12 Unforgettable Small Towns to Visit in Oklahoma
The small towns of Oklahoma are always great alternatives to larger cities in the state, and there are many reasons for this. Besides featuring plenty of natural gems like lakes, waterfalls, and mountains, these towns are also full of historic attractions like museums and historic districts. Whether you are headed for the shores of Grand Lake O' Cherokees or the Wichita Mountains, there are many small towns waiting to welcome you. For those visiting Oklahoma anytime soon, set your radar on these 12 small towns in the state as they promise unforgettable experiences.
Kenton
Kenton, in Cimarron County, is one of the most remote and isolated villages in Oklahoma, with around 30 residents. However, it packs plenty of wild and unforgettable experiences for people who dare to visit, as it is the gateway to Black Mesa State Park. The park is home to Black Mesa, an imposing plateau and the highest point in the state, at 4,973 feet.
Visitors can head into the Black Mesa State Park to hike the Black Mesa (8 miles) and Vista and Bird Heaven Trails (2 miles). On both hikes, fascinating views of wildlife such as eagles, antelopes, big horn sheep, and bobcats are a plus to the experience. The brave and daring are also welcome to bike around the plateau or engage in rock climbing. In addition, the east end of the Mesa has dinosaur footprints preserved in a strata near a small creek.
Hugo
Hugo is a small town in Choctaw County, renowned as a former railroad melting pot and home to the winter quarters of circus companies. Today, visitors can see exhibitions and relics of its vibrant past at Mount Olivet, where a portion of it houses the cemetery of some of the great showmen that rocked the circuses. Similarly, one can also find these exhibitions and artifacts at the Frisco Depot Museum.
For an unforgettable experience in Hugo, visit the Endangered Ark Foundation to see the second-largest herd of Asian elephants in the US. In addition to these amazing experiences, there is the Hugo Lake Park, where visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, camping, sunset watching, and picnics in and around the lake. Wildlife sightings like deer, squirrels, and raccoons also add to the experience at Hugo Lake.
Grove
Grove is a charming town that will leave beautiful and unforgettable memories in the minds of visitors. This town sits by the Grand Lake O' Cherokees and welcomes people to enjoy exciting water-based activities like fishing, kayaking, boating, canoeing, paddleboarding, and swimming. For more scenic views of nature, visitors can stroll around the Lendonwoods Gardens, which is a combination of eight unique botanical gardens with over 1,200 varieties of plant species.
For more adventures, head over to the Honey Creek State Park for activities like camping, picnicking, and swimming. Also, do not miss out on the scenic views of Grand Lake from Sailboat Bridge, a 3,044-foot bridge with four lanes. If visiting in June, enjoy the American Heritage Music Festival hosted by the town, with free events.
Eufaula
Eufaula is a gorgeous town perched on the shores of Lake Eufaula, the largest lake and one of the finest in Oklahoma. This scenic lake is an ideal hideaway to experience some of life's most relaxing moments. Visitors are welcome to take an idle stroll along the shores of this lake to capture its scenery or engage in exciting activities like boating, fishing, and swimming. Watching the sunset on this lake with a partner on a romantic getaway is also an exciting experience.
Eufaula also hosts a 20-block downtown area, which is on the US list of the National Register of Historic Places. This is a great place to stroll if it's just to admire the arrangements of its shops, boutiques, and restaurants. In addition, some walls around the town feature interesting murals, and there is also Jellystone Park, which is by the lake and has a swimming pool, mini golf, and a floating obstacle game.
Talihina
Talinha is lodged deep in the valley of Kiamichi between two mountains, Kiamichi and Winding Stairs, in LeFlore County. The town is near Talimena State Park, which features beautiful trails like the Boardstand, Ouachita Bohannon, and Hells to Hollow. The park also features the start of the Talimena Scenic Drive, which is a must-experience, especially in fall when the road is decorated with gorgeous foliage scenery.
Near Talihina, in the town of Tuskahoma, one can learn about the culture and history of the Choctaw tribe at the Choctaw Nation Museum.
Davis
The enchanting town of Davis provides the perfect escape from the chaos of surrounding cities like Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Once here, visitors will be blown away by the town's magnificent landscape and the imposing frame of the Arbuckle Mountains. To begin an adventure here, visitors have to check out Turner Falls State Park, which is home to Turner Falls, one of Oklahoma's most beautiful and tallest waterfalls at 77 feet. This breathtaking waterfall cascades down limestone cliffs to form a turquoise pool where visitors can swim and bathe.
While in the park, visitors can also hike the 3.5-mile trail from the falls to see three magnificent caves. While all these activities are exciting, nothing beats taking the 777 zipline, which offers incredible views of the waterfall and the surrounding landscape.
Carlton Landing
Carlton Landing is a planned resort town modeled after the community of Seaside in Florida and offers one of the best vacation experiences in Oklahoma. This picturesque town rests on the shores of Lake Eufaula, which gives it a beach and coastal vibes. The lake also offers opportunities for kayaking, fishing, watching the sunset, picnicking, boating, and swimming.
