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14 Outdoor Day Trips From Tulsa You Can't Miss

BY JEZY J. GRAY

About This List

If you're feeling restless these days, you’re not alone. Lucky for Tulsans, there is no shortage of unforgettable road trips within a day’s drive of downtown. From our backyard to points beyond, if you’re looking to beat cabin fever in the great outdoors without packing an overnight bag, this guide is for you. (And of course, wherever you go, bring a mask and practice social distancing.)

Osage Prairie Trail

A gentle, loping 14.5-mile bike trail accessible from downtown Tulsa.

 
 
 
 
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A post shared by This Is Oklahoma (@thisisoklahoma)

 

Location: Tulsa to Skiatook
Estimated drive time from downtown Tulsa: 5 minutes
Entry cost: Free
Activities: Cycling, sightseeing, food

Sometimes the best way to get out and explore is on two wheels. The trailhead near the OSU-Tulsa campus might be a stone’s throw from downtown, but you can spend all day traversing this county-crossing bike and pedestrian path all the way to Skiatook and back. Stretching 14.5 miles through peaceful rural scenery and small towns like Turley and Sperry, this paved asphalt trail offers pastoral sites and smooth riding. It’s probably not a bad idea to grab some lunch to-go from Mac’s BBQ for a picnic in Skiatook Central Park to build up your energy for the ride back.

Redbud Valley Nature Preserve

A rugged nature preserve with clifftop views and an interpretation center that's just a short drive away.

 

 
 
 
 
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Location: Catoosa, Oklahoma
Estimated drive time from downtown Tulsa: 21 minutes
Entry cost: Free
Activities: Hiking, birding, sightseeing

Want to get away without getting away? You’ll have a hard time beating Redbud Valley Nature Preserve. Purchased by the Nature Conservancy in the late 1960s, this wilderness area just north of Tulsa is a serious haven for outdoors enthusiasts or anyone looking to step away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Limestone bluffs give way to flood-plain forest on the rugged one-mile trail, which can be treacherous after a solid rain. Since the name of the game is preservation, this hiker’s paradise is only open on weekends, so plan your backyard adventure accordingly. 
 

Totem Pole Park

A roadside attraction featuring large ceramic sculptures and a rest area.

 
 
 
 
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A post shared by TravelOK (@travelok)

Location: Foyil, Oklahoma
Estimated drive time from downtown Tulsa: 44 minutes 
Entry cost: Free 
Activities: Sightseeing, art experience

One of Oklahoma’s most unique roadside attractions is less than an hour’s drive from downtown Tulsa. Billed as home of “the world’s largest concrete totem pole,” this folk art environment by artist Ed Galloway was built between 1937 and 1961 around the 90-foot tall centerpiece crafted in tribute to the Northwest Coast/Alaska and Plains Indians. Today the Mother Road marvel is on the National Register of Historic places, beckoning travelers to its 14 acres and 11 ceramic installations along with outdoor seating, a gift shop and Fiddle House Museum. Stop by The Nut House on Route 66 on the way home for homemade fudge, saltwater taffy, local pecans and seasonal treats.

Blue Hole Park

An outdoor recreation park with a popular summertime swimming hole.

 
 
 
 
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Location: Salina, Oklahoma
Estimated drive time from downtown Tulsa: 1 hour, 4 minutes
Entry cost: $10 per car
Activities: Swimming, camping

Anyone who’s spent a sweltering summer in Tulsa knows there’s nothing more satisfying than an outdoor swim on a hot Oklahoma day. If it’s a dip you’re after, look no further than Blue Hole Park in Salina. This natural, spring-fed swimming hole features crystal clear water ranging between 40 and 50 degrees fahrenheit, making it the perfect cool-off destination in the summer months. Grab some burgers and fried pickles at the onsite concession stand and make a day out of this swimmer’s paradise just over an hour northeast of downtown Tulsa.    

Natural Falls State Park

A state park with a large, scenic waterfall situated just off the highway.

