Southeast Oklahoma Area

Who doesn’t love a parade? As far as holidays go, Independence Day is right up there for me. Some of the best memories of my childhood revolve around July 4—summer is in full swing and we always had a barbecue to celebrate mom’s birthday (also on the 4th).

Ahhh, camping. As the blanket of night approaches, a symphony of crickets chirp all around. Fireflies dance on a gentle summer breeze. Above, millions of shimmering stars illuminate the darkened sky as you and your kids roast marshmallows over a crackling campfire. If you’ve already been bitten by the camping bug or are ready to give it a try, you don’t have to travel far for outdoor adventure and family fun. Here are what I consider to be the top ten Oklahoma family camping sites. Each offers a wide variety of activities for kids of all ages. ...

Here are links to other websites about Southeast Oklahoma.

McCurtain County offers nature lovers an assortment of activities for outdoor fun. Beavers Bend Resort, at the base of Broken Bow Lake, and Mountain Fork River are the focus for all the activities in this most beautiful part of our state. For a complete listing of events, lodging, attractions, outdoor activities, museums, and shopping opportunities, visit the official web site of the McCurtain County Tourism Authority.

Every Oklahoman intends to take the fall foliage drive down highway 259 along the Talimena Scenic Byway. This 57-mile drive is arguably one of the most beautiful in the state and certainly the best known of the foliage routes. However, most of us have let the thought of taking children on a long drive from the Metro area and back keep us from actually going. This year, plan your drive to Kiamichi Country near the end of October or first of November because foliage forecasters say that color in this area should peak at that time. Staying a weekend at Beaver's Bend State Park allows you to see the scenery and enjoy an action-packed adventure the children will love.

Oklahoma can be proud of its large state parks and resorts. The parks, which offer horseback riding, miniature golf, marinas, fishing, and restaurants, shine like diamonds in Oklahoma's recreation crown. These diamonds shine so brightly that our other jewels are frequently overlooked. But families looking for peace and quite rather than action and adventure should look at some of the smaller state parks spread across Oklahoma.