We've gathered all the latest news and updates about Oklahoma state parks right here as a handy referencefor you. From extreme water levels to updates on new facilities in our parks, here's all the latestbuzz.
The Nature Center at Beavers Bend will be closed the first week of 2022 for painting and floor refinishing.
All trails at Sequoyah State Park will be closed the following dates, December 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19.
Due to hunting season in the refuge, the trail beyond the swinging bridge will be closed through January 15th.
Marietta Landing Campground will be closed for construction beginning in January with an undetermined completion date.
Eagle's Roost ATV Area will be closed from November through the end of March.
Cottonwood and Lower Live Oak Campground will be closed November through the end of March.
All comfort stations in the park except Scissortail will be winterized from November through the middle of March.
Cedar Cove, Duke's Forest, Tipp's Point, Rock Tower and Martin's Landing will be closed and winterized from December through the beginning of March.
North Sentinel will be open to day use but closed to camping with winterized restrooms from the end of October through mid-April.
Little Sandy, Critter Alley and Clear Bay Point tent areas and the Post Oak and Rose Rock RV areas will be closed from the end of October through mid-April.
Floyd's and Ben's semi-modern campgrounds will be closed from the beginning of December through the first of March.
Weather permitting, one comfort station will remain open in each campground area throughout the winter.
Wards Landing campground and bathhouse will be closed and winterized from November through March.
The large bathhouse in Victor Campground will be winterized from December through March.
Wister Dam Campground will be available for semi-modern camping, but the restroom will be closed and winterized from November through March.
Weather permitting, all campgrounds and restrooms will remain open and available.
Weather permitting, the entire park will remain open.
Weather permitting, all campgrounds and facilities will remain open.
Water to the RV sites is shut off from the beginning of November through April. After the first freeze, potable water will be available at the entrance into the RV area.
Group camp closes from December through the beginning of April.
Eagle Bluff #2, Woody Hills #4 and Gopher Valley #3 comfort stations will be closed and winterized from November through the beginning of March.
Squirrel Trail #5 comfort station will be closed from November through the beginning of April.
The restrooms behind the pool and on the west end of the Nature Center will be closed from December through March.
Old Circle Campground will remain open. Sites 31-41 will have electric only and the restroom will be winterized. Pine Trails Campground will remain open with electric only.
Deer Run will only be open for day use with the comfort station closing from November through the beginning of April.
Group camp buildings and restrooms will be closed and winterized from November through the beginning of April.
Teepees will be taken down the first of November.
Sandy Beach I Campground will remain open but restrooms will be closed and winterized from December through the beginning of April.
Sandy Beach II tent area remains open but restrooms will be closed and winterized from November through the beginning of April.
Accessible restroom by the beach area will be closed from September through the beginning of April.
Community Center will be closed from November through the beginning of April.
Creek and Paradise Cove South Campgrounds will close from November through the beginning of March.
Cherokee Campground will close from mid-November through the first of March.
Chickasaw CAmpground will be open for day use only with no available restrooms.
Group Camp will close from December through the first of March.
One boat ramp and one comfort station will be available in Paradise Cove.
Attakullakulla, Pushmataha and Group Camp will be closed from November through the first of March.
All campsites, restrooms and showers will close from 11/8/21 through 3/11/22. During this time, gates will be open for day use only and close at dusk.
Weather permitting, RV camping and utilities will remain available. One comfort station will remain open.
Upper DX and Bluff View tent areas will close from November through the first of March.
Restrooms at Longhorn Loop and Hummingbird Beach will be available for yurt guests only from November through the beginning of March.
One Deep Fork Campground restroom will be closed and winterized from November through the beginning of March.
Bathrooms at Blackjack Bluff and the Youth Pond Area will be closed from November through the beginning of March.
Campground and facilities will remain open to RV camping.
Buckeye Campground is still undergoing renovation.
Weather permitting, all RV and tent campgrounds will remain open throughout the winter at Arrowhead.
Weather permitting, all RV, tent campgrounds and restrooms will remain open through winter.
The small comfort station at the park entrance is not available. Large comfort station in the RV area will be winterized and closed from 11/1/21 through 3/15/22. Nature Center and park will remain open, with showers and restrooms available at the Nature Center all hours.
From November through February the Nature Center hours are Monday through Friday, 9am - 4pm.
Weather permitting, park and facilities will remain open for RV and tent camping.
Group camp will close from November through the end of April.
