10 Unforgettable Fall Getaways From Tulsa
A short distance from Tulsa, Oklahoma, reveals a variety of fall destinations rife with vibrant foliage, scenic parks, and charming towns ideal for a seasonal getaway. The countryside bursts with life, with autumn shades reflected in peaceful lakes, winding rivers, and green trails that call for visitors to explore and appreciate this unique landscape. Golden panoramas set the scene for peaceful strolls, cozy picnics, and picturesque drives that capture the beauty of the fall season at its peak. Throughout the area, fall festivals celebrate harvest traditions and local crafts, adding warmth and festivity to valuable experiences. These ten unforgettable fall getaways from Tulsa are refreshing retreats within reach of the city.
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
An hour and a half from Tulsa, the drive to Tahlequah is a peaceful journey that sets the tone for memorable autumn adventures into rolling grasslands, small forests, and the Ozark foothills of Eastern Oklahoma. Winding along Highway 412, travelers are treated to a sweeping view of the Neosho River and expansive prairies, framed by glowing fall colors from the numerous tree-lined roads, before taking Route 82 south.
Nature lovers will be satisfied to find an endless array of activities in Tahlequah, from kayaking and rafting amidst the brilliant greenery to the quiet trails and streams of Sequoyah City Park. Adding a unique cultural layer, the Cherokee Heritage Fall Festival lights up the season, celebrating Native American traditions with captivating traditional dance and games. Furthermore, the Annual Tahlequah Christmas Bazaar in early December also offers 40 local vendors, arts & crafts opportunities, and live music.
Medicine Park, Oklahoma
Around two and a half hours from Tulsa, Medicine Park welcomes fall with striking golden vistas at the foot of the Wichita Mountains. The Wichita Mountains Scenic Byway unfolds unforgettable views of autumn leaves across wide open landscapes, making the drive an experience in itself. For those wanting outdoor experiences, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge offers rugged trails where encounters with bison add to the illustriousness of the glowing autumn scenery. The refuge also offers lakes and ponds for fishing and campgrounds for a complete experience. Moreover, if you're an early bird, heading up Mount Scott for sunrise pictures is an exceptional experience.
Less than 20 minutes from Medicine Park, Rising Eagle Brewery's annual Oktoberfest brings the countryside to life with live bands, DJs, vendors, children's bounce houses, and flame-grilled bratwursts, filling the air with festive energy that captures the autumn spirit. Similarly, the annual Medicine Park Flute Festival & Art Walk in October helps revivify the past with traditional Native American flute music performances, gourd dancing, and a juried art show featuring local and regional artists.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The soul of Eureka Springs is best experienced in autumn when its Victorian architecture is framed by forests ablaze in seasonal colors. About a two-and-a-half hour drive on Highway 412, this town delights history and architecture enthusiasts but also offers incredible natural settings during the fall. Along the town's historic streets, you'll find stunningly constructed homes from a bygone era, including the Elmwood House (now Elmwood Historic Inn), constructed in 1886, The Rosalie, featured in Architectural Digest, and Penn Castle, a European-inspired castle-like home with stained glass built by the once-famous reverend William Evander Penn.
Lake Leatherwood Park, a 20-minute drive away, offers tree-lined trails for immersive hiking and biking, with pathways winding through canopies of red, orange, and yellow leaves. You'll also find one of the nation's largest hand-cut limestone dams and a huge lake with 3 miles of shoreline. Eureka Springs is set against the stunning backdrop of the Ozark National Forest, with curving roads that reveal utterly beautiful views.
Pawhuska, Oklahoma
In autumn, Pawhuska reveals a distinctive spirit, where warm seasonal tones punctuate open prairies and sweeping skies. An hour’s drive north of Tulsa, this quaint town calls upon visitors to experience a connection to nature at the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, where golden grasses stretch beneath vast, painted skies. Animal lovers are sure to catch sight of bison and deer roaming freely while trekking through trails, providing a closer look at the untouched beauty of the region. Near Bird Creek, you'll find WahZhaZhe Heritage Park, featuring a beautiful bridge, younger and older children's playground, and clean trails ready for strolling or jogging.
