Findingthat you need a small loan to take your family to the movies thesedays? Concession prices alone can cost more than the tickets. Duringthese current economic challenges, who wants to pay such high prices?For a fun alternative, take your kids (or date) on a nostalgic trip tothe drive-in theater.

Ahhh, camping. As the blanket of night approaches, a symphony of crickets chirp all around. Fireflies dance on a gentle summer breeze. Above, millions of shimmering stars illuminate the darkened sky as you and your kids roast marshmallows over a crackling campfire.

If you’ve already been bitten by the camping bug or are ready to give it a try, you don’t have to travel far for outdoor adventure and family fun. Here are what I consider to be the top ten Oklahoma family camping sites. Each offers a wide variety of activities for kids of all ages.

1. Beavers Bend State Park
Located in southeastern Oklahoma adjacent to Broken Bow Lake, this nature lovers’ paradise offers train rides, miniature golf, hay rides, hiking, canoeing, and a nature center. You may even catch a glimpse of an eagle soaring overhead.

2. Lake Texoma

Enjoy this beautiful lake’s two wildlife refuges, two state parks, first-class golfing, riding stables, sailing, personal watercraft, and hiking. The Texomaland Fun Park (580-564-2340) offers go karts, bumper boats, batting cages, and mini-golf.

3. Greenleaf State Park

This serene family-oriented getaway provides a kids’ fishing pond stocked with rainbow trout for those 16 and under and/or those physically disabled, a swimming pool, party barge tours, a playground, and hay rides.

4. Red Rock Canyon State Park

Once a stop on the famous California Road Trail, campsites are located down in the canyon. This site is popular for rappelling and exploration and offers a swimming pool and fishing pond.

5. Roman Nose

Near Watonga and once a favorite area of the Cheyenne Tribe, Roman Nose overlooks ancient mesas and offers plenty of fun activities, from sleeping in a teepee to equestrian horse riding.

6. Wichita Mountains

This is a place where the white-tailed deer and buffalo roam. One of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, the Wichitas offer camping back country, rock climbing and rappelling at Mt. Scott, fishing, and the opportunity to view wildlife in their natural habitat.

7. Tenkiller State Park

Admire the beauty of limestone cliffs and explore the underwater scuba park complete with a submerged school bus, sunken boats, and a recently added aircraft fuselage.

8. Ouachita National Forest

Fish, deer, and Bigfoot? Oh my! Here you’ll find rugged, unpaved forest roads providing dirt bike and four-wheel enthusiasts exploration of some of Oklahoma’s most scenic terrain. Really adventurous? Try hang gliding.

9. Great Salt Plains State Park

The only place in the world to dig for “hourglass selenite” crystals. Treasure hunters also enjoy a wilderness area, swimming, boating, and hiking.

Editor’s Note: At press time, no crystal digging was being allowed due to pollutants in the area. See www.fws.gov/SaltPlains for updates.

10. Robbers Cave State Park

A legendary hideout for outlaws such as the James brothers and Belle Starr, here you’ll find rock climbing, equestrian trails, a nature center, and swimming pool to keep things cool.

For more information on these parks, visit www.TourOklahoma.com.

Kim Rogers is a freelance writer who lives with her husband and two sons in Edmond. A graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma, she has written for newsletters, newspapers, and magazines.

Getting ready for your first family camping trip? Consider these tips before you go:

• Camping Amenities. The family-friendly environment of most campgrounds often includes activities such as fishing, swimming, hiking, and nature programs. Family campgrounds provide restrooms, showers, and potable water. Some have stores and rent fishing poles, paddle boats, canoes, and other equipment.
• Eating in the Wild. Most campgrounds provide grills, fire rings, and picnic tables. A basic cooking set can be made up of no more than a bag of charcoal, a few pots and pans, and a spatula. Start with simple options like sandwiches, hamburgers, and pre-packaged meals. With each camping trip, try more adventurous recipes and add the necessary cookware.
• Dressing for the Occasion. For most family trips, a selection of T-shirts, shorts, jeans, swim suits, jackets, and sweatshirts will suffice. Pack knowing items will get dirty—that’s part of the fun!
• Protecting Your Feet. Quality boots are a good investment for many families. When shopping for boots, look for solid ankle support and tread to keep you from slipping. Purchase boots in stores where people familiar with hiking are trained to fit them properly. Buy socks and liners made of wool or other materials that will cushion feet and absorb moisture.
• The Right Equipment. Before investing in equipment, try to borrow tents, sleeping bags, lanterns, and stoves to determine what suits your family. To save money, check yard sales or camping clubs for used equipment.

