As August wanes and the scent of chalkboards and classrooms fills the air, parents and kids alike scramble foronemoreadventurebefore the school year begins. For anyone in Oklahoma and looking for a memorable escape, consider these seven standout state parks, perfect for last-minute getaways.
Beavers Bend State Park is a favorite destination for nearly 2.3 million annual visitors. It offers kayaking and canoeing on the Mountain Fork River, trout fishing, hiking trails, a nature center, and amenities including cabins and a lodge.
Robbers Cave State Park, encompassing more than 8,200 acres with three lakes, sandstone cliffs, natural caves, and opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing and horseback riding. It’s steeped in local legend and history as an outlaw hideout.
KeystoneStateParkis714 acres along Keystone Lake. Visitors can enjoy boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing and cabin camping, all within a quick drive from Tulsa .
Lake Wister State Park is a park that sprawls over 3,400 acres. It is nestled near the Ouachita National Forest, and features water skiing, boating, fishing, swimming beaches, hiking trails, a water spray park for kids and miniature golf.
Great Salt Plains State Park is famous for its saltcrusted lake and unique opportunity to hunt for hourglass selenite crystals. This park also provides hiking, mountain biking, boating, fishing, camping, and picnic areas.
Black Mesa State Park and Nature Preserve, located in the far northwest panhandle, is home to Oklahoma’s highest point. It offers spectacular stargazing, wildlife viewing and secluded hiking in a unique landscape.
Lake Murray State Park, is Oklahoma’s largest state park. Families can enjoy ATV trails, horseback riding, a nature center housed in a historic tower, water sports and golf .
Whethersomebodyiscasting a fishing line, searching for crystal treasures by the salt flats or letting kids splash in lake shallows, there's still time to make summer count, inOklahoma’swildbackyard, before the school bell rings.