The Pawhuska Fall Festival adds a touch of festivity, bringing locals and visitors together on Main Street with hayrides, pumpkin patches, and seasonal specialties. The festival is perfect for families, too, with fun children's attractions like pumpkin painting, balloon artists, and plenty of treats. An unforgettable venture, Pawhuska enthralls visitors with its beloved local community and pristine nature.
Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Located along the vast Ouachita National Forest, Broken Bow becomes a beloved haven for those looking to escape into nature during the fall season. A three-hour drive from Tulsa leads to this picturesque spot, densely forested amongst shimmering lakes. The journey into nearby Beavers Bend State Park is a visual treat, with deciduous leaves creating a gentle melody of autumnal colors. The park even has a dedicated nature center with a water refill station, a small museum, and helpful guides who can assist you with local trails. For more seasoned and adventurous hikers, the David Boren Trail provides an incredible 7.5-mile hike that takes you all the way up to Stephen's Gap and the blueish-green edges of Broken Bow Lake, one of Oklahoma's most beautiful lakes.
If you're looking for a fall celebration, the Beavers Bend Folk Festival & Craft Show has you covered. The entire family can celebrate the season with live music, nearly 70 exhibitors and vendors, and family-friendly activities. Similarly, those who want a more urban getaway can check out one of many eateries in town, from Doughnut Theory for a snack to Papa Poblanos for a proper meal.
Bentonville, Arkansas
Deep in the heart of the Ozarks, Bentonville is just a two-hour drive from Tulsa. Bentonville’s charm lies in its connection to the dense nature surrounding it, making it a remarkable destination during the fall months. As autumn colors sweep through the Ozark Mountains, the town’s trails and scenic roads take on a whole new appeal. The town’s Razorback Greenway attracts both bikers and hikers, with 40 miles of paved, winding routes through parks and forests rich with autumn foliage. Razorback Greenway is notable for those looking to possibly branch out from Bentonville via bike during their stay, as it connects six downtowns. These include Springdale, with its annual Fall Carnival full of fun rides, games, and concessions at Parsons Stadium, and Fayetteville with its downtown Fayetteville Falltoberfest.
Bentonville's cultural heart shines through in the outdoor spaces of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, with sculptures and unique installations mingling with the vibrant fall scenery. More than five miles of trails slither their way around the large museum grounds, where you'll be sure to spot the Frank Lloyd Wright house, dining room, and gift shop. Best of all, the main museum is completely free. The centerpiece of the fall season in town, Bentonville Fall Fest fills the streets with artisan vendors showcasing historic trade demonstrations, old-timey children's games, wagon rides, and lively music, creating an atmosphere as warm and inviting as the colors that surround it.
Grove, Oklahoma
Uniquely situated on the shores of Grand Lake of the Cherokees, the town of Grove offers an idyllic setting for fall atop the shores of calming lake waters. This lakeside town is about an hour and a half northeast of Tulsa on the I-44 Highway and is the ideal autumn setting. Along Monkey Island, scenic drives provide sweeping views as fiery foliage reflects in the cool waters, creating a vivid, mirror-like display. The island offers a range of activities within 20 minutes of Grove, including horseback riding at Royal Horse Ranch, a beautiful RV park at Monkey Island RV Resort, and more.
Lovers of serene views will find their fix at Har-Ber Village’s forest trails, free from dawn to dusk seven days a week, situated just outside the western suburbs of Grove on the edge of the Neosho River. Har-Ber Village is also home to beautiful herb and heirloom gardens, a nature activity room, and Santa's Ozark Mountain Village—reproducing Christmas villages of the 1860s—and open thrice through late November and early December. For those who want to get out on the Grand Lake, kayaking excursions, paddleboarding, and even pontoon boat rentals are available at Water Trix. These water activities offer remarkable encounters with the lake during this time of year.
