Lake Murray is not short on great activities for the entire family. Â Combine that with all the sleeping accommodations they offer and you have the makings of a great park. Â Below is a guide for everything you need to know about Oklahoma’s first and largest state park.
Where should I stay?
Lodge & Cabins
The lodge at Lake Murray offers 32 lakeside guest rooms as well as several large meeting rooms.  This would be the perfect spot for a family reunion or group gathering.  You can also opt for one of the 56 park cabins.  Pets are welcome in the pet-friendly cabins and reservations are highly recommended.  Get more information HERE
Camping
If RV and tent camping is more your style, this state park offers 9 campgrounds, 321 RV sites, and 165 tent sites.  With the park being pretty large, I would highly recommend checking out the PARK MAP so you can figure out which area of the park you want to be in.  Each of the different campgrounds offers something a little different so you can decide what is best for you.
Be sure to make a reservation online before coming to the park. Â You are not allowed to occupy a site within the park without making a reservation first. Â Parking permits are also required and are included in your camping reservation.
We opted for Cedar Cove during our stay. Â It’s a small campground that shares its entrance with Elephant Hill. Â We loved all the trees and feeling of being by ourselves while we were there. Â It’s on the west side of the lake and not too far from the park office and other areas we wanted to visit. Â Our campsite backed up to the water and we were able to swim right from our site…something our daughter was very excited about.
What should I do?
Hiking
Lake Murray State Park separates their trail system into 2 sections: Anadarche and Buckhorn as well as Park Office – Tucker Tower.  There are over 30 miles of trails with all types of difficulties and skill levels.  I would encourage you to talk to a park ranger about which trails are best.  We decided to hike the Buzzard’s Roost Trail.  It starts at the park office, goes over the fishing bridge and makes a loop using the white trail connector.  It was a very nice 3 mile hike.  You can find it on the Park Office – Tucker Tower map.
Biking
Many of the trails in this park are bike friendly. Â Some are mountain bike specific while others are paved and great for an evening ride. Â Many of the campgrounds have trails within them so be sure to bring your bikes when you come. Â We enjoyed riding on the paved Elephant Rock Trail that went straight from our campground. Â There is also a nice biking trail around the cabins that is close to the park office.
Recreation
Enjoy a 18 hole golf course, ATV park, tennis courts, and softball/baseball fields.  The ATV area has over a 1,000 acres of trails.  There are also many water sports to enjoy out on the lake including boating, fishing, swimming, and paddle boats.
Historic Sites
Since Lake Murray is Oklahoma’s first state park, they have a lot of history to enjoy.  Grab a Historic Structures Guide and visit each of the sites.
Our favorite was the Tucker Tower Nature Center. Â Once there, we were able to get a Jr Naturalist book for our daughter, which she completed and got a Oklahoma State Parks patch. Â We learned about the lake and surrounding land as we walked around the center. Â Then, we walked up to Tucker Tower. Â Once intended to be the Oklahoma Governor’s retreat, it is now a museum. Â You can walk up to the top of the tower and get the best view in the park.
Whether you’re water skiing, exploring, or taking a nap in your hammock, Lake Murray State Park is a wonderful option for your Oklahoma travels.
Consider the Wonders is a travel blog intended for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV, travel, or hiking experts and are not making recommendations. These are our opinions and you should do your own research and make your own decisions.
Consider the Wonders is not affiliated with Oklahoma State Parks or Lake Murray State Park.
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