Whether you live in Oklahoma or have a vacation planned, summers in OK are known for their heat. Luckily you know where to go. All you need is a swimming pool, a beautiful lakeside or a river to keep you cool and have a fantastic time. Oklahoma is full of beautiful places to swim, whether you prefer a lively water park, a quiet resort or a natural swimming hole.
Join us as we dive into 8 spectacular summer getaways in Oklahoma to escape this year’s heat.
Water parks
Water parks are a fantastic way to escape the summer heat and have fun all day long. It’s all a small world full of slides, snacks, pools and lounging options that ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy on holiday.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Oklahoma City
Everyone knows that Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is the best chain of water parks in the country. There are 14 in the US and Oklahoma City is one of the lucky locations for a truly grand water park experience. You can splash down epic water slides, play in the water playgrounds, swim in the wave pool or float down the lazy river. It’s a whole day – if not a whole week – of fun in your swimsuit, alone, with your partner or with the whole family.
Paradise Beach Water Park in Tulsa, OK
Paradise Beach Water Park in Tulsa, OK is a homegrown extravaganza with a cool local flavor that even Hurricane Harbor can’t match. In addition to great water slides and a lazy river, there is a petting zoo with ostriches, turtles and llamas. Grab a bite to eat, slide off a pirate ship or climb a dinosaur. It’s all there, for both children and adults.
Shawnee Splash Water Park in Shawnee OK
If you are in Shawnee you can check out the Shawnee Splash Water Park. This fantastic summer landscape with swimming pools and play areas is sure to keep you cool for a whole day of fun. There are splash playgrounds, a diving pool, swimming pools, water slides and a climbing wall. There are also plenty of floating balls to throw on the basketball goals and shaded terraces where you can lounge between swims.
How about a resort pool paradise?
If you’re looking for a more sophisticated way to escape the heat, don’t miss Oklahoma’s spectacular waterfront resorts and pool scene.
Shangri-La Resort
You will find Shangri-La Resort located on Monkey Island on the shores of Grand Lake. It is located 85 minutes from Tulsa and is an absolute dream. Not only is Shangri La located on the lake for natural swimming and boating, but it also has four pools, a lazy river, and water slides. The pools include an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, a children’s pool (with a splash pad, water slides and a wet play area) and a cozy hot tub at the resort’s main pool.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort is a campground and resort on the shores of Keystone Lake, an RV traveler’s paradise. The lake has an interactive floating pier playground, rentable kayaks and paddle boats, and its own water park with a playground, slides and pool volleyball. It’s a great place to beat the heat on an RV vacation, or you can visit for a day in the water even if you’re not camping.
Natural swimming holes
For those who love being surrounded by nature and swimming in natural lakes and rivers, Oklahoma has a wealth of beautiful parks where swimming, sunbathing and snacks are all in one place.
Bath Lake Swimming Hole in Medicine Park, OK
Bath Lake swimming hole is one of the most popular natural places to swim and enjoy the water in Oklahoma. Located on Medicine Creek, which flows through Medicine Park, you will enjoy the shallow and deep swimming areas, boating channels, and beautiful views of the crisscrossing bridges over the creek’s natural banks. There are also shops and lunch spots within walking distance for an all-day adventure.
Blue Hole Park in Salina, OK
Blue Hole Park is aptly named after the water at the foot of the Ozarks, which has a beautiful azure color. This is a beachside delight with a snack bar and plenty of relaxing floating. Here you can relax in calm waters with a cooler full of drinks and the opportunity to meet other families who know the best swimming spots in Oklahoma.
Small Niagara Falls at Brimstone
Little Niagara Falls in the Travertine Island area is an idyllic swimming hole in the Oklahoma forest near Sulfur, OK. Travertine Creek is a wonderfully cold water stream on a hot day, where swimming, sliding the rapids and fishing are all popular activities. It’s called Little Niagara Falls because there are so many little spots where you can slide down the slippery rocks. Just bring your jean shorts.
Now you should be ready to discover your perfect Oklahoma swimming vacation this year and beat the heat in a beautiful setting.
Featured image by Bill Henson (Google Maps).
