Take This Road Trip Through Oklahoma’s Most Picturesque Small Towns For A Charming Experience
It’s no secret Oklahoma’s heart and soul lies within its small towns. From one side of the state to the other, you’ll find charming small towns filled with picturesque scenery and streets overflowing with character and history. As a state full of diverse topography, the scenery changes from one town to the next, which makes for an incredible road trip. Enjoy the beauty of Oklahoma as you embark on this picturesque small towns road trip!
Get the full road trip map here.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
Your journey will begin in Medicine Park - a quaint, cobblestone community located right next to the stunning Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. You'll fall in love with this town the moment you arrive! Spend a few hours exploring the shops, restaurants and spectacular scenery, before heading out to the next town.
Known as the gateway to southwest Oklahoma, Chickasha is a beautiful historic town full of attractions, shopping and dining. It is also home to the annual Chickasha Festival of Lights - one of the top Christmas lights display in the state.
The next stop will be the quaint town of Pauls Valley. Here you can explore The Toy & Action Figure Museum - the only one of its kind in the world that houses over 13,000 action figures and toys. Another great place to visit is the historic Santa Fe Depot Museum. Oh, and don't forget to pick up a slice of pie at Field's Pecan Pie Factory!
When you arrive in the next destination city, be prepared to have your camera ready. The town of Sulphur is the gateway city to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. CNRA is an outdoor oasis filled with every outdoor activity and water everywhere. The spectacular springs and waterfalls will have you gazing for hours. But don't spend too long here, this road trip isn't over yet.
The historical town of Tishomingo was founded in 1856 by the Chickasaw Nation and is full of Native American culture. The beautiful Pennington Creek runs through town and makes for beautiful scenery. Make sure to stop in downtown and see the quaint streets and shops.
Broken Bow – home to Beavers Bend & Hochatown State Park, Mountain Fork River and Broken Bow Lake - is a popular destination year-round. With so much to do in the area, this may be the perfect town to break up the trip and spend the night. There are hundreds of cabin rentals, ranging from economical to luxurious to make your stay memorable.
Nestled in between the Kiamichi and Winding Stair Mountains is the little village town of Talihina – the gateway city to the Talimena Scenic Drive. This quaint town is the perfect destination city, full of charming places to visit and some of the most spectacular scenery in the state.
If you veer off course after visiting Talihina, you can drive the 54-mile Talimena National Scenic Byway, before heading onto Fort Gibson - the next charming town on the map.
Known as the oldest community in Oklahoma, Fort Gibson is a historic, picturesque town ready to be explored. Visit the fabulous Fort Gibson Lake or the the Fort Gibson Historical Site. Visitors can see several original buildings from the 1800s, along with a reconstruction of the earliest log fort. It's truly a unique site that is worth visiting.
Voted as one of the Top 100 Best Small Towns in America, Tahlequah is a town located in northeastern Oklahoma that is full of charm, character and Native American history. From shopping to dining to outdoor activities, this delightful town is impossible to drive through without stopping to check it out.
The last stop on this road trip is in the charming town of Bernice on Grand Lake in northeastern Oklahoma. The small town is known for its fishing and is called the "Crappie Capital of the World." Visit the Nature Center or enjoy all the outdoor lake activities of Grand Lake.
The total mileage of the trip is 546 miles. Don’t forget to print out your map.
Have you seen our Fall Foliage Road Trip? We hear it’s amazing! You can check it out here.
