Welcome to Oklahoma

It’s not every day you step in a place like Oklahoma. A hybrid of golden prairies to the west and rugged mountains to the east, the Sooner State encompasses a dozen ecosystems; no state has more varied terrain. From endless shoreline along lakes and rivers to sand dunes and cypress swamps and dense forests, Oklahoma serves up a wide selection of outdoor adventures.

Wild West culture roams free here, too. Meet cowboys in the flesh and dive into Western culture at a wealth of heritage centers, museums and outfitters. Native Americans also feature prominently in the state. Home to 39 tribe headquarters, Native Americans open their doors for visitors in places like the Chickasaw Nation.

Soak in the Sooner State’s Nature

With 33 state parks, you’ll always find something to keep you busy in Oklahoma’s great outdoors. A great place to start is Red Rock Canyon State Park, close to Hinton in the state’s western half and a dream come true for every outdoor explorer. Draped in red canyon walls and jagged terrain, the park is the perfect setting for hiking.

For a change of scenery, head deep into the Sans Bois Mountains in the state’s eastern half for Robbers Cave State Park. Nestled in rolling woodlands, the park once served as a hideout for famous outlaws like Jesse James and Belle Starr. Today, it’s a top destination for anglers, climbers, hikers and equestrians.

Feel the need for Sooner speed? Pull your dune buggy to Little Sahara State Park northwest Oklahoma. The dunes span more than 1,600 acres, making this an ideal environment for unleashing your inner adrenaline junkie.

Discover even bigger thrills on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, a mammoth reservoir sprawling across some 46,500 surface acres and 1,300 miles of shoreline in the state’s northeast corner. Several communities line the banks of this waterway, providing plenty of opportunities for fun and entertainment near the shore. If even more water is what you seek, make your way about a hundred miles to the south to Lake Tenkiller. Boasting 130 miles of gorgeous shoreline, this clear-water lake is a hot spot for fun and fishing.

Complete your epic road trip with a drive along the Talimena National Scenic Byway. Snaking east from Oklahoma and into Arkansas, this spectacular 54-mile road weaves through rugged mountains, breathtaking vistas and historic towns in the Ouachita National Forest.

Oklahoma City and Tulsa

In Oklahoma City, you’ll get to enjoy both big-city living and Western charm. Pick up a pair of cowboy boots, cut into a juicy steak and see a cattle auction at the Oklahoma National Stockyards. Or check out the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for its acclaimed collection of Western art and artifacts.

Tulsa, located 100 miles to the northeast on Interstate 44, is the state’s second-largest city and a thriving hub for art and culture.

Route 66 Rocks in OK

Ready for the ultimate road trip? Oklahoma contains the longest driveable stretch of Route 66. Popular stops along the way include the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton.