Located in the southern part of Oklahoma in the Arbuckle Wilderness, Turner Falls State Park is a popular outdoor recreation area. Many Oklahoma and Texas residents visit the park during the warmer seasons to take advantage of the cool springs and rugged wilderness activities. There are many things to do at Turner Falls State Park.
History
According to the Turner Falls website, Turner Falls State Park is the oldest park in Oklahoma and has been a popular recreational area since the 1800s. Several natural springs form Honey Creek, which leads to a 77-foot waterfall--the largest waterfall in the state. This area is considered one of the three geological windows into the past, along with the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Grand Canyon.
Swimming
Turner Falls State Park offers several swimming areas--from river and creek swimming to two large natural swimming holes. One of the swimming holes features diving boards, and other area offers several levels of underground rock shelves and formations. There are rock-bottom wading areas available, as well as sandy beaches. No matter what your swimming abilities are, Turner Falls will offer an area you can feel comfortable in.
Hiking
Many visitors to Turner Falls State Park enjoy the wide variety of hiking options. You can go on one of several beginner-level nature trails or take one of the more rugged trails. Many of the trails feature moderate rock climbing features and lead to hidden caves. Some visitors enjoy hiking up to the old rock castle and exploring it. If you're feeling adventurous, consider taking a hike that combines river wading and rock climbing.
Camping
Many Turner Falls visitors camp overnight at the park so that they can explore the park for at least two days. There are several types of camping options, such as primitive tent camping, RV camping and cabin rentals.
Tent campers have several camping location choices--from mountainside environments to riverside locations. Most tent sites feature picnic tables and outdoor grills as well.
The RV campsites have the basic utility hookups of electricity, water and sewage. The 12 cabins offer two full-sized beds, small refrigerators, two-burner stove tops, coffeepots, microwaves, bathrooms and air conditioning and heat.
Picnicking
Picnicking is another popular activity at Turner Falls State Park, because many of the campsites, swimming areas and hiking trails offer beautiful mountain views and cool breezes. There are several concession stands inside the park, such as a grill, ice cream parlor and a snowball stand, if you forget your basket in the car.
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