The Ultimate Oklahoma Waterfalls Road Trip Is Right Here – And You’ll Want To Do It
If you’re up for an awesome Oklahoma road trip, you have to try this one! Not only are you going to meander through the hills and parks of Oklahoma to see 5 waterfalls, but you’re going to encounter some of the most spectacular scenery within the state. From lush greenery to rolling prairies, the topography alone is worth the trip. We wanted to make the road trip doable within one day, so we had to leave a few waterfalls out of this route. We’ve not only included amazing waterfalls for your adventure, but we’ve also mapped out your eating stops for the day and a few historic sites as well. The whole trip is only 365 miles roundtrip from Oklahoma City. You can find the Google map here, so get the car (or Harley) ready, because you’re about to take an unforgettable road trip.
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1. You'll start your trip out from Bricktown Falls in Oklahoma City. Although man-made, the falls are beautiful. Make sure your camera is ready for the breathtaking sights you are about to encounter.
The drive from Oklahoma City to the next stop, Pauls Valley, is approximately 1 hour. Other stops along the way could include Moore, Norman and Purcell.
2. The first stop after OKC is Pauls Valley for a hearty breakfast at Happy Days Diner. Fill up the belly and get ready for an adventurous day.
The Chickasaw National Recreation Area mineral waters, streams and lakes are perfect swimming and boating spots, while its sprawling forests and lands are perfect for hikers, campers and nature lovers .A number of fresh water and mineral springs contribute to Travertine and Rock Creek as they flow through Travertine District, dropping in small waterfalls over several ledges. The Chickasaw area is known as an oasis in the Oklahoma prairie.
The drive from Chickasaw National Recreation Area to the next stop, Turner Falls, is only 15 miles. Before entering the Turner Falls area, stop in the town of Davis to check it out.
Turner Falls is Oklahoma's tallest waterfall at 77 ft. It is a popular summer destination for swimming, hiking and enjoying the great outdoors. Visitors can swim near the falls, slide on the water slides or bask in the sun.
The drive from Turner Falls to the next destination, Medicine Park, is 103 miles.
Medicine Park is a vintage cobblestone resort town in southwestern Oklahoma. It has breathtaking water and waterfalls that run right through town. Besides enjoying its spectacular scenery, you will want to stroll the quaint Cobblestone Row that is filled with shopping, history and small town America. Grab some lunch at historic Old Plantation Inn before heading on to the next waterfall.
The drive from Medicine Park to the next stop, Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge, is 13.5 miles.
The waterfalls inside Wichita Mountain Wildlife are amazing and worth the hike back to them. If you are just wanting to drive, don't worry, you can still drive through the wildlife area and see some of Oklahoma's breathtaking scenery.
The drive from Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge to the next stop, El Reno, is 92 miles if you take the toll route.
El Reno is famous for their fried onion burgers and is the perfect place on this road trip to catch a bite to eat. You'll also want to visit Ft. Reno to see the historic homes and history within the area. Fort Reno has a long and diverse history from its inception during the Indian Wars to its service during the Oklahoma Land Run. During WW2 Fort Reno was used as a remounting station and a German POW Camp.
The drive from El Reno back to Oklahoma City is 29 miles.
Did you know these waterfalls could be organized on such an easy route? Who’s up for a road trip?
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Ashley has lived in Oklahoma for 25 years and is the Oklahoma staff writer for onlyinyourstate.com. When she isn't exploring Oklahoma, she enjoys visiting the beaches of California.
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