First day hikes at Oklahoma state parks

Photo Credit: Sequoyah State Park

(OKLAHOMA) Start 2023 off on the right foot with a rewarding hike through one of Oklahoma's scenic state parks. Get a head start on those fitness resolutions, embark on a guided nature-watching adventure, or simply enjoy the crisp January air with friends and family.

Embark on a scenic First Day Hike at the nearest Oklahoma State Parks destination.

These hikes are part of the America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative that takes place in all 50 states and encourages individuals and families to stay active with a hike outdoors. Whatever your motivation, an Oklahoma hike makes for a New Year’s Day you won’t regret.

Embark on a simple walk close to geological wonders at Alabaster Caverns, encounter wildlife and waterside views on the trails near Grand Lake and everything in between on one of these invigorating excursions. With 21 participating parks across the state, there’s sure to be a hike happening near you. Dress warm, wear sturdy shoes and get ready to develop a healthy habit while discovering Oklahoma’s abundant nature.

Northwest

Boiling Springs State Park - Woodward

Time: January 1 at 2pm

Meeting Location: Scout Trail Head

Trail: Scout Trail

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Minimum age for kids: All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by parent.

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trail: 1 mile

Things to bring: Water, binoculars and camera

Cancellation information: Call 580-256-7664

Roman Nose State Park - Watonga

Time: January 1 at 1:30pm

Meeting Location: Lodge

Degree of difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trail: 3 miles (roundtrip) to Inspiration Point

Things to bring: Water, binoculars and camera

Cancellation information: Call 580-623-7281

Other information: Complimentary coffee, hot chocolate and tea will be provided after the hike.

Northeast

Arrowhead State Park - Canadian

Time: January 1 at 10am & 2pm

Meeting location: Park Office

Name of trail: Trivia Trail

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Minimum age for kids: All ages

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trail: 1 mile guided followed by optional 10 miles

Things to bring: Binoculars, camera, water, weather-appropriate clothing

Cancellation information: Call 918-339-2204 or check the Arrowhead State Park Facebook page.

Bernice Area at Grand Lake State Park - Bernice

Time: January 1 at 11am

Meeting location: Nature Center

Name of trail: Heart Healthy Trail

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Minimum age for kids: All ages

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trail: 1 mile

Things to bring: Binoculars, camera, water, weather-appropriate clothing

Cancellation information: Call 918-257-8330 or check the Bernice State Park Facebook page.

Lake Eufaula State Park - Checotah

Time: January 1 at 10am

Meeting location: Visitor Center

Name of trail: Chinkapin Trail

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Minimum age for kids: All ages

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trail: 1.5 miles

Things to bring: Binoculars, camera, water, weather-appropriate clothing

Cancellation information: Call 918-689-5311 or check the Lake Eufaula State Park Facebook page.

Natural Falls State Park - West Siloam Springs

Time: January 1 at 10am

Meeting location: Dripping Springs Trail

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Minimum age for kids: All ages

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Things to bring: Water and weather-appropriate clothing and shoes.

Cancellation information: Call 918-422-5802

Osage Hills State Park - Pawhuska

Time: January 1 at 1pm

Meeting location: Creek Loop Trail

Degree of difficulty: Moderate

Minimum age for kids: All ages

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trail: 1 mile

Things to bring: Water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes.

Cancellation information: Call 918-336-5635

Sequoyah State Park - Hulbert

Time: January 1 at 11am & 1pm

Meeting location: Trailhead by the Chickasaw entrance (11am) & Park Office (1:30pm)

Degree of difficulty: Easy and moderate, depending on hike.

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trail: 5 miles (1pm).

Things to bring: Water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes.

Cancellation information: Call 918-772-2108 or check the Sequoyah State Park Facebook page.

Tenkiller State Park - Vian

Time: January 1 at 1pm

Meeting location: Driftwood Nature Center

Degree of difficulty: Easy to moderately strenuous, depending on hike.

Name of trail: Whispering Leaves Trail

Things to bring: Water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes.

Cancellation information: Call 918-776-8180

Other information: If conditions become icy, the hike will be held along a paved trail. After the hike, enjoy a cup of cocoa, cider or cookies and if conditions permit, a campfire and s'mores.  

Southeast

Beavers Bend State Park - Broken Bow

Time: January 1 at 10am & 1pm

Meeting location: Forest Heritage Center at 10am & Broken Bow Dam parking lot at 1pm

Degree of difficulty: Easy to moderate

Name of trail: Heritage Tree Trail & Rattlesnake Bluff Trail

Minimum age for kids: All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by parent.