Jennifer Woodford works with DeHavilland and Associates, an educational consulting firm.

Campfire photos:
© Photographer: Johann Helgason | Agency: Dreamstime.com

© Photographer: Naude | Agency: Dreamstime.com

McCurtain County offers nature lovers an assortment of activities for outdoor fun. Beavers Bend Resort, at the base of Broken Bow Lake, and Mountain Fork River are the focus for all the activities in this most beautiful part of our state. For a complete listing of events, lodging, attractions, outdoor activities, museums, and shopping opportunities, visit the official web site of the McCurtain County Tourism Authority.

Ride Through the Park
Take a trip on the C. P. Huntington S. P. railroad. This one-third size replica was built in 1863 and takes passengers on a 30-minute scenic trip through the Beavers Bend Resort Park. The open cars and rural route put you in the midst of the beautiful forest landscape. The Depot is open 10am-5pm during the summer and there are generally two excursions offered every hour.

Want to get closer to nature? Take a horseback trail ride each 2.5 mile ride is about an hour long. The Beavers Bend Depot & Stables also offers hay rides twice a week. Call 580-494-6613 for the schedule.

Wet Encounters
The Illinois River isn't the only place to float down a lazy river. Beavers Bend River Floats lets rafters take a 2.5 mile float down the lower Mountain Fork. Canoes rent for $21; kayaks, $10.50. The ride should last about an hour if the waters are calm, but you can take as long as you want. Visit their web site or call 580-494-6070 for more information. The WW Trading Post and Canoe Rentals offers a variety of floats on the lower Mountain Fork full day, half day, and overnight floats are available. Their extensive website, WWCanoes.com, outlines each of their trips. Prices per four-seat canoe range from $40 to $80. Floaters must be at least six years old. There are a variety of float providers in the area and many rent tubes for short trips.

Nature Trails
Little River National Wildlife Refuge showcases migratory waterfowl and other river creatures. This 15,000-acre refuge was created to help preserve the bottomland hardwood forest, and in this swampy habitat visitors can encounter flocks of ducks, rabbits, frogs, and alligators. The park is perfect for hot summer days because all the wildlife is viewable from the designated auto route—most visitors spot at least one alligator while in the park. If your family likes to hike, make plans for the David Boren Hiking Trail. This 16-mile trail winds from Beavers Bend to Hochatown. There are several shorter nature trails as well.

Nature and Culture Indoors
The Beavers Bend Nature Center is one of the best in the state. Guests can take nature hikes (sign up early for the sunset hike) and astronomy outings. The Forest Heritage Center and Museum is a must see it features 14 dioramas about prehistoric forests, papermaking, 1940s lumbering, and forest conservation. Don't miss the exhibit honoring the wildfire firefighters. Admission is free; allow at least 1.5 hours for the exhibits. Learn more at their web site.

For indoor fun, visit The Gardner Mansion and Museum which houses an outstanding collection of pre-historic Indian and pioneer artifacts. Call 580-584-6588 for an appointment to tour the Mansion and Museum.

The Museum of the Red River in Idabel has the most complete dinosaur skeleton ever found in McCurtain County and is sure to impress. For more information, visit their web site.

Festivals and Food
The Kiamichi Owa-Chito Festival of the Forest is held the third weekend in June. This three-day event at the resort park highlights the heritage, culture, and industry of Kiamichi Country. Enjoy forestry competitions, a large art show, and great musical entertainment. Check out the plans for this year's festival at their web site.

My favorite summer festival is the Valliant Watermelon Festival which is held in August. The entire town turns into a celebration of the watermelon! For more information, visit their web site.

No trip to Broken Bow is complete without a stop at Goody's New Orleans Style Snowball Stand. Don't let the name mislead you this stand has the best tamales around! For $9 a dozen (which will feed a family of four), you get Robert and Judy Goodner's handmade tamales and homemade, fresh salsa. The stand is located across from the entrance to the resort park.