Springhill campground will be closed from 10/17/21 through 3/11/22. Group camps wil closed and winterized from November through the end of March.
Disney will be open for day use and boat ramp only.
Weather permitting, Little Blue will remain open and available during the winter with a pit toilet only.
Weather permitting, the main road into the park, boat ramps, comfort stations, RV and tent campgrounds will remain open for the winter. Wildcat Point will be day use only.
Black Jack Cove and Deer Run Campgrounds will be closed, gated and winterized from 9/27/21 through 5/1/22.
Catfish Cove Campground will remain open with one restroom.
Cove Road Tent Campground will be closed from November through the end of March.
Caddo Hill and Goose Feather Tent camping sites remain open weekends until November then the campground will close for winterization through the end of March.
Cutberth and Sandy Beach campgrounds, restrooms will be closed and winterized from November through the first of March.
Mouse Creek and Buffalo Bend Campgrounds, restrooms will be closed and winterized from November through the first of April.
The boat ramp restroom will be closed and winterized from November through the first of March.
Cypress Row, Gobbler Ridge, Eagle's Nes and Playside RV Campgrounds will be closed and winterized from December through the end of February.
Hoot Owl and the Shady Grove Shelter will be closed from December through the end of February.
The comfort station at Raccoon Ridge Area A will be closed from November through the middle of March.
The boat ramp comfort station will be closed from the middle of October through the first of April.
Red Carpet Country Campground sites and restroom will be closed from November through the first of April.
Canyon tent campground is closed, gated and the bathrooms are winterized from 10/31/21 until 4/1/22. Upper Campground RV, camping and bathroom facilities will remain open and available, weather permitting.
Lakeview Lodge at Beavers Bend will be closed for renovation beginning September 15th. The project is expected to last for at least a year.
Several duplex cabins and Belle Starr Lodge at Robbers Cave are currently closed for complete renovations. Construction is expected to be completed by early fall 2022.
Repairs to the Watonga dam will begin in early April with the lake being dewatered starting around April 12th to repair the primary spillway. Currently, the project has been put on hold and a completion date has not been set.
1. Why is the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department implementing the Parking Pass Program?
A 2019 analysis of state park facilities and infrastructure found that, for years, funding levels have been well below the amount needed to adequately maintain our state parks at a level that would ensure the safe and enjoyable use of our parklands. In response, the agency developed a multi-pronged strategy to streamline processes, reduce operational costs and increase revenue in order to adequately fund capital reinvestment in our parks. Funding generated by the Parking Pass Program will provide much-needed resources to return park facilities and infrastructure to an acceptable standard and maintain them at that standard.
Parking pass fees from each state park are reinvested into the park where they were generated.
2. When will the Parking Pass Program begin?
The program will begin June 15, 2020.
3. Which state parks are participating in the program?
4. What areas of the parks will require a parking pass?
With some exceptions, all areas of participating parks will require visitors to purchase a parking pass. Exceptions include golf courses and some concessionaire areas, as identified by park management and approved by the Parks Director. Signage will be placed at park entrances and in parking areas to notify visitors of parking pass requirements.
5. Are there any state parks or areas of state parks that visitors can use without the parking pass requirement?
Yes, in addition to the previously mentioned areas approved by the Parks Director, the following state parks will not require parking passes:
Alabaster Caverns State Park
Black Mesa State Park
Bernice Area at Grand Lake State Park
Cherokee Area at Grand Lake State Park
Spavinaw Area at Grand Lake State Park
Little Sahara State Park
McGee Creek State Park
Roman Nose State Park
6. What is the cost of a parking pass?
Parking pass rates are per vehicle, according to the following chart. Vehicles with an Oklahoma or Oklahoma tribal license plate will receive a 20% discount on rates. When purchasing passes, visitors will select the dates and time they want their pass to begin and end. The annual pass is valid for all Oklahoma State Parks; other passes are valid for the individual park selected during the purchase process.
One Day - $10 | Discounted Rate - $8.00
Three Day - $25.00 | Discounted Rate - $20.00
One Week - $35.00 | Discounted Rate - $28.00
Annual - $75.00 | Discounted Rate - $60.00 Good for one year from purchase date.
Buses (per day) - $25.00
7. How will visitors purchase parking passes?
There are several ways to purchase a parking pass:
TextPay - Upon arrival to the park, instructional parking lot signage will direct visitors to text a park-specific code to 504504, which will take them to a website to purchase a pass. The text message also provides visitors the opportunity to download a mobile app. https://www.premiumparking.com/text-pay
TravelOK.com - Each state park page on TravelOK.com contains a link that visitors can use to pre-purchase passes in advance of their visit.
