Chickasaw National Recreation Area in southern Oklahoma offers camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, boating, and the opportunity to visit the historic Sulphur Springs.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Chickasaw NRA was originally called Sulpher Springs Reservation in 1902 when it was created to protect both mineral and freshwater springs. This area later became Platt National Park, the 7th National Park in the United States.
Platt National Park was combined with the Arbuckle Recreation Area in 1976 and became Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
Chickasaw NRA is considered an Oklahoma oasis providing fun swimming holes, historic areas, camping, hiking trails, and so much more.
About Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Chickasaw NRA provides visitors the opportunity to explore the historic Platt District and Lake of the Arbuckles.
There is something for everyone at Chickasaw NRA including hiking, boating, bison, wildlife viewing, swimming, and so much more.
The park has six public campgrounds spread between Lake of the Arbuckles and the Platt Historic District.
Is Chickasaw NRA worth visiting?
Yes! This is an unbelievably beautiful park and the water is beyond inviting. I enjoyed the trails as well as seeing lots of wildlife.
I felt rejuvenated after visiting Chickasaw NRA, Talk about a perfect park to go and relax and enjoy nature.
History of Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Chickasaw National Recreation Area is located in the foothills of the Arbuckle Mountains in south-central Oklahoma. The area is located near the town of Sulphur, Oklahoma.
The park is named in honor of the tribe who moved to the area from the southeastern United States and fought to regain their identity in a new land.
In the early 1800s, European-Americans were beginning to migrate and settle closer to the Mississippi River. The Chickasaw Native Americans were inhabiting the area in what is now northern Mississippi and Alabama.
In 1832, the U.S. government forced the Chickasaw to sell their nearly six million acres of land and begin travel on the Trail of Tears to Indian Territory in Oklahoma.
It was agreed in 1837 that the Chickasaw Nation would move into the Choctaw Tribe lands in Northern Oklahoma. The transition for the Chickasaw took years as many members were not officially settled into the intended area of the Choctaw Nation.
They feared anger and retaliation from encroaching on land occupied by Kiowa, Comanche, and Pawnee Tribes.
The Chickasaw fought to regain some sort of authority in their new life in a new land.
For the next 50 years they fought Congressional acts regarding land allotments, tried to assimilate but also stand on their own in a nation of multiple tribes, and wrestled with political and economic problems in the U.S. pre- and post-Civil War.
In the 1930s, federal funds for education and jobs began to offer a new sense of identity to the Chickasaw.
In the 1970s, the Chickasaw began to aggressively try and perfect a tribal Constitution and in 1983 a draft was finally approved by the U.S. Government. By the 21st Century, the tribe had finally achieved political and economic stability.
As the Chickasaw Nation was working to progress, the land in southern Oklahoma was being recognized as an area that was so beautiful and unique it needed preservation. The name of the area changed multiple times before it became Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
The area was originally established in 1902 as Sulphur Springs Reservation, created to protect the natural mineral springs along Travertine and Rock Creek. At the time, this land was designated as Chickasaw land.
The Chickasaw believed the springs had great healing powers and were afraid that large resorts would be created on the property, as happened near the Hot Springs in Arkansas.
It was then that the Chickasaw decided to sell approximately 640 acres to the government to establish a quiet park at the springs. It opened to the public in April of 1904.
In 1906 the land was re-designated as Platt National Park, named after the Senator benefactor who had died the year before. As it was the only National Park in Oklahoma, visitors flocked to the area.
The railways had recently built spur lines that traveled directly to Sulphur, Oklahoma, which became the main entrance to the park. It was said that in 1914, Platt Park had more visitors than Yosemite or Yellowstone.
In the 1930s, Civilian Conservation Corps worked for years to build pavilions, roads, and trails. They also planted over 500,000 trees in the park and even established a Bison pasture.
In 1976 the land combined with Arbuckles National Recreation Area and became known as the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, in honor of the tribe’s cooperation in establishing the park in 1902. It now encompasses nearly 10,000 acres.
In 1983, the city of Sulphur added their 67 acre Veterans Lake to the recreation area. In 2011, the United States Mint unveiled a quarter illustrating the Chickasaw Lincoln Bridge located within the park.
The limestone bridge was built in 1909 to commemorate President Lincoln’s 100th birthday. The bridge is the first and oldest structure built during the years when it was called Platt National Park.
