Tahlequah Lodging
THE MURNAN FAMILY HIKES TAHLEQUAH’S POPULAR SPARROW HAWK TRAIL.
Just a 2-and-half-hour trek from the OKC metro, Tahlequah offers a wide range of lodging options to meet the needs of any family. In addition to hotels, homes and cabins are available to rent via Airbnb, including Purdy Cabin Guest Retreat , a riverside home with a multi-level deck for prime wildlife viewing, an outdoor fire pit and proximity to downtown shops and restaurants. If you’d prefer to stay closer to the Illinois River, several of the river outfitters, like War Eagle Resort , offer cabins and lodges to make you feel right at home. Recreation Outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring the gorgeous waterways and trails that run through the surrounding foothills of the Ozark Mountains. One of the biggest draws to the area is the scenic, 60-mile Illinois River , which has a gentle but moderate flow and includes some class II rapids. Several river outfitters, such as Riverbend Floats , can help you plan a family excursion on the water. Choose from 2-, 4- or 8-hour trips, during which outfitters transport rafters to a designated drop-off point before you casually float your way back to camp, where your car awaits. Kayaks and canoes can make the trip a bit faster, while rafts are ideal for larger families looking to relax and stop to explore various swimming holes and beaches. Weekend reservations are usually required and the minimum age to ride the rafts is 3 to 4 years old. The river is also an excellent fishing destination year-round for bass, walleye and trout. On land, one of the most popular trails in Tahlequah is the 4-mile roundtrip Sparrow Hawk Trail , leading hikers to sweeping views that overlook the rocky bluffs bordering the river below. Just 30 minutes outside of Tahlequah lies the J.T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve , the largest protected conservation area within the Ozarks. Three self-guided trails in the preserve, including the 1.5-mile Pine Ridge Trail , offer excellent opportunities to wander along spring-fed creeks and watch for wildlife. Elk were reintroduced on the preserve in 2005 and are usually more active in the autumn months, making them easier to spot.
Museums & Historical Sites The Cherokee Nation welcomes visitors from all over the globe to learn and experience the Tribal Nation’s culture. Three museums are located in Tahlequah’s walkable town square to jumpstart your historical tour. The Cherokee National History Museum is located in the iconic Cherokee National Capitol, built in 1869, and was recently restored to showcase tribal art and artifacts. Families can enjoy hands-on exhibits to learn about the Trail of Tears, as well as the revitalization of the Cherokee Nation after the U.S. Civil War. Take a short walk over to the neighboring Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum to learn more about the judicial system and the evolution of Cherokee journalism. This building housed the original printing press of Oklahoma’s first newspaper, the Cherokee Advocate . Complete your town square tour at the Cherokee National Prison Museum where visitors can learn about law and order in Indian Territory, walk through ironclad cells of this former prison and hear the stories of some famous outlaws who spent time there.
THE CHEROKEE NATIONAL PRISON MUSEUM IN TAHLEQUAH SHARES THE HISTORY OF THIS FORMER PRISON AS WELL AS FAMOUS OUTLAWS WHO SPENT TIME HERE.
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / SEPT-OCT 2022 59
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