Mobile App - Visitors may download the Premium Parking app from the app store, or at https://www.premiumparking.com/mobile-parking
Pay Machines - Pay machines are located at park offices and other locations within participating parks.
Purchase of Annual Passes - On Premium Parking’s initial screen page, where it requests “address, location or destination” – type in "Oklahoma State Parks". On the second screen page, select a state park (it will receive the revenue from your subscription). Your pass is good at all Oklahoma state parks. Up to three vehicles can be registered on your annual pass account. To pay for your account, click the “Pay for Subscription” button. If you’re an Oklahoma resident, as you enter your Oklahoma car tag number, your account will be credited with the 20% discount at the last step of the subscription protocol.
8. Will visitors that have reserved lodging or campsites be required to purchase a parking pass?
While all passenger vehicles visiting participating state parks will be required to purchase a parking pass, each paid lodging and campsite reservation will include a parking pass for one passenger vehicle that will cover the duration of the reservation.
9. Do I need to purchase a parking pass for my trailer or boat?
No, only wheeled passenger vehicles are required to purchase a parking pass, such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, vans, buses, etc. A parking pass is not required for boats and hauling trailers.
10. Do I need to purchase a parking pass for my RV? What if I am hauling a passenger vehicle behind my RV?
Yes, unless you have a valid lodging reservation with the park (for example, day visitors driving RVs are required to purchase a parking pass). Only one parking pass is required for RVs pulling passenger vehicles (enter your passenger vehicle information during the purchase process).
11. Are discounts available for parking passes?
Yes, the following groups will receive a discount:
State of Oklahoma and Oklahoma tribal license plates: 20% discount on parking passes automatically applied during the purchase process.
Honorably discharged veterans who are residents of Oklahoma: 100% discount with eligibility verification by Oklahoma State Parks. For verification, the following documents are acceptable:
A valid Oklahoma driver license or state photo identification card and military discharge papers (DD Form 214) or similar evidence of an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces; or,
A valid Oklahoma driver license or identification card issued by the Department of Public Safety with a flag emblem and the word "veteran" in the upper left-hand corner of the front of the driver license or identification card.
Vehicle tag and registration information.
Oklahoma residents 62 years of age or older, and their spouses: 100% discount with eligibility verification by Oklahoma State Parks. For verification, a driver’s license with an Oklahoma address is acceptable. Applicants will also need to provide vehicle tag and registration information.
Individuals who have been certified as totally disabled under state or federal law, and their spouses: 50% discount with eligibility verification by Oklahoma State Parks. For verification, the following documents are acceptable:
the presentation of a Medicare card issued to an individual prior to their 65th birthday;
a Notice of Award letter from the Social Security Administration; hunting and fishing license that notes total disability;
award letter issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs or a document issued by a retirement or insurance board, commission or administration that attests to the individual's total disability; or,
a physician’s letter, on letterhead stationery, that declares the individual is totally disabled.
Discounts cannot be combined. For example, a totally disabled Oklahoma resident would not receive both a 20% discount and a 50% discount (70%) but would receive the 50% discount.
12. How do I get my discount?
Visitors with Oklahoma or Oklahoma tribal plates will receive the 20% discount automatically at checkout on the Premium Parking app or website.
Visit any state park office and provide the required documentation listed above in question 11. Park staff will assist you in obtaining your parking pass account which will reflect your discount.
13. Will patrons of in-park restaurants be required to purchase a parking pass if they are only visiting the park in order to have a meal?
Restaurants and other concessionaires may offer validations to patrons upon approval of the park manager and Parks Director. Validations are provided via a promo code.
14. What about patrons who have rented boat slips at a marina?
Marina concessionaires will provide one parking hangtag to each slip renter. This tag is good for the park where the marina is located, and must be returned to the marina at the end of the slip lease term.
15. What happens if a vehicle does not have a valid parking pass?
The parking pass requirement is enforced 24/7 by park staff and park rangers. Vehicles without valid passes may be subject to warnings, violation notices, towing and/or other enforcement measures.
16. What if there is a problem with the pay machine or a visitor has a problem with their payment?
Contact our program partner, Premium Parking, for customer service and support, (844) 236-2011.
OK State Parks App
Get a Parking Pass