 
 
 
 
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Location: Delaware County, Oklahoma
Estimated drive time from downtown Tulsa: 1 hour, 12 minutes
Entry cost: $10 per car
Activities: Hiking, camping, disc golf, nature photography

You might briefly forget you’re in Oklahoma when you descend the outdoor staircase at Natural Falls State Park. This Ozark Highlands oasis is anchored by a 77-foot waterfall — sharing the largest-in-the-state honor with Turner Falls Park in southern Oklahoma — cascading through rugged limestone formations that tower above visitors on the observation deck. Nearby nature trails offer valley views from above the falls, with disc golf courses throughout the acreage and yurts available for rent if you want to turn your day trip into an overnighter. 

Illinois River

A river and recreation area with public access points and private campgrounds.

 
 
 
 
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Location: Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Estimated drive time from downtown Tulsa: 1 hour, 14 minutes
Entry cost: Varies
Activities: Outdoor recreation, swimming, watercraft activities

A trip down the Illinois River is a rite of passage for any outdoor enthusiast in Green Country, and there’s no better place to experience it than the Cookson Hills of northeastern Oklahoma. The stunning area is peppered with campgrounds and watercraft rental services so you can float, canoe or kayak your cares away on the gentle current of the Illinois. If you’re peckish after a day on the water, roll into nearby Tahlequah to pick up a pizza pie from Sam and Ella’s Chicken Palace (pictured).

Scissortail Park

A public park with a live performance space and nearby dining in an urban setting.

 
 
 
 
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Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Estimated drive time from downtown Tulsa: 1 hour, 33 minutes
Entry cost: Free
Activities: Outdoor recreation, dining, live music

Healthy rivalries aside, there’s plenty to love about our sibling city out west — not the least of which is Oklahoma City’s new Scissortail Park. Located just south of the Myriad Botanical Gardens, this 70-acre urban park shares DNA with Tulsa’s Gathering Place, featuring trails, playgrounds, public art and an outdoor stage for concerts and performances. The downtown gem is surrounded by outdoor dining options like rotating food trucks and the nearby Social Capital food hall and beer garden, where you can enjoy a bite and local craft brew while taking in the view of OKC’s newest destination for outdoor urban adventure. 

Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve

A protected grassland with a free-roaming bison herd and scenic lookouts.

 
 
 
 
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Location: Pawhuska, Oklahoma
Estimated drive time from downtown Tulsa: 1 hour, 33 minutes
Entry cost: Free
Activities: Sightseeing, wildlife

Taking the short drive to the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie preserve is the closest Tulsans can get to visiting another planet. The epic wash of native grass, fanning out past the horizon in all directions, is the largest preserve of its kind in the world. The grassland is also home to one of the largest herds of American bison in the country, making it the perfect stop if you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of some wildlife. If you’ve got an appetite as big as the Great Plains, dip into nearby Pawhuska and grab fuel for the road at Buffalo Joe’s Drive-In or Road House Coneys. 

Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center

A prehistoric cultural site with a museum.

 
 
 
 
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Location: Fort Coffee, Oklahoma
Estimated drive time from downtown Tulsa: 2 hours, 2 minutes
Entry cost: $7 for adults
Activities: Light nature trail hiking, art experience

You might not think much of the small mounds of earth on the Arkansas border in east-central Oklahoma, but these twelve formations are the remnants of one of the most powerful civilizations in human history. Once the site of commerce, politics and culture for Caddoan speaking Indians from 850 to 1450 A.D., the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is the only publicly accessible prehistoric Indigenous site in Oklahoma. The onsite museum features tons of fascinating artifacts and objects, but the real history lives outdoors in the land where the Spiro people buried their dead and turned the gears of their influential economy. Visit during the annual solstices and equinoxes for special guided sunset tours. 

Robbers Cave State Park

A state park with an accessible cave.

 
 
 
 
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Location: Wilburton, Oklahoma
Estimated drive time from downtown Tulsa: 2 hours, 3 minutes 
Entry cost: Free*
Activities: Hiking, camping, rock climbing, rappelling, sightseeing, spelunking, horseback riding

This geographical gem southeast of Tulsa was once home to outlaws and outcasts. Today Robbers Cave State Park boasts some of the best hiking and most breathtaking views in the state. Explore the wooded Sans Bois Mountains on foot or horseback, and explore the caves and canyons where infamous characters like Jesse James, Belle Starr and the Dalton Gang allegedly once hid out from the law. From there, it’s a short drive to Krebs, the small but vibrant historically Italian community near McAlester where you can load up on cheese from Lovera’s and beer from Pete’s Place, where Tulsa’s own Prairie Artisan Ales brews its mass market offerings. 
 

