The city of Choctaw is the oldest town ever chartered in the Oklahoma Territory. In 1834, the United States set aside land west of the Mississippi River for indigenous groups. After the American Civil War, the government forced these tribes to return millions of acres of this land, which forced many Native Americans even further west. While European-Americans were initially federally prohibited from settling towns on indigenous land, settlers still ventured illegally into the territory. After the Oklahoma Organic Act in 1890, half of the Indian Territory was made into the Oklahoma Territory. That same year, Choctaw became a community. It was situated near an existing ranch that had a trading post and natural spring. Choctaw was incorporated as a town in 1904, only three years before Oklahoma became a state.
Choctaw is home to the Old Germany Restaurant, which initially opened in 1976. Upon opening, the restaurant owners collaborated with the city's chamber of commerce to host an eight-day Oktoberfest celebration. Feel free to stop by to enjoy authentic German food, drinks, dancing, and entertainment. Those interested in German culture can also check out the assortment of historic beer steins on display at the Stramski Collection museum.
The most significant green spaces in Choctaw include Optimist Park, Choctaw Creek Park, and Ten Acre Lake. All of these parks have picnic tables and benches where you can rest and enjoy the landscape. Spend your time watching one of the local sports programs, bring your kids to the playground, or take a charming stroll. Bathroom facilities are available at both Choctaw Creek Park and Ten Acre Lake.
Campgrounds Near Choctaw, Oklahoma
The Twin Fountains RV Park in Oklahoma City is only a few minutes away from the Oklahoma City Zoo and the Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Feel free to splash around in the pool, bike along the trails or play a few rounds of mini golf. Other amenities include a shuttle service, laundry facilities, trash pickup, and an on-site convenience store.
Mustang Run RV Park is another wonderful Oklahoma City camping option that keeps you close to the major attractions while still offering a peaceful and secluded experience. Thanks to its easy location off Interstate 40, you can easily travel from this campground to Lake Overholser Park. Thoroughly enjoy your RV camping vacation by lounging by the pool or relaxing on the shaded patio.
Roadrunner RV Park sits in a charming neighborhood not far from several parks and golf courses, a post office, and the Oklahoma River Ferris Wheel. The campsites here are large, fully paved, and come with full hookups. You'll also have access to cable, Wi-Fi, and a picnic pavilion
State Parks Near Choctaw, Oklahoma
The 5,349-acre lake at Lake Thunderbird State Park is one of many reasons why more than 600,000 visitors stop by every year. Right in the middle of Oklahoma, this park has 11 camping areas, two swimming beaches, two marinas, and nine boat ramps. You can also take part in some of the local events like sailing lessons and camps, regattas, fishing derbies, and competitive water races. You're welcome to hike, bike, or ride horses on the park's trails.
Roman Nose State Park is one of the seven original Oklahoma parks, and it opened in 1937. It's well-known locally for its stunning landscape that includes natural springs and rocky gypsum canyons. Open year-round, this park gives you a chance to see red-tailed hawks, coyotes, rattlesnakes, mourning doves, bald eagles, and more. Swimming is popular during the summer, but visitors can also spend the off-seasons hiking, biking, golfing, and boating. The park's RV-friendly campground has 12 sites with full hookups and an additional 35 sites with electricity and water.
Encompassing 12,500 acres, Lake Murray State Park is the largest state park in Oklahoma. Its 5,700-acre Lake Murray is a great spot for watersports, boating, and swimming. This park is ripe with outdoor recreational opportunities like hiking, golfing, picnicking, paddle boarding, horseback riding, and camping. Some of the sporting facilities include an 18-hole golf course, badminton nets, a baseball diamond, and horseshoe pits. You'll find rentable watercraft, sporting equipment, and more at Lake Murray Water Sports & Mini Golf.
National Sites Near Choctaw, Oklahoma
The Oklahoma City National Memorial tells the story of the people affected by the attack that took place in the 1990s. In April of 1995, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed by domestic terrorists, which impacted hundreds of buildings in a 16-block radius. More than 600 people were injured, and 168 people lost their lives. Five years after the attack, this memorial was made as a tribute and expression of future hope and recovery. The on-site Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum houses artifacts from that fateful day.
The Chickasaw National Recreation Area covers almost 10,000 acres in south-central Oklahoma. First established in 1902, the area grew to include both Platt National Park and the Arbuckle Recreation Area. Visitors are encouraged to hike or bike the grounds while enjoying the beautiful lakes, rolling hills, and thick forests. Swimming, wildflower viewing, canoeing, boating, and water skiing are all popular during the warmer months. The freshwater Antelope Springs and Buffalo Springs can be found near the end of Travertine Creek.
During the 19th century, the Removal Act of 1830 gave Native Americans land on the west side of the Mississippi River in exchange for the land they owned on the east side. This act, along with the constant American western expansion, further worsened relations as the amount of land owned by indigenous tribes continued to shrink. The Washita Battlefield National Historic Site memorializes the American surprise attack against a Cheyenne village in Oklahoma in 1868 as a result of these tensions. Check out the visitor center to watch the informational "Destiny at Dawn" video before touring the area and learning more about the Cheyenne people.
National Forests Near Choctaw, Oklahoma
Ouachita National Forest, which spans 1.6 million acres across Oklahoma and Arkansas, is the oldest and largest forest of its kind in the South. The 40,100-acre Lake Ouachita State Park within the forest is perfect for fishing, swimming, sunbathing, kayaking, boating, and canoeing. One of the most significant trails here is the 600-acre Renegade Ranch OHV trail. Equestrians don't want to miss venturing out onto the Fourche Mountain Trail and Billy Creek Trail. Many of these paths can be used for stargazing, wildlife viewing, and geocaching.
The Ozark and St. Francis National Forests encompass more than one million acres and give visitors access to both the Mississippi River and Mt. Magazine State Park. Concerning local flora, there are more than 500 plant types and six wild and scenic rivers with unique greenery and wildlife. Anglers should have no trouble catching bass from the 30 miles of shoreline in the Bear Creek Lake Recreation Area. Brook Creek Recreation Area also has bass as well as bluegill, and channel catfish. Get the best views of local mountains, rivers, valleys, and forests by driving along the 35-mile Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway.
Mark Twain National Forest is divided into nine separate sections across Missouri. Many of the forest's lakes are regularly stocked with crappie, bass, and trout. Hikers of any skill level can enjoy 32 miles of maintained trails. Dispersed camping is allowed in one spot for up to 14 days at a time. After two weeks, you'll need to move your campsite to at least one mile away. The Berryman Campground offers free, primitive camping options, picnic tables, and vault toilets.
