menu search

Posted in Oklahoma Nature October 23, 2016 by Ashley

A Visit To This Hidden Ranch In Oklahoma Is The Perfect Day Trip

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.

During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.

Woolaroc is located in Bartlesville and is situated in the middle of beautiful Oklahoma country.

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.

Watch out for the traffic jam on your way in. The preserve has more than 30 species of native and exotic animals. (Do not get out of your car on the drive into the museum. The animals are wild and extremely large.)

The museum is home to over 55,ooo pieces of western and worldwide art, exhibits, sculptures and collections of firearms.

Frank Phillips loved aviation and sponsored this plane that flew from California to Hawaii in 1927. The plane eventually retired to Woolaroc and is now on display for guests to enjoy.

The museum 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.

You can also view many other artifacts such as cowboy gear, carts and wagons, along with an American Bison exhibit.

The museum also has food on-site so you can stay through lunch and enjoy the museum without having to leave the grounds. They also have facilities that are available to rent for special occasions.

Woolaroc also holds special events throughout the year such as the Mountain Man Encampment - a living history event that depicts life in the pioneer days.

The Lodge on the grounds was used by Mr. Phillips to entertain and host famous guests. The eight-bedroom, glamorous lodge is open for tours and is full of mounted heads and horns from animals that once roamed the land.

There's also beautiful nature trails at Woolaroc.

As Will Rogers once said, "Of all the places in the United States, Woolaroc is the most unique." And we agree!

Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve:

1925 Woolaroc Ranch Rd.
Bartlesville, OK 74006

For more great places to visit in Oklahoma, check out these 12 Enchanting Man Made Wonders.

Ashley

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.