Keystone State Park: Ranger Trail (Blog Hike #942)

Trail: Ranger Trail
Hike Location: Keystone State Park
Geographic Location: west of Sand Springs, OK (36.13891, -96.26426)
Length: 1.3 miles
Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: April 2023
Overview: A short loop passing a fishing pond and several rock outcrops.
Park Information: https://www.travelok.com/state-parks/keystone-state-park
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=934964
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: West of Tulsa, take US 412 to SR 151.  Exit and go west on SR 151.  Drive SR 151 west 1.5 miles to the park entrance on the right.  Turn right to enter the park, and park in the parking lot in front of the park office and general store.

The hike: Authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1950, the Keystone Dam on the Arkansas River was built by the Army Corps of Engineers (COE) for purposes of hydroelectric power and flood control.  The dam was completed in 1968, and the resulting Keystone Lake covers 23,600 acres of surface area and features 330 miles of shoreline.  The COE operates 16 recreation areas on the lake's shore that include 11 boat ramps and 4 marinas.  The lake and park are named for the town of Keystone, which was submerged by the lake.

            Leased from the COE is 714-acre Keystone State Park, which of course is operated and maintained by the State of Oklahoma.  The park offers the usual aquatic recreation such as swimming, boating, and fishing, plus it offers 22 cabins and 3 developed campgrounds with over 150 sites total.  For hikers, the park offers 2 trails, the best of which is the short Ranger Trail described here.  Though not long, this trail passes several scenic points of interest, and it made a perfect short and easy hike for me on a nice Sunday afternoon.

Trailhead near park office

            The trail starts across the park road from the park office; look for a wooden sign overhead that says "Ranger Trail."  The wide gravel trail enters the woods, which is dominated by oak and hickory trees.  A large number of grasshoppers hopped across the trail in front of me on the warm and sunny afternoon that I came here.

Hiking the Ranger Trail

            After descending slightly, the trail splits to form its loop.  For no real reason, I turned right here and used the trail going left as my return route, thus hiking the loop counterclockwise.  A little more descending brings you to the children's fishing pond.  I was the only person at this pond when I came here, and the muddy water prevented me from seeing any fish.

Children's fishing pond

            Walk around the pond and continue westbound, still descending gradually.  Some vehicle traffic can be heard on the park road through the trees to the right, but of greater interest are the rock outcrops above the trail to the left.  The sandstone bedrock lies just under the ground in this area, but at a few points it pops its head above ground where you can observe the interesting caves and recesses.

Rock outcrop

            As you approach the lowest elevation on this hike, the spur trail to the campground exits right.  Angle left and begin climbing to stay on the Ranger Trail.  The difference between maximum and minimum elevation on this hike is only about 70 vertical feet, so all grades are quite gradual.  More rock outcrops are passed, and a few sunny grassy areas are traversed as you hike the south arm of the loop.  Just past 1 mile, you close the loop.  Turn right to retrace your steps to the park office and complete the hike.

Elk City State Park: Table Mound Trail (Blog Hike #941)

Trails: Table Mound and Post Oak Nature Trails
Hike Location: Elk City State Park
Geographic Location: west of Independence, KS (37.25813, -95.77923)
Length: 5.6 miles
Difficulty: 7/10 (Moderate/Difficult)
Date Hiked: April 2023
Overview: An out-and-back with short loop offering views of Elk City Reservoir.
Park Information: https://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations/Elk-City
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=934872
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: Just east of the US 75 and US 160 intersection on the west side of Independence, take CR 3325 north 1 mile to CR 4600 and turn left on CR 4600.  Drive CR 4600 west 0.2 miles, crossing the levee in the process, to CR 3300 and turn right on CR 3300.  The state park entrance is 1.4 miles ahead on the left.  Turn left to enter the park, pay the park entrance fee, then turn right twice to reach the Timber Road Campground and the Table Mound Trailhead, which is also sometimes called the Squaw Creek Trailhead.  A small parking lot and vault toilets are available at the trailhead, and more parking is available in the campground if the trailhead parking lot is full.

The hike: Ranked by AllTrails.com as the best state park in Kansas, Elk City State Park protects 857 acres on the bank of its namesake reservoir.  The reservoir was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) in 1967 for purposes of flood control, and the land comprising the park is on lease to the State of Kansas from the COE.  The park features 3 developed campgrounds with 96 sites total, a primitive campground, 1 cabin, and swimming, boating, and fishing on the reservoir.

