ATVs at Lake Murray State Park in Oklahoma

Built in the 1930s, south-central Oklahoma's Lake Murray State Park was the first state park constructed in the Sooner State and, at 12,500 acres, it also is the largest. Set on the shores of its namesake lake just south of Ardmore, the park is home to a number of water sports activities and many other recreational amenities, including a system of ATV trails and a campground for ATV riders.

Rules and Regulations

• The ATV riding area at Lake Murray State Park (travelok.gov) is open year-round from early morning to sundown. The trails are restricted to motorcycles, and three-wheel and four-wheel ATVs. Golf carts, dune buggies and other larger four-wheel-drive vehicles are not allowed. ATV operators and passengers under age 18 must wear a helmet, and double riding is not allowed unless the vehicle has a seat specifically made for a passenger. A daily fee is charged to access the trails, but ATV/ORV flags are not required.

ATV Trails

• Lake Murray State Park's ATV area lies in the northeast section of the park and is home to 10 miles of trails that wind through, up and over a variety of terrain, including wooded and open areas, sand, gullies and hills. The 1,000-acre ATV area is fenced, except where it is bordered by the lake. The trails are rated easy to moderate in difficulty. The ATV area has a large day-use parking lot and restroom facilities.

Campgrounds/Lodging

• The ATV Campground is one of nine campgrounds at Lake Murray State Park, which has 323 campsites for RVs and another 500 tent-only sites -- all available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Open year-round, the ATV Campground lies just north of the ATV area, and has 29 RV sites with full hookups, including 12 pull-through sites, plus 10 primitive RV sites with no hookups, and 15 tent sites with electric and water. For camping information, call the park office at 580-223-4044. Campsites have grills and picnic tables, and campground amenities include a playground, restrooms and RV dump station. Other overnight options include the 52-room Lake Murray Lodge, and 56 cabins, ranging from one-room cottages that sleep two, to three-bedroom family cabins that sleep 10. To reserve a cabin or lodge room, call 800-257-0322.

Other Amenities and Activities

• The most distinctive structure at Lake Murray State Park is the Tucker Tower, a stone tower on the lake's southern shore constructed in the 1930s as a summer residence for Oklahoma governors. The tower now is used as the park's nature center, which has a collection of wildlife and geological exhibits. Lake Murray is the park's recreational focal point. A concessionaire, Lake Murray Water Sports (lakemurraywatersports.com), rents paddleboats, canoes, kayaks, sailboats, jet skis and other water-sports equipment. Park amenities include a 450-slip marina, 10 boat launches, three swimming beaches, an 18-hole golf course, disc golf and miniature golf courses, tennis courts, 300 picnic tables, nine playgrounds, four hiking trails, riding stables, and 10 miles of equestrian trails. The park even has a 2,500-foot-long airstrip and remote-control airplane field.

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Riverboat Cruises in Oklahoma

Home to a large network of lakes, rivers and other waterways, Oklahoma is a scenic playground for water enthusiasts, fisherman and nature lovers. With the Arkansas, Kiamichi, Mountain Fork and Illinois River flowing through its backyard, Oklahoma offers an array of riverboat cruises throughout the state.

Oklahoma River Cruises

• Launched in 2008, Oklahoma River Cruises offers a variety of public and private tours, transportation and themed boat rides. Public cruises include daily ferry service along the seven-mile stretch of Oklahoma River, between downtown and the hotels, restaurants and boutiques of Meridian Avenue. There are three boarding sites for the cruise, Regatta Park, Meridian Landing and the new Exchange Landing, located halfway between the other two docks. Holding up to 40 passengers, each leg of the cruise lasts around 45 minutes and costs $6 for adults, as of May 2010, with children under six admitted for free. Themed cruises include History Comes Alive, featuring important figures from Oklahoma's past, Saturday cartoon cruises, sunset cruises and live music and entertainment on Sunday. Riverboats can also be rented for private events, such as weddings, birthday parties and reunions.

  Oklahoma River Cruises
  Oklahoma City, OK
  405-702-7755
  okrivercruises.com

Cherokee Queen

• Located in the scenic Grand Lake region of northeastern Oklahoma, the Cherokee Queen paddlewheel riverboat has been touring the areas' network of interconnecting lakes since its launch in 1945. From a sightseeing dinner cruise and barbecue and prime rib nights with live music to personalized private charters for special events, the Cherokee Queen offers an array of cruises with panoramic views of the surrounding wildlife. The fleet includes two classic paddlewheel boats, the original 1945, Cherokee Queen I, spanning 67-feet with two decks and the Cherokee Queen II, featuring three decks, two dance floors and room for more than 350 passengers. Cherokee Queen II can be rented for a variety of large private events, with prices starting at $2,000 for a two hour cruise, as of May 2010.

  Cherokee Queen
  11350 N. Hwy. 59
  Grove, Oklahoma
  918-786-4272
  cherokeequeen.com

Bricktown Water Taxi

• Take a leisurely cruise along the Bricktown Canal, surrounded by the restaurants, bars and sporting attractions of downtown Oklahoma City's entertainment district. Offering guided canal tours, private charters and dinner, cocktail and special event cruises, Bricktown Water Taxi has been providing tours of the area for more than 10 years. Located across the street from the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, water taxi's board every 15 minutes, with tours taking around 40 minutes for a round trip. Holding up to 40 passengers, boats can be rented for private tours and events, starting at around $200 for a one hour charter, as of May 2010.

