Norman is a busy city in central Oklahoma and the county seat of Cleveland County. The area was originally settled in 1889 as part of the Land Run of 1889. The new settlement was named after a young man named Abner Ernest Norman, who had previously surveyed the land and set up a work camp. At some point, his men carved a sign into a tree reading, "Norman's Camp." Early settlers decided to keep the name "Norman" for their new community. The city began growing quite quickly, and in 1890, the University of Oklahoma was established in town, even though Oklahoma would not officially become a state until 1907. Norman was officially incorporated as a city on May 13, 1891. The community grew steadily throughout the early and mid-20th century, but as the century progressed, Norman truly grew into its role as a bedroom community for nearby Oklahoma City. As a result, the city's growth increased significantly.
These days, Norman has a population of roughly 133,000 residents. The city is partially known as the home of the National Weather Center, which includes agencies like the Storm Prediction Center, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, and the National Severe Storms Laboratory. When you're exploring the city, you should stop by a few of Norman's many unique museums. These include the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, and MAINSITE Contemporary Art.
If you're a history buff, you should visit the Historic Campus Corner District, which dates back to 1917 and is known for its many lovely shopping outlets. The city is also home to many unique, family-friendly attractions, including Summit Climbing, Yoga & Fitness, HeyDay Entertainment, and the Sooner Bowling Center. If you'd rather do a bit of gambling, you could check out Riverwind Casino, Thunderbird Casino, or the Goldsby Gaming Center.
During your visit, consider attending a live show at Cimarron Circuit Opera Company, Norman Ballet Company, the Norman Philharmonic, The Depot, or the Sooner Theatre. And if the weather's nice, it's worth spending an afternoon at Lake Thunderbird State Park hiking, fishing, or picnicking.
Campgrounds Near Norman, Oklahoma
The Roadrunner RV Park is one superb campground to consider in the Norman area. The peaceful campground offers full-hookup RV campsites and provides excellent amenities. Guests at the park have access to a variety of games, a pavilion that's great for gatherings, and exceptionally helpful staff members. The campground also has a reputation for being very clean and having a quiet atmosphere.
Another great campground to check out is the Twin Fountains RV Resort, which features 152 RV campsites with full hookups. You can snag a campsite for $50 per night, and you'll get to partake in lots of games and regular activities during your stay. The park's amenities include on-site security, an electronic gate, showers, a swimming pool, a hot tub, cable television, and Wi-Fi.
You could also rent one of the 170 full-hookup RV campsites at the Rockwell RV Park for $40-$45 per night. Located conveniently close to downtown Oklahoma City, the campground provides a clean setting, paved roads, and spacious campsites. While you're there, you'll also have access to the indoor pool, spa, exercise room, free Wi-Fi, and cable television. Plus, the staff is known to be very friendly and accommodating.
State Parks Near Norman, Oklahoma
Lake Thunderbird State Park is a 1,874-acre nature area surrounding its beautiful namesake lake. The 5,349-acre reservoir is the park's main attraction, boasting two marinas, two swimming beaches, and nine boat ramps. Visitors to the lake often partake in fishing, waterskiing, boating, kayaking, and canoeing. Additionally, the park regularly hosts sailing camps, sailing lessons, regattas, fishing derbies, and even competitive sailing races. If you'd prefer to stay on dry land, the peaceful area also features quite a few nature trails that are excellent for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Lake Murray State Park is the largest state park in Oklahoma, encompassing roughly 12,500 acres on the shores of the 5,700-acre Lake Murray. The sizable lake is a popular destination for fishing, boating, swimming, and watersports. Visitors to the park can also enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, mini golfing, and hayrides. Additionally, the park is home to quite a few sporting features, including an 18-hole golf course with a pro shop, softball and baseball fields, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and volleyball courts.
Named after a chief of the Cheyenne Native Americans, Roman Nose State Park has a rich history with Oklahoma's Native American tribes. Today, the park is primarily known for its exceptional natural beauty. Within the area, visitors will find breathtaking canyons, gypsum rock cliffs, natural springs, and lush woodlands. The park is a wonderful destination for outdoor recreation, providing opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, swimming, boating, and fishing. While you're there, you can also play a round at the 18-hole golf course or observe the local wildlife species, which include coyotes, rattlesnakes, and red-tailed hawks.
National Sites Near Norman, Oklahoma
One of the most well-known landmarks in Oklahoma City is the Oklahoma City National Memorial. The site's purpose is to honor the victims of the bombing that took place in the city on April 19, 1995. In the terrorist attack, 168 people died, over 600 people were injured, and more than 300 buildings were damaged or destroyed. The site not only pays tribute to the victims but also to the resilience of Oklahoma City in the aftermath of the attack. You'll want to check out the Survivor Tree, which was damaged in the bombing but survived and continued to flourish. Other notable parts of the memorial include the Field of Empty Chairs and the Survivors Wall.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area is a large natural haven situated in southern Oklahoma. The national site contains the areas that were once Platt National Park and the Arbuckle Recreation Area. The area comprises just under 10,000 acres and features rolling hills, lush forests, natural springs, placid lakes, and babbling streams. In this serene environment, visitors can partake in various recreational activities, including hiking, biking, picnicking, fishing, swimming, boating, kayaking, and canoeing.
If you're interested in United States history, another fascinating national site to check out is the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site. On November 27, 1868, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer led a surprise attack on the Cheyenne Native American village. Today, visitors to the site can learn about the attack as well as the events that led up to it. At the visitor centers, you can watch a film called "Destiny at Dawn" to learn all about the battle. You'll also want to navigate the Washita Battlefield Park Trail as well as the Dust and Fire Trail during your visit.
National Forests Near Norman, Oklahoma
Ouachita National Forest is a large, scenic forest located primarily in the Ouachita Mountains of Oklahoma and Arkansas. The 1.6-million-acre national forest is known for its tremendous mountain views, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities. There are many rivers, lakes, and streams found throughout the area, many of which are excellent spots for fishing, boating, and swimming. The forest also boasts many lovely hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and off-highway vehicle riding trails around the forest.
Spread across northwestern Arkansas, Ozark and St. Francis National Forests are two lush national forests comprising just over one million acres of land. Although St. Francis National Forest is much smaller than Ozark National Forest, it does offer several unique features. For example, it's the only national forest offering Mississippi River access. The small natural haven also provides amazing opportunities to explore mysterious caves. Other popular activities for visitors to the forests include hiking, fishing, scenic driving, swimming, stargazing, and geocaching.
If you head south of Norman and make your way to eastern Texas, you can visit the diverse Davy Crockett National Forest. The forest gets its name from the famed American folk hero, Davy Crockett, who had a fascinating and eventful life. The national forest encompasses over 160,000 acres and contains woodlands, streams, lakes, and various wildlife habitats. The nature area offers many fantastic hiking routes, including the Neches Bluff Trail, the Four C National Recreational Trail, and the Ratcliff Lake Trail. Perhaps the most popular destination in the forest is the Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, where you can stake out a primitive campsite and partake in water-based recreation on the nearby lake.
