Lake Country, Oklahoma
Before southcentral Oklahoma was lake country, it was river country, home to the mercurial Red, the gentle Washita and the pristine Blue rivers. Corralled, the rivers created four major lakes -- and a whole new world of water. Lake Texoma splashes into three counties and draws fisherman from all over the country, lured by the best striped bass fishing to be found anywhere. Near Ardmore, clear spring water fill Lake Murray, built in the shady foothills of the Arbuckle mountains and the sparkling centerpiece of Oklahoma's oldest, most historic state park. (A limestone castle houses the park's nature center.) The 9,000-acre McGee Creek National Scenic Recreation Area, adjacent to Atoka Lake, is home to white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and the occasional mountain lion. Campers can apply for a permit to backpack into the recreation area, or stay in relative luxury in a rustic log fishing hut at McGee Creek State Park.
Explore Lake Country
Lake Murray State Park Cabins
Lake 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
, OK CabinsWashita Valley Museum
The Historical Society works diligently to preserve Pauls Valley'
Pauls Valley, OK MuseumsLove County Military Museum
The Military Museum houses memorabilia from the Civil War to the Persian Gulf War. It is located in the renovated old jail at the southwest corner behind the Love County Courthouse.
Marietta, OK MuseumsChickasaw Nation Cultural Center
At the Chickasaw Tribal Complex, Headquarters of the Chickasaw Nation, the Cultural Center is located in a beautifully preserved two-story building and offers an educational look at modern tribal society, plus providing an opportunity to view tribal artifacts dating back to the 1500s.
Ada, OK Cultural CentersBoggy Depot Cemetery
Adjoining Boggy Depot Townsite is the 1830s Middle Boggy Battlefield Site and Cemetery. The townsite and cemetery are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and on the Oklahoma's list of Oldest Historical Places.
Atoka, OK CemeteriesHardy Murphy Coliseum
Numerous western events take place in this WPA-era stone building and arena, named for "Mr. Ardmore," Hardy Murphy, a horseman who performed with his palomino, Old Buck, throughout the U.S and Europe. The Hardy Murphy Coliseum is a multi-use facility offering a 25,000
Ardmore, OK Historic BuildingsNorton's Indian Territory Museum
The museum houses Indian Territory relics and the largest collection of antique medicine and pop bottles in southern Oklahoma.
Marietta, OK MuseumsPresbyterian Church
Part of the Historic Downtown tour the Presbyterian Church was built in 1923.
Pauls Valley, OK Historic ChurchesLove County Courthouse
This unique octagonal architecture with four impressive columns at each of four entrances is Oklahoma's first county courthouse built after statehood. The cornerstone of Nelson Georgia Marble was laid during Masonic ceremonies on April 29, 1910. The building was dedicated on November 24
Marietta, OK Historic Courthouses