7 Breathtaking Towns To Visit In Oklahoma
Mid in population and area, Oklahoma has maximal scenery. This south-central state contains at least ten distinct ecoregions, from high plains to mountains to cypress swamps, making it the most geographically diverse state for its size. Tucked in those beautiful ecoregions are small communities with their own share of scenic attractions, such as historic buildings, picturesque parks, and vibrant festivals. Keep reading to see which of those communities are A-OK for a breathtaking trip through OK.
Broken Bow
Nestled in the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains near the head of Broken Bow Lake, Broken Bow is a full-figured outdoor paradise. Only about 4,200 people have year-round access to BB's beauty, which comprises not just the foothills, mountains, and lake but also the Red River basin and wilderness preserves like the Little River National Wildlife Refuge. Moreover, BB is mere minutes away from the even smaller oasis of Hochatown, a 240ish-person entranceway to Beavers Bend State Park on Broken Bow Lake.
Supplementing BB and Hochatown's natural charm are human-made marvels such as Mountain Fork Brewery, FishTales Winery & Bistro, Beavers Bend Wildlife Museum, The MAZE of Hochatown, and Hochatown Rescue Center and Petting Zoo. This section is the scenic feast of Oklahoma's southeast.
Medicine Park
Medicine Park can cure your southwestern Oklahoma apathy. Located in Comanche County, Medicine Park is the gateway to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge, a 59,000-acre preserve in the namesake range that juts hundreds of feet out of the Great Plains. The tallest peak in the preserve is nearly 2,500 feet above sea level but is closed to visitors aside from those with special permits. However, the second-tallest peak, which is just 12 feet shorter, is open to hikers, bikers, motorists, and rock climbers. Medicine Park is a fantastic base for climbing the Wichitas since it has around 400 residents and approximately as many amenities. You can refuel at The Old Plantation Restaurant and refresh at Bath Lake, a granite-based swimming hole with flowing water thanks to Medicine Creek. Larger lagoons like Lake Lawtonka and Elmer Thomas Lake surround the town and attract true aquatic adventurers.
Tahlequah
A northeastern OK oasis, Tahlequah is the headquarters of Northeastern State University and the Cherokee Nation. Therefore, this tiny city is bursting with breathtaking historic buildings. Seminary Hall, Bagley Hall, and Wilson Hall are some of the elegant estates crowding the campus, while the Cherokee National History Museum, Cherokee National Prison Museum, and Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum (the oldest surviving government building in Oklahoma) add context and culture throughout the 16,000ish-person community. Also, as part of the Ozark Plateau, Tahlequah claims a gorgeous array of streams, lakes, hills, and rock formations. Bathtub Rocks is one of those geologic wonders, but due to crime and vandalism, it was permanently closed to the public in 2021. You can still see other wonders in the surrounding J.T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve, which is called the "largest privately protected conservation area in the Ozarks."
Chickasha
Chickasha is scenic for a reason you might not expect in balmy Oklahoma. Each November, this city of roughly 16,000 people is decorated with 3.5 million Christmas lights for the Chickasha Festival of Light. The festival lasts through December and, when seen during one of the community's few snow days, is literally and figuratively the most breathtaking sight in the state. In addition to the light displays, food trucks and carnival rides are placed along Shannon Springs Park, which contains a large lake and recreation area that attracts visitors year-round. Activities include fishing, swimming, picnicking, disc golf, tennis, and volleyball. After enjoying Shannon Springs' trans-seasonal sights, tourists can enjoy seasoned bites at A & E Grill or Osaki Sushi.
Guthrie
Guthrie was Oklahoma's territorial capital and first state capital before being usurped by Oklahoma City in 1910. Located just north of the current capital, Guthrie's "stateliest" attractions are the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library and the State Capital Publishing Museum. The former is a collection of early Oklahoma paintings, artifacts, and photographs stored in two conjoined buildings: a Modernist museum and a turn-of-the-century Renaissance Revival library. The latter is a former printing house that was misattributed as the capitol and now serves as a museum. The Publishing Museum, like many Guthrie buildings, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Guthrie Historic District, one of OK's prettiest downtowns. It becomes breathtaking for another more-than-OK bright lights festival: Guthrie's Territorial Christmas Celebrations.
Sulphur
Oklahoma has four main mountain ranges. We have already mentioned three: the Wichitas, Ozarks, and Ouachitas (the Kiamichis are included). The fourth, the Arbuckle Mountains, can be accessed via Sulphur, a 5,000ish-person community in south-central OK. Just southwest of town is the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, a near-10,000-acre preserve of the Arbuckle foothills centered by the Lake of the Arbuckles. As its name suggests, this area offers many types of recreation, such as swimming, boating, fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping. After exhausting yourself and the area's natural beauty, you can relax with unnatural beauty closer to town. Among Sulphur's synthetic gems are the Chickasaw Cultural Center, Chickasaw Visitor Center, and Artesian Hotel, Casino & Spa. Unfortunately, the last of those was recently damaged by a storm. It needs your support now more than ever.
Boise City
Despite its myriad mountains, Oklahoma's highest point is in the seemingly flat and barren Oklahoma Panhandle near Boise City. With roughly 1,100 residents, Boise City is one of the largest communities in the panhandle and about 40 driving miles from 4,973-foot Black Mesa. That is the mesa's highest elevation in Oklahoma, but it is so huge that it stretches even higher in Colorado and New Mexico. However, because it rises gradually, the summit of Black Mesa, and thus one of the best views in the state, is easily accessible. Other spectacular sites/sights in the area are Black Mesa State Park and Camp Billy Joe, the latter of which hosts the Okie-Tex Star Party for Bortle 1-rated dark sky viewing. Back in Boise City, sightseers can chill with chili at Farmhouse Cafe or aguas frescas at Guera's Tacos.
As the most geographically diverse state for its size, Oklahoma has no shortage of natural attractions to take your breath away. Those verdant views mix with urban anomalies in small communities to produce even stronger reactions. Broken Bow, Medicine Park, Tahlequah, Chickasha, Guthrie, Sulphur, and Boise City are the scenic haunts to visit sooner rather than later in The Sooner State.
