Camping Gems - Oklahoma

Fort Cobb Reservoir
This 4,000-acre lake near the Cobb Creek with Washita River is a great place to fish for Here you'll find bass, crappie, and catfish. Don't miss the chance to swim and boat around this gorgeous blue lake.

The Cowboy Trade Day, Will Rogers Stampede Arena
If you can plan your visit to fall on the third Saturday of May or September, you can look forward to spending a day at "The Cowboy Trade Day", Will Rogers Stampede Arena. Billed as the biggest, all cowboy, "western stuff" swap meet in the nation, a visit here will give you a chance to wander through 100+ booths selling everything from antique spurs to Navajo jewelry.

Tulsa
While you're in this historic city, you'll find the Tulsa Zoo, the Greenwood Historical District, the wonderful Gilcrease Museum, and the Philbrook Museum of Art. Be sure not to miss the Rebecca & Gershon Fenster Museum of Jewish Art and Mac's Antique Car Museum.

Lendonwood Gardens, Grove
Wandering through this 3-acre garden will give you a chance to enjoy the bonsai in the enclosed Zen Garden, towering oak trees, and the 1,500 plants that serve as their neighbors. (1308 W 13th St, 918-786-2938)

Fort Smith National Historic Site
At Fort Smith National Historic Site you can walk where soldiers drilled, pause along the Trail of Tears, and stand where justice was served. The park includes the remains of two frontier forts and the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas. Judge Isaac C. Parker, known as the "hanging judge," presided over the court for 21 years.

Oklahoma City Zoo Park, Oklahoma City
Rated among the top ten zoos in the United States, this zoo has the Great EscApe Pavilion, the only one of its kind in the world, where you'll meet Western Lowland gorillas and chimpanzees. As you wander this ten-acre park, you'll see more than 2,000 exotic animals and the Aquatics Pavilion with aquariums, a dolphin, sea lion show, and marine animals. (2101 NE 50th, 405-424-3344)

American Indian Village, Choctaw
Here you will learn about how several Native American tribes lived between the 1600s and 1900s as you tour the five distinct villages. Stop at the Plains Indian tepees, an Osage bark lodge, Pawnee earth lodge, and Great Lakes tribes reed lodge to see Native Americans demonstrating various tribal activities while they explain and describe Native life.

Washita Battlefield National Historic Site, Cheyenne
The site protects and interprets the setting along the Washita River where Lt. Col. George A. Custer led the 7th U.S. Cavalry on a surprise dawn attack against the Southern Cheyenne village of Peace Chief Black Kettle on November 27, 1868. The attack was an important event in the tragic clash of cultures of the Indian Wars era.

Frontier City, Oklahoma City
Take the kids to enjoy a world of fun at Frontier City, a 40-acre western theme park with more than 60 rides, shows, and attractions.

Washington Irving Trail Museum, Stillwater
It was on this site on the night of October 20, 1832, that Washington Irving, Captain Jesse Bean, and his US Rangers camped for the night. Washington Irving, the famous author of the stories Rip Van Winkle and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, had come along on this tour of what was to become Central Oklahoma to put his thoughts and impressions on paper. Touring the museum named after him, will give you a chance to learn more about his history and that of the other colorful lawmen and outlaws that once called this area home. (3918 South Mehan Rd, 405-624-9130, closed Monday & Tuesday)