Pam Washington is the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Central Oklahoma. She and her husband Mike have been married for six years and have traveled Oklahoma with their blended family of five children.

Every Oklahoman intends to take the fall foliage drive down highway 259 along the Talimena Scenic Byway. This 57-mile drive is arguably one of the most beautiful in the state and certainly the best known of the foliage routes. However, most of us have let the thought of taking children on a long drive from the Metro area and back keep us from actually going. This year, plan your drive to Kiamichi Country near the end of October or first of November because foliage forecasters say that color in this area should peak at that time. Staying a weekend at Beaver's Bend State Park allows you to see the scenery and enjoy an action-packed adventure the children will love.

Where to Stay
Plan to spend a weekend at Beavers Bend Resort on Broken Bow Lake. Each of the resort's 40 rooms has a spectacular lake view. The state park has 47 cabins, most with fireplaces, that accommodate four to six people. Campers can choose from 393 campsites. The park's native stone and rough timber buildings, built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, are scattered among the wooded landscape. Call 800-435-5514 for resort reservations or 580-494-6300 for cabin or camping reservations.

If you want to stay outside of the park, try the Broken Bow Inn. Their amenities include a hot tub, sauna, and swimming pool. Call 580-584-9103 for reservations.

Before You Go
To take advantage of all Beavers Bend has to offer, some advanced planning is required. Pack your binoculars, camera, and some warm clothing and enjoy a chance to see Bald Eagles. Once on the endangered species list, the Bald Eagle is now flourishing in Oklahoma. The park hosts an Eagle Watch along the Mountain Fork River each Saturday morning from Mid-March through November. For families on a budget, this is a great free activity. Call Frank Griffith at 580-494-6556 to reserve a spot.

Make sure your fishing gear gets into the trunk because trout fishing is big in this area. Broken Bow Lake has numerous streams perfect for fly-fishing; in fact, the Lower Mountain Fork River is considered the best trout fishing spot in the state. Several local guide companies hold fly-fishing clinics in November. When you call for reservations, ask if one will be held during your stay. Also check out Three Rivers Fly Shop (580-494-6115) if you want a guide service or need to rent equipment. Before you fish, purchase trout licenses ($10 each) either here or at the resort-even small children will need one.

While You're There
If you can plan your trip for November 10-12, you will get the extra treat of attending the Beavers Bend Folk Festival and Craft Show. This festival features artisans demonstrating turn-of-the-century arts and crafts including candle-making, broom-making, and copper-smithing; children's games and activities; and a petting zoo. The festival runs Friday and Saturday 8am -5pm, and Sunday 9am - 4pm. There is live folk music each day. Check out the festival web site or contact Michelle Finch-Walker at 580-494-6497 for more information.

Even if you can't make it down for the festival, Beaver's Bend Park offers plenty of activities to keep a family busy all day. The Beavers Bend Nature Center and Wildlife Museum, located just inside the park, has a bear exhibit so impressive, even the teenagers in your family will be enjoy it. Admission is free. Another free museum in the park is the Forest Heritage Center and Museum which features the history of forestry, wood art, and local homestead memorabilia. Most of the dioramas were painted by Harry Rossoll who created our famous friend “Smokey the Bear.”

Outdoor activities at the park include spectacular hiking trails on which hikers regularly encounter white-tailed deer, beaver, mink, wild turkey, fox, and raccoon. You can also see the park on a guided horseback ride or hayride. If you prefer a more modern experience, take a 30-minute train ride on the C. P. Huntington, a 1/3 replica of the 1863 original. Call the Beavers Bend Depot and Stables (580-494-6613) for times and prices.

Tee off at Cedar Creek Golf Course, also known as “Little Augusta.” The course was given a 4-star rating by Golf Digest Magazine in 2002. Call toll free 1-866-602-4653 or visit www.oklahomagolf.com for tee times and prices.

Foliage Routes
To see the best foliage, follow Highway 259 north through the Ouachita National Forest to Highway 1, also known as the Talimena Scenic Byway. Head west through the Talimena State Park. If you are in the mood for more landscape, remain on Highway 1 to McAlister. Or, for a quicker route home, head north on Highway 82 to I-40. If you can't manage an entire weekend trip, check out the fall foliage web site for other scenic drives and foliage color updates.

