Hiking the Oklahoma trails, spread all over the state, is an excellent way to be familiar with its diverse topography. From forested areas to waterfalls and creeks to rugged mountains, these gorgeous trails provide an incredible vista and abundant wildlife species and birds. While some offer a peaceful scenic setting, others are pretty adventurous with rock climbing opportunities. Most of them are also accessible throughout the year. Hence, if going in springtime, the wildflowers and greenery will greet you, and in winter, you can treat your eyes with the white cover of snow. Moreover, you don’t have to be an experienced hiker to traverse along these trails, mainly rated as easy or moderate.
This adventurous trail in Beavers Bend State Park is excellent for a daytime hike. Winding through the pine woods, it offers picturesque views of the lake and its surroundings. If lucky, you can witness the seasonal wildflowers blooming on the way. In addition, at any point in time, a deer might peek out of the forested area besides birds being a common sight. With some inclines and declines, it is ideal and challenging enough for novice hikers to test their skills. However, remember to wear proper hiking shoes to cross rocky paths. Going the clockwise direction is advisable, and a trail map would come in handy. Though it is shaded, it would be better to bring enough water and some snacks.
Length: About 4 miles (loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Best time to visit: All-year-round
This park is home to the state’s tallest, Turner Falls, featuring many trails, one of them being the 3.5-mile loop going past the waterfall. Caves and hills are also part of it, making the hike an interesting one. Moreover, as you tread along, be sure to make a brief stop to explore the ruins of a castle. However, it would be helpful if you wear sturdy hiking shoes. End the hike by enjoying a dip into the water where the 77-feet tall fall cascades. The park usually gets crowded during summer, hence start early to have a wonderful experience.
There is an entry fee of about $10 per day. Do collect the park map as you set foot inside for better understanding.
Length: 3.5 miles (loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Best time to visit: All-year-round
This well-maintained trail meanders along Travertine Creek in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. It comprises a gravel path, a few bridges, and some gradual inclines easily doable for hikers of all skill levels. It is also wide enough for couples to explore with their dogs. As it has plenty of shade on the way, hiking under the scorching sun won’t be too much of a problem. There are also crystal-clear swimming holes like Niagara Falls and springs like Antelope and Buffalo Springs to explore and cool off.
Length: 2.8 miles (out-and-back)
Difficulty: Easy
Best time to visit: All-year-round
Located within Lake Murray State Park, this short and scenic trail is a favorite among nature lovers. It crosses a few bridges and rocks that make the hike more fun and interesting as it chases the lake. Though you’ll get some occasional peeks of the lake as you tread along, its full view is visible at the trail’s end, which is splendid. The benches on the way provide a perfect spot to take a pause and admire nature. Remember to carry your binoculars as there’s an excellent birding opportunity here that you wouldn’t want to miss. It would be better to start early in the morning to get a chance to view the local wildlife like deer, hogs, and so on.
The trail is also a dog-friendly one. Several campsites are available within the state park for those who wish to spend overnight. There’s a parking fee of about $10 per vehicle.
Length: About 3.5 miles (out-and-back)
Difficulty: Easy
Best time to visit: All-year-round
This trail in Sutton Urban Wilderness Park is flat and paved in most sections. It is one of the best scenic hikes for those desiring to cherish the sights and sounds of nature. You’ll get to spot several birds and wildlife like deer, rabbits, squirrels, opossums, and turtles. There’s a pond here where visitors enjoy fishing. Besides this, you’ll find many other dirt trails in the surroundings to explore the diverse landscape. This area is pretty impressive in winter when a sheet of snow envelops the wilderness completely.
Length: About 1.5 miles (loop)
Difficulty: Easy
Best time to visit: All-year-round
This serene loop trail in Lake Thunderbird State Park offers a forest setting with plenty of wildlife like deer, rabbits, squirrels, and numerous birds. Moreover, it consists of five interconnecting trails, varying in difficulty levels. Hikers can either cover all the trails or choose any one of it, depending on their skill level. Beginners can enjoy the 1.5 mile Green Loop and the 1 mile Yellow Loop while the 1.25 mile Red Loop and 4.75 mile Blue Loop are ideal for intermediate-level hikers. The 10 mile Gold loop, on the other hand, consists of many switchbacks, making it a challenging one. However, put on sufficient bug spray before starting as ticks and mosquitoes can be a menace here. The parking fee is about $10.
Length: About 15 miles (loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Best time to visit: February to October
As the trail meanders along the wooded areas of tall trees, it boasts beautiful scenery with colorful wildflowers blooming seasonally. Hikers and bikers both love accessing it due to the natural setting. However, do keep track of where you’re heading, as you would not find directions everywhere, increasing your possibility of getting lost. You can connect it with other trails if willing to explore more in the area. The shaded portions provide some respite from the sun during the summer.
Length: 1.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Best time to visit: April to October
This trail is a part of Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area within Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Starting from the Sunset Picnic Area, the trail crosses a set of rock stairs and Sunset Pool. Try spotting the colorful boomer lizards frequently appearing in the area. In addition, you might even spot the bison or deer wandering around the vicinity. Once you reach the summit, the panoramic views of the surroundings await you. After enjoying the sights, you can return using the left fork for a shorter hike but be prepared for the steep decline and rock climbs. Download a map as it is not well-marked and has many other side trails where you might wander off.
