One of the best parts of living in Oklahoma City is how much is within a few hours' drive. In about 90 minutes you can be on top of a mountain looking at a bison herd. In three hours you can be on a 54-mile ridgeline drive through the Ouachita National Forest.
If you just moved to OKC, or you're planning your move, these five trips are a good way to see what's around you this fall. They're listed from closest to farthest.
1. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
About 1.5 hours southwest of OKC, near Lawton and Medicine Park
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge covers 59,020 acres and was established in 1901. It's the oldest managed wildlife facility in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service system.
The refuge is home to about 650 bison, roughly 1,000 elk (the largest herd in Oklahoma), and a herd of Texas longhorns. A 3-mile road takes you to the top of Mount Scott at 2,464 feet. There is no admission charge.
Plan your stop: Drive to the Mount Scott summit first, then take the refuge roads slowly to spot the herds. Medicine Park, a small cobblestone resort town, is right outside the gate for lunch.
2. Tulsa
About 1.5 to 1.75 hours northeast of OKC on the Turner Turnpike
Gathering Place sits on 66.5 acres along the Arkansas River and is free to visit. It has more than 6,000 trees and 16 acres of native prairie, and it was named USA TODAY's Best City Park of 2024.
For a longer walk, Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area has more than 300 acres along the river, four marked trails from 0.8 to 5.7 miles, and about 25 miles of unmarked trails.
Plan your stop: Hike Turkey Mountain in the morning, then spend the afternoon at Gathering Place and finish with dinner in the Brady Arts District.
3. Talimena National Scenic Byway
About 3 hours southeast of OKC, starting in Talihina
The Talimena National Scenic Byway runs 54 miles from Talihina, Oklahoma, to Mena, Arkansas, along OK-1 and AR-88. Thirty-six of those miles are in Oklahoma. The route crosses Winding Stair Mountain and Rich Mountain in the Ouachita National Forest and has more than 15 scenic vistas on the Oklahoma side.
Peak color is typically the last week of October through the first week of November. The drive takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes without stops, but most people make a full day of it.
Plan your stop: Fill your tank in Talihina. There are no gas stations along the byway. Panorama Vista and Sunset Point are two of the most popular pull-offs.
4. Beavers Bend State Park
About 3.5 to 4 hours southeast of OKC, near Broken Bow
Beavers Bend State Park covers 3,482 acres along Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River. The lake has 14,220 surface acres and 180 miles of shoreline. The David Boren hiking trail runs 26 miles through the park.
The park has 47 cabins, a lodge, and an 18-hole golf course. Fall color in southeast Oklahoma usually peaks in late October and early November, so this pairs well with the Talimena drive for a long weekend.
Plan your stop: Walk the trails along the Mountain Fork River, then head into nearby Hochatown for dinner. Book cabins early for fall weekends.
5. Bentonville, Arkansas
About 3.5 to 4 hours northeast of OKC
General admission at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is always free. More than 5 miles of trails wind through 120 acres of Ozark forest on the museum grounds, open sunrise to sunset. The grounds also include the Bachman-Wilson House, a Frank Lloyd Wright design moved from New Jersey and rebuilt there in 2015. Book that tour in advance.
The museum is closed Tuesdays, so plan around that.
Plan your stop: Walk the museum trails in the morning, tour the galleries, then walk to the downtown Bentonville square for lunch.
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🗝️I’m Angela Cheatwood, your Oklahoma City Realtor® sharing the lifestyle, homes, and Oklahoma City suburbs you’ve been searching for.
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