These Small Towns in Oklahoma Come Alive in Summer

Nestled between the beautiful Great Plains and the epic Ozark Mountains, Oklahoma is a traveler’s paradise for anyone looking to explore and reconnect with nature. With stunning lakes and shorelines, wondrous waterfalls, and breathtaking mountain views, the state offers an incredibly diverse range of landscapes — many of which are in Oklahoma’s smaller towns and communities. Whether looking for a relaxing lakeside getaway with your family or a more active wilderness excursion with friends, Oklahoma’s small towns are a hub of outdoor recreation, offering exciting water and land-based activities. For these reasons and more, these locales are especially lively and vibrant during the warmer months, making them an excellent option for your next summer getaway.

Grove

For those looking to get away for a relaxing lake vacation, Grove might be one of the best Oklahoma small towns to visit this summer. You can find this easygoing and welcoming community settled on the peaceful shores of the Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees, located in the beautiful foothills of the Ozark Mountains. This charming lake town welcomes its visitors to choose from an array of accommodation options, ranging from RV parks to cabins, including places like Elk River Landing Marina and Cabins & RV Park. Another stunning Grand Lake hot spot is Honey Creek Area at Grand Lake State Park, a 38-acre park featuring year-round tent and RV sites, a fishing dock, picnic areas, and miles of picturesque mountain trails and shorelines to explore. Whether you are looking to spend your entire vacation lakeside with a book and cocktail, or out on the lake casting a fishing line with your family, there is something for any vacationer to enjoy in Grove.

Medicine Park

Medicine Park is arguably one of Oklahoma’s most popular small towns to visit during the summer months — for a good reason. It was originally founded as Oklahoma’s first resort town due to its fantastic scale of outdoor beauty, such as its winding trails on the Wichita Mountains, breathtaking lakes and shorelines, and sublime surrounding wilderness. This natural charm still draws in visitors from all over, especially at places like Bath Lake, located in Medicine Park’s downtown. Originally established as the town’s favored swimming spot in the 1920s, Bath Lake remains popular for locals and visitors due to its fairytale beauty and water recreation, including wading, swimming, and strolling the shoreline. The lake is also home to several serene waterfalls, making this a must-see destination in Medicine Park. But Bath Lake is just the beginning of Medicine Park’s natural wonders, with other incredible nearby attractions such as the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and Lake Lawtonka. With so much to see, many visitors opt to stay in one of Medicine Park’s attractive lodging options, whether a night of camping under the stars or one of the town’s many adorable cottages and cabins.

Broken Bow

Located in southeast Oklahoma, Broken Bow is proudly home to Beavers Bend State Park, one of the town’s busiest places during the bustling summer months. The park is a nature lover’s paradise, with its prized feature being its spectacular location. Nestled in the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains, you can find the park sitting along the Mountain Fork River and Broken Bow Lake shoreline, making it a hub of outdoor recreation. Water activities are especially popular at the park, including paddle boating, canoeing, water skiing, and fishing. But water recreation is just the beginning, as the park also offers horseback riding, golfing, picnicking, and fantastic winding nature trails for biking and hiking. With all this and more, take advantage of the park’s Lakeview Lodge for an overnight stay, whose charming quarters feature private decks along the lake. The park also offers a range of other accommodations, including tent sites, RV sites, and quaint cabins, proving this Oklahoma destination has something for everyone. 

Sulphur

Known for its spirited local culture and majestic natural landscapes, Sulphur, Oklahoma, is a one-of-a-kind destination whose summer atmosphere is infectious. This remarkable town rests at the base of the Arbuckle Mountains, but it is especially famous for a different natural attraction: its mineral water springs. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur offers entrance to over 30 of these stunning springs, as well as breathtaking access to the park’s wildlife, hiking trails, and Lake of the Arbuckles, a popular reservoir with rugged cliffs overlooking 2,300 acres of clear lake water and 36 miles of scenic shoreline. The lake draws visitors from all over for its impressive clarity, and is an especially popular destination for fishing and scuba diving. To take full advantage of this oasis, visitors can enjoy on-site camping.

Sapulpa

Found in Creek County, Oklahoma, Sapulpa’s rich history and natural beauty lure visitors to take advantage of the town’s many attractions during the summer months. Often labeled the "Heart of the Historic Route 66" due to the iconic route passing through Sapulpa’s downtown, in 2003, the town was even listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, making it a popular road trip destination and pit stop for people passing through. Whether you are staying overnight in one of Sapulpa's downtown vacation rentals or camping at Sahoma Lake (a shimmering 340-acre-sized body of water ideal for fishing and boating, just 5 miles northwest of the town), Sapulpa welcomes all types of travelers to enjoy its nature and history.

Carlton Landing

Established on the pleasant shores of Lake Eufaula (Oklahoma’s largest lake), Carlton Landing is an eastern Oklahoma town known for its adorable and unique vacation rentals. Blossoming as a resort-style community, Carlton Landing is the ideal summer destination for those looking for a quieter lake vacation or a great spot to relax and unwind with the whole family. Yet despite its tranquil atmosphere, the town’s vibrant collection of parks, pools, and access to 600 miles of the lake’s shorelines truly brings the community to life during the summer. You can stroll through the walkable town to favored spots like Overlook Park (offering beautiful views of the town and sunsets), and Boardwalk Pool for swimming and poolside sunbathing. For a bite to eat, Food Truck Park sells anything from finger-licking BBQ to refreshing snow cones. To explore this quaint community and all it offers, you can rent one of its many charming bungalows, cottages, or houses, making it an excellent summer destination for families and large groups.

Davis

Davis is a small town whose southern charm, hospitality, and natural beauty keep visitors returning for more. Settled in the Arbuckle Mountains, this southern Oklahoma community is known for Turner Falls Park, named after Turner Falls (one of the state’s tallest and largest waterfalls). With a majestic 77-foot drop, the waterfall draws thousands of visitors yearly for its wondrous sights and recreation, including fishing, swimming, hiking, and camping. The park also boasts access to Collings Castle, whose fascinating stone ruins invite adventure and exploration. In addition to camping at the park, Turner Falls Inn is just a few minutes away, with cozy lodging options ranging from singular rooms to whole cabins.

To get the most out of your summer vacation, consider any of these incredible Oklahoma destinations to unwind and explore some of the state’s most significant landscapes and cultures. While the communities may often be overlooked due to their smaller size, their hospitable locals, unique accommodations, and incredible natural terrains may inspire you to consider more small towns for future getaways. Oklahoma is one of the greatest nature destinations in the United States, and its smaller communities are an extraordinary example of why sometimes it is better to travel off the beaten path.