All sorts of day trips from Tulsa can be taken, allowing you to indulge in outdoor recreation. Your Tulsa day trips may include not only Oklahoma but also neighboring states like Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Colorado.
Nature lovers will love the many trails, parks, and more. Plus, you can add some excitement in there with ATVs, kayaks, and even helicopter rides.
A tour we think you'll love
1) Take A Helicopter Tour
A helicopter tour can be a great way to start off a day trip so that you can get an aerial view of dams, lakes, shorelines, and more. For example, GLOC Aviation can provide you with helicopter tours of Grand Lake in Ketchum, Oklahoma. A short flight can be quite affordable and give you amazing photos of your trip.
2) Visit Broken Bow
Broken Bow, Oklahoma is considered one of the top destinations in the state for nature lovers. You can look forward to an array of activities:
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Hiking
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Fishing
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Hunting
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Boating
Broken Bow Lake is also a great place for swimming and camping. Stevens Gap will be the perfect place to access the lake activities, and there are even campsites and picnic tables.
3) Rock Climb In The Wichita Mountains
The Wichita Mountains are found in southwest Oklahoma and cover nearly 60,000 acres. It’s home to longhorn, Rocky Mountain elk, bison, and all sorts of other wildlife.
Rock climbing is one of the most popular activities at the wildlife refuge. You’ll often be able to find various tours and groups that will take you into the mountains. This allows you to focus on safety while also learning more about the area.
4) Wander Through Countless Museums
If you love art and history, there are museums all throughout the state and beyond. When you’re looking for Oklahoma day trips from Tulsa, there’s no reason why you can’t make it a bit fun and educational.
Here are a few of the top museums to explore:
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Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art: Located in Bentonville, AR
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Museum of Regional History: Located in Texarkana, AR
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Perot Museum of Nature and Science: Located in Dallas, TX
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Western Heritage Museum: Located in OKC
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Oklahoma City Museum of Art: Located in OKC
If you go through all museums in that order, you’ll be able to visit Arkansas and Texas, making it one of the more sightseeing-focused weekend getaways from Tulsa.
5) Tour Some Of The State Parks And Reserves
A state park can tell you a lot about Oklahoma and provide you with plenty of outdoor activities to fill a day or an entire weekend.
These trips from Tulsa can offer you some incredible opportunities to learn more about the state and allow you to have some fun with nature:
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Little Sahara State Park is best known for its sand dunes
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Salt Plains State Park is best for mountain biking and even crystal digging
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Sequoyah State Park offers horseback riding, hay rides, and even guided tours of the hiking trails
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Blue Hole Park is one of the best swimming holes in the state. Blue Hole Park is also dog-friendly as long as they’re leashed
Meanwhile, Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is worth the day trip from Tulsa just for the photography.
6) Visit Bluff Dwellers Cave
If you want to explore one of the longer weekend trips from Tulsa, think about driving out to Bluff Dwellers Cave. It’s located just north of the Missouri-Arkansas border and should take you about two hours from Tulsa.
The cave was formed in the Paleozoic Era from limestone. Various tours will provide you with an underground adventure. There’s also an inn, so you can stay there overnight.
On your way to or from the cave, you might also want to stop at Natural Falls State Park in Colcord, OK. The state park offers a 77-foot waterfall as well as some breathtaking rock formations. As you hike Natural Falls State Park, don’t be surprised if you see whitetail deer, foxes, and even turkeys. It’s why this is one of the best trips from Tulsa.
7) Stay Within Tulsa
One of the most obvious Oklahoma day trips from Tulsa is to never actually leave Tulsa. Instead, choose a few places that you rarely (or never) visit.
To the north of the city is the Redbud Valley Nature Preserve. Technically, it’s in Catoosa, but it offers trails through several habitats. The Redbud Valley Nature Center also offers tours and a way to learn more about the birds, butterflies, and dragonflies of the area.
To the southeast of the city is Washington Irving Memorial Park, located in nearby Bixby, just north of the Arkansas River Bridge. This public park features an arboretum as well as several picnic areas.
8) Visit The Oklahoma-Arkansas Border
About three and a half hours to the southeast is the Oklahoma-Arkansas border. There, you’ll find Beavers Bend State Park and Nature Center, as well as all the hiking trails you could possibly ask for.
If you want to travel a bit further into Arkansas, you can even check out Hot Springs, Arkansas. It’s known for its natural hot springs, which can also allow you to have a full spa day.
9) Take A Day Trip To Oklahoma City
Driving into the capital city of Oklahoma is only about an hour and a half. This makes it one of the great day trips from Tulsa. Spend the day or opt for a hotel so that you can explore the city in a bit more detail.
Some of the top attractions include:
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Indoor skydiving
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Stockyards City
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Oklahoma City Zoo
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Bricktown Water Taxi
Discover The Beauty Of Grand Lake o’ The Cherokees From Above
While there are plenty of day trips from Tulsa, it’s important to choose one that suits your personality. Especially if you don’t want to spend all day climbing mountains and riding on horses, discover the beauty of Grand Lake o’ The Cherokees.
At GLOC Aviation, we are experts around the Grand Lake o’ The Cherokees. We’ll take you high in the sky and hover above the dam, the shoreline, and more while telling you a bit about the area. Ketchum, Oklahoma will never look more appealing than it will from a helicopter.
Book your tour with us today so you can have one of the most unforgettable weekend getaways from Tulsa.