            Unlike many other parks, hiking actually takes center stage here: the park features 3 dayhiking trails and a backpacking trail totaling more than 20 miles.  Each of the trails has a unique and interesting experience to offer, but by most accounts the park's best trail for dayhiking is the Table Mound Trail described here.  The Table Mound Trail is an out-and-back that connects the park's main area with the dam overlook area, and it stays within view of the reservoir for most of its distance.

Table Mound Trailhead

            A fancy wooden sign marks the trailhead for the Table Mound Trail, which is marked with blue rectangular paint blazes.  Walk around the metal vehicle gate and head north on a wide, somewhat rocky dirt trail that looks like an old road.  The lake is visible through the trees downhill to the left.  The forest on this hike is a nice mixture of oak, hickory, red cedar, and black walnut trees.

Hiking through red cedar forest

            Near 0.5 miles, the old road seems to end, and the trail takes on more of a rolling single-track character.  Soon you reach the first steep area, where you will need to climb down a few tree roots to continue.  The trail passes somewhat close to a steep cliff here, and this area presents the best view across Elk City Reservoir.

View across Elk City Reservoir

            After passing a metal survey marker, you pass several large slump blocks that have tumbled down from the cliff on the right.  Next the trail dips through three ravines.  Each of these ravines is fairly steep, but they are only about 50 feet deep.  When I hiked here during a drought, all 3 of these ravines were dry.

Peering into a ravine

            At 2.2 miles, you cross paved CR 3300.  Next comes the hardest climb of the hike: you quickly gain about 150 feet of elevation on steep rocky trail.  Take your time and watch where you step.  You may notice a trail going left below the final cliff line, but I recommend climbing all the way to the top and intersecting the Post Oak Nature Trail, which is marked with orange rectangular paint blazes.  Turn left to head north on the Post Oak Nature Trail.

Climbing through the cliff line

            The trail stays close to the cliff on the left and reaches the Overlook Trailhead at 2.6 miles.  The Overlook Trailhead features a parking lot and a partially obstructed view of Elk City Reservoir's dam area.  Honestly, better reservoir views were had on the hike up here.  On the bright side, restrooms and benches are provided, and they make nice places to sit, rest, and have a trail snack near the midpoint of this hike.

Dam overlook

            A couple of options present themselves from here.  The blue-blazed Table Mound Trail exits the parking lot to the north, passes a wastewater area, and drops through a narrow crack in the cliff line before curving left and retracing your previous route but below the cliffs.  If the crack in the cliffs looks too hard for you (as it did for me), then you can use the other arm of the orange-blazed Post Oak Nature Trail, which leaves the south side of the parking area.  Either choice gets you back on the Table Mound Trail below the cliff line, from whence you need to retrace your steps to the Squaw Creek Trailhead to complete the hike.  If you are up for a little more hiking, the Green Thumb Trail also departs from the Squaw Creek Trailhead, and it takes you on a 1 mile loop higher up the ridge with more good views of the reservoir.

Osage Hills State Park: Sand Creek/Lookout Lake Loop (Blog Hike #940)

Trails: Sand Creek, Falls, Cabin, and Lookout Lake Trails
Hike Location: Osage Hills State Park
Geographic Location: west of Bartlesville, OK (36.73302, -96.18231)
Length: 3.9 miles
Difficulty: 6/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: April 2023
Overview: A somewhat rocky loop passing small waterfalls in Sand Creek and nice views of Lookout Lake.
Park Information: https://www.travelok.com/state-parks/osage-hills-state-park
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=934789
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: From Bartlesville, take US 60 west 15 miles to the entrance for Osage Hills State Park on the left.  Turn left to enter the park and drive the main park road 2.4 miles to the picnic area access road.  Turn left to access the picnic area.  Park in the parking lot for the picnic area, which is reached in another 0.2 miles.

The hike: Established in 1935, Osage Hills State Park is one of Oklahoma's 7 original state parks.  The park was developed by the depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which built 8 cabins that are still in use today as well as some other infrastructure.  The old CCC camp, including ruins of the cabins they lived in, will be passed on this hike.  The park is named for the Osage Nation, who moved to this area in 1870; the park is contained in the Osage Nation Reservation.

