People Live Their Whole Lives in Oklahoma and Somehow Miss These 8 Places

Oklahoma is a big and beautiful state. There are people out there who think that there isn't a whole lot to see in The Sooner State, and those people are very, very wrong. In fact, there are so many cool things to see and do in Oklahoma that some of the very best things are sometimes overlooked even by people who have lived there all their lives. There are lots of hidden gems across this vast state, and we found a bunch of them that you, too, might have missed. Read on to check them out this list of must visit places in Oklahoma. You don't want to miss any of these!

1. Little Sahara State Park

Little Sahara State Park is just like the name implies! It's a little desert in the northwestern part of the state, just before the panhandle begins. It covers 1,600 acres, and the majority of those acres are made up of sand dunes that formed over millennia from the breakdown of terrace deposits dating back to prehistoric times. The park itself was established in 1960, and today, people come from all over to marvel at the dunes and to drive on them in ATVs and dune buggies. Campsites are also available. This is a very unique place, and it is not like anything else you will find in Oklahoma.

2. Salt Plains State Park

Salt Plains State Park is another fascinating state park in Oklahoma. This park is located in the north-central part of the state, on the eastern side of Great Salt Plains Lake. The park itself is just over 1.3 square miles in size, but even in that small space, visitors will find plenty of things to do. This park is excellent for bird-watching, hiking, and selenite crystal hunting. These salt plains seem barren, but they are also quite beautiful. You'll love visiting this unusual landscape!

3. Medicine Park

Medicine Park is the only complete town on our list of hidden gems in Oklahoma. It's located in the Wichita Mountains near the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge, so many visitors discover it when visiting those places. It's very small, indeed—the population is around 400 year-round residents—but the town is known for being a vintage cobblestone resort town. It was established in 1908, and many of the structures visitors will find there are original from that time period. The red granite cobblestones that make up their walls are unique to this part of Oklahoma.

4. Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum

One of the best, but most often overlooked, museums in the state of Oklahoma is the Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum in Warwick. You'll find it just off I-44 between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The museum's main building was a gas station built in 1921 to serve travelers along Route 66. Today, it houses over 65 vintage motorcycles, ranging from 1908 to the present, for visitors to view and enjoy, along with a wide range of Route 66 memorabilia. Anyone interested in motorcycles, dirt bikes, or the history of Route 66 will love this incredible museum.

5. Arcadia Round Barn

Anyone who loves unusual American architecture will love visiting the Arcadia Round Barn in Arcadia, outside of Oklahoma City. This barn is red, beautiful, and very different from most barns you'll find anywhere. It was built in 1898 by farmer William Harrison Odor by soaking oak boards in water, allowing them to be bent to form the curves you'll see in the walls all the way around, and both inside and out, and in the roof as well. This barn is both photogenic and interesting to view, and it has stood strong and proud for over 125 years so far.

6. Natural Falls State Park

Natural Falls State Park is another fantastic and breathtakingly beautiful state park that residents and visitors often miss. This is likely due to its proximity to northwest Arkansas; many people skip over this amazing state park to visit that region across the border instead. However, when they do, they are really missing out. This park features a 77-foot waterfall, creating an ethereal and almost tropical setting. The entire park spans just 120 acres, but also offers opportunities for hiking, disc golf, fishing, picnicking, and camping in tents, cabins, and yurts.

7. The Blue Whale of Catoosa

The Blue Whale of Catoosa is adorable and endearing, and even if weird roadside attractions are not your thing, you're sure to love this one. Zoologist Hugh S. Davis originally built it as a structure for his grandchildren to play in and swim around in the pond upon which it sits. Over the years, it has become one of the most recognizable structures on Route 66, but many people don't know that this sweet little whale is just off the road in Catoosa, just outside of Tulsa. It's worth a stop for the fun photo opportunities alone.

8. Talimena National Scenic Byway

If you're looking for a really spectacular scenic drive to try in Oklahoma, then you will certainly enjoy the Talimena National Scenic Byway in the southeastern part of the state. This 54-mile route winds through the Ouachita National Forest across and through beautiful and memorable landscapes. This byway is most heavily visited in the fall by people who wish to view fall foliage, but it's really quite lovely and worth the time at any time of the year. Potential stops along the route include Talimena State Park and Cedar Lake Recreation Area, both of which offer many opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor recreational activities.

As an Oklahoman, there's a good chance you've been to a few of these places, but it's about time that you visit all of them! These hidden gems are spread out all across the state, and each one is worth a road trip. Plan a visit to one or more of them today. Each of these attractions is interesting and unusual, and visiting them will really enhance your appreciation of Oklahoma more than ever before. Happy trails to you!

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.