Your Ultimate Guide To Spring Attractions And Activities In Oklahoma
Tori Jane
Author
Oklahoma is one of those places that are wonderful for outdoorsy folks; there’s so much to do and see that it can be tough to decide what to do in the first place. In the spring, this is enhanced – after all, once the bitter chill of winter has subsided and the warmer days begin creeping in, it feels like the whole world is fresh and new, and what better way to enjoy it all than by getting out and about this season? We’ve gone ahead and put together a list of all the best things to do in Oklahoma in spring, from flower blooms to picnic spots and everything in between. Come out and explore the Sooner State this spring – you won’t regret a moment of it.
Flower Blooms In Oklahoma
Oklahoma is beautiful year-round, with seemingly endless skies and prairies that stretch endlessly into the horizon. In the spring, though, it’s particularly wonderful, as you can find all sorts of jaw-dropping spring flower blooms across the Sooner State. It can be tough to decide which ones to visit (though we recommend visiting them all), so we’ve chosen a few of the best flower blooms in Oklahoma to experience this spring. Which ones are your favorites? Let us know!
1. The Tulsa Botanic Blooms Festival
Come see one of the most amazing tulip displays in America this season at the legendarily beautiful Tulsa Botanic Blooms Festival. Taking place on certain nights in April and May complete with live music, drinks, and more, this tulip bloom in Oklahoma is so much more than JUST a springtime flower bloom; it’s perfect for a date night, a solo self-care outing, or anything in between. For 2024, more than 120,000 spring flowering bulbs have been planted, and it’s expected to be quite an incredible spectacle. This one’s a can’t-miss and takes place on Thursdays in April and May.
2. The Muskogee Azalea Festival
If there’s anything about Oklahoma that’s just plain special, it’s our amazing spring season. This awe-inspiring family-friendly event is free and takes place at Honor Heights Park in Muskogee. This awesome annual azalea festival in Oklahoma shows off the incredible beauty of springtime in all the best ways, and it’s often revered as one of the best springtime festivals in the US! There will be a parade, a couple of cook-offs for fun, a 5K run, and more – so be sure to arrive early and stay all day. The Muskogee Azalea Festival takes place on April 1st, 2024.
Botanical Gardens In Oklahoma
Did you know that Oklahoma is home to numerous arboretums and botanical gardens? It’s true, and spring is probably the best time of year to visit them. As spring approaches, buds and blooms appear en masse, and the trees come screaming back to life following a months-long slumber. The best place to witness all of this, of course, is at any one (or all) of our amazing gardens and/or arboretums. Here are a few of the best botanical gardens in Oklahoma to visit in the spring:
3. Lendenwood Gardens
The eight-acre wonder that is the incredible Lendenwood Gardens in Grove, Oklahoma, is amazing in the spring. Situated in northeast Oklahoma, this garden is astonishingly beautiful, with more than 1,000 species of plants and flowers that call it home. Wander the paved pathways through the gardens and find yourself immersed in a magical world full of wonder and spring flowers. You can also get maps and info for a fun self-guided tour while you’re here. Might as well learn as much as you can, right? We think so.
4. The Tulsa Botanic Garden
Okay, okay, so we already technically mentioned the Tulsa Botanic Garden, which isn’t terribly far from OKC and makes for an amazing day trip – but that was one event! The entire Tulsa Botanic Garden is absolutely amazing in the springtime, as it’s in full bloom and there are always all sorts of events going on. We can’t stress the value of becoming a member enough – especially in the spring, when everything’s bounding back to life from a winter slumber. Come see all the amazingness this incredible garden has to offer.
5. Myriad Botanical Gardens
This stunningly beautiful botanical garden in Oklahoma City is made up of the Crystal Bridge Conservatory, which is open seven days a week, as well as several other breathtaking gardens featuring thousands of species of plants both native and non-native to the area. There’s also a Children’s Garden, which is as charming as it sounds. Best of all, there’s plenty to do nearby as well – check out the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, or maybe grab brunch in Bricktown or other downtown area spots before you show up. This one can easily be made into a whole weekend trip!
Parks To Visit In Oklahoma This Spring
Did you know that, as of the time of this writing, Oklahoma has 32 incredible state parks to pick from? It’s true! Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of them at this time of year thanks to all the emerging flora and fauna; there’s always something amazing happening at Oklahoma’s parks, be they state or city parks, and spring might just be the best possible time to come out and enjoy it all. Visit some of the best parks in Oklahoma this spring and take it all in – you deserve it!
6. Beavers Bend State Park
Beavers Bend State Park is an all-American getaway in and of itself, no matter what time of year it might be, but the spring is a particularly special time to show up. Broken Bow Lake is amazing all the time, but in the spring, when everything is blooming, it’s especially wonderful. Wildflowers abound, and the forest seems to explode to life with birds, bees, and everything in between. Rent a kayak and paddle the lake – sunsets are especially magical here. Camping, fishing, and boating are all much-loved activities, and in the spring when everything’s thawed, it’s like a whole new, fresh world ready to explore.