            Today the park remains one of the best state parks in Oklahoma, and it features some fantastic amenities that include a 36-site developed campground, fishing in Sand Creek and Lookout Lake, a large picnic area, a group camp, and 5 hiking trails.  This hike combines three trails to visit many of the park's points of interest including Sand Creek, Lookout Lake, the developed campground, the group camp, and the old CCC camp.  I came here on a beautiful sunny afternoon in mid-April and had one of the best hikes I have ever done in Oklahoma.

Picnic area trailhead

            Start by heading to the far (south) end of the picnic area access road where a wooden sign that says "Sand Creek/Falls Trail/Hiking and Fishing/No Alcohol" marks the trailhead.  The wide dirt trail heads into the woods, which is dominated by the usual cross timbers mix of oak, hickory, and cedar trees.  The trail curves right before reaching the spur trail down to Sand Creek, which exits left.  Turn left to hike the short spur, which quickly enters Sand Creek's channel and arrives at some small waterfalls.  When I came here, Sand Creek was almost completely dry due to a major drought, but I have read that these waterfalls are quite scenic when the water is flowing.

"Waterfalls" in Sand Creek

            Retrace your steps to the main trail and turn left to continue the Sand Creek Trail.  The trail becomes rocky and climbs slightly to pass directly behind the group camp at 0.5 miles.  Sand Creek can be seen through the trees below the cliff to the left here.  Where the trail seems to end at the group camp access road, walk a short distance north on the road and look to the left for the trail's continuation.

Cliff behind group camp

            At 0.7 miles, the Sand Creek Trail ends at its intersection with the Cabin Trail, which goes straight and right.  Continue straight to begin the Cabin Trail.  Soon the park's cabins come into view uphill and to the right.  Separate spur trails access each cabin, and plenty of thought has gone into the construction of these trails.  Rather than going straight to its cabin, the spur trail winds its way to the cabin at its end, which has the effect of disguising the cabins with the woods while you are hiking this trail.

            Near 1 mile into the hike, you come out at the park's developed campground.  To continue the Cabin Trail, turn right on the campground road and then turn left on the north arm of the campground loop road as you approach the campground entrance.  Just before the tent camp spur road exits right, the trail exits the campground on the right at a large brown sign that says "Tent Camping/Scenic Overlook."  Turn right to begin climbing on rocky trail with the campground spur road on your left.

Trail exits developed campground

            At 1.3 miles, the Cabin Trail ends at an intersection with the Lookout Lake Loop Trail, which goes straight and right.  Keep straight to continue climbing with a steep drop on your right.  After a quick descent, the trail makes one final push higher to reach this hike's highest elevation and the old CCC camp at 1.7 miles.  The first CCC structure you reach is the old amphitheater, which is slowly being reclaimed by the forest.  Then you pass through an open area that contains a large white water tower, and finally you pass several old CCC cabin foundations.  Take some time up here to appreciate the work and time the "CCC boys" spent here while building this park.

Water tower at old CCC campground

CCC cabin ruins

            The trail departs the north end of the old CCC camp and begins descending over rocky terrain.  The large number of rocks and a few old roads mean that you need to watch for the Lookout Lake Trail's orange paint blazes in order to stay on track.  Ignore a white-blazed short-cut trail that exits right, and soon Lookout Lake comes into view below you.  Although Lookout Lake is man-made, its shores are almost entirely undeveloped, making this area feel much more remote than it actually is.

Lookout Lake

            The rockiness persists as the trail heads southeast with the lake down the steep hillside to the left.  Despite some minor undulations, you never make it down to lake level.  At 2.5 miles, a spur trail exits left to the parking lot below Lookout Lake Dam.  After a brief flat area, the trail curves sharply left to begin a more aggressive and rocky descent.  Watch for the orange blazes to stay on the trail.

Hiking above Lookout Lake

            The trail descends into a ravine and crosses the park entrance road just past 3 miles into the hike.  The park's mountain bike trailhead is located to the left just after crossing the road.  Ignore some side trails that exit left and take you closer to Sand Creek.  At 3.4 miles, you reach a signed trail intersection where the Lookout Lake Loop Trail turns right.  Continue straight to begin the Cabin Trail, the last leg of this hike.

