The 11 Very Best Day Trips You Can Possibly Take In Oklahoma
By Ashley|Updated on June 06, 2023(Originally published June 03, 2023)
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Ashley
Author
Ashley has lived in Oklahoma for 30 years and is the Oklahoma staff writer for onlyinyourstate.com. When she isn't writing about Oklahoma, she enjoys visiting the beach and exploring new areas.
What is there to do in Oklahoma? The fact of the matter is that the Sooner State is full of incredible surprises. In fact, there’s so much to do in Oklahoma that, when it comes to adventure, it can be a challenge to decide just where to start. You don’t have to travel far from home to find incredible day trips filled with adventure, fun, and relaxation. Pack some road trip snacks and prepare for a few days of memory-making fun, because each of these destinations is worthy of a day trip. Take any (or all) of these fabulous Oklahoma day trips for the ultimate adventure:
Oklahoma’s Amtrak train is the Heartland Flyer and takes passengers from Oklahoma City to Fort Worth, Texas, with multiple stops along the way. The price ranges depending on how far in advance you book your travel. You can take this epic train ride and return the same day, or spend the night in Fort Worth and return the following day. Either way, this train ride will be unforgettable. The Heartland Flyer Train Ride starts in Oklahoma City and makes stops in Norman, Purcell, Paul's Valley, Ardmore and Gainesville before arriving at its destination in Fort Worth, TX. The schedule of the Heartland Flyer allows passengers to enjoy an afternoon in Fort Worth and return the same day.
How about a day trip to a beautiful lake? Check out Broken Bow Lake nestled in the Ouachita mountains, near the borders of Texas and Arkansas. The lake has 180 miles of shoreline. It covers 14,220 acres, so there's plenty to explore here. The natural beauty is breathtaking. Pine forest surrounds you, and if you listen quietly, you'll hear the songs of the birds and the wind gently whispering through the branches. Fish, swim, kayak or relax for a day filled with fun and relaxation.
Nestled in the Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma is the vintage cobblestone resort town, Medicine Park. Step back in time as you stroll the quaint Cobblestone Row filled with shopping, history and small town America. It is surrounded by natural beauty on all sides, water running right through it and the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge right next to it. You can enjoy a day trip or weekend trip of breathtaking scenery, fishing, swimming, hiking, shopping, bike riding or just relaxing. This historic resort town in Oklahoma was a finalist for "America's Coolest Small Town" by Budget Travel Magazine.
Looking for an outdoor park in Oklahoma where you can enjoy the beauty of nature? From guided hikes to an interactive learning center, Martin Park Nature Center in Oklahoma City is an incredible nature hub right in the middle of suburban OKC. The park is set on over 140 acres of beautiful grasslands, rocky streams and thick foliage. Gather the family and head to this outdoor discovery park for the perfect day trip in the Sooner State. Martin Park Nature Center is located right on West Memorial Road, just between MacArthur and Meridian Avenues in Oklahoma City.
Conveniently located close to Oklahoma’s largest cities, Ponca City is the perfect place to visit for a summer day trip. The city is full of history, museums, shopping, lakes and will keep you busy from morning ’til night. Get ready to immerse yourself in history as you take this memorable day trip to this booming cultural center in the Sooner State. Start by visiting Ponca City Hall - the backdrop of Centennial Plaza, then walk the streets of downtown for a unique shopping experience before touring Marland Mansion and Standing Bear Museum.
Riversport Adventure Park in the Boathouse District is located at 800 Riversport Drive, Oklahoma City, OK. It's one of the top places to go in the state to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. There's lots of ways to get on the water at Riversport. For starters, try out Dragon Boating - the world's fasting growing water sport or experience Class II-IV whitewater rafting at the man-made whitewater and kayaking facility - one of only a few facilities of its kind in the world.
Adventure Quest is an outdoor science playground located at Leonardo’s Children Museum in Enid, Oklahoma. This whimsical playground includes a three-story wooden castle that is straight out of a storybook. You’ll definitely want to take a trip to this magical castle that is not only the world’s largest community built outdoor playground, but every kid’s dream. This massive outdoor playground is not only fun but educational, too. There is an admission charge to use the playground but it includes access to the full indoor museum.
One thing Oklahoma has in its hat of things to brag about is "home to the highest hill." Cavanal Hill in Poteau, Oklahoma, stands at 1,999 ft. tall and is just 1 foot short of being classified as a mountain. Not only can you hike up the hill, but you can take an unforgettable drive to the top of it. The drive to the top of the hill will take you about 45 minutes but you can pack a picnic and enjoy the view from the top and then spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the town of Poteau.
Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve is a hidden treasure tucked away in the beauty of Osage Hills in northeastern Oklahoma. The ranch began in 1925 as the retreat home for oilman Frank Phillips and is now an educational museum and outdoor wildlife preserve open to the public. The drive into Woolaroc is a 2-mile drive surrounded by nature and wildlife. The ranch is situated on over 3,700-acres of land filled with woods, lakes and rocks, which is where the name Woolaroc came from. The museum is home to over 55,000 pieces of western and worldwide art, exhibits, sculptures and collections of firearms. The museum also has one of the most diverse collections of Western art and artifacts on display. It is known as one of the best in the world for Western art.
If you know Oklahoma, then you know we have lots of treasures and hidden gems hiding in our state. But there’s one such treasure that is literally hiding in our ground…selenite crystals. Great Salt Plains State Park in Jet, Oklahoma, is the only place in the world where you can dig for these hourglass-shaped crystals. Not only can you find these one-of-a-kind treasures, but you can also enjoy the only lake in Oklahoma that is half saltwater. Grab those shovels and buckets because digging season is right around the corner and you’ll want to visit this attraction that is unlike anything else in the world.
One of the most popular summer activities in Oklahoma is a relaxing float trip down the beautiful Illinois River in northeast Oklahoma. As the weather warms up, people flock to this popular natural lazy river to enjoy a leisurely float trip. If you enjoy relaxing in the outdoors, spend a summer’s day floating the river. There are several outfitters located along the banks of the Illinois River. One such place to check out is Eagle Bluff Resort, which can be found at the address below.
Address: 9800 OK-10, Tahlequah, OK, 74464
Adventure awaits right here in the Sooner State. Which of these Oklahoma day trips would you most recommend to visitors? Let us know! If you’re looking to take overnight or weekend trips, check out more of our favorite day trips in Oklahoma.
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Oklahoma Day Trips
Nikki Rhoades|July 05, 2019
What is there to do on a rainy day in Oklahoma?
While Oklahoma features an incredible landscape full of many natural attractions, there are plenty of indoor attractions to fill your days with fun. Some of the best day trips in Oklahoma include an emphasis on local foods, taking visitors on a flavorful journey through some of the most iconic Oklahoma eateries. You can also visit museums like these quirky ones, or swing by some places of interest on Route 66. All of these attractions combine to make some of the best day trips to take on one tank of gas.
What do you do with kids In Oklahoma?
As you’re searching for great getaway ideas in and around Oklahoma, you may find it challenging to find sites that accommodate families. Many children, however, enjoy adventures out in the great outdoors here in the Sooner State. If you’ve already visited swimming holes and hiking trails, consider this children’s garden, or explore a playground like this indoor one.
What do you do with kids In Oklahoma without spending money?
Whether you’re looking for day trips from Oklahoma City or searching for something that’s truly little-known, there is much to do throughout the state that won’t cost you a dime. You can take advantage of some of these fun freebies, or embark on a sightseeing road trip. Of course, you can always pack a picnic lunch and spend some time in nature.
