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| Oklahomans
Hit Paydirt at State Parks By: Keli Clark Most everyone is familiar with the phrase “hit the dirt.” To most people hitting dirt means to fall to the ground and take cover. Some Oklahomans offer their own version of the saying, and it doesn’t include taking cover. However, there is ground involved. “Hit the dirt” in Oklahoma translates to “pack up the motorcycle, four-wheeler, jeep or dune buggy and find dirt to play in.” Three state parks in Oklahoma offer adventure and fun for people who like to “play dirty.” In far northwestern Oklahoma near the town of Beaver, the wind-blown sand dunes at Beaver Dunes State Park are enticing to off-road enthusiasts from all around. Known as the “Panhandle Playground,” more than 300 park acres of shifting, rolling sand are reserved for motorcycles, four-wheelers, jeeps and dune buggies. In addition to the dune area, the 520-acre park accommodates RV and tent campers. The park has one cabin that sleeps four that’s equipped with electricity, a small heater and a ceiling fan. A new addition to Beaver Dunes includes a campground located next to the riding area with dune access and which includes eight RV sites with water and electricity. “We’re excited about the new campground,” says park manager Bryan Elwood. “Before we opened this area, riders could not access the dunes from the campsites. This makes it a lot more convenient for visitors.” Riders are required to stay within the fenced off-road area of the park, which is posted with boundary signs. Dune access fees are $5 per off-road vehicle per day; however a three-day pass or annual dune pass is also available. Beaver Dunes State Park is located one mile north of Beaver, Oklahoma on US-270. For park information, call 580-625-3373. Southeast of Beaver Dunes near Waynoka, you’ll find the grandfather of all Oklahoma sand playgrounds, Little Sahara State Park. Opened to the public in 1960, Little Sahara is known as the “Golden Sands of Waynoka.” With more than 1600 acres of sand dunes, Little Sahara is the hot spot in the state for sand lovers. Sand dune heights range from 25 to 75 feet, and that doesn’t include the extra height achieved when you’re airborne. Dune buggies, jeeps, four-wheelers and motorcycles tear through the landscape year-round making this state park a popular getaway. The park has three areas with 212 non-assigned campsites for RV and tent camping and a day-use area with picnic tables and a playground for children. Little Sahara charges riders a modest per-day, per-rider fee. Annual passes may also be purchased at the park. “According to ATV Magazine, Little Sahara is nationally ranked in the top five parks for off-road enthusiasts,” says park manager Dean Taylor. “We’re very proud to offer a park of this caliber to Oklahomans and out-of-state visitors.” Little Sahara State Park is located four miles south of Waynoka on SH-281. For park and fee information, call 580-824-1471. For safety reasons riders at Beaver Dunes and Little Sahara parks must abide by the ORV rules and regulations including:
In the southern part of the state, Lake Murray Resort Park has adopted the motto, “If You Build It, They Will Come.” For years the park had a makeshift off-road area on the north side of the lake where motorcycles, ATV riders, jeeps and trucks gathered. The area offered no amenities and was open to all traffic. Riders told Park Manager Bryce Todd there was a need for better and safer facilities. Todd heeded the request and built up the existing area to include 1,000 acres of ATV riding trails and a campground with 15 full-service RV facilities with concrete pads and grills. “These guys have a lot of money invested in their motorcycles and ATVs,” says Todd, “We wanted to provide an area where they feel safe and comfortable and have all the facilities they need when they come to ride.” New comfort stations with restrooms and warm water pay showers have been added to the ORV area. Primitive tent camping is allowed in the area. Future plans include a day use area with picnic tables and grills. Beginning March 8, a fee station opened where riders pay $7 per-day, per-rider to use the trails. For safety reasons dune buggies, jeeps or trucks are no longer allowed on the off-road trails. Most riders agree the fee is worth the improvements that have been made to the park. “This is one of the best parks we’ve found in all the parks we go to,” say Brad and Rhonda Herman from Tyler, Texas. “The thing about the state parks is the reasonable fee so you can enjoy the land at a fair price.” Riders can enjoy the many amenities found at Lake Murray Resort Park including the 52-room lodge with a full-service restaurant, 81 park cabins and 468 RV and tent campsites in nine camping areas. Family activities at the park include a water park area, miniature golf, riding stables, a swimming pool at the lodge and Tucker Tower Nature Center. An 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, hiking trails and an enclosed fishing area are also appealing to visitors. The Lake Murray ORV area is located four miles east of I-35 (two miles east of the park entrance) off SH-70. For park information, call 580-223-4044. For information about events at other state parks, resorts or golf courses, visit www.oklahomaparks.com or call 800-654-8240. |
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Back To Ecoregions Map Click photo to view the full picture. 
Dune buggy fun at Little Sahara State Park Photo by Fred Marvel
Playing in the sand at Little Sahara State Park Photo by Fred Marvel 
Blazing the off-road trails at Lake Murray 
Riders on the ORV Trails at Lake Murray |