Joining the Cabin Trail

            Tracing a near level elevation with Sand Creek through the trees well to the left, the rest of this hike is as easy as it is uninspiring.  Just shy of 3.8 miles, you reach the picnic area access road.  Angle left to walk the road back to the picnic area; returning to the picnic area completes the hike.  If you are up for more hiking while you are here, the park's 3.1 mile Red Trail offers a winding route through hilly terrain on the park's east side.  The Red Trail is mainly designed for mountain bikes, and it is not as scenic as the route described here.

Fort Cobb State Park: Western Oaks Trail (Blog Hike #939)

Trail: Western Oaks Trail System
Hike Location: Fort Cobb State Park
Geographic Location: northwest of Fort Cobb, OK (35.16452, -98.47209)
Length: 2.9 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: April 2023
Overview: A lollipop loop along Fort Cobb Reservoir through 2 campgrounds.
Park Information: https://www.travelok.com/state-parks/fort-cobb-state-park
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=934677
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: From Fort Cobb, take SR 9 west 3.3 miles to CR 2530 and turn right on CR 2530.  Drive CR 2530 north 3.2 miles to Eagles Nest Cove Campground and turn right to enter the campground.  Pass the entrance to the campsites and park beside the lake in an area marked as "trailhead parking."  This trailhead can also be reached by taking I-40 to SR 58 (exit 88), going south on SR 58, and then going east on CR 2070.

The hike: Established in 1960, Fort Cobb State Park is a park that has never had a fort.  Even though the nearby town of Fort Cobb for which this park is named was the site of a U.S. Army outpost between 1859 and 1869, the town was not established until 1899.  The town was originally named Cobb, but the name was changed to Fort Cobb in 1902 to honor the former outpost.  The fort and ultimately the town were named for Howell Cobb, who was the United States Secretary of the Treasury from 1857 through 1860.

            Fort Cobb's economy has always been dependent on agriculture, and the town's population peaked in 1930 just before the Dust Bowl and Great Depression era.  The dam that forms Fort Cobb Reservoir was built in 1958.  Three main creeks flow into the reservoir: Cobb Creek, Lake Creek, and Willow Creek.  The 1872-acre state park is located on the shore of the reservoir, and it features the usual aquatic recreation of swimming, boating, and fishing, 3 developed campgrounds totaling 282 sites, 3 playgrounds, and a golf course.  For hikers, the park's only offering is the Western Oaks Trail described here, but it is a nice trail system that connects the 3 campgrounds and explores the shallow ravines and low hills along the reservoir's southwest shore just north of the dam.

            Whereas the trailhead parking area is at the south end of the campground, the trail actually starts at the north end of the campground.  Thus, this hike starts with a walk through the Eagles Nest Cove Campground.  Walk along the paved campground road closest to the lake, taking care not to walk through any occupied campsites.  After 0.3 miles of walking the campground road, look downhill to the right for the trailhead; it is marked with a large brown Heart Healthy Trail sign and a small brown sign for the Western Oaks Trail.  The trails in the Western Oaks Trail System are unmarked, which will cause me problems later in the hike, as you will see.

Trailhead at Eagles Cove Campground

            The sandy dirt trail heads north into the woods with the lake visible through the trees to the right.  This park lies on the western edge of the cross timbers region, so the forest features the usual oak, hickory, and cedar mixture of the cross timbers with some cottonwoods of the Great Plains.  The lake makes this park an above average birding destination, and I saw a crane and a vulture while I hiked here in addition to many common songbirds.

Hiking near the lake

            Near 0.5 miles, you reach this hike's best lake view, which came with the strong Oklahoma wind on my visit.  Next the trail makes a sweeping right turn to trace around a large inlet.  The creek crossing at the head of this inlet was dry on my visit, and the difference between highest and lowest elevation on this hike is less than 40 feet.  Thus, the going remains quite easy.

Fort Cobb Reservoir

            At 1.1 miles, you reach the trail intersection that forms the loop portion of this hike.  Truth be told, I misread my map and ended up visiting only 2 campgrounds when I had intended to visit all 3, i.e. I omitted the northern-most Blackjack Campground.  Turning left would provide the shortest route to the Blackjack Campground, but I turned right and quickly arrived at the Deer Run Campground, which was closed for the season.  Unoccupied campsites here make nice places to sit and rest near the midpoint of this hike.

