Whether you’re a long-time nonmigratory oregon person conscionable moved into a caller house successful Oklahoma City, oregon perchance renting an apartment successful 1 of its galore neighborhoods, determination are plentifulness of breathtaking places to research conscionable extracurricular the city. From earthy wonders to historical sites and outdoor adventures, there’s thing for everyone to enjoy. In this article, we’ve rounded up 10 unsocial places to sojourn adjacent Oklahoma City, cleanable for time trips and play getaways. So battalion your bags and get acceptable to deed the chaotic west, due to the fact that these destinations are not to beryllium missed.
1. Discover wildlife and hike scenic trails successful Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Located conscionable an hr and a fractional southwest of Oklahoma City, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge offers a accidental to flight the metropolis and observe Oklahoma’s earthy beauty. The refuge is location to implicit 50 taxon of mammals, including bison, elk, and prairie dogs, arsenic good arsenic implicit 240 taxon of birds. Visitors tin instrumentality scenic drives, hike implicit 15 miles of trails, and research the stunning granite peaks that marque up the refuge’s landscape. Be definite to cheque retired the Medicine Park Historic District, a charming tiny municipality conscionable extracurricular the refuge that’s worthy a sojourn for its quaint shops, restaurants, and architecture.
2. Take a refreshing dip astatine Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Located conscionable 90 minutes southbound of Oklahoma City, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area is simply a earthy oasis that features crystal wide streams, earthy springs, and lakes that are cleanable for swimming, boating, and fishing. Visitors tin instrumentality a dip successful the mineral waters of the Little Niagara and Big Vinn lakes, oregon hike on the scenic trails that upwind done the park’s wooded areas. There are besides plentifulness of areas to beryllium and eat, campsites, and visitant centers to explore.
Fun fact: the park’s springs are truthful wide that you tin spot each the mode to the bottom, making it a fashionable spot for underwater photography.
3. Discover Oklahoma’s hidden gem: Turner Falls
Located successful Davis, astir 2 hours southbound of Oklahoma City, Turner Falls Park is simply a 77-foot earthy falls authorities parkland surrounded by earthy pools and scenic cliffs. Visitors tin instrumentality a dip successful the clear, chill waters, hike done the lush forests, oregon research the park’s galore caves and stone formations. There are besides plentifulness of picnic areas, campsites, and cabins disposable for those who privation to walk the night. Turner Falls is location to the Collared Lizard, a colorful reptile that is recovered lone successful Oklahoma and Texas.
4. Experience the immense quality of Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
Located conscionable nether 2 hours northbound of Oklahoma City, the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is simply a protected country that encompasses implicit 39,000 acres of tallgrass prairie, making it 1 of the largest remaining tracts of its benignant successful the world. Visitors tin research the park’s hiking trails, ticker for wildlife specified arsenic bison and prairie dogs, and larn astir the area’s past astatine the park’s visitant center. The parkland besides offers guided tours and events passim the year, including a bison roundup successful the fall. The preserve’s tallgrass prairie ecosystem is 1 of the astir endangered successful the world, making it an important tract for conservation efforts.
5. Escape to Lake Texoma for a time of boating and fishing
Located connected the Oklahoma-Texas border, astir 2 hours southeast of Oklahoma City, Lake Texoma is simply a fashionable destination for those who emotion to fish, boat, oregon conscionable bask a time connected the water. Lake Texoma is known for its abundant striped bass population, making it a fashionable destination for anglers from each implicit the country. The water spans implicit 89,000 acres and features implicit 600 miles of shoreline, making it a premier spot for h2o sports and recreational activities. Visitors tin besides hike on the lake’s scenic trails, research adjacent parks, oregon adjacent instrumentality a sunset cruise connected a paddlewheel boat.
6. Experience the earthy quality and past of Roman Nose State Park
Located astir an hr and a fractional northwest of Oklahoma City, Roman Nose State Park is simply a unsocial destination that offers a blend of earthy quality and history. The parkland features stunning earthy springs, hiking trails, and opportunities for sportfishing and golfing. Visitors tin besides larn astir the park’s affluent history, which dates backmost to the 19th period erstwhile it served arsenic a retreat for Cheyenne Chief Henry Roman Nose. The parkland besides offers lodging options, including cabins and a lodge.
7. Discover the majestic Osage Hills State Park
Just implicit 2 hours northeast of Oklahoma City, Osage Hills State Park is simply a beauteous destination that offers a premix of earthy quality and outdoor recreation. The parkland features rolling hills, hiking trails, and opportunities for sportfishing and boating connected adjacent lakes. Visitors tin besides research the park’s historical buildings, which day backmost to the 1930s erstwhile the parkland was built arsenic portion of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The parkland offers camping and lodging options, including cabins and yurts.
Fun fact: The parkland is location to the largest outdoor swimming excavation successful the authorities parkland system.
8. Stargaze and hike astatine Black Mesa State Park
Located successful the panhandle of Oklahoma, astir 5 hours westbound of Oklahoma City, Black Mesa State Park is simply a unsocial destination that offers visitors a accidental to research Oklahoma’s earthy quality and stargaze nether immoderate of the darkest skies successful the country. The parkland is location to Black Mesa, the highest constituent successful the state, and offers opportunities for hiking and wildlife watching. Visitors tin besides instrumentality portion successful stargazing events and larn astir astronomy astatine the park’s observatory. The parkland offers camping and lodging options, including yurts.
9. Enjoy stunning vistas and watersports astatine Quartz Mountain Nature Park
Located astir 2 and a fractional hours southwest of Oklahoma City, Quartz Mountain Nature Park is simply a breathtaking destination that offers stunning upland vistas, hiking trails, and opportunities for swimming and boating connected Lake Altus-Lugert. Visitors tin besides bask golfing, stone climbing, upland biking, and different outdoor activities. The parkland offers camping and lodging options, including cabins and lodges.
Fun fact: The parkland is location to the Quartz Mountain Resort, which hosts an yearly Arts and Humanities Conference that attracts artists, writers, and musicians from each implicit the country.
10. Explore the quality and past of Chickasha’s Historic District
Located conscionable an hr southwest of Oklahoma City, Chickasha’s Historic District is simply a charming tiny municipality that’s worthy a sojourn for its quaint shops, restaurants, and architecture. Visitors tin research the historical downtown area, which features implicit 100 buildings connected the National Register of Historic Places. The municipality besides hosts events passim the year, including the Chickasha Festival of Light, a vacation airy show that attracts visitors from each implicit the state. The municipality is location to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, the state’s lone nationalist wide arts college.
The station Escape the City: 10 Unique Places to Visit Near Oklahoma City appeared archetypal connected Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling & More.