The bridge’s designer was actually a full-time ranger at the park named Forrest Townsley. In February of 2009, students gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of the building of the bridge.
Just as students had done 100 years before when the bridge was dedicated, the Gettysburg Address was read aloud at the gathering.
Today the area is a great spot for relaxation, swimming, hiking, biking, and natural beauty. The numerous fresh water mineral springs drop off ledges into small waterfalls dotted along the park and give a sense of tranquility.
Surely, the final name agreed upon for the park was a necessary one, as it represents the struggles of a people to change and relocate a lifestyle continuously, yet still strive to persevere.
Things to know before your visit to Chickasaw NRA
Entrance fee
$0.00 - There is no entry fee at Chickasaw NRA
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Time Zone
CST - Central Time
Pets
Pets are allowed in the park and on most trails. Dogs are not allowed in swimming areas.
Pets are prohibited on the trails east of the Travertine Nature Center, within the Travertine Nature Center, and in all swimming areas along Travertine Creek east of US 177, south of the Northeast Perimeter Road, and north of the Southeast Perimeter Road east of Sycamore Crossing.
All pets must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet.
Cell Service
Cell service can be spotty depending on where you are visiting in the park.
Park Hours
The park is open 24 hours a day.
Wi-Fi
No Wi-Fi is offered in the park.
Insect Repellent
Insect repellent is always a great idea when outdoors, especially if you are around any body of water.
We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips.
Water Bottle
Make sure to bring your own water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.
Food/Restaurants
The closest restaurants are located in Sulphur and Davis, Oklahoma
Gas
The closest gas stations are located in Sulphur and Davis, Oklahoma
Drones
Drones are not allowed to be flown within National Park Sites.
National Park Passport Stamps
National Park Passport stamps can be found in the Travertine Nature Center visitor center.
Chickasaw NRA is part of the 2022 Passport Stamp Set.
We like to use these circle stickers for park stamps so we don't have to bring our passport book with us on every trip.
The National Park Passport Book program is a great way to document all of the parks you have visitied.
You can get Passport Stickers and Annual Stamp Sets to help enhance your Passport Book.
Electric Vehicle Charging
There are EV Charging Stations located in Ada, Oklahoma
Details about Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Size - 9,899 acres
Check out how Chickasaw NRA compares to National Parks by Size.
Date Established
July 1, 1902 - The Federal government purchased 640 acres of land from the Chickasaw National.
1906 - Additional lands were added and the park was renamed Platt National Park.
1976 - Platt National Park and Arbuckle Recreation Area and additional land were joined to form Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
Visitation
In 2021, Chickasaw NRA had 1,517,102 park visitors.
In 2020, Chickasaw NRA had 1,348,122 park visitors.
In 2019, Chickasaw NRA had 1,422,612 park visitors.
Learn more about the most visited and least visited National Parks in the US
National Park Address
901 W. 1st Street
Sulphur, OK 73086
Latitude/Longitude Coordinates: 34.50399, -96.94965
Chickasaw National Recreation Area Map
Where is Chickasaw National Recreation Area?
Chickasaw NRA is located in south-central Oklahoma near Sulphur in Murray County.
Estimated distance from major cities nearby
- Oklahoma City, Ok - 90 miles
- Dallas, Texas - 142 miles
- Little Rock, Arkansas - 358 miles
- Shreveport, Louisiana - 291 miles
- Wichita, Kansas - 242 miles
- Austin, Texas - 324 miles
Estimated Distance from nearby National Park
Hot Springs National Park - 254 miles
Gateway Arch National Park - 538 miles
Mammoth Cave National Park - 782 miles
Indiana Dunes National Park - 843 miles
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 891 miles
Congaree National Park - 1,106 miles
Shenandoah National Park - 1,225 miles
Where is the National Park Visitor Center?
The visitor center is in the Travertine Nature Center.
Getting to Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Closest Airports
- Oklahoma City International Airport (OKC) -
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Train service
The closest train service is in Paul's Valley and Ardmore, Oklahoma
Driving Directions
From US I-35 drive through the towns of Davis and towards the town of Sulphur.
Best time to visit Chickasaw National Recreation Area
The lowest visitation to the park is in December and January.
It is relatively uncrowded from October through March depending on the weather.