Hiking near Deer Run Campground

            Walk through the campground and angle left to reach the campground's bath house, where another trailhead marks our re-entry into the woods.  The trail climbs slightly to reach another intersection at 1.5 miles.  The trail going right leads to the Blackjack Campground, but again because I misread the map (i.e. I thought I was already at the Blackjack Campground) I turned left to head southwest.  At 1.8 miles, you close the loop.  Retracing your steps 1.1 miles returns you to the Eagles Nest Cove Campground and completes the hike.

Lake Thunderbird State Park: Hog Creek Trail (Blog Hike #938)

Trails: Hog Creek and Indian Point Trails
Hike Location: Lake Thunderbird State Park
Geographic Location: east of Norman, OK (35.23265, -97.23759)
Length: 2.9 miles
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: April 2023
Overview: A loop hike through the cross timbers near Lake Thunderbird.
Park Information: https://www.travelok.com/state-parks/lake-thunderbird-state-park
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=934599
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: South of Oklahoma City, take I-35 to SR 9 (exit 108A).  Exit and go east on SR 9.  Drive SR 9 east 9.3 miles to 72nd Avenue SE and turn left on 72nd Ave.  Drive 72nd Ave. north 2 miles to Alameda Drive and turn right on Alameda Dr.  Alameda Dr. deadends at the park.  Park in the parking area for Indian Point, which is reached 5.7 miles after turning onto Alameda Dr. just after the road takes a sharp left turn.

The hike: Built between 1962 and 1965, Lake Thunderbird occupies 5349 acres of surface area on the southeast side of the Oklahoma City Metro Area.  The lake was built to provide drinking water for the city's southern and eastern suburbs including Norman and Moore; it also provides flood control and recreation.  You used both SR 9 and Alameda Drive on your drive in, but Alameda Drive was SR 9 before the construction of the lake.

            Located on the shore of its namesake lake, Lake Thunderbird State Park is one of the most heavily visited state parks in Oklahoma.  The park has 2 marinas, 9 boat ramps, and a swimming beach on the lake, several developed campgrounds with more than 200 sites total, several picnic areas, and several hiking trails.  One of the park's better short hikes is the Hog Creek Trail, which is also this park's designated Heart Healthy Trail.  The Hog Creek Trail offers two paths connecting the park's Indian Point area to the south with its Hog Creek area to the north, and using both of those paths (one each direction) forms the 2.9 mile loop described here.

Trailhead at Indian Point

            You can start this loop at either the north or south end, but this description starts at the Indian Point parking lot near the loop's south end.  A brown sign for the Heart Healthy Trail stands at this trailhead, as does another small brown sign that simply says "Trail."  The picnic area near this trailhead offers this hike's best view of Lake Thunderbird, and a strong southeast wind off of the lake buffeted me when I came here on a Wednesday afternoon.

Lake Thunderbird

            The single-track dirt trail heads north with the lake visible through the trees downhill to the right.  The forest here is the typical cross timbers mix of oak, hickory, and red cedar trees with a dense understory of greenbrier among other shrubs.  After some gentle undulations, you cross the swimming area access road at 0.5 miles.  Continue north to keep heading for the Hog Creek area.

Hickory Hills Campground

            Just shy of 1 mile, you come out at the Hickory Hills Area Campground.  The trail seems to end here, but if you cross the campground road and angle right, you will find another Heart Healthy Trail sign where the trail re-enters the woods.  The next 1000 feet use trails in the campground, and therefore the route is complicated.  Turn left at the next trail intersection; the trails going right and straight form a very short loop.  Interpretive signs here tell you about the cross timbers forest and help you identify common trees.

Trail in Hickory Hills Campground

            After descending and crossing another campground road, you reach the campground bath house.  I recommend turning left to hike across a grassy area to reach the park road near the campground dump station, then turn right to walk the park road down to the entrance for the Hog Creek area.  Upon reaching the signed vehicle entrance for the Hog Creek area, look sharply left for the start of the return trail.

Trailhead at Hog Creek area

            Sometimes called the Indian Point Trail (as opposed to the Hog Creek Trail), the single track dirt trail heads into the forest and climbs gradually with the park road audible through the trees on the left.  At 1.7 miles, the trail crosses a small creek on a wooden bridge with handrails.  This bridge looked dilapidated when I came here, but it got me across without incident.

