Oklahoma’s |
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1. The “Peaceful Valley of Rippling Waters” appropriately describes Chickasaw National Recreation Area, as it is known for its many mineral springs, cool water, flora, fauna, and wildlife. Here one’s mind may wander back in time to when the early American Indian came to this area to rest, relax at the water’s edge, and hunt for their food from the abundant wildlife. This area has significant geological and hydrological features and lies in the transitional ecotones of the Eastern deciduous forest and the Western prairies. A trail system designed and constructed during this period |
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2. Wichita Mtns National Wildlife Refuge : 60,000 – plus acres are home to free range buffalo, Texas longhorn cattle, prairie dog towns, elk, deer, Mount Scott (see picture to the left) provides a scenic drive to the highest point in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge offers wildlife viewing and photography, mountain biking, rock climbing, 15 miles of hiking trails, camping, picnicking, and fishing. Special tours and programs throughout the year. 580-429-3222 |
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3. Greenleaf State Park One of Oklahoma’s most scenic and family-oriented parks offering lots of activities for everyone, including wildlife and holiday events, fishing, boating, swimming, hiking and camping. Greenleaf Nature Trail: An 18 mile primitive trail on the banks of Greenleaf Lake, passes over a swinging bridge, and makes a return loop through the wildlife-rich Cherokee Game Management Area, beginning and ending in the park. The trail is designed for overnight backpacking |
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4. American Horse Lake (AHL) is located in Blaine County 10 miles west of Geary, Oklahoma. Vegetation around the lake is post-oak-blackjack forest and mixed grass eroded plains types. American Horse Lake was constructed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1966
American Horse Lake is very primitive in nature (the closest electric light is several miles away) AHL is rated "The BEST" – Bluegill Lake – in the state, by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife (so, you might want to bring some fly fishing or light spinning tackle & don’t forget your Oklahoma State Fishing License) AHL is only 1 hour west of OKC Although there is a campground, camping is primitive in nature
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6. Robbers Cave State Park is located in the scenic, hilly woodlands of the San Bois Mountains of southeast Oklahoma. A favorite of rappelers, cave explorers, equestrians, hikers and outdoor lovers,
Robbers Cave enjoys notoriety The park and adjoining wildlife management area offers acres of discovery and enjoyment including caves, trout fishing in season, boating, hunting, trails for hikers and horses, sandstone cliffs for climbing and rappelling, and fall foliage viewing. RV and tent campsites, and equestrian campsites are also available. |
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7. Black Mesa Oklahoma’s Highest Point This park is in Oklahoma’s panhandle and got its name from the layer of black lava rock that coated the mesa about 30 million years ago. The Nature Preserve is located 15 miles from the state park and features Oklahoma’s highest elevation at 4,973 feet above sea level. |
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8. Beech Creek Trail System Located in the Beech Creek Botanical and Scenic Areas, these trails cross the headwaters of Beech Creek in SE Oklahoma. The mountain slopes of the Scenic Area surround the creek bottoms and hollows lined with large beech trees. The Botanical Area, which runs along the creek, was designated to protect and interpret the unique plant communities found here. Trails – Various loops totaling 32.5 miles. |
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9. Ouachita National Recreation Trail This is the longest trail in the Ouachita National Forest spanning 192 miles across its entire length. In the west, the trail begins at Talimena State Park on U.S. Hwy. 271 near the town of Talihina in SE Oklahoma |
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10. Great Salt Plains State Park Great Salt Plains Lake is located at the park and covers 8,690 surface acres with 41 miles of shoreline and is a shallow, salty lake — about 1/3 to 1/2 as salty as the ocean — with fishing opportunities for catfish, saugeye, sand bass and hybrid striper. The Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge sits adjacent to the park and offers great bird watching and fall foliage viewing opportunities. The refuge is the only spot in the world Digging times are available from April 1 through October 15 |