Chickasaw National Recreation Area, also known as Pryor Wildside, is a reservation area used for the conservation of natural resources in the state of Oklahoma. It is one of nine National Recreation Areas within the State. The area was transferred from the federal government to the state in honor of Robert T. Henry. The area was named after Mr. Henry, who is a leader in the efforts to preserve the natural resources of the area.
When you visit the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, you’ll find many campsites, cabins, RV sites, RV parks and attractions. There are several overnight campgrounds located at the park that accommodate a wide variety of camping needs. You can choose to stay at one of the two cabins in the park or rent your own RV to travel around the scenic trails. You may want to consider staying at one of the campgrounds in the park along with several friends or family members. You’ll find facilities such as playgrounds, cabin rentals, and campfire hot springs for a romantic retreat.
The most important natural feature of the area is its great rippling waters. Chickasaw National Recreation Area boasts seven miles of rippling waters on its three hundred plus mile long state Highway. The waters offer a quiet place to cool off during the hot summer months. At the end of your rv trip you will be able to enjoy the peaceful valley and breathtaking views of Oklahoma’s legendary Pikes Peak.
Another unique feature of the area is the year-round fishing opportunities. Chickasaw National Recreation Area offers two fishing lakes with boat docks for day or night fishing. The lakes are about a half-hour drive from Tulsa and the approximately two hours it takes to drive down state highway 177 to reach the small town of Chickasaw, Oklahoma.
The panoramic views of the mountains and forests of the south central state will greet you as you start your journey north from Chickasaw. A few hours north of Chickasaw, Oklahoma, you can take a three-day camping trip into the Big Horn Mountains to camp at one of their beautiful campgrounds. At the end of your camping trip you will have many wonderful nights of camping in the mountains and rivers of OK Cupakawa Creek and Tumacacori Creek. Then you can head back to the campground for a comfortable nights sleep and make the most of your day at the Oklahoma campgrounds.
If you would like to stay a little longer in the area you may want to make your way to the National Recreation Area Administration office for Chickasaw. Here you will find lodging and other information on all the various lakes, rivers, streams and other bodies of water in the area that you may want to fish, boat, hike or otherwise enjoy. The NNRA offers boat tours through several of the lakes, trails that include hiking and biking trails, and guided tours of some of the camping sites in the area. All of these things can make a fun and educational trip. If you are planning to fish on any of the lakes or rivers found in Chickasaw National Recreation Area, you will need to purchase a fishing permit. These are available at any of the five campgrounds but are easiest to purchase at the NNRA office.
The mineral springs found in the region are the result of a long history of mineral exploration and extraction. The minerals in the area are thought to be so rich that the U.S. government has threatened to cut off its water supply if the waters are not protected. Many people from around the world are upset with this idea because they believe that the natural beauty of these places cannot be harmed. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area has attempted to tone down the negative public view of the mineral deposits by only permitting registered mineral extractors to gather and process the minerals for sale within the park. This allows the visitors to still have an enjoyable experience, while doing their part to protect the natural beauty found in the area.
The sulphur springs in Oklahoma are another natural wonder that can’t be missed. These springs are believed to be the largest in the entire world and contain more sulphur than anywhere else in the world. There is plenty to do in Chickasaw National Recreation Area including hiking and camping. You can drive along the sulphur belt road that extends all throughout the area. There is even a gift shop with a gift store where you will be able to buy many unique and fun items. All of these activities make Oklahoma a unique place to visit for anyone that loves the outdoors.