Oologah Lake Nature Trails
category : Hiking Trails
And don't forget to bring your walking shoes. The Skull Hollow Nature Trail, located in Hawthorn Bluff, offers three different routes, the longest being a mile and a third in length. Spectacular anytime, it's absolute tops for enjoying autumn color. Brochures on both trails are available at the Corps of Engineers office or from gate attendants.
Skull Hollow Nature Trail is situated in the oak-hickory woods of Northeast Oklahoma. This region was once part of the largest district in the Cherokee Indian Territory.
The name Skull Hollow came about back when the area was still Indian Territory. It seems a Texas cowman, who had a herd of cattle at Old Alluwe, came to the McDaniel Trading Post looking for some strays. Two Cherokees, Louis McNair and "Dirt Pot" rode in from the west and also stopped at the post, which was on the north bank of the Caney River and about four miles south of Oologah. When the cowman stopped, he noticed his horse was lame and proceeded to the blacksmith?s shop to have the horse examined.
After the horse was shod, he pulled out a large roll of money, but the blacksmith could not make change and told him to drop it by later. The cowman rode off toward his home ranch. Shortly afterward, Louis McNair and "Dirt Pot" started off on their horses in the same direction. The cowman mysteriously disappeared and later a skull was found in what is now known as "Skull Hollow".
Address: 1.5 miles east of Oologah on Highway 88
Phone: 918-443-2250
Come visit us in Oologah Lake, Oklahoma