6 Most Quaint Small Towns in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is one of the United States regions most associated with the hallmarks and stereotypes of the American West. Outside larger cities like Tulsa and Oklahoma City, the state's collection of small, quaint towns gives plenty of inspiration to the traveler seeking ideas for a road trip or weekend getaway. These six towns symbolize some of Oklahoma's best features, though the list certainly does not capture everything to see and do in the state. 

Eufaula

Eufaula, with a population of 2,800, sits on the banks of a lake of the same name, about 70 miles from the Arkansas state line. The town takes its name from the Indigenous tribe called Eufaula, which once lived in the region. Much of the town's pioneer feel remains. A visitor can check out quaint shops and antique stores here or walk Lake Eufala's shoreline trail. Eufaula's business area is included on the National Register of Historic Places. For a tasty meal while visiting, travelers should seek out local standouts like Dawn's Place Cafe or CodyBob's.

Medicine Park

In southwest Oklahoma, the hamlet of Medicine Park -- population just 450 -- offers a quiet stop that straddles the state's desert and mountain regions. Attractions like Lake Lawtonka and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge give ample opportunity to fish, swim, camp, or just relax in nature's surroundings. Once a resort town, the area still retains an attractive mix of natural sites and a dozen restaurants to sample American and foreign cuisines. For those traveling with children, the town's aquarium allows for a visit most towns of the same size cannot compete with.  

Fort Gibson

As a town that claims to be Oklahoma's oldest, Fort Gibson, in the state's northeast, has a population of 3,800 and many reasons to be proud. The town took shape at the convergence point of the Arkansas, Grand, and Verdigris rivers, giving the settlement a crucial position for river navigation in pioneer times. Today, history buffs of all ages can visit the Fort Gibson Historic Site, a key point of incorporating the territory into the larger United States. Visiting families can enjoy picnicking or walking along the Arkansas River. After hours, adults can head to the Cherokee Casino and Hotel for gambling or a night out. 

Guthrie

With a population of 7,200, the town of Guthrie, an easy drive from Oklahoma City in the north-central part of the state, has a lot to attract out-of-town guests. The 43-acre Highland Park combines a small pond and fountain with flat walking trails and a disc golf course. Guthrie's location near the Cimarron River allows for warm-weather cooling off for kids and adults alike. The town's autumn Bluegrass Festival has run since 1997. Cultural draws in Guthrie include the historic Pollard Theatre, Oklahoma Territorial Museum, and the Lazy E Arena for competitive rodeo. The Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport allows for quick in-and-out access for visitors short on time. 

Perkins

The town of Perkins, just 26 miles northeast of Guthrie, has a much smaller number of inhabitants, at less than 3,300. First incorporated in 1891, the town lies just north of the Cimarron River. Perkin's Oklahoma Territorial Plaza, actually a six-acre park, provides recreation, local historical exhibits, and a creative play space for adults and children passing through. As in Fort Gibson, gambling and entertainment are nearby, in Perkin's case, the Cimarron Casino. Summertime visitors may enjoy the Splash Pad, a water park. 

Davis

The small town of Davis, south of Oklahoma City, has roughly 2,800 residents. Despite its small size, the town should interest visitors with its Davis Museum, also referred to locally as the Arbuckle Museum, which is dedicated to the local heritage of the Old West. The museum is housed in the Sante Fe Depot, a former rail station that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Davis likewise has Turner Falls Park, home of the waterfall of the same name, which is the largest waterfall in Oklahoma. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area, and within it, the Lake of the Arbuckles, lies near the town in the southeast.  

The Bottom Line

From hamlets like Medicine Park, with fewer than a thousand residents, to larger historic towns like Guthrie, Oklahoma's quaint towns suggest the breadth and interest of Oklahoma's seemingly out-of-the-way histories. The towns have made innovations from the past to the present, using buildings and parks, festivals, natural features like lakes and rivers, and their own history into attractions for future visitors to the American West. These small places in Oklahoma could make for big adventures on a future trip through the state.