Exploring Oklahoma with Children
W elcome to the rejuvenating world of lake life, where even reluctant teenagers can attest to the transformative power of a nearby escape to Oklahoma’s Lake Tenkiller. Beat the Summer Sizzle Life is better at Lake Tenkiller BY LINDSAY VIDRINE . PHOTOS BY VIDRINE AND PROVIDED. Tenkiller traditions School may be out for summer, but as the grind of year-round youth activities and camps gets heavy, there’s nothing like a weekend at the lake to recharge. Even my 15-year-old son will tell you: mom mode hits different at the lake. He’s learned over the years that the more time we spend on the water, the more mom tends to say yes to everything from wild tube rides to another s’more. For our family, there’s no better option than Lake Tenkiller in northeastern Oklahoma. Our love for this place goes back generations, with my dad discovering lake life while tagging along with a friend as a teenager. One week at Tenkiller was all it took to spark his lifelong obsession with boating and water skiing. One of my dad’s first major adult purchases was a small ski boat that he promptly stored at Tenkiller despite living several hours away in Oklahoma City. I grew up spending most summer weekends camping and boating on the eastern shores of Tenkiller in the campgrounds of Chicken Creek, Snake Creek and Cookson Bend. Fast forward several decades (and several boats) later, and I’m still enjoying lake weekends with my husband, son and even my dad, who continues to squeeze in every last moment on the water he can despite
FROM ACTIVE ADVENTURES TO RELAXING RESPITE, LAKE TENKILLER OFFERS PLENTY OF FAMILY FUN OPTIONS.
now living in Mississippi. My parents moved to a small town six hours from Tenkiller nearly 25 years ago, but dad just couldn’t bear to move his boat or give up the idea of Tenkiller. For good reason. Discover Lake Tenkiller Nicknamed “Heaven in the Hills,” Tenkiller is nestled in the Cookson Hills and the blue water is so clear you can see your feet as you swim. Those familiar with Oklahoma’s red dirt know this isn’t common for most of our lakes. There’s even a scuba diving park near the dam where you can explore sunken vehicles like a bus, boats and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. Several full-service dive shops around the lake offer gear rental, certification training and intel on the best spots for diving. Also on the southern end of the lake near the dive park is Tenkiller State Park . Offering 10 campgrounds, it’s easy to find a shaded spot for tent or RV camping. If camping isn’t your thing, the park also offers 38 cabins ranging from one- to three-bedroom options. Activities in the area include two multi-use trails (with one being a 1.5 mile handicap accessible paved trail), a nature trail and the Driftwood Nature Center, which features daily programming Memorial Day through Labor Day. The lake is fed by the Illinois River and the northern end offers popular river rafting options. Just below the spillway is the Lower Illinois River, one of Oklahoma’s best places to catch trout. Because Tenkiller is so deep, the water temperatures stay cool enough to support year-round trout fishing . Nearby Marval Resort in Gore provides easy access for fishing, plus a variety of camping, lodging and other family-friendly amenities. My husband is an avid fisherman and loves to visit the Lower Illinois any time of year. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife stocks around 100,000 rainbow trout annually, but during the warmer summer months, striper are also a big draw. Be sure to check the water release schedule on the Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA) website to make sure fishing conditions are safe before heading out.
58 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / JULY-AUGUST 2024
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker