Lake Eufaula State Park, Checotah, Oklahoma

     Lake Eufaula State Park is about twelve miles from I-40 west and five miles from I-40 east.  It is a beautiful state park that is easy to access as you travel across Oklahoma on I-40.  We stayed just one night, but wouldn't have minded staying longer.  We never unhooked our car and didn't explore much of the park except what was within walking distance from our campsite.  The path to the lake was just that, I was told that people fished from there, but it really wasn't all that scenic.  The campground, however, was beautiful.  Green grass and large paved sites.  We chose our site from a campground map and it was nice, however, there were some even nicer had we drove through the park before registering.  We hit the park right after Labor Day, so it was pretty empty.  It is a perfect place to stop for a night or two while traveling across Oklahoma. 

     Lake Eufaula State Park is a great choice for an Oklahoma getaway. Whether the stay is short or long-term, a visit to this state park is guaranteed to be memorable. Formerly known as Fountainhead State Park, the park is located just south of I-40 near Checotah, in eastern Oklahoma. Situated on Lake Eufaula, a 102,000-acre reservoir, there are many activities available for visitors on both land and water.

    On land, Oklahoma's diverse foliage and wildlife can be observed on hiking trails such as the Bluebird Trail. Visitors can bring bikes to get around the expansive park and take a ride on one of the mountain bike trails. Visit the on-site Lake Eufaula Stables and saddle up for a guided horseback ride or bring your own horse and explore the trails. The Deep Fork Nature Center educates visitors about native animals and plant species, and kids and adults can participate in naturalist programs and activities. For kids, the park offers many playgrounds and a fishing pond.

     An 18-hole disc golf course is located at Hummingbird Beach and there is no fee required to play the disc golf course. Stop by the gift shop in the park office to rent disc golf equipment for a nominal fee. Nearby, the 18-hole Fountainhead Golf Course, operated by the Muscogee Creek Nation, features views of the lake, complete with a putting green and pro shop. Lake Eufaula State Park also has a Lovelock Fountain, which encourages visitors to add a personal, and lasting, touch to the park.

    While there are so many things to do on land in the park, Lake Eufaula allows visitors the opportunity to play on the water. There is a swimming area with a beach, and multiple boat ramps provide easy access to the lake. Fishing is a big attraction at Lake Eufaula State Park, and a marina located in the park makes year-round fishing possible with an enclosed, heated fishing dock, as well as a tackle shop. There is also Lake Eufaula Stables where visitors can enjoy a scenic horseback ride. Some of the largest fish in the state have been caught at Lake Eufaula.

    Various accommodations for a stay at Lake Eufaula State Park are available. Approximately 35 full hookup RV sites, 65 RV sites with water and electric and 93 tent sites are available. For a unique overnight accommodation, book a stay in one of the park’s three yurts. All yurts come with heat/ac, bedding, a microwave, mini-fridge, electrical outlets, and an LED TV. The Longhorn Loop yurt comes with one foldout futon, large picnic shelter and lake access at your doorstep, while the Hummingbird Beach yurt comes with two full-sized futon bunk beds, is ADA compliant and has great beach access. The Longhorn Loop Honeymoon yurt has a queen-sized log canopy bed indoors and two picnic tables, a grill, a fire pit, and a lantern holder outdoors. Although there is no running water within the yurts, restroom facilities are located within 50 yards of the Longhorn Loop and Hummingbird Beach yurts, and 1000 yards from the Longhorn Loop Honeymoon yurt. Pets are not allowed inside the yurts.

     Comfort stations are scattered throughout the park. Ideal for meetings or family reunions, the group camp features a fully equipped kitchen, dining hall, stocked pond and four air-conditioned bunkhouses that can accommodate up to 96 people. Lake Eufaula State Park also features an airstrip for the convenience of those who would like to fly into the park. In addition, there are coin operated washers and dryers located in the Dogwood Drive Campground.

Foss State Park, Foss, Oklahoma

     As we continued our drive west across Oklahoma we picked another state park near I-40.  The park is located about 13 miles west of Clinton or 5 miles north of Foss depending on which direction you're driving on I-40.  We reserved a pull-through site right on the lake for a couple of nights.  We got there to find that all the sites were very nice and all paved with plenty of room.  There are a few campgrounds in the park and we chose Cedar Point for its lakefront sites.  We also found that this campground has a marina, a laundry, disc golf, kayak rentals, and showers.  

     On our second day there, we took a short drive back into Clinton and checked out the Indian Casino just east of town.  It wasn't bad.  They offered $10 or free play and in the end, I was up $5 and Jackie $20.  

    Foss State Park is located in western Oklahoma on Foss Lake. Recreational activities include hiking, biking, disc golf, horseback riding, fishing, boating, swimming, and camping. Facilities include 108 RV campsites, 10 of which have full-hookups and 98 that are semi-modern. All sites offer 30 amp or 50 amp service plus water. Big rig sites, shaded sites, and 103 tent sites are also available. In addition to the tent and RV sites, the park also offers two fully furnished cabins, one of which is ADA compliant, available for reservation at the park's main number. While Foss offers an equestrian camp featuring a multi-purpose trail for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking, horse rental is not available. Plan your next group retreat or family reunion to Foss Lake and take advantage of the park's five palapas at Sunset Beach, air-conditioned enclosed shelter meeting space, picnic areas, group picnic shelters, grills, fire rings, comfort stations with showers, lighted boat ramps, boat storage, boat rentals, playgrounds, swimming beach and seasonal marina.