18 Best Hikes In Oklahoma: The Top-Rated Hiking Trails To Visit In 2023
Jasmine Vieau
Author
Are you a fan of hiking and exploring the great outdoors? If so, you’re in luck because we’ve compiled a list of the 18 best hikes in Oklahoma that you absolutely have to check out in 2023. From waterfalls to canyon views, Oklahoma’s hiking trails have it all. So, grab your hiking boots and get ready to embark on an adventure in the Sooner State!
Best Hikes in Oklahoma
Looking for some hikes in Oklahoma? Then you should check out the Friends Trail Loop, Turkey Mountain Via Yellow Trail, and Elk Mountain Trail. These trails offer scenery, diverse terrain, and an opportunity to get outside. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a beginner, these hikes will provide a fun time out in nature.
- Location: Broken Bow
- Mileage: 1.5-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: This hiking and running area is highly popular, so expect to encounter fellow explorers along the way.
For an enjoyable time on Friend's Trail, make sure to download the offline map since the trail markings can be a bit tricky. You'll find a convenient parking lot at the trailhead. Be prepared for some steep climbs, but the views of the Lower Mountain Fork River make it totally worth it. This trail is well-maintained and a favorite for those visiting Beavers Bend State Park.
- Location: Tulsa
- Mileage: 4.0-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: Popular for birding, hiking, and horseback riding. Dogs welcome on-leash, open year-round. Beautiful scenery, often crowded.
Turkey Mountain in Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness near Tulsa, Oklahoma, offers a great loop trail. The route is moderately challenging, taking around an hour and a half to complete. Located just 10 minutes from Downtown Tulsa, the east-side yellow trail presents beautiful views with some steep sections during ascents.
- Location: Indiahoma
- Mileage: 2.3-mile out-and-back trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: Popular for hiking and running. Dogs allowed on-leash. Open year-round, beautiful scenery. Expect crowds.
Experience the thrill of the Elk Mountain Trail, an off-the-beaten-path hike with breathtaking views and peaceful surroundings. When navigating the route, be sure to stay on designated trails and respect sensitive habitats.
Best Short & Easy Hikes in Oklahoma
Want to hit the trails but are short on time? There are a few great options to check out. The Tree Trail is popular, offering a peaceful walk through a wooded area with beautiful trees to admire. For a more unique experience, the Wichita Mountains Forty-Foot Hole is a must-see, with a stunning natural waterfall and swimming hole. And if you’re up for it, the Kite Trail is a scenic hike with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
- Location: Broken Bow
- Mileage: 1.2-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- FYI: Popular for hiking and walking. Dogs allowed on-leash. Expect crowds.
Start and finish your hike along the Tree Trail at the Forest Heritage Center Museum. Follow the scenic path along Beaver Creek's floodplain, passing a Native American sculpture and informative signs about the area's history. Stay on the marked 'white' trees and enjoy an easy trail with a few climbing points.
- Location: Cache
- Mileage: 1.4-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- FYI: Popular for hiking and walking. Open year-round. Beautiful views.
The Wichita Mountains Forty-Foot Hole trail may not be well marked, but it offers beautiful scenery with wildlife sightings, butterflies, and vibrant flowers. Enjoy the scenic river, waterfalls, and boulders along the way, including the impressive 40-foot hole.
- Location: Indiahoma
- Mileage: 2.4-mile out-and-back trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- FYI: Popular for birding, camping, and hiking. Open year-round. Dogs allowed on a leash. Beautiful views.
The Kite Trail is a 2.4-mile out-and-back trail with picturesque views above the canyon. It's considered an easy route, but be prepared for some light bouldering and use the downloaded map, as the route is not well-marked with many offshoots.
Hardest Hikes in Oklahoma
Up for a challenge? Oklahoma has some tough hikes to offer. The Boardstand Trail is a trek through Talimena State Park, with inclines and rocky terrain. The Ouachita Bohannon Trail is another difficult option, with a 17.2-mile route that includes steep climbs and descents. Finally, the Baldy Point Summit Trail offers a strenuous hike with a tough incline and rocky path. These hikes are not for the faint of heart but offer stunning views for those who make it to the top.
- Location: Talihina
- Mileage: 19.8-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Hard
- FYI: Ideal for backpacking, birding, and camping. Less crowded. Best time: March to October. Dogs allowed on a leash.
The Boardstand Trail in Talimena State Park is great for backpacking and camping. It is an easy-to-follow route with lots of ups and downs, some rocky sections, and plenty of water crossings. It's often combined with other trails to form a 23-mile loop for a longer adventure.
- Location: Talihina
- Mileage: 17.2-mile out-and-back trail
- Difficulty: Hard
- FYI: Ideal for birding, camping, and hiking. Less crowded. Open year-round. Dogs welcome, may be off-leash in some areas.
The Ouachita Bohannon Trail is a rewarding hike with amazing scenery. Look for the trailhead near the Highline parking area. It's well laid out, well marked, and the climbs are reasonable. You can also explore smaller loops branching off the main trail for shorter hikes.
- Location: Granite
- Mileage: 1.9-mile out-and-back trail
- Difficulty: Hard
- FYI: Popular for birding, hiking, and rock climbing. Some solitude during quieter times.
Have you heard about the Baldy Point Trail? It's a pretty challenging 1.9-mile hike near Granite, Oklahoma, but worth it for the stellar views and wildlife you'll spot throughout the trail. If you're thinking about tackling it, make sure you wear some sturdy shoes, and bring plenty of water and snacks.
Best Waterfront Hikes in Oklahoma
Bison Trail, Skyline Trail, and Lake View Lodge Trail Short Loop are all great options for those who love to hike and enjoy beautiful views of the water. Whether you’re looking for a challenge or something more moderate, these trails have something for everyone.