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trail: 1 mile and 4 miles

Things to bring: Water, snacks, binoculars, camera

Cancellation information: Call 580-494-6300

Other information: Hot dogs will be served noon at the Forest Heritage Center.

Lake Wister State Park - Wister

Time: January 1 at 1pm

Meeting location: Heart Healthy Trail

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Minimum age for kids: All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by parent.

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trail: 0.5 mile

Things to bring: Water, snacks, binoculars, camera

Cancellation information: Call 918-655-7212

McGee Creek State Park - Atoka

Time: January 1 at 1pm

Meeting location: T-Hill Loop on the campground

Degree of difficulty: Moderate

Minimum age for kids: All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by parent.

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trail: 1.5 miles

Things to bring: Water, snacks, binoculars, camera

Cancellation information: Call 580-889-5822

Other information: Snacks and hot beverages will be provided after the hike.

Robbers Cave State Park - Wilburton

Time: January 1 at 9am

Meeting location: Lodge

Degree of difficulty: Moderate to difficult

Minimum age for kids: All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by parent and carefully supervised along Mountain trail.

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trail: Outdoor Classroom trail is one mile, Mountain trail is 2.5 miles

Things to bring: Water, snacks, binoculars, camera

Cancellation information: Check the Robbers Cave State Park Facebook page

Talimena State Park - Talihina

Time: January 1 at 9am

Meeting location: Ouachita Trailhead

Degree of difficulty: Moderate

Minimum age for kids: All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by parent.

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trail: 200 miles; guests choose their distance

Things to bring: Water, snacks, binoculars, camera

Cancellation information: Check the Talimena State Park Facebook page

South-Central

Lake Murray State Park - Ardmore

Time: January 1 at 10am and 1pm

Meeting location: Lake Murray Nature Center at Tucker Tower for the Nature Center Trail and the Park Office for the Buckhorn Trail

Things to bring: Water bottle, camera, binoculars 

Cancellation information: Call 580-223-4044

Lake Texoma State Park - Kingston

Time: January 1 at 10am Meeting location: Trailhead in Ben’s Campground 

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Minimum age of kids: Six and above

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trail: 1.6 miles

Things to bring: Water bottle, camera, binoculars 

Cancelation information: Call 580-564-2566

Southwest

Foss State Park - Foss

Time: January 1 at 2pm

Meeting location: Enclosed Cedar Point shelter above the marina.

Name of trail: Great Western Heart Healthy Trail sponsored by AARP Oklahoma

Degree of difficulty: Moderate

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trail: 2 miles

Things to bring: Water bottle, binoculars, camera, hiking stick

Cancellation information: Call 580-592-4433 or check the Foss State Park Facebook page.

Fort Cobb State Park - Fort Cobb

Time: January 7 at 10am

Meeting location: Eagles Nest Community Building

Name of trail: Western Oaks Heart Healthy Trail

Degree of difficulty: Moderate

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trail: 3 miles

Things to bring: Water bottle, binoculars, camera, hiking stick

Cancellation information: Call 405-643-2249 or check the Fort Cobb State Park Facebook page.

Great Plains State Park - Mountain Park

Time: January 7 at 9am

Meeting locations: Park Office

Degree of difficulty: Moderate

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trails: 5-mile hike on the Heart Healthy and Nature Trails

Things to bring: Weather-appropriate clothing

Cancellation information: Call 580-569-2032

Quartz Mountain State Park - Lone Wolf

Time: January 1 at 11am & 2pm

Meeting locations: Lodge at 11am. Park office at 2pm.

Degree of difficulty: The 11am hike is easy and paved; the 2pm hike is strenuous

Length of trails: The 11am trail is one mile

Things to bring: For the 2pm hike, bring trekking poles and a sturdy pair of boots

Cancellation information: Call 580-563-2238 or check the Quartz Mountain State Park Facebook page.

Central

Lake Thunderbird State Park - Norman

Time: January 1 at 1pm

Meeting locations: Discovery Cove Nature Center

Degree of difficulty: Two hikes are available: an easy, paved trail or a more moderate hike

Pets on leash allowed: Yes

Length of trails: 2.5 miles on the moderate hike

Things to bring: Camera, binoculars, water and appropriate dress for cold weather

Cancellation information: Call 405-360-3572