Oklahoma State parks are one of Oklahoma's standout attractions. Numbering 50 in total, these Oklahoma State parks cover an astonishingly diverse selection of terrain: there are parks in the pine forests of the southeast, in the mountains of the southwest, in the lakes of the northeast, and in the mesas of the Panhandle. Each State park in Oklahoma provides a well-maintained area that well accommodates one-day visitors and longer vacation goers while always remaining true to the needs of nature. If spending time among the tranquil expanses of these State parks of Oklahoma sounds appealing—perhaps as an antidote to the heady urban life of Oklahoma City or Tulsa—one of the following parks may just be exactly what you're looking for.

Lake Murray State Park and Lodge in the shady wooded hills of south Oklahoma is the State's oldest and largest park. There's a simply stunning array of things to do here, from golfing on the 18-hole course, to fishing and boating on the crystal clear waters of Lake Murray itself. For the vacationer looking to spend a night or more, there are plenty of accommodation options in place, including the guest rooms, suites and cabins of Lake Murray Lodge, which perches on a typically scenic section of the lake. If you prefer to bring your own sleeping quarters, Lake Murray State Park offers nine separate campgrounds with over 300 RV sites between them. These come equipped with restrooms and showers, so you won't have to rough it too much.

Another good state park in Oklahoma is the Osage Hills State Park. Located a few miles west of Bartlesville, this was once an Osage Indian settlement, and the cabins that host guests today still bear a resemblance to times past. If you don't fancy staying in one of the eight classic wood and stone cabins (they come complete with a log fire and fresh bedding everyday), there are 20 RV sites on hand, and pitching a tent is a possibility throughout the park. As with many of the Oklahoma state parks, fishing remains one of the main attractions here, with bass, crappie, and catfish particularly dominant in the waters.

Oklahoma Map

The Black Mesa State Park and Nature Reserve is the Panhandle's primary State Park of Oklahoma. Famed for its black lava rock formations, which have proved a handy preservative for dinosaur fossils in the area, this state park in Oklahoma includes a four-mile trail that runs from the foot to the summit of the Black Mesa. In case that sounds like too much work to you, there's always fishing in Lake Carl Etling, which makes for fun with less exertion.

One of the most well-known state parks of Oklahoma is Beavers Bend, where the Lakelove Lodge provides wonderful rest after a day spent hiking around the park's rugged mountains. Other attractions here include an 18-hole golf course, paddle boating on Broken Bow Lake, and the Forest Heritage Center. All in all, an excellent spot for family fun.