Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Oklahoma, United States

5rhia474 5:00 PM Mar 17, 2021

Underrated gem.
A great, slightly hidden treasure that is overshadowed by nearby and way too touristy Turner Falls. This state park is free, has lovely drives and hiking trails, a great visitor center with a lovely little exhibit on the area, clean restrooms (!) even its own buffalo herd. Did I mention this incredible place is FREE to enter and use? Please consider stopping by the tiny gift shop and supporting the place by buying a t-shirt? We are planning on going back in the summer and utilizing the campgrounds/cabins. There is so much to see, watch and learn here.

4ems_jls 5:00 PM Jul 1, 2022

A demoted national park that is definitely worth a visit
I read about Platt National Park growing up and now many years later wanted to see what it takes to get demoted from that status. Yes, it's borderline at best for being a national park, but nonetheless worth going to. Lots of families wading in the streams and pools, the best of those being Little Niagara where you can see kids jumping off the falls with varying degrees of bravery. At the Bison Pasture, if you don't see them from the road turnoff, there is a hiking trail around it, and within a few minutes' walk we saw a group of 5-6 moving slowly and resting in the hot sun. Bromide Hill has a cliff with not the most spectacular of views but still warranting not getting close to the edge. Veterans Lake in appealing and has a boat dock which if you walk out on it brings you a refreshing breeze.