Ponca City, Oklahoma
A city known for its rich oil boom heritage, Ponca City is a short one-and-a-half-hour drive from Tulsa and offers a quiet destination during the fall months. This city is home to the E. W. Marland Mansion, the grand estate of oil tycoon E. W. Marland, a notable businessman and politician who brought much growth to Oklahoma. A walk through the mansion grounds gives a glimpse into the past through its excellently curated fine arts exhibits, all surrounded by golden gardens exuding autumn colors. Similarly, the trails around Lake Ponca Park are the ideal setting for a hike or picnic. You can also get into the neighboring lake itself via their easy-to-access boat ramp or rental kayaks. Framed by falling leaves, the roads around Lake Ponca create moving pictures viewed outside the windows on the calming drive around its waters.
For those history buffs or those simply looking for a little inspiration, the town offers a unique frontier experience at the Pioneer Woman Museum that highlights the struggles of women from the past, complete with 101 Ranch memorabilia, a play area for kids, and highly knowledgable guides. Rounding out the spirit of the season is the Ponca City Oktoberfest, celebrating the prosperity of this historic town during this time of harvest. The Oktoberfest has something for the whole family, from live music to crafts & vendors to its staple beer garden.
Poteau, Oklahoma
Poteau, a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Tulsa, is tucked within the rugged Ouachita Mountains—a paradise during the fall as shining colors blanket the hillsides. Poteau offers sweeping mountain views that showcase fall’s splendor from incredible vantage points. The drive to Cavanal Hill—known as the world’s tallest hill at 1,999 feet—rewards visitors with gawk-worthy houses along its roads and panoramic valley scenes, painted in various fall shades. The available picnic tables make it an idyllic spot for lunch with a view.
Poteau’s charm is further amplified by the Old Frisco Trail Head, an easy yet lengthy walking, hiking, and biking opportunity that follows an old railroad track. The path is wide and flat, surrounded by dense forest, and includes a good range of amenities, from bike repair stations to water refill stops. The town's fall appeal is cemented by its famous Poteau Balloon Fest. During this unique celebration, hot air balloons soar over the paradisiacal landscape—a truly wondrous sight to behold—whether on the ground or floating amongst the clouds.
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Bartlesville, Oklahoma’s landscape during the fall is like a scene right out of a postcard and less than an hour away from Tulsa. On the road leading to Woolaroc Ranch, you'll spot herds of bison dotted across the colorful fall fields, likely catch sight of some deer, and possibly even sight an ostrich or two. Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve offers a peaceful setting to stroll through woods alive with color and wildlife, and the museum itself is a carefully curated, extensive preservation of Oklahoma's Native American and cowboy heritages.
Osage Hills State Park, situated along Highway 60, is ideal for those wanting to hit the trails and soak up the crisp autumn air amid crimson- and chartreuse-lined paths. The park is very well-maintained, with helpful rangers and an inviting stone lookout point, and offers a compelling setting along its creek, which leads to small, shimmering lakes. The park's trails cater to variability in hiking experience, with easy sand trails leading to the creek and mid-difficulty trails leading off further into the woodlands.
During the fall season, Bartlesville comes alive through Woolarc's variety of activities for all ages, including the Woolaroc Fall Trail Ride, the historically accurate Fall Traders Encampment, and late-November's Wonderland of Lights, making a small-town celebration in the heart of Oklahoma's autumn beauty a sight to behold. A hidden gem for an authentic fall experience, Bartlesville never ceases to create lasting memories for anyone lucky enough to visit this fun, whimsical destination.
Bring Fall to Life Near Tulsa, Oklahoma
These ten fall destinations near Tulsa bring their own characters to the season’s spirit, from the sweeping valley views atop Cavanal Hill to the peaceful lakeside reflections at Grand Lake in Grove. Whether capturing autumn’s colors in quiet mountain vistas or celebrating with local harvest festivals, these places call visitors to pause and savor the season. An abundance of forests and rivers add to this appeal, offering verdant trails and breathtaking roads highlighting the region’s pristine nature amongst a welcoming sense of community. A brief trek away from Tulsa, these getaways make it easy to experience the heart of autumn across Oklahoma’s diverse scenery.
