From manicured gardens to wildflowers or urban trails to watersports, OKC has plenty of ways to play outside. With more than 235 days of sunshine annually, you can enjoy a variety of outdoor recreation options year-round. For the serious biker or runner, Oklahoma City has a network of 10 interconnected trails that lead to nearly every part of the city, a total of 80 miles of non-motorized trails. An interactive map is available at okc.gov to help you plan your outing.
Scissortail Park is OKC’s newest urban park. The 36-acre Upper Park offers a variety of engaging experiences, including ornamental gardens and woodlands, a 3.7-acre lake with pedal boats, canoes and kayaks, a children’s playground and interactive sprayground, seasonal roller rink, dog park, picnic grove, restaurant, performance stage and great lawn. The Park’s second phase will extend from the core of downtown to the shore of the Oklahoma River, making it a 70-acre urban oasis by 2022.
For hiking, nature and wildlife, visit Martin Park Nature Center at 5000 W. Memorial Rd., an oasis of calm by the busy John Kilpatrick Turnpike. The area features 2.5 miles of hiking trails cut through woods and grasslands of the 144-acre park. Visitors can see many species of animals. The park’s playground, trails and visitors center are accessible to those in wheelchairs, too.
For an outdoor experience closer to downtown, visit the Myriad Botanical Gardens, a 17-acre botanical garden and interactive urban park located in Downtown. One of Oklahoma City's most beloved public spaces, Myriad Botanical Gardens is home to beautiful plants from all over the world, plus seasonal water features, Mo’s Carousel, mixed media art and outdoor fun for all ages. Year-round programming includes a wide variety of local and regional musical acts, yoga, Zumba and a wide variety of workshops and tours.
For hiking, nature and wildlife, visit Martin Park Nature Center at 5000 W. Memorial Rd., an oasis of calm by the busy John Kilpatrick Turnpike. The area features 2.5 miles of hiking trails cut through woods and grasslands of the 144-acre park. Visitors can see many species of animals. The park’s playground, trails and visitors center are accessible to those in wheelchairs, too.
Sometimes just being close to nature is enough. Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge on the far west side of the metro is adjacent to Lake Overholser and features a thousand acres of hiking, fishing, bird watching and exploring. Whitetail deer, beaver, egrets, cormorants and hundreds of species of migratory birds and waterfowl move through Stinchcomb regularly.
The Wheeler District, on the southern bank of the Oklahoma River, is known for its iconic Ferris wheel, but is also a great place to hang out, have a picnic, kick back in a hammock or grab some food from one of the frequent food trucks that show up.
Will Rogers Park & Gardens is a year-round favorite for gardeners and horticulturalists alike. Located in one of the city’s oldest parks, the 30-acre garden houses a formal rose garden, conservatory, color garden with seasonal blossoms, arboretum and exhibition center.
Get your kicks as Oklahoma City pays homage to the Mother Road. 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.
At the center of downtown Oklahoma City, Kerr Park is a contemporary public space that hosts events throughout the year and serves as a downtown gathering place for locals and visitors alike.
Located around Lake Hefner between NW Grand Boulevard and Hefner Road are 9.8 miles of asphalt and concrete multi-use trails. This trail connects to the Hefner-Overholser Trail near Britton Road on the west side of the lake.
This7.3-mile trail runs from Washington Park (400 N. High Ave.) to NE Grand Boulevard up to NE 50th Street and the city's Adventure District and parallels the old Katy Railway line.
With 3.2 miles in length, the Overholser Trail runs from NW 39th Street and Overholser Drive along the east side of Lake Overholser to Overholser Park at NW 10th Street. This trail connects to the Hefner-Overholser Trail/Hefner Trail (North) and West River Trail/Oklahoma River Trails (south).
This trail runs from Britton Road at Lake Hefner Drive to NW 39th Street at Overholser Drive. The Hefner-Overholser trail is 7.8-miles long and connects to the Bert Cooper Trails, Overholser Trail, West River Trail (via Overholser Trail).
The South Grand Trail Runs from the south Oklahoma River Trial and follows south Grand Boulevard to SW 29th street. The trail crosses I-44 in Woodson Park and continues eastward on SW Grand Boulevard for several miles before crossing under I-35 and then turns north into Trosper Park at SW 29th. It continues north along E Grand Boulevard where it terminates near E Reno Ave.
This trail runs from Britton Road at Lake Hefner Drive to NW 39th Street at Overholser Drive. The Hefner-Overholser trail is 7.8-miles long and connects to the Bert Cooper Trails, Overholser Trail, West River Trail (via Overholser Trail).
The South Grand Trail Runs from the south Oklahoma River Trial and follows south Grand Boulevard to SW 29th street. The trail crosses I-44 in Woodson Park and continues eastward on SW Grand Boulevard for several miles before crossing under I-35 and then turns north into Trosper Park at SW 29th. It continues north along E Grand Boulevard where it terminates near E Reno Ave.
Two trails run from Meridian Avenue (north) and Portland Avenue (south) along Oklahoma River Corridor and the Boathouse District to I-35. This trail is 13 miles in total and connects to the Bricktown Trail (under I-40 Bridge at Chesapeake Boathouse), Katy Trail, West River Trail, Lightning Creek Trail and the South Grand Trail.
Connecting to the Oklahoma River Trails (east) and Overholser Trail (north), the 7.5-mile trail runs from NW 10th Street west of Council Road to SW 15th Street at Meridian Avenue.
The Lake Stanley Draper Trail is a 14-mile, moderately trafficked loop trail around Lake Stanley Draper, offering the chance to see wildlife on the route. The trail is primarily used for nature trips and road biking.
The Will Rogers trail runs between the south side of Lake Hefner and the north side of the Oklahoma River. With 9 miles of trails to explore, this trail is asphalt with a concrete barrier and connects to the Oklahoma River Trails and Lake Hefner Trails.
This park offers picnic pavilions, open field space for various sports, free parking and trail access with two different trail options; the 1-mile asphalt loop for running or walking only and the 3.5-mile network of dirt trails for off-road mountain biking. Visit this page for a guide to Bluff Creek via mountain bike.