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Need some family splash time on your Texas-Oklahoma road trip? Check out Chickasaw National Recreation Area, a mountain escape between Dallas and Oklahoma City. There’s swimming, hiking, boating and camping, plus a resident herd of bison. Here’s why it’s worth a stop.
My kids love all things done in a swimsuit. When I said, let’s go check out Chickasaw National Recreation Area, their ears didn’t register until I said, there’s swimming. A few hours north of Dallas along Interstate 35, you’ll find an oasis with natural pools along a clear creek. If you own a boat, then check out the Lake of the Arbuckles. There’s even a historic area with structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and a herd of bison.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area for Families
Top Things to do in Chickasaw National Recreation Area:
- Explore the Travertine Nature Center and See Live Animals
- Earn a Junior Ranger Badge
- Splash in the Freshwater
- Take a Hike
- See the Bison
Travertine Nature Center
Our first stop, the Travertine Nature Center, is the place to start with kids. The building resembles Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie-style architecture. We even found a creek running under the nature center.
My kids loved the interpretive area with live animals, including a live barn owl and several native snakes in aquariums. Kids run from one display to the next. I found displays on the geologic features of Oklahoma.
Junior Ranger Badges
The Junior Ranger Program is the go-to program for families to learn more about a National Park Service site. It’s free and takes about two hours to complete. My kids love the badges that the Rangers present them after completing their booklet.
I picked up a map and the Junior Ranger booklets. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area offers Junior Ranger programming on the weekends to earn the badge and patch. Take a hike, or if the weather is warm, swim in the natural swimming areas created by CCC-built waterfalls.
Swimming at Chickasaw
Families can swim in the Lake of the Arbuckles, Veterans Lake, Travertine Creek and Rock Creek. The popular area for splashing is the small falls Travertine Creek, like Little Niagara.
Boating and fishing are the popular activities on the lakes. Find several ramps around the lake.
Family Hiking in Chickasaw
During our visit to Chickasaw National Recreation Area, we hiked on several of the trails. I suggest any of the following.
- Antelope and Buffalo Springs, a 1.2-mile trail, labeled easy, originates from the Travertine Nature Center.
- Bison Pasture Trail, a 1.9-mile trail labeled moderate, originates from the Bison Viewing Area.
- Flower Park, a .5-mile trail labeled easy, originates from the Vendome Well.
- Travertine Creek Trail, 1.5-mile trail labeled easy, originates at the Travertine Nature Center.
Bison Viewing Area
Kids love animals, so stop at the Bison Viewing Area located off U.S. Route 177, just south of Sulphur. A herd of 10 buffalo roam in Chickasaw Natural Recreation Area.
After several attempts at bison viewing, we caught the bison near twilight in the viewing area. To our delight, we saw a couple of baby bison grazing near their mothers. The bison are originally from the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
History of Platt National Park
A little known fact about Sulphur, Oklahoma – it’s home to demoted Platt National Park. It doesn’t happen often, but national parks can lose their designation and be “demoted.” That was the case for Platt National Park (1906 to 1976).
The Federal Government purchased 33 mineral springs to preserve the area from private overdevelopment in 1902 from the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations. The area was known as Sulphur Springs Reservation, but it would be renamed. At the time in the U.S., hydrotherapy was fashionable as tourists and bathers flocked to the area along with Hot Springs, Arkansas.
In 1904, the area was enlarged. In 1906, the area was renamed Platt National Park, after Congressman Orville Platt of Connecticut. Early in Platt National Park’s history, attendance at the small park exceeded the visitation at Yellowstone and Yosemite national parks.
In 1976, Platt National Park lost its national park designation. It was rolled into the newly-formed Chickasaw National Recreation Area. The original Platt National Park area is now the Platt Historical District, right outside the town of Sulphur.