Visitation picks up starting in April through September.
If you are looking to avoid crowds we suggest visiting Monday through Thursday.
Chickasaw NRA Weather and Seasons
The park experiences hot and muggy summers along with cold and windy winters.
The hottest weather is from June 7th to September 16th with an average daily temperature above 85 degrees.
The coldest weather is from November 26 to February 23rd with an average daily temperature below 60 degrees.
The rainiest month is May. Snow may occur from November 25th to February 23rd with January receiving the most snow.
The muggiest weather is from May 6 to October 3rd when it can be miserable.
Best Things to do in Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Travertine Nature Center
The Travertine Nature Center is a must-visit! You can pick up a junior ranger booklet, learn about the local wildlife, mineral and fresh water springs, and check out the park store.
While we were there they had quite a few tanks with animals including turtles, snakes, and fish. There are great displays describing how the park has both mineral and fresh water springs.
Lake of the Arbuckles
Lake of the Arbuckles was created when the Arbuckle Dam was built in 1966.
The lake is located at the confluence of the Buckhorn, Guy Sandy, and Rock Creeks.
The lake offers 36 miles of shoreline, fishing, picnic areas, boat ramps, and more.
Fishing on the lake includes catfish, perch, bass, and crappie.
The lake is located at the confluence of the Buckhorn, Guy Sandy, and Rock Creeks.
Visitors fishing within Chickasaw National Recreation Area must follow the fishing license requirements in accordance with the laws and regulations of the State of Oklahoma.
Veterans Lake
Veterans Lake includes a 3-mile paved trail that circles the lake.
The lake was built in 1933 and became part of the park in 1983.
There is a boat ramp, fishing dock, picnic area, grills, and restrooms.
Wildlife viewing
Did you know you can see bison in Chickasaw NRA? There is a bison area where you can view them from the viewing platform.
The park is also home to White-tailed deer, Hermit Thrush, Flying Squirrels, Eastern Meadowlark, Bull Snakes, and nine-banded Armadillos.
Camera Gear we use
We are big fans of using great camera gear to get amazing photos while traveling.
Canon R5 - We recently upgraded to the R5 after using a Mark 5 for years. We are loving the camera shutter speed and quality of images.
Canon 100 - 500mm - We use the Canon 100-500 for wildlife photography.
Camera Rain Cover - A rain cover will help protect your camera during rain showers but also when photographing waterfalls.
Camera Cleaning Kit - Cameras can get dirty, beat up, and dusty while in the parks. We like having a cleaning kit with us so we can do on the spot touch ups.
Extra Camera Batteries - We suggest always having one or two extra camera batteries with you. There is nothing worse than going to take a shot and the battery dies.
Extra Memory Cards - We use Extreme PRO SanDisk cards
Junior Ranger Program
The Junior Ranger program can be picked up at the Travertine Nature Center. It is a great way for all ages to learn more about the park.
Ranger Led Programs
Ranger led programs are offered throughout the year.
Programs include a nature hike that covers a half-mile. The program meets at the Travertine Nature Center.
Hunting and Fishing
Hunting and fishing are allowed in Chickasaw National Recreation Area and is concurrent with Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) regulations. Specific hunting regulations apply.
Hiking in Chickasaw NRA
There are over 20 miles of hiking trails within the park.
Always carry the 10 essentials for outdoor survival when exploring.
Antelope Springs Trail
Distance - 1 mile round trip
You can add on to this trail by hiking the Prairie Loop (+.5 miles), Tall Oaks Loop (+.6 miles), Buffalo Springs Loop (+.4 miles), and the Dry Creek Loop (+.5 miles from the Buffalo Springs Loop).
Travertine Creek Trail
Distance - 1.5 miles one way
The Travertine Creek Trail connects the Travertine Nature Center and Pavilion Springs.
The trail is mostly level with some bridges and gentle slopes. There is a set of stone stairs near Pavilion Springs.
Veterans Trail
Distance - .5 miles one way
The Veterans Trail connects Pavilion Springs to the Oklahoma Veterans Center just outside the park area.
Bison Pasture Loop
Distance - 1.9 miles round trip
The Bison Pasture Loop Trail can be accessed in multiple areas within the park. You can add onto this trail by adding the Spur to Bromide Hill (+.5 miles one way) or the Spur to Rock Creek Campground (+.8 miles one way).