  Bricktown Water Taxi
  111 S. Mickey Mantle Drive
  Oklahoma City, OK 73104
  405-234-8263
  bricktownwatertaxi.com

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Cabins in Quartz Mountain, Oklahoma

About two and a half hours southwest of Oklahoma City, Quartz Mountain Nature Park is home to the Quartz Mountain Arts and Conference Center. The center hosts arts students and teachers throughout the year along with conferences and retreats for businesses and governmental organizations. The modern lodge is also open to the public. If you're seeking a more rustic stay at Quartz Mountain and in the surrounding area, take advantage of guest cabins offering peace, quiet and privacy among one of the most beautiful areas of the state.

Quartz Mountain Nature Park’s Cabins

• Inside the Quartz Mountain park itself, there are 10 cabins clustered in the center of the park near Lake Altus and the swimming beaches. They range from one-bed, one-bath cabins to a three-bed, two-bath cabin. Most cabins feature two beds and one bathroom, according to the Quartz Mountain Resort. You'll enjoy electricity, running water and kitchenettes, but no phones or TVs, making them appealing if you want to unplug and relax away from the distractions of the outside world.

Relaxing Isn't Mandatory

• When not admiring the Lake Altus or Quartz Mountain views, indulge your inner adventurer or take on more traditional family vacation activities. Hit the hiking trails or rock climbing routes. Take a dip in the lake or in the Quartz Mountain Lodge pool. Rent a paddle boat to explore Lake Altus, or try your luck angling for fish. Join a naturalist-led bald eagle watch during the winter nesting season on the shores of the lake, or take advantage of Quartz Mountain's 18-hole golf course or mini-golf course. If your children are in tow and find none of this appealing, visit the amusement park.

Medicine Park Cabins

• Oklahoma’s quirky Medicine Park town, about 70 miles to the east of Quartz Mountain, was founded as a resort and health spa for the state’s rich and famous -- and infamous -- in the early 1900s. Vacationers can rent one of dozens of cabins or cottages. Many of the cabins available are built from local cobblestone that gives the town its nickname: “America’s Cobblestone Community.” Cabins range from small and sparse to cozy bed and breakfasts.

A Good Dose of Medicine

• Medicine Park remains a vacation destination for the Sooner State to this day, welcoming guests who visit Medicine Creek for its supposed healing powers. Unique shops, boutiques and restaurants will keep you busy, while a winery sells bottles of locally-produced libations. The community is next to the expansive Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, where you can drive to the top of Mount Scott and watch bison herds, a living symbol of the old west, grazing on the prairie. The refuge has miles of hiking trails, scenic vistas, an interpretive visitor’s center and lakes for fishing.

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Things to Do in Durant, Oklahoma

Durant has two unusual claims to fame: It was proclaimed the Magnolia Capital of Oklahoma by the state legislature in 1999 and claims to have the world’s largest peanut -- a three-foot aluminum sculpture honoring the area’s peanut farmers. But Durant isn’t just for fans of horticultural extravagance and oddities. The city has a wealth of attractions tracing its 19th-century Native American origins and celebrating its contemporary culture.

Hail its History

• Pre-dating the city of Durant, Fort Washita played a key role in the settling of the area by the Chickasaw and Choctaw Indians who had migrated down the Mississippi. The fort was established in 1842 to protect the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations from attack by Southern Plains Indians. Visit the site for a taste of military life in those tumultuous times. Tour reconstructed buildings, stone ruins and the visitor center, and catch one of the military re-enactments. Visitors are told to look out for Aunt Jane, a ghost said to haunt the fort.

Feel the Flower Power

• Durant proudly proclaims its status as Oklahoma’s Magnolia Capital with the annual Magnolia Festival. Held on the weekend after Memorial Day, the four-day event includes a children’s parade, face-painting and the Choctaw Nation Princess Pageant. Take a fairground ride or browse the many booths offering unique arts and crafts, including jewelry, clothing and woodcarvings. You can even leave with extra money in your pocket if you do well in the Red River Noodling Shootout fishing competition.
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Return to the Past

• Named after the Red, Blue and Washita river valleys, the Three Valley Museum focuses on the history of Durant and the surrounding Bryan County. Wander among reproductions of more than 20 businesses from the early 1930s, including a law office, a general store and a doctor’s clinic. Explore the culture of the area's First Nations peoples through artifacts in the museum’s Native American gallery. Located in downtown Durant, the museum is operated by the local historical society. Admission is free.

Do it Yourself Durant

• Get to know Durant on a self-guided walking tour. Start at the restored Historic Market Square to stroll the streets of downtown and admire historic houses once occupied by well-to-do attorneys, physicians and businessmen. Along with 19th-century buildings, you’ll see the city’s churches and Bryan County Courthouse, complete with historic statues. Stop along the way for refreshments at one of Durant’s many family-owned restaurants. Try the Hollow Tree’s renowned coconut cream pie or a scone with "sweet magnolia" cream at the Sweet Magnolia Tearoom. Both restaurants are located on the section of the walk between the Bryan Hotel and the Three Valley Museum.

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