Top Ways To Savor the Summer
Summer is finally here, and that means fun in the sun! Whether looking for a family day, weekend escape or relaxing way to beat the heat, Chickasaw Country has you covered.
Adventures
Want a summer adventure? Take a last-minute weekend trip to your favorite state park for a fun adventure. Turner Falls Park is your destination for a thrilling ride on 777 Zip, a zipline experience that takes riders 777 feet across the beautiful landscape of the park. Take a jet ski out at Lake Murray Water Sports and Mini Golf located in Ardmore or hike your way on the many trails in the region including at Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Any way you want to do it, create an unforgettable experience in Chickasaw Country!
People
Summer is celebrating special occasions with your family and friends. If you are looking for a place to go for 4th of July and Labor Day make sure you check our event listings for great events planned every year. While in Chickasaw Country you can create memories on a camping trip. The region is a mecca for outdoor living with campsites at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Lake Murray State Park, Lake Texoma and many others. Catch up with old friends on a porch swing or share in awe of a brilliant fireworks display with those you care about most.
Agritourism
Jump in the car and make your way to some of the best agritourism destinations in the state. Crossed Arrows Alpaca Fiber Mill is a full-service natural fiber mill, specializing in alpaca and llama fleece processing. They offer tours of the facility and have a shop with fiber products, such as rugs, accessories and clothing. Harvest your own gorgeous summer floral bouquet at Petal Pusher Farms in Purcell. Summertime blooms of zinnias, sunflowers, lavender and pansies brighten the pastures at this farm located just 30 miles south of Oklahoma City. And a quick tip: stop by in the morning or evening for the best time to cut your own flower arrangement. Lakeview Lavender Farm in Pauls Valley has been growing lavender and making lavender products since 2016. They provide opportunities for photos, lavender picking and relaxation with natural aromatherapy!
Local Festivals
Spend a summer night playing carnival games, eating watermelon or listening to great red dirt music in Chickasaw Country. This region is booming with local festivals year round with some of the most popular festivals happening in the summertime. One of those is the Okie Noodling Tournament and Festival in Paulse Valley. Watch noodles vie for the largest fish in the tournament, or just hang out at the festival where there is music, vendors, inflatables, a catfish cook-off and a catfish eating contest. It happens every June! Pick out a juicy peach at the Stratford Peach Festival in July. The festival includes a 5k family fun run, free pancake breakfast, retail booths, carnival rides, all-day performances and so many more activities fun for the entire family. End the summer with the annual Rush Springs Watermelon Festival. This festival has been an annual event since 1948 and has over 20,000 festival visitors each year. Enjoy carnival rides, compete in a watermelon seed spitting contest and eat your weight in watermelon!
You can find all of the festivals here.
Make the days count, and savor each second of the summer, and share your summer adventures on social media by using the hashtag #VisitChickasaw.