8 Most Breathtaking Towns In Oklahoma

With more than 30 state parks, 200 lakes, and 78,600 miles of river, Oklahoma is brimming with natural beauty. Regardless of the part of the state you are in, it seems like there is always something breathtaking nearby! The following eight towns showcase some of Oklahoma’s most incredible sights, including its largest waterfalls, lakes, and parks. Some will also surprise you with wildlife preserves and botanical gardens, giving you a whole new appreciation for what the Sooner State has to offer.

Guthrie

With two lakes nearby, Guthrie is a beautiful place to spend a vacation, particularly in the summer months. Travelers looking to fish, boat, or swim can head about 10 minutes south to Guthrie Lake, where a boat ramp, grills, picnic tables, and other amenities make it easy to enjoy a day by the water. Liberty Lake is another town favorite, just southwest of Lake Guthrie and offering recreational opportunities like swimming, boating, fishing, horseback riding, camping, and hiking. Before planning your trip, consider checking out Guthrie’s exciting festival calendar as well! In October, for example, the town will be hosting its annual Guthrie Wine Festival, featuring 60 vendors and plenty of wine and beer.

Bartlesville

Travelers interested in wildlife should include Bartlesville on their itinerary, home to the renowned Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve. In addition to a 50,000 square foot museum, this attraction has a 3,700-acre preserve, where visitors can spot animals like bison, elk, Himalayan tahr, and Sika deer! If you enjoy mountain biking, plan an afternoon at the Bartlesville Trails at Hudson Lake. This trail system, created by a group of volunteers, winds along a 250-acre lake and will eventually extend between 12 and 15 miles once fully completed. The Frank Phillips Historic Home is another prominent landmark in town, particularly enjoyable for those who appreciate architecture and history. This historic home once belonged to Frank Phillips himself and maintains nearly all of its breathtaking, Neo-Classical design.

Davis

Home to Turner Falls Park, Davis is the town to visit if you want to see some waterfalls. In fact, this park features the largest waterfall in the state, cascading 77 feet into a pristine swimming hole. Offroading is also a popular activity in the area. The Cross Bar Ranch Off-road Park is a great place to take your 4-wheeler, UTV, or dirt bike, offering more than 150 miles of trails that wind through 6,500 acres of terrain. Before you leave town, stop by Bedré Fine Chocolate, a 34,600 square-foot chocolate manufacturing facility where you can have a peek at the chocolate-making process and buy a sweet treat of your own.

Ardmore

In Ardmore, travelers will find the state’s oldest and largest state park: Lake Murray State Park. This state park spans an impressive 12,500 acres, featuring forested hills and, of course, the 5,728-acre lake, perfect for water sports, hiking, camping, and other outdoor recreation. Ardmore’s art scene, meanwhile, is proudly on display at the Goddard Center for Visual and Performing Arts, where visitors can appreciate rotating exhibits, attend an art class, or watch a live musical performance. To explore the history and heritage of south central Oklahoma, visit the Greater Southwest Historical Museum, which features a permanent collection and hosts occasional educational events about the region.

Broken Bow

Broken Bow attracts nature lovers year-round, largely thanks to the presence of Beavers Bend State Park. This state park is filled with trout streams, rivers, and forested terrain, making it popular for fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, and much more. Broken Bow Lake is also a popular fishing spot, known for its healthy trout and bass populations, and it attracts plenty of kayakers and boaters as well. Birdwatchers will also appreciate a visit to the Red Slough Wildlife Management Area, which covers over 5,800 acres of prairie land, bottomland hardwoods, and reclaimed rice farm fields, and features 320 confirmed bird species.

Eufaula

After seeing the state’s largest waterfall and exploring its largest state park, continue the tour of Oklahoma’s “largest” attractions with a stop in Eufaula, home to the state’s largest lake! Lake Eufaula, which is actually a 102,000-acre reservoir, is abundant in water activities, including swimming, boating, and fishing. In fact, some of the state’s largest fish have been caught in the lake. To lodge near the water, consider reserving a night or two at Calico Heights Eufala, luxury treetop cabins that are perched right over the lake. Horseback riders, meanwhile, will love a visit to Turtle RV Park & Horse Resort, which has year-round riding trails and equestrian boarding.

Grove

With its botanical gardens, river, and lake, Grove offers no shortage of outdoor activities. Travelers can begin their trip in Grove by visiting Lendonwood Gardens, an eight-acre botanical garden with shady pathways and over a thousand types of plants. If you are hoping to fish, swim, or camp, check out Honey Creek Area at Grand Lake State Park, a 38-acre park with a seasonal outdoor pool, RV and campsites, picnic areas, and a lake stocked with catfish, bass, bluegill, crappie, and spoonbill. If a day at the gardens or lake has worked up an appetite, grab a bite to eat at Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill, a family-friendly bar and grill that is located right on the shores of the Neosho River.

Medicine Park

Founded in 1908 as the state’s first resort town, Medicine Park continues to draw in visitors with its refreshing attractions. Travelers can unwind at Bath Lake, a centrally located swimming spot created in the 1920s, now featuring waterfalls, designated swimming areas, and trout fishing. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is also just a short drive from town, consisting of 59,000 acres of mixed grass prairie with species like bison, elk, longhorn, and prairie dogs. There are plenty of bed and breakfasts, lodges, and cabins where you can spend the night while in town. Medicine Park Rentals is a wonderful option if you are seeking a cozy cabin experience, offering a variety of uniquely furnished cabins around town.

Final Thoughts

While Oklahoma might not be the most common vacation destination for Americans looking to travel, locals recognize the beauty that it holds. Some of the best spots to experience this beauty, such as its lakes, state parks, and waterfalls, are actually in the state’s smaller towns, making a truly memorable trip one that sometimes takes you off the beaten path. So prepare to have your breath taken away and explore all of the underrated beauty of these small towns!