Tag: outdoors

Did you know Oklahoma is ranked eighth in the nation for most convenient camping states? Oklahomans seem to enjoy camping more than the average American – and for good reason; we have some of the country’s most diverse ecoregions.  In addition to the Great Plains, campers can enjoy four mountain ranges, large and lush forests, and even swamps. The state...

Traces of spring can be seen in Oklahoma as early as March, with the blossoming of tulips, daffodils and dogwood trees. By May, Oklahoma enters a liminal space, suspended between spring and summer. Temperatures rise. The soil warms. Plant life flourishes.  This transition between seasons is an ideal time to visit Oklahoma’s parks and gardens. Places like the Tulsa Botanic...

If you’re looking for a relaxing activity or an adventurous outing, native wildlife is ready to reveal its wonders. Must-see parks include Black Mesa State Park and Nature Preserve, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.  Black Mesa State Park, located in Oklahoma’s northwest corner, shares borders with Colorado and New Mexico and is home to a...

Candace McCoy and her husband, David, were on their way to possible retirement in Texas’s Hill Country in April 1995 when they detoured through southwestern Oklahoma’s Medicine Park, the one-time spa and resort community that fell into disrepair over the years. It being her birthplace, Candace says they wanted to get a new look at the once-popular town. Despite...

 Brian Schwartz (Tulsa) Amanda Jane Simcoe (OKC) There’s a beautiful but brief time in Oklahoma when the weather is, dare we say it, perfect for outdoor dining. The following is a collection of spots in Tulsa and OKC to soak up the sun. Lowood, Tulsa Comfy overstuffed sofas around a brick fireplace. Big armchairs surrounding an outdoor fire pit. Behind it, a tiny...

Oklahoma is no stranger to natural beauty. From the Salt Plains to the Ouachita Mountains and the Tallgrass Prairie, these stunning destinations eagerly await a visit.  Hiking any trail for the first time can be daunting, but the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department can help you prepare. “We have so much diversity in Oklahoma, whether it’s choosing a trail in Chickasaw...

If anyone’s in the market for an adventure this summer, ranches and stables around Oklahoma offer horseback riding courses and excursions.  Husband and wife duo Keith Remer and Jeanne Keffer Remer own Honey Lee Ranch in Jones, and the stable provides guided trail rides for guests above the age of six. In 2008, Keith bought the land that would later...

While COVID-19 remains a significant health threat, the travel industry is nevertheless showing a pulse – and Stillwater should be high on anyone’s list of weekend or day-trip destinations in Oklahoma. The Payne County seat of just over 45,000 is brimming with activity, says Cristy Morrison, longtime president and CEO of Visit Stillwater, the city’s official tourism promoter. She says...

Oklahomans are flocking to the state’s rivers, streams, lakes and ponds to try their luck at catching fish. Sport fishing is enjoying a surge of popularity this year, says Skylar St. Yves, information and education specialist and fishing coordinator for the State Department of Wildlife Conservation. Oklahoma has great fishing spots throughout the state, he says, which include huge reservoirs...

Many Oklahoma sailors have been at the sport since childhood, but theirs is a skill that can be learned at any age. Sailing clubs are a great place to start. Jerry Lojka has sailed on 23 of Oklahoma’s numerous lakes. Thunderbird Sailing Club offers classes for kids and adults and enrollment fills up fast, says Jerry Lojka, a former club...