Questionable trail bridge

            The trail continues its gradual climb, passes what looks like a pine planting, and crosses a park maintenance road near the highest elevation of this hike.  Some soft sand appears under foot, but overall the going is fairly easy.  At 2.6 miles, the trail ends where it intersects the road you drove in on.  Turn left to walk the road back to the Indian Point parking lot to complete the hike.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area: Travertine Creek Double Loop (Blog Hike #937)

Trails: Travertine Creek, Bison Loop, and Antelope Springs Trails
Hike Location: Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Geographic Location: southeast side of Sulphur, OK (34.50393, -96.94938)
Length: 6.6 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: April 2023
Overview: A double loop featuring a bison pasture and the falls and springs of Travertine Creek.
Park Information: https://www.nps.gov/chic/index.htm
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=934443
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: In southern Oklahoma, take I-35 to SR 7 (exit 55).  Exit and go east on SR 7.  Drive SR 7 east 12 miles, passing through the towns of Davis and Sulphur in the process, to US 177.  Turn right on US 177.  Drive US 177 south 0.2 miles to the entrance for Chickasaw National Recreation Area on the left.  Turn left to enter the area and drive the main park road 1.5 miles to the Travertine Nature Center, where this hike begins.

The hike: The land that today comprises Chickasaw National Recreation Area has a long history as parkland.  The original 640 acres were purchased from the Chickasaw Nation in 1902 and designated Sulphur Springs Reservation; it protected the park's 32 freshwater and mineral springs.  The name was changed to Platt National Park in 1906 to honor Connecticut Senator Orville H. Platt, who had introduced the legislation that created the Reservation.  For the next 70 years the park would remain America's smallest national park.  In 1976, Platt National Park was combined with other adjacent federal lands and renamed Chickasaw National Recreation Area in honor of the Chickasaw Nation.

            Today Chickasaw National Recreation Area boasts 9899 acres, but the original 640 acres still form the scenic center of the park.  Outside the original lands sits 2350-acre Lake of the Arbuckles, a man-made reservoir that offers the usual aquatic activities including fishing, swimming, and boating.  The park also features 6 campgrounds with more than 400 sites total, multiple picnic areas, and 11 miles of trails open to hiking.  This barbell-shaped hike, i.e. a central trail with loops on either end, explores the park's scenic core along Travertine Creek.  This route passes 4 of the park's largest springs, the park's bison pasture, and the park's largest waterfall, thus allowing you to explore the best scenery Chickasaw National Recreation Area has to offer.

Trailhead near Travertine Nature Center

            Many trails start at the Travertine Nature Center; this hike starts by heading west on the Travertine Creek Trail.  Find this trail by walking across the Nature Center parking lot and angling left to the lot's southwest corner.  A wooden sign gives distances to the Cold Springs Campground and to Pavilion Springs.  All of the trails on this hike are wide gravel trails, so they are obvious and easy to follow even though they are unmarked.

Hiking the Travertine Creek Trail

            After descending slightly and crossing the park's Southeast Perimeter Road, you reach a trail intersection at 0.25 miles.  We will eventually turn right here to begin this hike's eastern loop, but for now turn left to continue downstream on the Travertine Creek Trail and head for this hike's western loop.  The creek sits downhill to the right and the hillside rises to the left as you continue downstream.  Some small waterfalls appear in the creek, and they make scenic diversions while you hike.

Small waterfall in Travertine Creek

            After some gradual ups and downs and passing the spur trail to Cold Springs Campground, you reach another trail intersection at 1.2 miles.  The trail going straight leads to Central Campground and the park's main entrance, so you want to turn left to keep heading for Pavilion Springs, which are reached after the steepest descent of the hike at 1.4 miles.  True to its name, Pavilion Springs sit under a wooden pavilion.  These springs are mineral springs, and if the water smells like Clorox, there is good reason: the "mineral" of highest concentration in this water is chlorine.  Some rocks around the pavilion make nice places to rest and rehydrate either now or when you return here in an hour or so.

Pavilion Springs

            To continue, descend and (maybe) duck your head to pass through the US 177 underpass, then turn left and climb some stone steps to reach another trail intersection.  This intersection forms the western loop of this hike.  For no particular reason, I chose to turn right and use the trail going uphill and straight as my return route, thus hiking the western loop counterclockwise.

