LAKE OVERHOLSER

Lake Overholser Bridge

A drive across the Lake Overholser Bridge is like stepping into a living postcard from Route 66’s heyday. Opened in 1925, this elegant steel truss bridge once carried travelers along old Highway 3, linking Oklahoma communities and welcoming visitors headed west in search of new opportunities. Its distinctive design, featuring a blend of Parker and pony trusses, gives it a look that is both sturdy and surprisingly graceful. Today, while it serves local traffic, the bridge remains a favorite for scenic views of the lake and nearby Route 66 Park, where history, nature and a bit of nostalgia come together.

Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge

Looking to get back to nature? You can actually pull that off while in Oklahoma City. Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge on the far west side of the metro is 1,000 acres of hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and communing with nature. If you’re patient and quiet, you can usually spot whitetail deer, beaver, egrets, cormorants and hundreds of species of migratory birds and waterfowl. It’s also a popular spot for kayaking, with rentals available from Flat Tide.

Lake Overholser Boathouse

Operating under the RIVERSPORT umbrella is the Lake Overholser Boathouse, located just south of the historic Route 66 bridge at the lake. Like the Oklahoma River, this boathouse (formerly known as the Route 66 Boathouse) area offers stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, walking and bicycling trails. The area is open June through October.

Route 66 Park

Nestled on the west side of Lake Overholser just a few blocks from the original highway, Route 66 Park features a watchtower, a rent-able park shelter, amphitheater, fishing wetlands, a skate court and its own walkable version of the historic highway.