Tenkiller State Park park
Tenkiller State Park
Reasons to Visit:
1. Scenic Beauty: Tenkiller State Park is nestled in the Cookson Hills, which provides stunning views of the surrounding area. The park's diverse landscape features towering bluffs, lush forests, and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tenkiller.
2. Outdoor Recreation: The park offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, and camping. Visitors can explore numerous trails, enjoy water sports on the lake, or simply relax on the sandy beaches.
3. Wildlife Viewing: Tenkiller State Park is home to a wide range of wildlife species, including deer, turkey, squirrels, and various bird species. Birdwatchers will particularly enjoy the park's avian diversity.
4. Camping Facilities: The park provides both tent and RV camping facilities, equipped with amenities such as restrooms, showers, and picnic areas. There are also cabins available for those seeking a more comfortable stay.
Points of Interest:
1. Lake Tenkiller: The park is situated along the shores of Lake Tenkiller, which covers approximately 13,000 acres. The lake offers excellent fishing opportunities, with species such as bass, crappie, and catfish attracting anglers from far and wide.
2. Overlook Areas: Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views from several overlook areas within the park, including Cookson Bend Overlook and Snake Creek Overlook.
3. Nature Center: The park's Nature Center features educational exhibits showcasing the local flora, fauna, and history of the region. It's a great place to learn more about the park's ecological significance.
Interesting Facts:
1. Lake Tenkiller is often referred to as the "emerald jewel" of Oklahoma due to its crystal-clear waters.
2. The park's name, Tenkiller, comes from the Tenkiller Ferry Dam, which was constructed across the Illinois River in the 1940s.
3. The park is located within the Cherokee Nation jurisdiction and is part of the historic Cherokee Nation.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Tenkiller State Park is during the spring and fall seasons when the temperatures are mild and the foliage is vibrant. The park's natural beauty is enhanced during these times, making it perfect for hiking, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors. Summers can be hot, but the lake offers a refreshing escape for water-based activities. It's important to note that the park can get crowded during peak summer months.
To ensure accuracy, it's always recommended to verify the information from multiple independent sources, such as official park websites, travel guides, and reviews.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Tenkiller State Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenkiller State Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Strayhorn Landing - Tenkiller Ferry Lake | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Cato Creek Landing - Tenkiller Ferry Lake | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Snake Creek Cove - Tenkiller Ferry Lake | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Gore Landing | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Summers Ferry | ✗ | ✓ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Tenkiller State Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Tenkiller State Park
What can I do at Tenkiller State Park?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Tenkiller State Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Tenkiller State Park.