State Park Updates

State Park Updates

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.

South Lake Road Construction

The main road into the park, South Lake Road will be under construction for the next few weeks. While the road should remain open during this time, large vehicles are encouraged to take North Lake Road to the entrance of the park.

Sequoyah Winter Closures
Sequoyah Winter Closures

Creek, Paradise Cove (with the exception of sites 1-5), Chickasaw and Group camp will be closed 11/01/23 – 03/01/23.
Cherokee will be closed from 11/15/23 - 03/01/23. Park Office will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

Grand Lake Honey Creek Winterization Schedule
Grand Lake Honey Creek Winterization Schedule

PARK WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR CAMPING

Squirrel Hollow - Area B - comfort station will remain open.
Raccoon Ridge - Area A - comfort station will be winterized 11/1/23 open 3/15/24.
Boat Ramp comfort station-will be winterized 11/1/23 opens 4/1/24.
Park office open M-F 8:00-4:30 Nov-Feb.
Camp host on site.

Lake Thunderbird Winter Campground Closures
Lake Thunderbird Winter Campground Closures

The following campgrounds will be closed for winter from 11/01/23 through 04/30/24: North Side

  • Little Sandy Tent
  • North Sentinel Tent

South Side

  • Clear Bay Point Tent
  • Critter Alley Tent
  • Rose Rock Tent
  • Rose Rock RV

East Side

  • Post Oak RV
Grand Lake Bernice Winterization Schedule
Grand Lake Bernice Winterization Schedule

PARK WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR CAMPING.

Small comfort station at the entrance of the park will be winterized and close 11/1/23 and open 4/1/24. Large comfort station in the RV Area will be winterized close 11/1/23 and open 3/15/24. Nature Center showers and restroom will remain open. Nature Center will be open Monday thru Friday 9am-4pm November–February. There will be a camp host on site.

Grand Lake Twin Bridges Winter Closures
Grand Lake Twin Bridges Winter Closures

PARK WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR CAMPING

Anglers Paradise Area 1- comfort station will remain open. Eagle Bluff Area 2- comfort station will be winterized 11/27/23 open 3/15/24. Gopher Valley Area 3- comfort station will be winterized 11/1 open 3/15/24.
Woody Hills Area 4- will be winterized 11/1/23 opens 3/15/24.
Lake Hut Area 5 will be closed 11/1/23 opens 3/1/24.
Squirrel Trail will be winterized 10/15/23 opens 4/15/24.
Park office open M-F 8:00-4:30 Nov-Feb.
Camp host on site.

Fort Cobb Winter Closures
Fort Cobb Winter Closures

Cove Road, Deer Run, Blackjack, Tent Hill campgrounds and restrooms closed. Caddo Hill bathroom is closed and one bathroom at Catfish Cove is closed.

Arrowhead Winter Closures
Arrowhead Winter Closures

We will be closing Hitchin Post, Lake View Circle and Echo Ridge campgrounds from 12/2/23 to 3/1/24.

Cherokee Landing Winter Closures
Cherokee Landing Winter Closures

The entire south end of the park will be closed for winter. Cherokee tent, Choctaw RV and the upper or north end of the park will remain open, including the public restrooms, gift shop and office.

Other areas of the park may open or close, depending on winter severity.

Robbers Cave Winter Closures
Robbers Cave Winter Closures

Thundering Pines Campground, Whispering Pines Bathhouse, Group Camp One and sites 31-41 in Old Circle Campground will be closed for the winter beginning 12/01/23.

High Water Release Horns

During high water release for power generation at the Broken Bow Dam, the US Army Corps of Engineers blasts a loud horn to alert campers and anyone on the water that levels may be rising quickly.

Lake Watonga Dam Repairs
Lake Watonga Dam Repairs

Repairs to the Watonga dam began in April 2021 and are expected to continue indefinitely. Trout are being stocked at Lake Boecher by ODWC during the regular winter season.

State Park Parking Pass Program Info
State Park Parking Pass Program Info

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?

  • Arrowhead Area at Lake Eufaula State Park
  • Beavers Bend State Park
  • Boiling Springs State Park
  • Cherokee Landing State Park
  • Fort Cobb State Park
  • Foss State Park
  • Honey Creek Area at Grand Lake
  • Great Plains State Park
  • Great Salt Plains State Park
  • Greenleaf State Park
  • Keystone State Park
  • Lake Eufaula State Park
  • Lake Murray State Park
  • Lake Texoma State Park
  • Lake Thunderbird State Park
  • Lake Wister State Park
  • Natural Falls State Park
  • Osage Hills State Park
  • Quartz Mountain State Park
  • Robbers Cave State Park
  • Sequoyah State Park
  • Talimena State Park
  • Tenkiller State Park
  • Twin Bridges Area at Grand Lake State Park

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.