Escape to the Lake

Oklahoma boasts 32 state parks and over 200 lakes, where groups need to bring only a few vital items for fun and sun safety. Before you hit the road for your trip, make sure you’ve got the essentials – and leave the fluff at home.

Sun protection, plenty of water, quick-dry towels, food that won’t spoil in extreme heat, beach umbrellas, snorkel gear and hand sanitizer are high on the checklist. Things like portable speakers – and all electronics – should be sealed in plastic bags to avoid damage from moisture. 

Other than water, heat and harsh sunlight, sand is another trapping of the lake, so it might be in your best interest to leave anything that fails to last through the hot temperatures or is easily damaged at home. 

Don’t bring valuables, glass containers, perishable foods, excess alcohol or anything else that you don’t want exposed to sand or water. And, if you plan on boating, always remember your lifejackets, as Oklahoma has one of the most zealous lake patrols nationwide. 

According to the Chief Ranger for Oklahoma State Parks, Steven Fisher, “loaner lifejackets are available at designated areas at lake beaches.”

Lastly, remember that some pets aren’t suited to boat or lake life. If you decide to bring your pet, ensure they’re well-trained, and have food, water and access to shade.

For those who want to avoid the crowds, there are plenty of gorgeous lakes and state parks that may be less saturated than you’d think. Lake Eufaula, Lake Texoma, Lake Thunderbird, Lake Hudson, Lake Wister and Broken Bow Lake are all incredibly scenic, but still offer the lake day you’re craving.

Every lake listed offers cabins, hiking and biking trails, but offers its own unique amenities. For example, at Lake Thunderbird, one can rent a boat slip at Little River Marina, and at Broken Bow Lake’s Beaver’s Bend State Park, one can fly-fish, or even learn to fly-fish with expert guides.

The average cost of renting a cabin at an Oklahoma lake is between $125-$350 per night, making it an affordable vacation for families. Most are equipped with hot tubs or jacuzzis, nestled against lakeside mountains that rise above the pristine waters of a slate-bottom lake basin.

Veering from the main thoroughfare has its advantages, but you can expect a long drive from Tulsa if you visit Broken Bow Lake. It’s at least three hours south. From Oklahoma City or Norman, expect to drive for well over four hours. 

June is the busiest month for most of these lakes, even those along the sparsely populated pathway. Seasonal considerations are available from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Summers are the peak times for boating, fishing, swimming and water sports. Check with county game wardens for fishing licenses. 

Summers in Oklahoma are no joke, and if you spend plenty of time outdoors, you’re at risk of developing an acute heat-related illness. We explore a few of the most common ailments and how to handle them.

Heat exhaustion: You likely have heat exhaustion if you’re heavily sweating, dizzy, nauseous and have a pounding headache. Cool off as quickly as possible, whether that’s by immersing yourself in cold water, moving to the shade or heading indoors. Lie down, elevate your legs, drink cool water and change into loose, cool clothing. 

Heat cramps: Heat cramps can occur in the legs, arms and stomach and typically happen because of excessive sweating. Head inside, drink something with electrolytes, gently stretch and wait until pain subsides before resuming activity. 

Dehydration: Dehydration can look a lot like heat exhaustion – headaches, fatigue, dizziness and rapid heartbeat. To rectify, sip water steadily (don’t chug), avoid caffeine or alcohol, move indoors and rest. 

Heat stroke: Symptoms of a heat stroke include mental confusion, no sweating and a very high body temperature. Call 911 immediately and cool aggressively with ice packs, wet towels and cold water until help arrives. 

Another risk Oklahomans face on the lake is complications with alcohol. According to statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard, alcohol use is consistently the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Further, if a person boats under the influence, a “BUI” could result, leading to possible jail time, large fines or suspended driver’s or boating licenses. According to George F. Koob, Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “alcohol can also lead to poor decision making and lack of self-control, which bring out a person’s inner risk-taker…For example, swimmers may misjudge their strength or stamina and get too far from shore. Impaired judgment may also lead them to dive into dangerously shallow water.”

Remember that kids and older adults should be given special safety considerations on the water and at the lake. Keep these vulnerable individuals healthy by limiting sun exposure to less intense times of the
day, and encourage them with pastimes like fishing, which can be done in shaded areas. 

Beginning fishers might consider buying a rod and reel, tackle-box for storing plastic bait, lures, bobbers and hooks, and perhaps a net for bringing that one trophy of a fish into the boat. The most common fish for beginners to catch and take home for eating are bass, crappie, and catfish. Of Oklahoma’s 200+ lakes, we have more than forty species of fish, but some of them should not be eaten, such as walleye, alligator gar and paddlefish. (They are edible; they just aren’t palatable to most.) 

The top lakes for fishing are Grand Lake for bass, Lake Eufaula for crappie, and Lake Tenkiller and Lake Texoma for striped bass. Beginners should take a look at Oklahoma’s “Fishing Trail” – launched by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism Department – which features 38 lakes and 20 “Close to Home” fishing spots organized into six regional loops.