Exploring Oklahoma with Children
Find Fall in an Oklahoma Oasis Your family guide to autumn adventures in Sulphur ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY DEBBIE MURNAN
E scaping to the great outdoors in autumn is our family’s favorite way to slow down after a busy summer and recharge before winter’s rush. Whether for a quick day trip or weekend getaway, one spot we keep coming back to is Chickasaw National Recreation Area near Sulphur. Just a 90-minute drive from the Oklahoma City metro, its natural springs, cascading waterfalls and vibrant fall foliage offer the perfect setting for hiking, wildlife watching and reconnecting as a family. Here’s our guide to learning more about the park, popular trails to explore and our favorite activities in the area so you can start planning your road trip this fall.
About the park The origin of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area dates back to 1902, when it was called Platt National Park, after the government purchased 640 acres from the Chickasaw Nation to protect the area’s mineral and freshwater springs. In the 1930s, most of the park’s infrastructure, including pavilions, campgrounds, dams and picnic areas, were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. With the addition of more acreage, including the Lake of the Arbuckles, the recreation area we know today was officially established in 1976 and continues to be managed by the National Park Service. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area is located about halfway between Oklahoma City and Dallas, nestled among the foothills of the Arbuckle Mountains. It offers over 20 miles of trails, two lakes available for aquatic recreation, two bison pastures and six campgrounds with over 400 campsites for both tent and RV camping throughout the park. The Lake of the Arbuckles is the larger of the two lakes, with about 36 miles of shoreline and several boat launch ramps. Veterans Lake has 3 miles of shoreline and is open to canoeing and kayaking, with a paved trail encircling it. Both lakes have fishing docks available if
58 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025
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