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Try out a few survival skills with fall camping
10/6/2003
Media Contact: Lu Richardson, 405-522-6322, lu@travelok.com
Are you addicted to the ¤urvivor?craze? Or maybe you£qe a little overwhelmed from all the hype. Perhaps you should get away from it all and try out your own survival skills.
Don£s worry, you can bring all the stuff you want. Your food supply will be limited only by your own choice, and the sole competition will be for the campsite with the best view. And you can choose just how many survival skills you want to practice - whether its living without your espresso machine, trading in your cushy bed for a sleeping bag or carrying all your supplies on your own back.
Oklahoma£r comfortable fall weather and vibrant autumn colors typically last well into November, creating plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors before winter arrives. More than 500 campgrounds dot the diverse Oklahoma landscape, ranging from RV sites with cable to a cleared spot beside a ring of rocks. There are also a few areas that allow you to truly rough it and make your own campsite in the midst of nature.
Just choose an activity, and you£qe bound to find a camping spot nearby.
At the Water£r Edge
Most Oklahoma lakes have at least a few campsites, and many have lots of space for both RVs and tents. Set up camp near the water, build a cozy campfire and sit back to enjoy the scenery.
The water is great for fishing, so you can fill your day and even your dinner plate. If you£qe new to the sport, look for a lake that rents fishing gear or offers guided fishing excursions. You can also rent fishing boats at some lakes.
Camping is a great way to gather family and friends for quality time together. Take a walk along the shoreline, play cards or board games or go for a nature scavenger hunt. This is also a great time of year for nature photography.
Hikers?Havens
Hiking is a great way to see the fall foliage and enjoy the cooler weather. With more diverse terrain per mile than any other state, Oklahoma offers lots of choices for refreshing scenery.
Many state parks have short hiking trails, and some of the most popular fall foliage destinations have trails suited for anything from a short walk to an all-day adventure. Here are a few hiking and camping highlights to consider.
More than 100 miles of hiking trails lace through the Ouachita National Forest in eastern Oklahoma - a hot spot for spectacular autumn hues. You can take a short hike from the popular Talimena Scenic Byway, or spend an adventurous weekend backpacking and camping in the wilderness. Several camping areas are located in this national recreation area, and nearby state parks offer camping as well.
Beavers Bend Resort Park near Broken Bow offers similarly spectacular scenery with a few more amenities. Several short nature trails are located in the park, and shorter loops on the 26-mile David L. Boren Trail make it perfect for both day hiking and backpacking. This premier state park has nearly 400 campsites, and its brilliant fall foliage is reflected in both Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River.
Autumn£r hues mix with prairie grass and soaring granite in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton in southwest Oklahoma. In addition to hiking and camping, you can also see herds of free roaming buffalo, elk and longhorn here.
While visitors are welcome to hike anywhere in the public use area of the refuge, four series of hiking trails are maintained for easy access to the natural wonders. Trail loops range from one to eight miles. Overnight backpacking within the refuge is allowed only in Charon£r Garden Wilderness Area, and permits and reservations are required. Doris Campground offers 23 sites with electricity and 47 sites without electricity, all open to either tents or RVs.
Trails for a Faster Pace
If you prefer watching the scenery streak past on your mountain bike or blur by your ATV, Oklahoma has several spots for you to pitch your tent and race to the trails. Many state parks have bike trails, and some feature ATV trails.
Among the most popular locations for off-road recreation are Little Sahara State Park in northeast Oklahoma and Lake Murray Resort Park in south central Oklahoma.
Where the Waters Run
Looking for something different? Get off the beaten path and follow the water in a canoe, kayak or raft. The Illinois River in northeastern Oklahoma is lined with camping opportunities as well as outfitters renting canoes, kayaks and rafts. Many also offer guided trips. You can even ¥Bloat?to your campsite. Canoes and kayaks can also be found in southeastern Oklahoma along the Mountain Fork River.
Or take your own equipment and enjoy the scenic Spring River Canoe Trails north of Miami in northeastern Oklahoma.
Bring Your Horse
Horse lovers can enjoy both camping and riding for an ideal getaway. Several state parks, including Robbers Cave, Lake Murray, Lake Thunderbird and Great Salt Plains, have equestrian trails and some offer trail rides. Some campgrounds even invite you to bring your own horse. These special campgrounds cater to equestrian enthusiasts by providing stalls, barns and even feed.
Comfort in Nature£r Midst
For those who love nature but can£s bring themselves to give up all of the comforts of home, an RV resort or larger state parks can offer a happy medium.
In addition to spacious full hookup campsites, you£kl find amenities such as convenience stores, restaurants, fitness centers and laundry facilities. You can also find recreation centers, miniature golf, volleyball, tennis courts, swimming pools and private fishing ponds. Some even offer cable hookups.
Don£s have an RV but still want to explore the outdoors in style? Check your yellow pages for RV rental companies.
Whatever camping style you prefer, you can search for your perfect camping spot under the food and lodging link on TravelOK.com, or call 800-652-6552 to get free information from an Oklahoma travel counselor.
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