Oklahoma can be proud of its large state parks and resorts. The parks, which offer horseback riding, miniature golf, marinas, fishing, and restaurants, shine like diamonds in Oklahoma's recreation crown. These diamonds shine so brightly that our other jewels are frequently overlooked. But families looking for peace and quite rather than action and adventure should look at some of the smaller state parks spread across Oklahoma.

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.

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.

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.

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 is the Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts, 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.