Wanted: Hiking Trails

[cannon_fodder]

My family (wife, 8 year old, and dogs) enjoy hiking.  We have been to Oxley and Red Bud (sans dogs), Turkey Mountain, Keystone State Park, Walnut Creek, Heyburn State Park, Okmulgee State Park and so on.  Generally things in the area since we are not from here and have only recently found the time to take day trips.

So...  where are some other hiking area's we should find?  I don't need (want) groomed trails or facilities or anything else.  A forest and a path is just fine.  The less people, the better.  Also worth noting is the cost/benefit of traveling from Tulsa to said location, it's nice to be able to do a morning hike (afternoon this time of year) and something else with a day - and please let us know if our dogs are welcome.  

ALSO:  if you are feeling revealing let me know what camping spots/weekend trips we should take now that we are Okies (5 years, we're in the club right?).  I want to do a weekend at the Salt Plains, Broken Bow... where else?  Oklahoma is a vast and varied state - point me in the right direction.

[Ed W]

Here are a couple of resources:

http://www.travelok.com/toDo/activitySearch.asp

http://www.brillig.com/geocaching/oklahoma.shtml

http://okiedoke.com/blog/?cat=16

Have fun!

[grahambino]

you might check into the keystone ancient forest preserve that recently opened.  

its apparently a pristine example of the cross timbers.

im not sure, but you might need to wait for a guided tour, but you might be able to make reservations if you want to go on a random sat. or whatever.

i believe its run by the nature conservancy.

[Wingnut]

While I haven't been to these parks yet, I have heard they are great camping places. Osage Hills has several hiking trails. There is one that goes over to the Boy Scout camp on the east side of the park that is pretty rugged.
Both are fairly close to Tulsa.

Osage Hills State Park
Walnut Creek State Park

This lists a few more local trails...
Oklahoma Trail Reviews

[bacjz00]

If you want something close by, you really can have a good time hiking around Chandler Park during the daytime.

West on 21st (23rd) Street from highway 75

[sgrizzle]

You have to do Talimena in the fall one year.

[ARGUS]

86 miles south....Scipio Oklahoma ; the states largest multi-use off road area 1730 acres allows hiking. There is a 25 mile marked trail.

[sauerkraut]

I'm not a hiker I'm a runner and I use the trails alot. I like the Riverside jogging trail. Tulsa has alot of nice trails.

[cannon_fodder]

Thanks a ton guys, I'll be checking all those out at one time or another.

Any other areas of the state I need to make sure I see on a weekend trip?

[RecycleMichael]

"A funny thing is if you're out hiking and your friend gets bit by a poisonous snake, tell him you're going for help, then go about ten feet and pretend YOU got bit by a snake. Then start an argument about who's going to get help. A lot of guys will start crying. That's why it makes you feel good when you tell them it was just a joke."

(Deep Thoughts) Saturday Night Live

[Wingnut]

quote: Any other areas of the state I need to make sure I see on a weekend trip?

That all depends on what you like.
The Gloss Mountains are supposed to be pretty cool. I've only seen them when it was just getting dark, so I'd like to get there again. Gloss Mountains
Alabaster caverns are pretty close to the Gloss mountains. Neat tour and very nice campgrounds.
Alabaster Caverns

I really like it up around Woolaroc, west of Bartlesville. There is also a 6 mile (I believe) hiking trail around the grounds.

Robbers Cave S.P. is supposed to be a really neat place to camp and explore.
Robbers Cave

Roman Nose near Watonga is also good.
Roman Nose
There is also a cheese festival in Watonga, but I don't know when.
"Cheese, Gromit, Cheese"!

[jne]

quote:Originally posted by Wingnut

quote: Any other areas of the state I need to make sure I see on a weekend trip?

That all depends on what you like.
The Gloss Mountains are supposed to be pretty cool. I've only seen them when it was just getting dark, so I'd like to get there again. Gloss Mountains
Alabaster caverns are pretty close to the Gloss mountains. Neat tour and very nice campgrounds.
Alabaster Caverns

I really like it up around Woolaroc, west of Bartlesville. There is also a 6 mile (I believe) hiking trail around the grounds.

Robbers Cave S.P. is supposed to be a really neat place to camp and explore.
Robbers Cave

Roman Nose near Watonga is also good.
Roman Nose
There is also a cheese festival in Watonga, but I don't know when.
"Cheese, Gromit, Cheese"!

I've heard that Robber's Cave is cool. I haven't made it down there yet. Honestly, I hate to say it, but if I were you, I'd head over to AR and go to Devil's den or take your boy to Ponca, AR and do a float trip on the Buffalo.

[mspivey]

If you want real hiking, go to the Buffalo River region in the Ozarks of Arkansas. About 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours and you are pretty much anywhere in the region. They take their hiking trails very seriously.

Start here. http://www.timernst.com/guidebooksmaps.html

[Wingnut]

quote: I'd head over to AR and go to Devil's den

I've been there and it is a really nice place with several trails, and a cave to explore.
I'll be going to White Mountain in April, it's also a neat place, especially on to of the mountain. Incredible views!
It seems that Arkansas really has invested in their state park system. They have a lot of really nice, updated, parks over there. Tourism is pretty big there.

Don't forget Crater of Diamonds S.P. Go fish and dig for diamonds, too.

[mspivey]

This is Hawksbill Craig, one of the most photographed places in the state and yet, it's over a mile hike each way. That is my daughter and her friend. It is south of Ponca.

I've got several of Tim Ernst's books, including the Arkansas Waterfalls book. He gives directions and GPS coordinates for each place. So far I've visited about 20 of the waterfalls.