Okmulgee

The city of Okmulgee takes its name after the Muscogee word meaning “bubbling water.” Visit this northeast Oklahoma destination to discover the flowing water at the Okmulgee & Dripping Springs Lake & Recreation Area. Nestled in mighty oak trees, these parks offer camping, hiking and incredible scenery. Bring along your rod and reel to fish in Dripping Springs Lake, which was designated as Oklahoma’s first trophy bass lake. The Dripping Springs Lake Spillway is an impressive sight, especially after a rainstorm. Built in the 1930s by the WPA and the CCC, this dam turns the gentle current of water into gushing falls as it flows over the spillway.

Located southeast of the city is the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge. This 10,000-acre refuge was established in 1993 to protect the rapidly disappearing bottomland hardwood forests of eastern Oklahoma. Within its borders, visitors have opportunities to hunt, fish, canoe or kayak, observe wildlife and hike.

Okmulgee has a rich and varied history. Founded during reconstruction after the Civil War, the city holds the honor of being the capital of the Muskogee Nation and held status as an important oil boomtown in the early 1900s. Take a walking tour of the Okmulgee Downtown Historic District, which boasts over 140 buildings that were nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. In 2002, Okmulgee was ranked in the top five Great American Main Streets by the National Main Street Center.

No trip to Okmulgee would be complete without a visit to Coleman’s All Beef Burgers. Serving hungry diners since the 1950s, this community staple is known for its 100 percent ground chuck burgers and perfect homemade pies.