- Location: Indiahoma
- Mileage: 6.1-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: Popular for birding, hiking, and running. Busy with other people. Best to visit March to November. Dogs welcome, off-leash in some areas.
If you're looking for a great hike with beautiful views, check out the Bison Trail. Located in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, this trail offers a relatively easy hike with minimal elevation gain. You'll be treated to scenic views, passing serene lakes and rivers. Some sections, particularly near the gorge, can be a bit challenging to navigate, but the rewards are well worth the effort.
- Location: Broken Bow
- Mileage: 8.6-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Hard
- FYI: Popular for birding, camping, and fishing. Busy with other people. Open year-round, beautiful anytime. Dogs welcome, on leash.
Skyline Trail is an 8.6-mile challenging loop near Broken Bow, Oklahoma, in Beavers Bend State Park. It offers beautiful views and varying elevations. Be prepared for steep sections and potentially difficult water crossings, especially after heavy rains. Keep an eye out for trail markers to avoid getting lost along your trek.
- Location: Broken Bow
- Mileage: 1.4-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: Popular for camping, fishing, and hiking. Busy with other people. Open year-round, beautiful anytime. Dogs welcome, on leash.
Lake View Lodge Trail Short Loop in Beavers Bend State Park is a shady well-marked, moderate wooded walk above the lake, offering views along the charming path. Please note that the trailhead is located at the lodge parking lot, a bit further up the road from where GPS initially takes you.
Best Winter Hikes in Oklahoma
One of the top choices for winter hiking is the Ichabod Crane Trail, which offers a gorgeous view from a scenic overlook. Another option is the Little Brother Loop, which offers a stroll through pine forests. Finally, the Sequoyah Nature Loop Trail is an excellent choice for those who want to experience the natural sights and sounds of Oklahoma in the winter months.
- Location: Bixby
- Mileage: 0.6-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- FYI: Great for hiking and walking. Few people. Open year-round, beautiful anytime.
If you're in the Bixby, Oklahoma area, you don't want to miss out on the picturesque Ichabod Crane Trail. This 0.6-mile loop trail is surrounded by creeks and boasts a gorgeous view of the lake from the scenic overlook.
- Location: Tahlequah
- Mileage: 2.1-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- FYI: Popular for birding, hiking, mountain biking. Solitude during quieter times. Dogs welcome on leash. Park at S. 550 Road.
The Little Brother Loop is a 2.1-mile multi-use trail near Tahlequah, Oklahoma, shared by mountain bikers and hikers. Enjoy a scenic journey through a beautiful pine forest over rolling hills.
- Location: Hulbert
- Mileage: 0.6-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- FYI: Great for hiking, running, walking. Few people encountered.
The Sequoyah Nature Loop Trail in Sequoyah State Park is a 0.6-mile easy loop trail near Hulbert, Oklahoma, perfect for hiking, running, and walking. Although a little rocky, it offers a peaceful and enjoyable experience, typically taking around 12 minutes to complete.
Best Hikes near Oklahoma City
Need some hiking spots near Oklahoma City? Check out Bluff Creek Unpaved Trail Loop, Lake Hefner Trail, and Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge: East Trail. These trails offer some of the most beautiful scenery in the area, with plenty of opportunities for adventure and exploration.
- Location: Oklahoma City
- Mileage: 3.8-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- FYI: Popular for hiking, mountain biking, and running. Crowded at times. Open year-round, beautiful anytime. Dogs welcome on a leash.
Bluff Creek Unpaved Trail Loop is a 3.8-mile loop trail near OKC. It's a nice trail close to the city with plenty of connecting trails, but pay attention because it's easy to get slightly turned around. The route offers a fantastic opportunity to observe abundant wildlife, a nice perk!
- Location: Oklahoma City
- Mileage: 9.4-mile loop trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- FYI: Popular for birding, fishing, and hiking. Crowded at times. Best to visit from March to October. Dogs welcome on a leash.
Lake Hefner Trail is a fantastic escape in the middle of the city, perfect for biking, walking, or running. The trail is mostly flat, but there's a steady climb if you detour around the dam. It's a nice paved trail with friendly people, but make sure to bring your own water as there are minimal water stops along the full loop.
- Location: Oklahoma City
- Mileage: 5.1-mile out-and-back trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- FYI: Popular for birding, hiking, and mountain biking. Quieter during off-peak hours. Best time to visit is March to October. Dogs welcome on a leash.
Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge: East Trail is a popular 5.1-mile out-and-back trail near Oklahoma City, great for birding, hiking, and mountain biking. It's an easy, well-maintained, and mostly shaded trail system, providing an enjoyable hike with a peaceful escape from the city noise.
Have you explored any of these Oklahoma hiking trails? If so, do you think any stand out as the best for Oklahoma hiking? We’re excited to hear about what you think are the best hiking trails in Oklahoma!
Whether you’re looking for a hiking experience with miles of trails with a lot of natural beauty or a family-friendly day hike with wildflowers and an opportunity for bird-watching, this hub has everything you’ll need. And be sure to Try AllTrails+ For Free!
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More to Explore
The Best Hikes In Oklahoma
Does Oklahoma have good hiking trails?
Oklahoma's best hiking trails include:
- Arrowhead Nature Trail
- Black Mesa in Black Mesa State Park & Nature Preserve
- Bison Pasture Trail in Chickasaw National Recreation Area
- Charons Garden Trail
- Red Rock Canyon Rim Trail
- Roman Nose Natural Springs Trail
- Robber's Cave Trail in Robbers Cave State Park
- Greenleaf Family Fun Trail in Greenleaf State Park
- Turner Falls Park Hiking Trails
What are the best months to hike in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma offers beautiful hiking trails year-round, but the spring and fall seasons are particularly pleasant with mild weather and stunning natural scenery.