Lifestyle & Recreation
Okmulgee offers the best of city and country here in Okmulgee. We’re home to a historic downtown that’s undergoing a dramatic renaissance in a main street district that boasts nearly 10 various architectural styles. There are barbeque and home-style restaurants, farmer’s market, hiking trails, rodeos, and family-oriented festivals and special events on a monthly schedule throughout the year such as the Orange Fest, Pecan Festival, Harvest Spoon Chili Fest, Muscogee Creek Nation Festival, Eats and Beats, and the bi-annual Airfest.
One of Okmulgee’s options for family and youth activities is Jandebeur’s MotorSports Park. The park is a 170-acre facility offering dirt bike rentals, family riding, motocross racing, youth training and used dirt bikes sales. They host youth motocross races twice monthly under the lights and full- class races once monthly on the main track. Perfect for beginners or professionals, folks of any age can participate. It’s a great way to give children and youth something to focus on besides mobile devices, and along the way they learn about physical fitness, mechanics, competition and teamwork. Your children (and you!) will enjoy making memories together!
The Okmulgee County YMCA and Aquatic Park offers up dozens of programs for youth and adults throughout the year.
If you want to get out to nature, spend time at the Okmulgee Lake and Dripping Springs Lake and Recreation Area. Located just 5 miles west of Okmulgee, the recreation area is a scenic drive beside two beautiful lakes. The 668-acre Okmulgee Lake was built in 1927 and the 1,150-acre Dripping Springs Lake was built in 1979 and designated as Oklahoma’s first “Trophy Bass Lake.” The lake has an abundant stand of timber still in the water, which makes an ideal habitat for trophy bass. Campgrounds, swimming areas and hiking trails make the lakes THE place to go in the spring and summer.
The lakes are owned and operated by the City of Okmulgee. Nestled in mighty oak trees, both lakes offer RV and tent camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing, designated swimming areas, comfort stations, sanitary water stations, lighted boat ramps, playgrounds and hiking trails.
And there is more! Please don’t overlook the Deep Fork Wildlife Refuge, one of our hidden gems, located about 6 miles south of Okmulgee. Deep Fork NWR was established in 1993 to protect the bottomland hardwood forests of eastern Oklahoma, of which only 15% remain. The refuge was named after the Deep Fork River, which borders the refuge for over 34 miles.
Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge is one of nine National Wildlife Refuges in Oklahoma and one of over 560 refuges found throughout the United States. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the only national system of lands dedicated to conserving our wildlife heritage for people today and for future generations.
Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge has is over 10,000 acres of bottomland hardwood forests, prairie uplands, the Deep Fork River, sloughs, ponds and other wetlands. Established in 1993, the refuge provides a place for wintering waterfowl to roost and feed and is home to more than 254 bird species, 51 mammal species, 22 species of amphibians, and 54 species of reptiles.
Looking for a place close to Tulsa to explore? Come visit the refuge! We have approximately twenty five miles of trails. Hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and photography opportunities abound at the refuge. For more information, call 918-652-0456, check out their website or Facebook page.
Tulsa is located just 38 miles north (approximate 45 minute drive) for those times when you just need or want some time in the city. The point is, we know that sometimes we all want some amenities of the city. A few unique feature activities in Tulsa to be considered include Gathering Place, the BOK Center and FlyingTee.
Gathering Place is an award winning 100+ acre park located along Tulsa's iconic waterfront, the Arkansas River. You will find one-of-a-kind playgrounds, gardens, trails, boat rentals, restaurants, outdoor concerts and events. In 2019, Gathering Place was named the Best New Attraction in the country by USA TODAY and was awarded TIME magazine's World's Greatest Places.
In the mood to see your favorite entertainer in concert and the energy of the crowd? The BOK Center in Tulsa is also an award winning and premier entertainment venue. Established in 2008 and owned by the City of Tulsa, the BOK is a 19,199 seat multi-purpose arena and a primary indoor sports and events venue. It was designed for and accommodates arena football, hockey, basketball and concerts.
In October 2016, it was awarded Arena of the Year by the International Entertainment Buyers Association. It was ranked #23 in Arenas In The US in December 14, 2018 and #47 in the world by Pollstar. It was also awarded the prestigious 2018 Venue Excellence Award by the International Association of Venue Managers and presented the award at the 93rd annual VenueConnect in Toronto.
Flying Tee is an on-trend activity that is entertaining the masses and advancing the game of golf with state-of-the-art technology. In addition to signature golf games, first class experiences of fun, food and interactive games, FlyingTee offers 53,000 square feet of multiple gaming options and over 300 televisions to watch your favorite teams, shuffle boards, pool tables, a chef driven menu, draft drinks and vibrant music.
The Main Event is another favorite family entertainment center in Tulsa, featuring bowling, laser tag, arcade games, birthday parties and more.
For those that are fans of The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, The Mercantile in Pawhuska Oklahoma is a perfect day trip - less than two hours drive from Okmulgee.