Related Stories
Welcome Spring At The Annual Festival Of The Arts In Oklahoma This April
A Total Solar Eclipse Will Be Visible Above Oklahoma This Spring
Pick Your Own Colorful Tulips This Spring At Tucker's Tulips In Oklahoma
7. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
If you’re celebrating your spring break in Oklahoma and you’re on the search for your next great spring break idea, look no further than the beautiful Wichita Mountains – particularly the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. In the spring, this entire place comes to life in flowers and fauna. Visit the Visitor Center first and get all the info about the preserve before exploring it on one (or all) of its wonderful hiking trails. Drive Mount Scott Road, hike the trails, and do everything you can while you’re here. It’s worth it!
8. Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Park
Turkey Mountain is really more of a hill, with a total height of about 804 feet. Nevertheless, this incredible little natural oasis in the city of Tulsa is something special in the spring, when wildflowers bloom and all the critters start moving through (or returning). You can explore all 738 acres on foot using the numerous trails that weave through the park like life-giving veins. Best of all, this park feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere – even though it’s just 15 minutes from downtown Tulsa. You could theoretically check it out on your lunch break – if you’re in Tulsa, anyway.
Spring Hikes In Oklahoma
Hiking in Oklahoma is absolutely awesome for so many reasons. The Sooner State is home to hundreds of miles of trails weaving all over the place, from our parks to our towns and everywhere in between. Some hiking trails are particularly incredible during spring, as wildflowers blossom and wildlife begins stirring. First, you’ll notice the wild birds return – and from there, everything is roses (or, you know, whatever other flowers you can find). Some of our favorite spring hikes in Oklahoma are hikes like:
9. The Sutton Wilderness Trail
This is a 1.4-mile urban hiking loop trail in the town of Norman, Oklahoma, which is well-known for its absolutely jaw-dropping wildflower blooms. The Sutton Wilderness Trail is nothing short of a total spectacle in the spring, with dozens of species of wildflowers to admire as well as, well, everything else. In the spring, this trail is at its best. Perhaps even better is the close proximity to towns like Edmond and Guthrie, both of which are amazing in the spring. Flowers! Flowers everywhere!
10. The Jed Johnson Tower Trail
This nearly two-mile trek near Lawton is a gem for hikers of most skill levels. It’s popular, but if you show up early in the morning during the week you’re more likely to get it to yourself, which is always nice. Spring is by far one of the best times to visit the Jed Johnson Tower Trail, as it’s at its most beautiful (or so we think – others might argue that that time is summer). No matter when you show up to do this out-and-back trail, make sure you’re wearing good shoes and pack water – even if it’s not hot out. This hike is often cited as one of the best wildflower hikes in Oklahoma, so you be the judge.
11. Dripping Springs Trail
If you’re a fan of waterfalls, this is the hike for you. Considered a sacred site by Native American tribes for thousands of years (including the Tonkawa Indians, made up of tribes who roamed this area in the early 18th century), this amazing waterfall hike in Oklahoma has proven itself to be absolutely wonderful throughout all the eras it’s ever existed through – and goodness, what an honor it is to be a part of it just by visiting. Natural Falls State Park is outlandishly beautiful, complete with aforementioned waterfalls, natural pools, amazing hiking trails, gorgeous biking trails, and more.
Spring Picnic Spots In Oklahoma
When was the last time you had a picnic – seriously? It’s almost like the art of the picnic is a rapidly dying art as we see less and less of it happening these days. And that’s a bummer, because spring in Oklahoma is typically beautiful and we know all the best spring picnic spots in Oklahoma. So pack your lunch (make sure it’s safe!) and head outdoors – we’ve found a couple of the downright greatest picnic spots in Oklahoma to enjoy this spring.
12. The Talimena Scenic Byway
The absolutely legendary Talimena Scenic Byway rivals only Route 66 in terms of its Oklahoma road trip potential. But there’s a side of this drive that most folks overlook: its picnic potential, especially in the spring. As the days get warmer and longer, eating outdoors becomes more of a luxury, and there are countless awesome spots along the entirety of the Talimena Scenic Byway that are absolutely PERFECT for just such an occasion, tables and all.
13. Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Last but by no means least on this list is the amazingness that is the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, complete with lush, emerald forest, waterfalls galore, amazing hiking, incredible camping, and so much more. In the spring, as with everywhere on this list, it’s particularly wondrous. Nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Arbuckle Mountains, you’ll never forget a springtime visit to this amazing area. Then, be sure to come back in the fall, when everything’s ablaze with color again – albeit in a different way.
…and as a bonus item, we can’t end this amazing list of Oklahoma spring activities without mentioning the incredible annual tradition known as the Festival of the Arts in downtown OKC. This is easily one of, if not THE best spring festivals in Oklahoma, and it’s a must-do for natives, visitors, and everyone in between. From the live music to the Mexican, Italian and other cuisines and the more than 100 amazing artists serving as vendors, you can’t miss this one awesome celebration of all things spring in Oklahoma.
Summary
So, what do you think? If you’re anything like us (and we suspect you are – you’re here, after all), chances are you’ve already written all your favorite ideas down and are actively planning to do them. Good! Oklahoma is an amazing place that’s incredibly underrated if you ask us, and springtime is by far the best season to come check it out. From hiking trails to biking trails, swimming holes, lakes, ponds, state parks, town parks, and more – you just can’t go wrong by going outside, especially in the Sooner State.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.