Day Trips in Oklahoma

Why not try something a little out of the ordinary on your next day trip from Oklahoma? Located 187 miles northwest of Oklahoma City (156.7 miles via I-40 W and US-281 N), the Alabaster Caverns State Park protects a rare Gypsum cave system, the only one of its kind in the U.S. The best way to appreciate the caverns and learn about how they came to be is to join one of the guided tours which are conducted every hour, on the hour, from 9 am to 4 pm. In addition to the guided tours caving enthusiasts can try wild caving, or spelunking, in four of the caverns which are reserved for this purpose. After you have visited the caverns you can hike the Alabaster Cavern’s Raptor Roost Trail and visit the gift shop.

Address: Alabaster Caverns State Park, 217036 SH 50A, Freedom, OK 73842, Phone: 580-621-3381

The beautiful Arbuckle Mountains in south-central Oklahoma are home to the 200-acre Arbuckle Wilderness Park where the whole family can have a fun day out. The park is home to an eccentric collection of wild animals from all over the world, including white rhino and giraffe from Africa, American bison, llamas, emu and much more. You can explore the park in your own vehicle along the drive-through safari road or join a bus tour. Once you have seen the wildlife you can get up close and personal at the Petting Zoo and Reptile House. Children can feed some of the animals, try their hand at gem mining (seasonal) and go on hay rides.

Address: Arbuckle Wilderness Park, 6132 Kay Starr Trail, Davis, OK 73030, Phone: 580-369-3383

Located in the Osage Reservation northeast of Oklahoma City, Bartlesville offers visitors a wide range of interesting attractions to fill your day trip. History and architecture enthusiasts can join the Bartlesville Heritage Walking Tour to admire beautifully preserved and restored historic buildings in downtown, which now house art galleries, restaurants and one-of-a-kind shops. Other popular attractions include the Phillips Petroleum Company Museum, the Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve, the historic Glass Mansion and the Safari Zoological Park. For some outdoor recreation you can go hiking or biking through the Osage Hills State Park. In addition, Bartlesville offers good shopping and dining and a brilliant weekly Farmer’s Market.

Nature lovers can get access to a large variety of outdoor recreational facilities when they visit Broken Bow Lake, a huge reservoir on the Mountain Fork River in southeastern Oklahoma. Broken Bow Lake is surrounded by the beautiful forests of the Beavers Bend State Park where outdoor enthusiasts can get back to nature in a variety of ways. A scenic drive through the park is a good way to experience some of the beauty of the area before you set out to explore the hiking and biking trails, boating on the lake and other activities. One of the best ways to appreciate the lake is to take a serene canoe or kayak excursion along the extensive shoreline. Fishing is also very good.

Address: Broken Bow Lake, Broken Bow, OK 74728

Conveniently located in south-central Oklahoma, between Oklahoma City and Dallas Texas, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area was originally known as Sulphur Springs Reservation, for the numerous naturally occurring springs found in the area. Today the recreation area offers visitors a chance to explore the region’s unique flora and fauna on foot or by bike along a network of hiking and biking trails. There are various natural swimming holes and you can go boating and fishing on the Lake of the Arbuckles. Indoor activities include visiting the Chickasaw Nation Visitor’s Center and the Travertine Nature Center where you can get a good overview of the area by watching the seven-minute film “By the Rippling Waters”.

Address: Chickasaw National Recreation Area, 901 W 1st Street, Sulphur, OK 73086, Phone: 580-622-7234

The city of Edmond forms part of the greater Oklahoma City metropolitan area and is a popular destination for day trippers. Ddowntown you can stroll along shaded sidewalks lined with restaurants, coffee-shops, galleries and boutiques. Outdoor attractions include Silver Wind Stables where budding equestrians can go on a trail ride and Arcadia Lake which offers boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and biking, as well as a children’s playground. There are several child-friendly attractions including the Pelican Bay Aquatic Center, the Mathis Skate Park and Unpluggits Paint and Play. If you would like to learn about the city’s history you can visit the Edmond Historical Society and Museum which includes a Children’s Learning Center full of interactive fun.

Located 85 miles north of Oklahoma City, the small town of Enid has an interesting history and heritage combined with modern attractions, all of which you can discover on your next Oklahoma day trip. The town has a distinct Old West atmosphere which has lingered since its settlement days along the Chisholm Trail. Enid is a family oriented town and fun children’s activities include the Leonardo’s Children’s Museum, Adventure Quest and the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma. If you love performing arts you can catch a performance of the Enid Symphony Center or head to the Gaslight Theatre.

In prehistoric times Oklahoma was covered by a vast ocean; when you take a day trip to the Great Salt Plains State Park you will be visiting one of the most unique state parks in the country, where huge barren salt flats cover the earth and the lake is almost as salty as an ocean. In this vast white expanse visitors can go hiking and biking, swim in the lake, take a horse-back ride (you need to bring your own horses) or enjoy a day of fishing and boating. The lake is also ideal for canoeing or kayaking and avid gemologists can visit the selenite crystal dig site in the adjacent Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge.

Address: Great Salt Plains State Park, 23280 S. Spillway Dr, Jet, OK 73749, Phone: 580-626-4761

In 1999 the Heartland Flyer made history by offering a passenger train service between Oklahoma and North Texas for the first time in over 20 years. You can spend a great day out on the Heartland Flyer, admiring the beautiful landscape as you ride across the border to Fort Worth and back in a day. The train leaves Oklahoma City in the morning, and your scenic ride to Fort Worth takes four hours. Once you reach Fort Worth you will have just less than 5 hours to explore the city, have a meal and do some shopping before you head back to Oklahoma. The Heartland Flyer has an upper deck section featuring comfortable reclining seats and large viewing windows to optimize your excursion.

Located approximately half-way between Dallas, Texas and Oklahoma City, the Lake Murray State Park is the largest in Oklahoma and boasts an outstanding vacation or day-trip experience for outdoor enthusiasts. At the heart of the park you will find beautiful Lake Murray where you can spend your day boating, fishing, swimming or paddling. If you prefer to keep your feet dry you can set off to explore this large state park on foot or by bike along a very respectable network of trails. Should you decide that one day at the park is far too little time you can bring along your tent or RV (there are six campgrounds) or check into a cabin or the Lake Murray Lodge.

Address: Lake Murray State Park, OK 43401