            The trail continues downstream, and some tall rock outcrops appear above you to the left before the terrain mellows.  The forest is a nice example of the usual cross timbers mix of oak, hickory, and cedar trees, but otherwise this section of the hike is unremarkable.  After climbing steeply for a short distance, you reach another trail intersection at 2.3 miles.  The trail going straight leads to Bromide Hill and the park's large Rock Creek Campground, but this hike turns sharply left to continue the western loop.

Hiking the western loop

            Gradual climbing brings you first past a small pond, which contained numerous turtles on my visit, and then beside a park road.  Just past 3 miles, you come out beside US 177 at this park's bison viewpoint.  While I did not see any bison here, the park does maintain a herd of bison in this pasture, and I could see many of their brown calling cards lying on the ground inside the wire fencing.

Bison pasture

            The trail parallels US 177 as it descends, crosses a park road, and reaches Hillside Springs at 3.3 miles.  This spring has the same odor and green color as Pavilion Springs, but some sunshine and elaborate rock work give it a much brighter and more developed appearance.  Continuing downhill a few hundred more feet closes the western loop.  Walk back under US 177, pass Pavilion Springs, and retrace your steps 1.2 miles upstream along Travertine Creek.  This area's water makes for good wildlife viewing, and I saw many butterflies, some mallard ducks, and a red-headed woodpecker among other common birds while I walked along the creek.

Hillside Springs

            When you get back to the first trail intersection, instead of turning right to head back to the Nature Center, angle left to head for Little Niagara.  Despite its name, Little Niagara is more of a picnic area than a grandiose waterfall, although it does sit beside a pair of nice waterfalls in Travertine Creek.  The wide gravel trail crosses the park's Northeast Perimeter Road twice and takes you through a parking lot before descending to Little Niagara at 4.8 miles.  This delightful area replete with water falling sounds makes another nice place to rest before tackling the last part of this hike.

Little Niagara, lower drop

Little Niagara, upper drop

            Continue upstream past Little Niagara, cross the park road one final time, and return to the Nature Center.  Of course you could end your hike now, but 2 more nice springs sit just east of the Nature Center.  To get there, walk to the front of the Nature Center, turn left to cross Travertine Creek, then turn right to begin heading east on the Antelope Springs Trail.

Hiking the Antelope Springs Trail

            Several side trails exit right and cross Travertine Creek, but the wide, gravel, nearly flat Antelope Springs Trail stays on the north side of the creek.  At 5.5 miles, you reach Beaver Pond.  Stay left and reach Antelope Springs in only a few hundred more feet.  Antelope Springs is a freshwater spring tucked in a field of massive boulders, and while it may not be the most photogenic spring on this hike, it does have the most natural appearance.

Antelope Springs

            Continue upstream to reach Buffalo Springs in less than another 0.2 miles.  Buffalo Springs have more of the nice rock work you have become accustomed to, and the large amount of algae growing near the springs attests to the freshwater content.  Indeed, nearly all of the water in Travertine Creek comes from Antelope Springs or Buffalo Springs.

Buffalo Springs

            After enjoying this one last spring, turn right at the next 2 intersections to loop down to Beaver Pond and close the eastern loop.  Retracing your steps to the Nature Center for a second time concludes the hike.  If you want to extend this hike, you can add one or all of the three short nature trails that exit south from the Antelope Springs Trail and explore the area south of Travertine Creek.

Lake Murray State Park: Loop South of Park Office (Blog Hike #936)

Trails: Main and Shortcut Trails
Hike Location: Lake Murray State Park
Geographic Location: south of Ardmore, OK (34.07087, -97.10102)
Length: 3 miles
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: April 2023
Overview: A lollipop loop with rocky views of Lake Murray.
Park Information: https://www.travelok.com/state-parks/lake-murray-state-park
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=934351
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: South of Ardmore, take I-35 to SR 77 (exit 24).  Exit and go east on SR 77.  Drive SR 77 east 2.8 miles to its intersection with SR 77S beside the park office.  Park in the parking lot to the right (south) of the park office.