Roosevelt’s New Deal and the CCC at Platt National Park
Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC, shortly after his inauguration. Nicknamed Roosevelt’s Tree Army, the New Deal program employed 3 million people over its term from 1933 until 1942. In all, 4,500 CCC camps were established to restore or construct national parks, national forests, state and community parks across the country.
Unmarried men from 18 to 25 whose parents were on assistance could join the CCC. Participants earned $30 a month with $25 a month sent home. Participants enrolled for 6 months initially and could renew for 2 years.
Like the work in most CCC projects, Platt National Park’s work is organic with a heavy use of local materials. The CCC constructed the majority of the small dams along the rivers to provide natural swimming areas and built trails, pavilions and bridges.
Camping and Picnicking in Chickasaw
Find six campgrounds with over 400 sites, some reservable and most seasonal, in the Chickasaw NRA. Each offer a picnic table and a fire ring along with nearby restrooms and water spigots.
Platt Historic District Camping
This area doesn’t feature hook-ups and can’t accommodate RVs over 25 feet. Find group sites in this area.
- Central Campground
- Cold Springs Campground
- Rock Creek Campground (open year-round)
Lake of the Arbuckles Camping
- Buckhorn Campground (open year-round)
- Guy Shandy Campground
- The Point Campground (open year-round)
Find several picnic areas in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area:
- Flower Park
- Black Sulphur Springs
- Bromide
- Walnut Grove
- Veterans Lake Northshore
- Blackjack
- Sunset Beach
- Loop F
Where to Stay at Chickasaw
Chickasaw Retreat and Conference Center
I visited Sulphur twice and stayed at two different hotels. My family stayed at the Chickasaw Retreat and Conference Center. It’s located next to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area and offers over 1,700 acres to explore. The Chickasaw Retreat offers the ultimate refuge for relaxing and reconnecting as a family. My room was large and featured a luxurious bathroom and kitchenette.
The facilities included an extensive fitness center, indoor pool and dry sauna. It is located at 4205 Goddard Youth Camp, Sulphur, Oklahoma.
The Artesian Hotel
Located next to the Platt Historical District in Sulphur, The Artesian Hotel offers families refined lodging steps from the park. The original hotel opened in 1906 and is named after the mineral water found on the property during construction.
After an extensive rebuild in 2010, The Artesian offers guests a respite of refinement with an upscale yet family-friendly property. The rooms are more luxurious than the Chickasaw Retreat and Conference Center and my room even featured a window seat. Find dining, indoor and outdoor mineral pools and notable spas for adults and kids alike. It is located at 1001 W. 1st St. Sulphur.
Where’s Chickasaw National Recreational Area?
Chickasaw National Recreation area features several units. The Platt National Park Historic District, right outside of Sulphur, features the Travertine Nature Center, the CCC buildings and swimming area. Arbuckle District offers Lake of the Arbuckles access at each of its three campground areas, Guy Sandy, The Point and Buckhorn. An additional boat launch is located at Upper Guy Sandy area too.
Chickasaw National Recreation area is 140 miles north of Dallas/Ft. Worth and 75 miles south of Oklahoma City. Located near the town of Sulphur, 12 miles east of Interstate 35.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area is open 365-days a year and 24-hours a day. This area is a fee-free area.
Tips from a SheBuysTravel:
- Bring some water shoes and towels. My kids waded across all the waterfalls and splashed in the natural pools.
- Swim at your own risk. No lifeguards on duty.
- Stay on marked trails. Watch kids near water and overlooks.
- Several venomous snakes live in Oklahoma.
Jody Allen Zachary says
Do you have any information on any Native American crafts, tours, or activities being held at any time of the day? Also, can give any contact information, phone numbers to call and speak to someone that may be able to coordinate activities? Never been, will be our first time.. Taking our granddaughter, 11 years old, on a lil getaway/vacation. She loves anything outdoors, animals, arts & crafts, and swimming of course! Any further info will be appreciated and helpful.
Thank you….Jody & Becky Zachary.
Jen says
HEading to Chickasaw this weekend, thank you for this info. Super helpful for us!