Pam is the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Central Oklahoma. She and her husband Mike have been married for six years and have traveled Oklahoma with their blended family of five children.

Kiamichi Country
Sapphire blue water laps the shores of Raymond Gary State Park making it a treasure for families who like the water, shade, and peace. Just off of Highway 70, this 46-acre park offers lake amenities and water sports on 390-acre Raymond Gary Lake. Families with boats will enjoy a relaxed atmosphere in which to fish, float, and play in the water. The speed limit on the lake is 5 miles per hour, so those addicted to speed sports will need to take their boats 10 miles down the road to Lake Hugo.

In addition to comfortably-shaded campsites for both tent campers and RV units, this park offers primitive cabins. The cabins, which are right on the lake front, feature fireplaces, ceiling fans, heat/air conditioning, picnic tables, outdoor grills, twin beds, room for additional cots or sleeping bags, and a large screened in porch-just no bathrooms. There are bathhouses conveniently located throughout the park, and at just $55 per night, the cabins are perfect for large families. The quiet atmosphere of the park makes for excellent fishing, so if you don't have a boat, try the large, open fishing dock. There is an excellent swimming beach and a playground area for younger children. For reservations, call 580-873-2307.
Driving Directions: I-40 east to Henryetta. At Henryetta, take the Indian Nation Turnpike south to Highway 70 (Hugo) exit. Take 70 east to SH 109; go south to the park.

Green Country
Emerald green hills roll through Osage Hills State Park creating a peaceful, wooded retreat. This 1,199-acre park features four miles of winding hiking trails, two quiet fishing spots on Lookout Lake or Sand Creek, and well-planned camping sites which accommodate tent or RV camping. There are eight stone cabins that can be rented year round. The lack of a large resort and marina will suit families looking for a laid back getaway. Children will enjoy playing in the creek, swimming in the large pool, or paddling a canoe on Lookout Lake. The camping sites are large enough to set up badminton, croquet, or horseshoes. This multifaceted park works for families in the fall and winter as well as in the heat of summer. Trails that take the hiker past patches of wildflowers and green mossy rocks in the heat of July wind through colorful fall foliage in October.

Families can take a short drive out of the park to Woolaroc, which has one of the premier Native American art and artifact collections in the world, or to Bartlesville to see the Frank Phillips Home and the Nellie Johnstone Oil Well. For park reservations call 918-336-4141, or e-mail OsageHills@OklahomaParks.com.
Driving Directions: I-35 north to Highway 60 east (Tonkawa) exit through Ponca City. Follow the business district and see the town or follow 60 around the town. Pass Pawhuska and go north on Hwy 99 for approximately six miles, then take Highway 60 eastbound (again). The turn into Osage Hills is on the right side.

Great Plains Country
Garnet red sandstone cliffs ring Red Rock Canyon State Park and provides a wonderful setting for creating family memories. Bring your own equipment and spend a day rappelling off the cliffs. Adventurers come from all over the state to skim down the sides of the canyon. Bring your own horses and ride the Rough Horsetail or the California Road trails, then stay the night in campsites designed especially for families with horses. There is no boating, but the hiking trails are spectacular, and there is a stocked fishing pond.

Red Rock Canyon has spacious, grassy tent campsites with picnic tables and stone grills and RV sites in the California Road campground. This state park also has an excellent group camp with bunkhouses and a kitchen/dining room-perfect for family reunions. A small, spring-fed creek that runs through the park is just right for wading, but in the heat of the day, the swimming pool takes center stage. In the evening, hike along the canyon rim for a breathtaking view of the sunset. For park reservations, call 405-542-6344 or e-mail redrockcanyon@hintonet.net.
Driving Directions: I-40 west to the Highway 281 (Hinton) exit. Turn left after exiting and head south on Highway 281 through town. Go one mile past the town's only stoplight to the southern edge of town. Look for the easy-to-miss entrance into Red Rock Canyon on the east side of Hwy 281.

Whether your family enjoys sitting around a campfire, cooling off in a swimming pool, or hiking scenic nature trails, these small state parks offer a setting in which to relax and reconnect. Arkansas may have a diamond mine, but Oklahoma has hidden jewels to offer its families.

Pam Washington is the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at University of Central Oklahoma. She and her husband Mike have been married for six years and have traveled Oklahoma with their blended family of 5 children.