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Lake Murray State Park, OK

Lake Murray State Park, Oklahoma

Depression-era WPA and CCC laborers were responsible for building this 12,496-acre park and lake. More than 60 years later, the recreation site is still known for its cool, clean water suitable for scuba diving. The park was created solely for recreation and features RV hook-ups, campgrounds, several boat ramps and a marina with boat rentals. Park guests have access to Murray Lodge, miniature golf, horseback riding, tennis courts and a pool. In its July 1992 edition, the magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, listed Lake Murray as one of the top 100 swimming holes in the United States. Lake Murray is also home to Tucker Tower. Much like a lighthouse, built out of rock and sitting at the top of a cliff out on a point, it seems to be watching over patrons of the lake. Inside, naturalists have brought together displays of flora and fauna to create an educational complex.

Workers in two Emergency Works Act programs established during the height of the Depression by then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), converged on what had formerly been Chickasaw Nation property in 1933, to begin construction on Lake Murray State Park. It was the first state park built in Oklahoma and is still the largest. At the same time, workers began construction on Tucker Tower. During construction, almost 17,000 men worked on the park project for $1.25 a day in wages.

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Lake Murray State Park Campgrounds

Lake Murray SP Campgrounds
Lake Murray SP CampgroundsToday, Lake Murray State Park encompasses 12,496 lush, wooded acres, Oklahoma's largest State Park.

Lake Murray State Park offers 468 campsites in 9 scenic campgrounds around the lake for the tenter or RVer on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are 12 comfort stations (11 with showers) and 8 RV sanitary dump stations in the Park.

For the RVer - The Rock Tower area - 27 modern sites with full hookups (13 pull-thru and 1 handicapped accessible pull-thru).

Elephant Rock - 23 modern pull-thru sites, 19 semi-modern sites (water & electric), with 1 pull-thru.

Dukes Forest - 1 modern site; 34 semi-modern reservable sites, 4 are pull-thrus.

Cedar Cove - 1 modern site and 29 semi-modern sites (4 pull-thrus and 1 handicapped accessible).

Tipps Point - 1 modern pull-thru site and 27 semi-modern sites (9 pull-thrus). FLOATING VILLAS - Features 2 bed 2 bath luxurious floating vacation villas. Call for reservations & information. Luxury Boat Cruises, catered food available. 580-223-0088.

Buzzard Roost - 1 modern site and 29 semi-modern sites (11 pull-thrus).

Marietta Landing - 1 modern site and 29 semi-modern sites (1 pull-thru and 1 pull-thru handicapped accessible site.

Martin's Landing - 1 modern site and 30 semi-modern sites.

Field Trial Area - 8 semi-modern sites.

For the Tenter: The Buzzard's Roost Area has 15 tentsites with pads, tables, and grills. 175 unimproved sites are scattered throughout the park areas and there is unlimited primitive camping in Lake Murray State Park. Tenters using RV sites will be charged at the RV rate.

For the Equestrian: The Field Trial area is open to the public for trail riding when not in use by the Oklahoma Field Trial Association. Check with the Park office for availablility.

Group Camps and Pavilions: 3 Group Camps with 72 bunkhouses and 6 Pavilions. They may be reserved for up to one year in advance.

Cabins with fireplaces and Lake Murray Resort Lodge are available with reservations advised.

Lake Murray State Park Cabins

Lake Murray State Park Cabins
Lake Murray State Park CabinsLake Murray State Park has 81 cabins available for reservation both with and without fireplaces, some have kitchenettes, and vary in prices according to sleeping accomodations and location in the park or on the lake.

Cottages, sleeping 2 to 4 and having fireplaces or not, range from $53 to $80 with reduced rates in the winter.

The Family Cabins sleep 6 to 12 and have both park and lakeview sites and range from $135 to $275 with reduced rates in the winter.

The Cabin Suites sleep four and are $98, winter rates, $78.

The Country Villas sleep four and are $88 in the park and $98 lakeview.

Lake Murray State Park Resorts

Lake Murray Resort Lodge
Guests at Lake Murray Resort Park have access to Murray Lodge, set amid the woodlands surrounding Lake Murray. The Lodge has 143 comfortable rooms ranging from $38 to $75. Meeting rooms are available. A challenging 18-hole golf course is located at the park as well as many recreational opportunities including miniature golf, horseback riding, tennis courts, swimming pool, and nature center.

Lake Murray State Park Equestrian Trails

Lake Murray Riding Stables
Lake Murray Riding StablesThe riding stables at Lake Murray State Park offer hayrides and trail rides through some of the most beautiful scenery in Oklahoma. Trail rides leave every hour and no reservations are needed. Hayrides & Moonlight rides must be reserved.

The Field Trial area in the park is open to the public for trail riding when not in use by the Oklahoma Field Trial Association.

Lake Murray State Park ORV Areas

Lake Murray State Park ATV Area
Lake Murray State Park in Southern Oklahoma provides lots of trails for hours and hours of ATV action! The Pear Orchard Motorcycle Use Area, on the northwest side of the lake, was developed by the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department for motorcycles and ATVs. About ten miles of marked trails cross grassland, forest and rolling hills.

Take Hwy 35 to Ardmore, OK. Exit on Hwy. 70 going East. Travel approximately 5 miles. Turn right at the road with a statue of a golden colored horse. Take the first turn to the right.