The hike: Built between 1935 and 1941, Lake Murray State Park is one of 7 original state parks in Oklahoma and the oldest Oklahoma state park.  (Aside: Osage Hills State Park, featured elsewhere in this trail journal, is another park from the original 7.)  The park has joint state and federal roots.  The Oklahoma State Legislature approved $90,000 to purchase up to 10,000 acres for this park, and the project had the backing of Oklahoma Governor William H. "Alfalfa Bill" Murray who saw it as a way to help Oklahoma's economy recover from the Great Depression.  The park and lake are named for Governor Murray.  On the federal level, the National Park Service purchased 2700 acres adjacent to the state's land, and that land was designated as one of the nation's 46 Recreational Demonstration Areas.

            The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) worked here from 1935 through 1941, and they used the National Park Service's rustic style of architecture that is the trademark of Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Canyon National Parks.  Thus, Lake Murray State Park is one of the best destinations in Oklahoma for "parkitecture."  The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1951 the historic Lake Murray Lodge became the first state-owned park lodge in Oklahoma.

            At 12,500 acres, Lake Murray State Park remains Oklahoma's largest state park.  The park offers the usual lake recreation such as swimming, boating, and fishing, 9 developed campgrounds with over 300 sites total, an ATV area, an 18-hole golf course, and more than 19 miles of trails open to hikers and mountain bikers.  Many of these trails form out-and-back hikes along the lake, but the hike described here is one of the better lollipop loops in the trail system.  This hike gives you a sample of the rocky, dense forest that makes the cross timbers famous, but it does so without pegging the length or difficulty meters and with only minimal retracing of steps.

Trailhead at park office

            From the south side of the park office, pick up the concrete path that heads south and downhill toward the lake.  The concrete path heading left is the park's Heart Healthy Trail; it leads 0.75 miles east to the aforementioned Lake Murray Lodge.  A gradual descent brings you to the parking lot for the park's fishing area where a bridge leads across a strait in the lake.  If you look to the right while crossing this bridge, you can see a small arch-shaped CCC-built bridge that now carries SR 77S over a small creek.

Bridge at fishing pier

CCC-built bridge

            After crossing the bridge, the trail splits to form its loop; a yellow carsonite post marks this intersection.  For no particular reason, I turned left here and used the old road going straight as my return route, thus hiking the loop clockwise.  For the most part the trail parallels the lakeshore, although sometimes it stays closer to the lake than others.  The trail is unmarked, but I found it easy to follow except for a few side trails that lead down to the lake shore.

Climbing a rocky bluff

            The terrain is rockier than you might expect for a lakeside hike, and the forest is the usual cross timbers mix of red cedars and oaks with a dense understory.  Although the difference in maximum and minimum elevations on this hike is only about 70 vertical feet, there is considerable up and down as you go in and out of the many ravines that feed the lake.  At 0.7 miles, after topping a rocky bluff you reach a partially obstructed view of the lake that reveals the lodge and marina in the distance.

Marina across the lake

            1.5 miles into the hike, the trail curves right to begin the first of two long U-shaped curves.  These curves are necessitated by a deep, rocky lake inlet that comes into view on your left.  As you approach the end of the first U, an unofficial trail going right tempts you to skip the second U, but do not succumb to this temptation: the best view of this scenic, tranquil, rocky lake inlet lies just ahead.  Some rocks here make perfect places to sit, rest, have a trail snack, and enjoy the rocky aquatic views.

Rocky lake inlet

            After finishing the second U, the trail curves left and climbs slightly to reach the paved beach and marina access road at 2.4 miles.  The trail to the Ski Jump Campground continues across the road, but to continue this loop you want to turn right and walk a few hundred feet along the road.  This road carries moderate volumes of vehicle traffic, but wide shoulders allow you to easily dodge the cars.

Connector trail exits park road

            After walking the road a few hundred feet, watch the right shoulder for the yellow carsonite post that marks where the connector trail enters the woods.  Even though this trail follows what appears to be an old road, I would have had a hard time finding it without the carsonite post.  The trail undulates moderately and descends to the south side of the fishing pier bridge to close the loop.  Cross the bridge and walk the concrete path back up to the park office to complete the hike.  While you are here, be sure to check out some of this park's "parkitecture."  My favorite park structure is Tucker Tower, a multi-story stone castle-like structure that dates to the 1930's and stands on a rocky protrusion into the lake about 5 miles south of the park office.