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

A contemporary art museum and public park located in Arkansas.

 
 
 
 
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Location: Bentonville, Arkansas
Estimated drive time from downtown Tulsa: 2 hours, 4 minutes 
Entry cost: Free
Activities: Art experience, outdoor recreation

Of course, there’s plenty to love from our Arkie neighbors to the east — not the least of which is Crystal Bridges, a contemporary art gem tucked into the scenic woodlands outside beautiful, bike-friendly Bentonville. Along with its rotating world-class exhibitions, the campus features extensive nature trails and jaw-dropping outdoor installations from artists and architects like Buckminster Fuller and James Turrell. The best part of all? It’s free!

Lake Wister State Park

A state park with a lake and cabins in southeast Oklahoma.

 
 
 
 
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Location: Wister, Oklahoma 
Estimated drive time from downtown Tulsa: 2 hours, 26 minutes
Entry cost: Free*
Activities: Swimming, hiking, sightseeing

One of the hidden gems of Choctaw Country in southeastern Oklahoma, Lake Wister State Park offers stunning views and plenty of solitude. The park features much of what draws throngs of visitors to the further-south Beavers Bend State Park, without the crowds that swarm the popular vacation destination in the busy season. Boasting 115 miles of picturesque shoreline, this state park sleeper will take you by surprise with its breathtaking views and recreational features like a water spray park along with plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing, swimming and camping. 

Ouachita National Forest / Talimena National Scenic Byway

A scenic drive through a lush national forest in eastern Oklahoma.

 
 
 
 
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Location: Southeastern Oklahoma
Estimated drive time from downtown Tulsa: 2 hours, 27 minutes
Entry cost: Free
Activities: Road trip sightseeing, hiking, camping

There’s arguably no more breathtaking scenery in Oklahoma than the epic rolling timber of the Ouachita National Forest as seen from the Talimena National Scenic Byway. Whether you have a destination in mind — like one of the many camping areas, hiking trails and scenic lookouts scattered throughout the area — or you just want to hit the road and enjoy the ride, a trip down this iconic stretch of road is a must. 

Great Salt Plains State Park

A state park with a public salt plain digging area in northwest Oklahoma.

 
 
 
 
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A post shared by 𝕄𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕒𝕟 𝕃𝕪𝕟𝕟 (@morgan.mcalister)

Location: Jet, Oklahoma
Estimated drive time from downtown Tulsa: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Entry cost: Free*
Activities: Selenite crystal digging, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, birding

Did you know Oklahoma is home to the most diverse terrain per square mile in the United States? Point your car west to experience one of the state’s most unbelievable environments at Great Salt Plains State Park. Carved and salinized by a prehistoric ocean, there’s a lot more to this barren white landscape than meets the eye. Bring a bucket, shovel and beach towel to dig for selenite crystals from April 1 to October 15, and don’t forget your binoculars to catch sight of more than 300 bird species (including the endangered Whooping Crane) protected at the adjacent Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. The area also features the state’s only accessible saltwater lake, along with plenty of opportunities for biking, hiking and horseback riding. 

Bonus: Roadside Oddities!

Locations and drive times vary

Oklahoma is full of roadside headscratchers as strange and wonderful as the state itself, and many are just a quick drive from Tulsa. Whether you want to pay your respects at Mister Ed’s grave in Tahlequah after your rafting trip on the Illinois River, marvel at a cement mixer painted like a space capsule in Oologah on your way back from Totem Pole Park or take a break from your Osage Prairie Trail bike excursion to contemplate the ancient Skiatook Healing Rock, you’ll find curiosities hidden in plain sight on your next Green Country day trip if you just know where to look.  

*Please note that in June of 2020, Oklahoma State Parks began charging entrance fees to some parks. Costs can vary depending on the park and how you access it. Visit TravelOK's page on state parks for more specific information. 

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