Carlton Landing also boasts several parks for outdoor recreation, like Firefly Park and Redbud Park. For an experience away from nature, visitors can check out Mama Tigs, a popular restaurant in the town for the best pizzas and gelatos.
Sulphur
Just east of Davis, Sulphur is a remarkable town in Murray County, named after its famous mineral springs, which contain sulfur and so these springs should be the first stop for visitors here. Beyond their stunning appearance, tasting the water is believed to improve digestive health. These springs aside, the town is close to the Chickasaw National Recreational Area, which is a fantastic destination for unforgettable outdoor experiences. Located at the foothills of the Arbuckle Mountains, this park is home to the Lake of Arbuckles, a picturesque 2,350-acre lake where visitors can fish, hold picnics, and camp.
Also within the recreational area are the Travertine and Rock Creeks sourced from the sulfur springs, where one can swim, boat around, or fish. Hiking is also an exciting thing to do here, and the park features popular hiking trails such as the Bison Pasture Loop (2.5 miles), Veteran Trail (0.5 miles), Travertine Creek Trail (1.5 miles), and Spring Trails (1.0 miles round trip). Visit the 184-acre Chickasaw Cultural Center for a look into the town's regional history and culture.
Claremore
History buffs looking for a beautiful and calm small town to experience history will find Claremore irresistible. The town is home to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, which houses many statues, paintings, and other exhibitions that reflect the life and times of the American icon, Will Rogers, including a movie theatre for his documentaries. Will Rogers was a cowboy comedian who grew up in Claremore, spent most of his life in California, and returned to Claremore to rest.
Claremore is also home to the J.M Davis Arms and Historical Museum, which houses the world's largest private collection of firearms. There are up to 20,000 firearms and firearm-related weapons in this museum to see. Visitors can also check out the Claremore Museum, which is small but offers substantial insight into the town's rich history, with relics of its radium bath houses and galleries of notable indigenes.
Beyond history, Claremore also features Claremore Lake, a picturesque reservoir with a paved trail where visitors can take long walks and admire the charming scenery around. In addition, the town also hosts the Claremore Mountain Bike Trai, which promises both bikers and hikers a thrilling experience.
Medicine Park
Medicine Park is a small resort community at the backdrop of the Wichita Mountains. This gorgeous town is renowned for its cobblestoned architecture and as a gateway to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. People often flock to Medicine Park because of the refuge, which is home to several mountains, wildlife, and colorful plant species. However, the town is also beautiful, with many attractions.
Visitors can enjoy thrilling outdoor moments at Medicine Creek with activities like fishing, swimming, kayaking, and picnics. Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Center on the outskirts of the town, near Mountain Scott, also offers its scenic lake for fishing, kayaking, swimming, and even camping. After exploring its outdoors, stroll around this cobblestone community to see its magnificent architecture in shops, cottages, and public buildings. Alternatively, learn about different aquatic species, such as eels, piranhas, and otters, at the Medicine Park Aquarium and Sciences Center.
Guthrie
Guthrie is a small, charming town in Logan County, Oklahoma, that offers a unique blend of history and nature. While here, visitors can head to the town's historic district to see the over 2,000 century-old buildings designated as National Historic Landmarks. Also, the city preserves much of its Victorian architecture in this historic district that hosts tree-lined streets, art galleries, specialty shops, and trolley cars.
The Oklahoma Museum of Territorial History is another historic destination to learn about the town's history as a former capital of the Territory of Oklahoma. Other museums to see in the city include the Sports Museum and Frontier Drug Store Museum. As for nature, Guthrie is home to two beautiful lakes, Guthrie and Liberty Lakes, where one can kayak, fish, boat, canoe, swim, and stroll around to soak in its charming scenery.
Broken Bow
Broken Bow is a small town nestled between the Ouachita Mountains and the Red River Basin, making its location a natural spectacle and playground for outdoor enthusiasts. It is home to Broken Bow Lake, a stunning lake covering 14,220 acres and featuring a magnificent shoreline of around 180 miles. Nature lovers can create unforgettable moments on this lake by boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and strolling beneath the canopy of pine trees on its gorgeous shorelines.
For hikers, the forested Lakeview Lodge trail of 3.5 miles offers more spectacular lake views and even wildlife sightings. The Beavers Bend State Park is an alternate nearby natural attraction to explore via hiking. Visitors also can hike the Skyline Trail (11.6 miles) or the easy Lookout Mountain (1.9 miles) trail to meet gorgeous waterfalls, mountain peaks, and rivers. In addition, the Mountain Fork River that runs through the park is a picturesque sight to behold on these hikes, and hikers will also get to see wildlife, like deer and eagles.
Oklahoma has major cities like Tusla, Norman, and Oklahoma City that people flock to while often overlooking the small towns. For those curious enough to drive to the smaller towns, be ready to be rewarded with some of the most unforgettable experiences in the wild and with nature. Each small town has natural attractions, a laid-back, charming vibe, and friendly locals to create irreplaceable memories.
