The Best State Parks Near Tulsa, Oklahoma

If you know me(Brittney here👋🏼), you know I’m a little obsessed with Oklahoma’s state and national parks. Any time our family has the chance to pack up the RV or head out for a weekend getaway, you can bet we’re off exploring somewhere new. I thought it would be fun to share some of our absolute favorites—and read until the end to see our #1 pick you can’t miss!!

6) Beavers Bend State Park (Bonus Pick!)

I’ll admit, Beavers Bend isn’t exactly close to Tulsa (about 3½ hours away), but it’s absolutely worth the drive. The views along the Mountain Fork River are breathtaking, and we love camping at Acorn Campground right by the water. Canoeing, kayaking, hiking Friends Trail, and even taking the little train ride through the forest—it feels like you’ve stepped into another world.

Our kids especially love skipping rocks in the icy-cold, spring-fed river. On a sweltering July afternoon, it’s the best kind of refreshment. And when we’re ready for a little civilization, Hochatown and Broken Bow are nearby with great food (Grateful Head Pizza is a must!) and cute shops. 

5) Little Blue Area at Grand Lake State Park

Grand Lake deserves its own blog post someday, but one of the highlights for us was exploring the Little Blue Hole creek area. The crystal-clear, shallow water is perfect for wading and splashing around. While I don’t recommend camping there, it’s fantastic for a day trip.

On this trip, we camped at the Cherokee Campground just below the dam at Grand Lake State Park. The sites were roomy, shaded, and perfect for both relaxing and fishing. Plus, being close to town meant sneaking away for ice cream runs—always a win in our book. 

4) Natural Falls State Park

This park is about an hour and a half from Tulsa, right along the Oklahoma–Arkansas line. It’s on the smaller side, but the 77-foot waterfall is nothing short of magical. You might even recognize it from the movie Where the Red Fern Grows!

For us, Natural Falls is an easy weekend camping spot or even a quick day trip when we just want a dose of natural beauty without too much planning.

3) Sequoyah State Park

Only about an hour away, Sequoyah is a great blend of “nature escape” and “close to conveniences.” If you forget something, you’re not far from a Walmart or a bite to eat in Wagoner.

The Cherokee Campground here is one of our favorites—big, newly paved sites that can handle even the largest RV setups. Our kids always love visiting the nature center (think foxes, otters, and beavers!), and for the adults, there’s golf, lake access, and even a retro mid-century style lodge with its own pool. 

2) Greenleaf State Park

This one is extra special to us because it was the very first trip we took in our RV! Just an hour from our driveway, it makes camping feel so simple. We usually set up in the Deer Run Campground, where it’s common to spot deer wandering by at dawn or dusk.

The splash pad is always a hit with our kids, and while the park is smaller, the “Family Fun Trail” more than makes up for it. Plus, with fishing and cabins available, it’s a spot we return to again and again.

1) Robbers Cave State Park (Our Family Favorite!)

If I had to pick just one park to recommend, it would be Robbers Cave. Hands down, it’s our family’s favorite. The rugged cliffs, huge rock formations, and forest views make every hike feel like an adventure—especially the Rough Canyon and Cave Trails.
The park is full of history too. Rumor has it, outlaws like Jesse James and Belle Starr once hid out in the caves here! Our kids can never get enough of climbing around, exploring, and pretending they’re part of the story.

There’s also Lake Carlton for paddle boating and fishing, a craft center, guided hikes (including a night hike we loved!), horseback trails with equestrian camping, and so many options for staying overnight—tent camping, RVs, cabins, or even the beautiful lodge. Honestly, it’s hard to list everything we love about Robbers Cave—it just feels like a place where memories are made.

Nature & City with No Need to Compromise :)

Exploring Oklahoma’s state parks has been such a gift to our family. Whether it’s hiking, camping, fishing, or just soaking up the beauty, there’s something special about being close to both nature and the city here in Tulsa.

And if you’ve ever dreamed about making Oklahoma home—living where you can spend weekends in places like Robbers Cave or Greenleaf while still being just a short drive from Tulsa’s city life—we’d love to help you take that step.

Aussie Real Estate would be honored to help you relocate or put down roots right here in Tulsa. Give us a call at (918) 891-3818 or visit AussieTeamTulsa.com.

Brittney Swanson
ARET Transaction Coordinator