13 Most Scenic Towns in Oklahoma
Oklahoma has always been a haven for nature lovers. The area's dizzying redbuds attract from horizons away and its stops on Route 66 are simply amazing. An Oklahoma road trip is one worth saving for with fair prices everywhere and lovely little towns surrounded by spectacular nature dotting the landscape. You will also find the rarest gems of your travel year on your visit to this state. Here are 13 selections for your next Oklahoma small-town adventure.
Medicine Park
Medicine Park was founded as a resort town in 1908. The opportunities to relax and discover have not disappeared since. Today, the population is under 500. Lake Lawtonka has over 20 miles of shoreline dotted with campgrounds. The opportunities to rent summer homes or cabins in the Fall and Winter are endless. Downtown Medicine Park features Bath Lake, the town's official swimming hole. Swimmer wristbands are available to visitors for $3. The best thing to do in Medicine Park, however, is to look. Look at everything. The town lies beneath the 8570-acre Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Find a trail and open your eyes.
Sulfur
There is nothing like evoking a foul smell with a town's name to keep the crowds away. So named for the warm mineral waters flowing through it, Sulfur, Oklahoma, is the best romantic getaway you have never heard of. The Echo Canyon Spa is a 27-acre destination snuggled into the Arbuckle Mountains. The grounds feature orchards, gardens, and copses galore to get lost in. For a less-pampered experience, there is always the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, operated by the National Park Service. Campsites are $20 or $30 if you require water and electricity hookup.
Broken Bow
From backcountry to camping to full-on glamping, Broken Bow has the outdoor speed that is right for you. Beaver's Bend is one of Oklahoma's best state parks for a reason. Rooms at reasonable rates are available at the park's Lakeview Lodge. Whole cabins can be rented from the park, or nearby summer homes can be found online with plummeting off-season rates. The David Boren Hiking Trail is a friend to hoof as well as boot; horseback riding is available. For the wild at heart, backcountry camping in Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area is a singular experience.
Eufaula
Eufaula has beautiful trees and a population of just over 2,700. There is an abundance of cozy cabins to rent, and the local Jellystone has more than enough room for your RV. The stand-out accommodations, however, are the yurts at Lake Eufaula State Park. There are different yurts for different occasions. Refer to the State Park website if you are planning to snag one for a special occasion with a special someone. Look no further than Superior Pecans and Gifts for a true taste of the South. Bring home a sample of the most carefully picked and seasoned pecans. The establishment's coffee has an unparalleled flavor that will keep you returning for resupply.
Davis
Cruise into Davis, a population 2,800 town fed by the Lake of the Arbuckles. The Lake of the Arbuckles is the highest-rated bass fishing site in the state. Turner Falls Park is the oldest park in Oklahoma. The waterfall itself is breathtaking. Next to the falls are the ruins of Collings Castle, the former home of writer Ellsworth Collins. The trails in the park are very well maintained. Cave exploring is in the cards for the curious, for the all-out reckless, Cross Bar Ranch offers adrenaline-pumping off-roading in perhaps the prettiest setting possible.
Grove
Lendonwood Gardens is one of the most beautiful places for your foot to fall in Oklahoma. The dense, 3-acre, non-profit gardens were founded in 1995 and showcase American and Japanese gardening techniques. Sleep under the stars at the 38-acre Grand Lake State Park. Grove's Honey Creek Area is a welcoming sight for campers. The Travel Oklahoma website features soundscape samples recorded from the park. The Har-Ber Village is a museum and shopping center and is one of the best-kept secrets in Oklahoma. Discover one-of-a-kind products or stay for a workshop to take the secrets of a craft with you.
Chandler
Chandler has a population of 2,800. Its art deco Route 66 Interpretive Center is a living montage of American road films from the 1930's to today. The Mother Road video experience gives you a first-hand look at Oklahoma's life on the arterial drive. Seaba Station is a restored 1924 gas station that now houses an incredible motorcycle museum. Route 66 Bowl is the bowling experience that you have been missing. Complete with mouthwatering pizza, skeeball, and a very mini, indoor mini-golf course, Route 66 Bowl will sprinkle the sounds of the alley back into your dreams.
Paul's Valley
The Toy and Action Figure Museum in Paul's Valley is as amazing as it sounds. Let the colors and the smell of plastic unleash frozen, joyful childhood memories from your brain. Admission is $7, $5 for veterans, seniors, and children under 12. The Vault Art Space and Gathering Place is a beautiful site for any gallery opening or event. Check their website for upcoming events. Paul's Valley outdoor assets are hard to beat. Longmire Lake and Paul's Valley City Lake are gorgeous spots with multiple camping options.
Claremore
Victorian architecture lovers visit the Belvidere Mansion in Claremore because the building is impressively well-maintained. Round turrets on the front make the edifice recognizable from several streets away. Unlike most southern Victorian treasures that are still standing, you are free to walk on in this one. The first floor is a wonderful little lunch restaurant called The Pink House. Head just out of city limits to visit Shepherd's Cross. The Pumpkin Festival continues until November 4 and includes a hay maze, outdoor and indoor games, a petting zoo, and farming technique demonstrations.
Carlton Landing
Carlton Landing is a resort town on Lake Eufaula that was built in 2013. It is 88 miles from Tulsa and 131 miles from Oklahoma City. The actual population of the town is 95. Buying a home in Carlton Landing is not like buying a home elsewhere. It was planned by real estate developer Grant Humphries, who was inspired by adoptees of New Urbanism, such as Seaside, Florida. The Carlton Landing Boat Club website boasts "an entire fleet of pontoon and ski boats" that can be booked ahead online. The Tower Court pool has a saltwater dip and a lovely view. The area is punctuated by a gorgeous wooden tower with a grain that glows in the sunset.
Marlow
The 4,600-population town of Marlow is an excellent choice for 4th of July Weekend. Marlow's traditional small-town Independence Day spectacular seeks to amaze. The town plans it years in advance. Camping on Lake Taylor is the most picturesque accommodation possible. Nights in town will waft the scent of oak to you just the same, however. Antique hunters will drool for Ohh La La Boutiques. Marlow was named after two men whose saga was recounted in the Hollywood film, "The Sons of Katie Elder," starring John Wayne and Dean Martin.
Tishomingo
The Chickasaw Bank Museum in Tishomingo is not your typical small-town museum. The building itself is a marvel. The street corner edifice features a stunning corner arch bell tower. Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge has more than one way to connect with nature. Look no further than Ole Red for a good time. The restaurant, bar, and country music venue also make a mean brunch. Tishomingo was named for a Chickasaw chief who died of smallpox on the Trail of Tears. It was the capital of the Chickasaw Nation from 1856 until Oklahoma entered the Union in 1907. Today, a population of just under 3,000 maintains one of the coolest small towns in America.
Alva
The area known as Red Carpet Country refers not just to the land but to how visitors are treated. The red carpet is rolled out for you in Alva. The Museum of Natural History at Northwestern Oklahoma State University is one of the oldest of its kind, having been established in 1902. The Alva Regional Airport Museum will enthuse your inner aviator. Holder Drug Soda Fountain has the taste of small-town America you have been missing. Be sure to try their original Jack and Jill Sundae. When you are ready to leave Alva, the only problem is deciding where to go next. Great Salt Plains State Park, Little Sahara State Park, and Alabaster Caverns State Park surround the town.
As you travel through the above checklist, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Native American businesses. Gift shop owners should be expected to be forthright on which products are Native American-made. Oklahoma Native Art & Jewelry in Oklahoma City is very popular. The 18th Annual Cherokee Art Market takes place in Tulsa on October 14 and 15.
