8 Picture-Perfect Towns in Oklahoma
Oklahoma, known as the 20th largest state in the US, is located in the country's southwest region. This state’s unique geographic landscape makes it one of the most diverse in the country, providing views filled with open spaces, rolling hills, and breathtaking mountains. There’s no shortage of fun activities for the whole family, no matter the season, ranging from visiting one of the over 300 museums in the state or over 30 state parks. If you’re planning to travel to Oklahoma and want to know some of the best places with views for your next photo op, here are eight towns you can add to your next trip.
Guthrie
Guthrie is an Oklahoma town in Logan County that roughly 11,000 people call home. There’s no shortage of picture-perfect nature areas and historic landmarks in Guthrie, with the Guthrie Historic District, located in the downtown area, featuring over 2,000 buildings that have classic 19th and 20th-century commercial architecture. If you’re visiting Guthrie and want to take in some of the beautiful sights while enjoying the fresh air, Honor Park has a multi-war veterans memorial with benches and a beautifully manicured landscape for guests to take in the historic beauty and pay their respects. Another attraction with stunning views is the Temple of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, located right in Guthrie. This unique building was first built in 1919 from limestone and features 14 rooms, each with different designs from cultures across the world. The temple offers guided tours and a chance to see some breathtaking stained glass window art.
Broken Bow
Nature enthusiasts looking for some of the most picture-perfect views in Oklahoma can’t miss a chance to visit Broken Bow in the southeastern portion of the state. Broken Bow has a population of around 4,200 residents and is home to the popular Beavers Bend State Park and Nature Center. This state park has over 3,000 acres of land and sits along the shores of Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River. There are ample opportunities to either relax and take in your peaceful surroundings or get active by taking advantage of the hiking and biking trails, tennis, and volleyball courts, or the Cedar Creek 18-hole Golf Course. If you’d rather sit back and enjoy a peaceful ride through the forest of Beavers Bend State Park, the Beavers Bend Depot & Trail Rides is an excellent stop to put on your travel itinerary. The rides are held on a 1/3 size replica of the C.P. Huntington S.P. train from 1863 or via horse ride lasting over 2 ½ miles. The Beavers Bend Wildlife Museum is another great attraction featuring informative dioramas about the area’s native animals and their feeding patterns.
Fort Gibson
History buffs and nature lovers need to pencil in time to visit Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, a quaint town with quiet lakes, cascading rivers, and bustling green hills. Fort Gibson is home to the state’s oldest frontier fort, dating all the way back to 1824 and providing picture-perfect scenery for visitors to enjoy. Nature and animal lovers can’t miss out on walking through the 21,798 acres of land at the Fort Gibson Wildlife Management Area. This preserve is home to the Fort Gibson Public Hunting Area and Fort Gibson Lake, both providing great opportunities to see wildlife like coyotes, raccoons, catfish, and black bass. If you want to take in the town’s history and see the frontier fort, the Fort Gibson Historic Site is a must-stop destination. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the site and learn about the history of military presence in the area. Overall, Fort Gibson is a rural and quiet town that’s a history lover's dream vacation spot.
Pawhuska
Rich with native american culture, Pawhuska is a charming Oklahoma town with just under 3,000 residents. Many people gained familiarity with the town of Pawhuska thanks to the television show on Food Network titled The Pioneer Woman starring Ree Drummond. Fans of this cooking icon should set aside time to visit the Pioneer Woman Mercantile in Pawhuska for a delicious bakery item. This combination of restaurant and retail store has bakery pastries and coffees, as well as quaint items for sale in the store. The Osage mercantile building is over 100 years old and has become an icon for Pawhuska. The mercantile is also the spot to pick up free tickets to tour the Drummond Lodge, a key location for the family and the cooking show. The town of Pawhuska also offers access to the Osage Nation Heritage Trail, offering a great way for families to get outdoors while visiting Oklahoma. This 70-mile-long trail holds some of the town’s most beautiful scenery and has monuments with historical information scattered throughout the hills. Lastly, the Bluestem Falls, which are considered a historical landmark on Bluestem Lake, are some of the most gorgeous waterfalls in the area.
Tishomingo
Another small town with beautiful views tucked into its streets is Tishomingo. Located in Johnston County, this town is considered the historical capital of the Chickasaw Nation. Today, Tishomingo is known for its southern hospitality, American history, and connection with native roots. Visitors can learn more about this town’s history by visiting the town’s first council house built in the Indian Territory, the Chickasaw Council House Museum. The museum has exhibits showcasing Chickasaw jewelry, native artifacts, and handmade pottery. Pennington Creek Park is another popular attraction in Tishomingo. This park offers 15 acres of land to relax on and enjoy the peaceful views of Pennington Creek, as well as camping and free swimming. Another location with incredible sights is the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, first established in 1946 and today offers numerous activities like canoeing, fishing, and boating.
Pauls Valley
Pauls Valley sits in Garvin County, Oklahoma, and is a town known for being a tiny town with a lot to explore within its limits. No matter your age or your interests, Pauls Valley has something for everyone! If you’re traveling through this town and need the perfect selfie spot, Lakeview Lavender Farm is the best place to stop. The beautiful aroma of lavender flowers hits you as you first arrive and leads you through stunning fields filled with six different types of lavender flowers. This farm also has a beautiful picnic area and a gift shop where you can find a souvenir to remember your trip. The town also has several areas for water activities, including Pauls Valley City Lake and Lake R.C. Longmire. Both of these locations have areas for fishing and boating and are peaceful locations with numerous areas for photos or just admiring nature.
Medicine Park
Often referred to as Oklahoma’s first resort town, Medicine Park is located in the Wichita Mountains and has a population of roughly 500 residents. Medicine Park is a truly unique location that’s different from many other cities in the state, as numerous structures in the town are formed from red cobblestones only found in the Wichita Mountains. The cobblestone community has several attractions that are perfect for those who enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains, including stopping at Bath Lake for a day of family fun. In the summer, the lake offers swimming and a waterfall, while the winter months are perfect for fishing for trout. If you happen to visit during winter, you can take part in the Medicine Park Plunge at Bath Lake. Some people even wear costumes in the water! Be sure to stop into White Buffalo Trading Post before leaving town for some snacks and handcrafted Native American artifacts.
Sulphur
Sulphur, Oklahoma, remains one of the state's most stunning hidden gems. This town is located in Chickasaw County and has a rich history and reputation for being the site of famous mineral water springs. Sulphur is situated at the base of the Arbuckle Mountains, which helped the First Americans to dub the area ‘The Land of Rippling Water’ due to its supposed healing properties. Its physical location also means the town has incredible nature and wildlife, especially at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. This park is centered around Lake of the Arbuckles and has camping, fishing, and hunting opportunities. Little Niagara Falls is another outdoor recreation area with 22 acres of land with small waterfalls, swimming holes, and several stone outbuildings. After a day out on the water, stop in for a refreshing drink at one of the town’s most popular wineries, the Rusty Nail Winery.
Oklahoma is a state filled with incredible views, ranging from rolling hills to waterfalls and mountain ranges. The state’s geographic location means each season has a different opportunity for outdoor activities and picture-perfect views, meaning there’s no bad time to visit one of these towns! Add one of these 9 locations to your next trip, and don’t forget to pack your camera to capture the perfect snapshot.
