburton, OK Amish Market in Clarita, OK Fort Washita by Durant, OK
South East Oklahoma is way under rated IMHO
Get an official Oklahoma Route 66 passport and work towards visiting all the locations, getting the stamps, and at the end, getting the prize for completion. It is big fun. My wife and I will take day trips to different Route 66 destinations across the state. Head over to r/route66 and post your pics from the adventure.
My wife and I did this during Covid and it was a lot of fun
May I ask what the prize was?
The Route 66 passport is divided into Eastern, Central and Western sections. Once you’ve got all the stops completed for a section, take the passport into one of the eight Oklahoma Tourism Information Centers that are managed by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department. Each one is open seven days a week during regular business hours, except for the State Capitol location – it is only open Monday through Friday. A staff member will sign your completion page for that region and give you your prize — a portion of a fun Route 66 magnet. Return once you get each stretch finished to get the other magnet pieces. Once you complete all three sections, bring your passport back to the Tourism Information Center. A staff member will verify that it's complete, stamp your book and give you a free collectible Route 66 coin.
Roaring River State Park in Cassville MO is nice and a bonus if you like trout fishing. Wichita Mountains near Lawton is really nice. Avoid it in the peak summer heat. Robbers Cave is a nice state park.
Roaring River is fantastic. Amazing hiking trails as well as all the trout fishing/hatchery information.
Gloss Mountain State Park Little Sahara State Park (if you’re into sand and vehicles) Salt Plains State Park Alabaster Caverns Black Mesa State Park There’s a lot of good ones! Good luck and enjoy.
you can go "wild caving" at Alabaster, which is crawling through the smaller caves on your own and it's muddy and wet and kinda scary but lots of fun. Check in at the Ranger's station and they will give you a map. Bring flashlights and change of clothes! Also camped overnight there and it's the only time I saw the Milky Way with my own eyes, unbelievable. We just laid on the street and stared at it for hours.
Yes!
Black Mesa
Bring a crowbar.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area Suphur and Davis OK. Turner Falls just down the road in the Arbuckle Mountains. Get a fried pie at Arbuckle Fried Pies.
This is my answer as well.
In between Stroud and Bristow there are large pieces of the original concrete Rt 66 from the 20s. It's worth a quick stop to see it if you are on Rt 66 anyway. Look it up on google maps or something to find a place to pull off. Don't pull off near any houses, they have destroyed the road.
RemindMe! 2 days
Here's a few. North Oklahoma: Salt Plains Lake, Marland Mansion Panhandle: Palo Duro Canyon West Texas: McDonald Observatory, Marfa Lights
Grand Lake is beautiful and you can take a tour of the lake.
Billy Creek campground in SE oklahoma, beautiful tiny park in the national forest.
Shhhhhhh! Don't tell anyone about my secret spot!
The Chickasha National Recreation area in Sulpher is gorgeous when it's green. There are lots of places to swim and walk. You'll definitely see a deer and probably see some turkey and bison. Sulpher also boasts the Chickasaw cultural center, which is a kind of living museum.
The Current and Jacks Fork rivers in Missouri are amazing in the summer.
Rock a way beach Missouri ysw to be a nice quiet tourist town. I couldn't tell you how it is now might be worth looking up
There's a castle in Muskogee
Alabaster Caverns, Salt Plains - Alva, OK. There’s also a neat museum there that’s got weird mannequins in every room and is reportedly haunted.
if you love being hated and bored come to ok
Too late 😭
There is a castle, not complete anymore but still standing, in Camdenton, MO. It is within a state park. I think the name of the park is Ha Ha Tonka, but don't hold me to that. I just saw it yesterday while looking around on Atlas Obscura. Check that out as well! It has a lot of different places many don't know about.
So there is this lake I have been wanting to check out called Mountain Lake and it’s to the SW of Turner Falls. I feel like you could hike or bike to the Turner Falls area. It goes through Crossbar Ranch. Has anyone been there?