Suggestions in Oklahoma?

HellFish

Trip in May: Saint Louis to McKinney Falls State Park (Austin) to Abilene to Palo Duro State Park to Saint Louis. (2014 T@G)

My return from Palo Duro pretty much takes me through Oklahoma...I know nothing about OK. Anyone have any suggestions for interesting places along the way? My schedule is flexible, and for a dynamite museum or park or ? I'd stop. I've spent hours looking at maps/routes/Tripadvisor, etc, just nothing "jumping out at me yet".

We'll have been out for about 2 weeks, so I'm open to a nice B&B or hotel suggestion as well.

We're in the final stages of bank approval for a gasoline loan (fingers crossed), and anxious to hit the road .

Thanks in advance for your time.

Sharon_is_SAM

Just be aware that the month of May has the highest number of tornadoes in Oklahoma.

HellFish

And in April we're in Tennessee (Henry Horton state Park)...Spring storms. I'm concerned, but not enough to not camp. To paraphrase, "A T@G is safest in your garage, but that's not what T@Gs were made for."

HikinMike

Lake Murray is a great place to camp and visit. You dont expect water this color on an inland lake. There is also Arbuckle Wilderness, Turner Falls and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum near Oklahoma City. And if you are up for a very interesting Museum in the NE corner of the state, Try Woolaroc Museum. It stands for Woods-Lake-Rocks, thus the name. Some very premier western artists original paintings are there. Have fun!

HellFish

Thanks for the info Mike.

michelevaneyken

Tall grass Prairie National Preserve in the SE corner is just splendid— an unexpected glimpse of a pre-settler Plains.
TravelMoochie
2016 T@G
2018 Subaru Outback

Tag75605

I’m glad you are checking out Oklahoma. Oklahoma is drastically, underrated and often misunderstood. Most people think it’s all flat. NOT TRUE! I live in Northeast Texas and camp there often. It’s very scenic, has nice parks and friendly park employees.

Beavers Bend State Park, in McCurtain County, Oklahoma is one of my personal favorites. It’s in Southeast Oklahoma, on the Arkansas border. There is a River running through the park and there’s a large lake, as well. Fly fishing, is an option, if that’s your thing. The Choctaw Indians operate a casino, nearby, if you enjoy gaming. There are several hiking trails, as well.

I know you asked about Oklahoma, But while you are at it, go ahead and cross over the border, in to Arkansas, for a couple of nights in Queen Wilhelmina State Park, in Arkansas. It’s 81 miles away from Beavers Bend and beautiful. It’s on top of a mountain.

Another favorite (Arkansas Again!) is Cossatot Falls State Park. It’s 60 miles from Beavers Bend. You need a Boondock T@g to reach it. There’s a campground there called the Sandbar Campground. It’s on the banks of the beautiful Cossatot River. The campground is primitive, with pit toilets. It’s self pay, so bring cash. You fill out some information, on an envelope they supply, and drop your payment in a box.

There are signs in the Cossatot River campground, that say no RV’s. I checked with a state park police officer and he said they have no problem with teardrops. That signage is there for people that try to drive big motorhomes down the rough, winding, gravel mountainous road and get stuck.

Palo Dura is awesome!! McKinney Falls is nice too! Another park near Austin, you might want to check out is Buescher State Park in Smithville. I camped there almost every weekend, when I lived in the area. It’s an old CCC park, built in the 1930’s. A lot of cool structures, built from stones and lumber found on the land.

At Buescher, you get two parks, for the price of one. It Backs up to Bastrop Stare Park and you can visit it, as well, with your paid admission to Buescher. Like Buescher, it’s an old CCC park.

i hope you have a fun and safe trip!!