We Did the Research, This Is Officially the Strangest Hiking Trail Name in Oklahoma

I'm always fascinated by oddly-named places, whether a road, a town, or a trail. I often wonder where the names came from and who had the job of naming them. Some of Oklahoma's towns have the most unusual of names, like Cookietown, IXL, Frogville, Slapout, and Non, to name a few. There are even some unusual names for hiking trails that may make you wonder what you may find along the way as you hike. One such hiking trail with a strange name in Oklahoma is the Buzzard's Roost Trail, but beyond the name, I think you'll want to hike it.

Found within the 12,500-acre Lake Murray State Park, the largest state park in Oklahoma, Buzzard's Roost Trail certainly has a strange name that may make you picture buzzards flying overhead as you hike. This 2.9-mile trail with the interesting name is rated as moderate with a 173-foot elevation gain through a diverse landscape of forest, hills, and a lake.

Now, you may be wondering how Buzzard's Roost Trail got its name. I was certainly curious. It turns out that this is a popular place for buzzards and vultures to roost. This is a very simple explanation for the name, and I like it!

You've come to the right place if you're chasing solitude in the great outdoors. Buzzard's Roost Trail is an underrated trail within Lake Murray State Park, so you'll unlikely find many others hiking. For some company, feel free to bring your pup on this dog-friendly trail, but make sure they remain on leash.

When you arrive at the park, you'll start at the Ranger Station, where there's a paid lot, and then head towards the bridge to get to the trailhead. The trail begins on the left, and that's when you should start the AllTrails app to track your hike (I always feel so accomplished tracking my hikes on the app). A portion of the trail is multi-use, so be mindful of bikes along the route.

The scenery along the trail is, in a word, spectacular! Between the verdant forest and views of Lake Murray, you'll be amazed that a place like this exists in Oklahoma. Some rocky and tree routes have been reported by AllTrails users, so be mindful with each step.

Of course, there is plenty of wildlife here. Maybe you'll see buzzards as you trek Buzzard's Roost Trail, or perhaps you'll find a variety of other birds and wildlife, including deer and armadillos. How excited will you be if you encounter wildlife like this on your hike?

Have you ever trekked along Buzzard's Roost Trail? A map and other information for this hiking trail with a strange name in Oklahoma can be found on AllTrails.

Would you like to spend more time exploring Lake Murray State Park? Discover what it's like to stay at a waterfront campground at Oklahoma's largest state park.