Jul 9, 2020

If you’re looking for the perfect afternoon outdoors, Tulsa has a lot to offer. Whether you’re looking for a place to hike, bike, kayak, or just be outside in nature, you’re sure to find something in Tulsa. Here are five ways to enjoy the outdoors in and around Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Mohawk Park

Mohawk Park in Tulsa features 2,800 acres and has picnic shelters, playgrounds, and disc golf courses. The Tulsa Zoo, the Oxley Nature Center, and the Mohawk Sports Complex and Golf Course also call Mohawk Park home. If you’re looking for water activities for the kids, you’ll find a bunch, including water playgrounds, swimming pools, and splash pads. Mohawk Park is home to numerous sports fields including tennis courts, hiking and biking trails, skate parks, and the Mohawk Soccer Complex.

Ray Harral Nature Park

Ray Harral Nature Park in nearby Broken Arrow features 40 acres of beautiful Oklahoma nature. The park has around 3 miles of gravel and paved walking trails, two picnic areas with tables, grills, gardens, rugged nature areas, a suspension bridge, and benches set up throughout the park to sit and watch the wildlife. The Ray Harral Nature Center also sits within the park, and you can bring the kids to enjoy hands-on exhibits, live animals, and look-outs for wildlife observation in the woods.

Redbud Valley Nature Preserve

Enjoy something you won’t find anywhere else in Oklahoma when you visit Redbud Valley Nature Preserve. This nature preserve is home to animals and plants that you won’t find anywhere else in Oklahoma, and it’s a very special habitat and sanctuary for these unique species. If you’re enthusiastic about bird watching and just sitting and enjoying being in nature, the Redbud Valley Nature Preserve is the perfect place to do it.

Haikey Creek Park

Haikey Creek Park features 151 acres with picnic areas complete with tables and grills, playgrounds, hiking trails, an outdoor fitness course, a disc golf course, pickleball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields, and softball fields. If you want a park that has plenty of spots for sports and fitness, Haikey Creek Park is the spot for you. The park opened in 1980 and has been serving the community ever since.

Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area

Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area is a great spot a short drive from Tulsa’s downtown center if you’re looking for a rugged landscape and a getaway from city living. Located on Turkey Mountain, the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area gives you over 25 miles of unmarked hiking and nature trails for a truly primitive escape to nature. There are several different elevation levels that lead to the varying difficulties of each trail. So no matter your ability, there’s a trail for you to enjoy the peace and quiet of Oklahoma’s wilderness.

With many outdoor recreation areas so close to the Tulsa area, you’re sure to find something for the whole family to enjoy. Whether you’re in the mood for a game of disc golf or just looking for a relaxing space to enjoy the outdoors, these five attractions are the perfect places to start.