Flower Park Trails
Distance - .5 miles round trip
These gravel trails connect Vendome Well and Lincoln Bridge.
Veterans Lake Trail
Distance - 2.8 mile loop
This concrete path loops around Veterans Lake with two parking areas available.
Lakeview Trail
Distance - 1 mile round trip
The trail leaves from Cooper Memorial Road. The trail is dirt path with some elevation gain.
Fishing Rock Trail
Distance - 1.6 miles round trip
The trail leaves from Cooper Memorial Road. The trail is dirt path with some elevation gain.
This trail can flood when there is spring rains.
How to beat the crowds in Chickasaw NRA?
We didn't experience to big of crowds while in the park. During the summer the visitation is much higher than when we visited in early Spring.
There are a ton of places to explore within the park which makes it easy to avoid big crowds.
Where to stay when visiting Chickasaw National Recreation Area
There are no National Park Lodges within Chickasaw NRA.
The closest lodging is in Sulphur, Oklahoma.
Echo Canyon Spa Resort - Free full breakfast, a fireplace in the lobby, and a bar are just a few of the amenities provided at Echo Canyon Spa Resort.
Super 8 by Wyndham Sulphur - free to-go breakfast, laundry facilities, and a business center at Super 8 by Wyndham Sulphur. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ardmore - take advantage of free continental breakfast, a grocery/convenience store, and dry cleaning/laundry services. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. In addition to a 24-hour gym and a business center, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Red Roof Inn Ardmore - A free breakfast buffet, laundry facilities, and a business center are just a few of the amenities provided at Red Roof Inn Ardmore. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Courtyard by Marriott Ardmore - look forward to a grocery/convenience store, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a bar at Courtyard by Marriott Ardmore. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a gym and a business center.
Click on the map below to find the current rates and availability of lodging and vacation rentals near Chickasaw NRS.
Chickasaw NRA Camping
The park has six campgrounds with over 400 campsites, with fees ranging from $14.00 to $30.00 per night.
The campgrounds are divided between the Platt Historic District and the Lake of the Arbuckles.
Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando
Platt Historic District Campgrounds
Central Campground
Location - Near Platt Historic District
Season - open seasonally
Campsites - 10 group sites
Reservations - Yes on Recreation.gov
Cold Springs Campground
Location - Near Platt Historic District
Season - open seasonally
Campsites - 63 campsites and 2 group sites
Reservations - Group campsites only
All sites are non-electrical and are best for tent camping, though small RVs and pop-up campers (less than 20') may fit.
Rock Creek Campground
Location - Near Platt Historic District
Season - open year-round
Campsites - 99 campsites and 1 group site
Reservations - Group campsites only
All sites are non-electrical. Some sites can accommodate small RVs (25' or less). A dump station is located outside of the campground, near Bromide Pavilion.
Lake of the Arbuckles Campgrounds
Buckhorn Campground
Location - The Buckhorn Campground is located on the eastern side of Lake of the Arbuckles.
Season - Near Lake of the Arbuckles
Campsites - 134
Reservations - Loop C
Guy Sandy Campground
Location - located on the west shore of Lake of the Arbuckles
Season - Seasonally
Campsites - 40
Reservations - No
Facilities include water faucets and pit toilets. All sites are first come, first served. Guy Sandy is cash only.
The Point Campground
Location - The Point Campground is located on the northern side of Lake of the Arbuckles.
Season - open year-round
Campsites - 55
There are 12 electrical sites (50 and 30 amp) and 9 non-electrical camping sites, including 2 accessible sites (with hookups).
Reservations - Upper Loop
Showers are available in the restrooms.
There are 12 electrical sites (50 and 30 amp) and 9 non-electrical camping sites, including 2 accessible sites (with hookups).
Electrical sites also have water hookups.
There are no sewer hookups available in the campground. A dump station can be found on the road down to the campground.
Parks near Chickasaw National Recreation Area
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Washita Battlefield National Historic Site
Fort Smith National Historic Site
President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site
Waco Mammoth National Monument
Check out all of the National Parks in Oklahoma along with neighboring National Parks in Arkansas, National Parks in Colorado, National Parks in Kansas, National Parks in Missouri, New Mexico National Parks, and Texas National Parks
National Park Service Website
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