Length: About 2.5 mile (out-and-back)
Difficulty: Moderate
Best time to visit: All-year-round
This trail circling Black Mesa takes you to its top, which is the state’s highest point. It gains an elevation of 4973 feet above sea level. In addition, it has many switchbacks and steep inclines, mainly at the third mile. The varied topography from prairies to wooded areas is sure to ease you while climbing up the hill. Since the paths are mostly exposed to the sun and get windy, set early for an enjoyable experience. With benches positioned at every mile, you can take short breaks if feeling weary. Once you reach the summit, enjoy a pleasant time observing the jaw-dropping views. On a clear day, you might even get to see the neighboring states of Colorado and New Mexico at a distance.
Length: About 8.5 miles (out-and-back)
Difficulty: Moderate
Best time to visit: All-year-round
This recreation area is home to several trails with different difficulty levels. For an easy hike, you can choose the South Rim and Little Bugaboo Loop. It is tranquil and scenic with creeks and oak-pine forests. With not many people being around, the sounds of nature here are like music to the ears. At some points, there are creek crossings that are easily manageable.
For a longer hike, South Rim and Boundary Loop are ideal. Along with the lush scenery, wildlife species are also abundant, like deer, squirrels, hogs, and many birds. You can take a side trail to shorten or extend the hike. Wear appropriate shoes as parts of the track can be muddy and slippery. The entire hike will take about 4 to 5 hours to complete.
Length: South Rim and Little Bugaboo Loop (Easy); South Rim and Boundary Loop (Moderate)
Difficulty: South Rim and Little Bugaboo Loop (3.8 miles); South Rim and Boundary Loop (11.5 miles)
Best time to visit: All-year-round
In the west-central part of the state, Red Rock Canyon State Park offers many trails with spectacular views of the sandstone rock formation. One among them is the Orange Dot Trail, accessible by hikers of any skill level. With the signs and markings present, it is pretty easy to follow. It can, however, be quite overgrown at times, and some trails also intersect it. Besides the scenic vistas, there are several birds and wildlife to spot.
Rough Horsetail Nature Trail is another one that is short yet picturesque with lovely flora all around the canyon rim. The rock-climbing in some sections makes it even more enjoyable. You can hike the side trails to the pond area, where a waterfall plunges after heavy rainfall. Remember to wear sturdy hiking shoes to avoid muddy and slippery paths, especially after rain.
Length: Orange Dot Trail (Easy); Rough Horsetail Nature Trail (Easy to Moderate)
Difficulty: Orange Dot Trail (1.5 miles); Rough Horsetail Nature Trail (About 0.6 miles)
Best time to visit: All-year-round
Situated southwest of Oklahoma Peak, Sugarloaf Mountain Trail is pretty challenging with steep ascents and descents along the bluffs. There are also many old rumors attached to it. It is said that the mountain was a hiding place for the famous American outlaw, Belle Starr, and other such gangsters. Locals had discovered guns and saddles later from a cave, and it was thought to be a storehouse of their loot. The trail starts from near the ruins of an old cabin alongside a spring, which was their hangout spot. Besides this, it has many spectacular views to offer of the cliffs and the surrounding rocky terrains. You will have to maneuver past boulders, and hence is not suitable for hikers of beginner levels.
Length: About a mile
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Best time to visit: All-year-round
Meandering along the scenic stretch of the North Blue River, this trail is a family-friendly one. It is a dirt road, which requires walking more than hiking. You can get into the cold water and wade or soak your feet during the summer days. Many also carry their fishing rods and reels to spend time catching fish while enjoying the scenery. Towards the trail’s end, you can go further past the bridge to get additional views of the river. There are many flat boulders here where you can enjoy a picnic before getting back to the trail.
Length: 1.8 mile (out-and-back)
Difficulty: Easy
Best time to visit: All-year-round
This multi-use trail starts from Central State Park’s office and meanders along Arcadia Lake until Spring Creek Park. It is primarily a shaded path with bridges and some creek crossings. If not planning to hike the entire trail, you can turn around and return or stride along the side tracks and explore the scenic areas for a while before calling it a day. It is accessible from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year.
Length: About 12.5 miles (out-and-back)
Difficulty: Easy
Best time to visit: All year-round
More than a hiking trail, this is a paved road winding up Mount Scott, one of the state’s prominent mountains. Set in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, it is a gradual climb providing stunning views of wildflowers, rocks, and boulders. The summit, however, has the best panoramic scenes of the Wichita area. Cars and bikes can exclusively access the road in the afternoons of Friday till Sunday. However, if hiking, you need to clear off the place during these times. The trailhead has picnic spots where you could enjoy a meal on your return.
Length: About 5.5 miles (out-and-back)
Difficulty: Moderate
Best time to visit: Accessible year-round
TOP PICKS
Best Mountain Hikes: Elk Mountain Summit Trail, Black Mesa Summit Trail, Mount Scott Overlook
Best Waterfall Hikes: Turner Falls Park Trails, Travertine Creek Trail
Best Fall Hikes: Red Rock State Park Trails, McGee Creek State Natural Scenic Recreation Area
Best Winter Hikes: Sutton Wilderness Trail, Travertine Creek Trail, Black Mesa Summit Trail
Hello there! My name is Jay and I run this website. I'm a full-time traveler and freelance writer. This is where I share travel advice and help people pursue their traveling dreams.
You can learn more about me and my mission on the about me page.
It's nice to have you here :)
