TRAVEL GUIDE: EXPLORING MEDICINE PARK IN 24 HOURS
Medicine Park, whilst on my doorstep ( well admittedly, about 3 or so hours away from Tulsa) is somewhere that I really haven't explored. Not out of not-wanting to but I guess I just did not know what to expect and then travel was put on pause for two long years with the pandemic. That said I'm making it my mission to explore more of my own beautiful state. I want to spend more time exploring each nook and cranny of Oklahoma! We are quite spoiled and yet many of us, so oblivious as to what's right in front of our eyes.
So Lin and I booked a trip to Houston to visit his dear mom as we had not seen her since pre- Covid times. And we thought it would be the perfect starting point to explore Rush Springs where Lin spent his childhood summers with his beloved grandmother. He wanted to visit her grave site and show me around to know where to spread his ashes one day. Crazy conversations and plans we must make getting older, right?! Sigh.
G E T T I N G T H E R E
Our transportation method of choice my Volvo as we brought the dogs along! And we went the slow way which admittedly takes so much longer but Rodge is of the unusual breeds that really love a long journey. HA! And I do too enjoy the journey! To sit in one place for longer than a couple of hours is actually so rare to me so I really relish the opportunity! He drives which is perfect!!! We had lunch in Chickasaw and then explored Rush Springs and then headed to Medicine Park.
E A T A T :
The Old Plantation Restaurant
Truly a gem of a restaurant !!! I can't recommend a visit to The Old Plantation Restaurant enough. In Tulsa.. we're spoiled for choices when it comes to great restaurants so we expect the same wherever we go. That's obviously not always the case, so when you find somewhere that's really special in the area you're always super pleased with yourselves for finding it. The Old Plantation Restaurant is one of those places.
Serving traditional southern style food, they pride themselves on great quality and great service. All of the Steaks and Pork Chops are Hand Cut Daily and Flame Grilled to order. The Hand-battered Country Fried Steaks, Catfish, and Country Fried Chicken with Homemade Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans are the talk of the town. With Huge Salads, Smoky Cedar Plank Salmon, and Juicy Burgers they have a little something for everyone. We arrived early after being quite ravenous from a long day of travelling and left a packed out restaurant, feeling full to the brim and completely happy. The desserts are delicious too!!!
Meers Store & Restaurant
Was not able to go here it being closed but Rodge absolutely raves about it! In fact everyone I know who has gone raves about it. Meers is the home of the "Best Burger in Oklahoma". Once a bustling town of miners seeking gold in the Wichita Mountains, all that remains of the town of Meers now is their world renowned family restaurant of the same name. The Meersburger is made from grass-fed longhorn beef and brought to you on old dented up pie pans. Don't skip the beer either. They also serve some of the best onion rings. The old store fronts are just the beginning when it comes to charms. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was once a drugstore, doctor's office, newspaper office and general store before it became a restaurant. Check out the walls covered in historic photos of people who have visited and eaten there as well as original decor dating all the way back to 1901. Don't forget to bring a business card to leave your own mark on the walls of this historic Oklahoma restaurant.
MRS. CHADWICK’S BAKERY AND COFFEES
Mrs. Chadwick’s Bakery and Coffees is home to some of the best homemade pound cake you’ll find anywhere! On any given day, you’ll be faced with the dilemma of which mouth-watering baked good to choose from the selection. You’ll also find Blue Bell ice cream and drinks in the cooler to help combat the hot Oklahoma summer days. I opted for a red velvet donut and an iced vanilla latte!
E X P L O R I N G MEDICINE PARK
I'll be honest, the center of Medicine Park isn't somewhere we chose to spend a lot of time and the reason is because everything was mostly closed. Did not due our due diligence when researching so I would recommend not going on a Monday or Tuesday. Wednesday through Sunday would be more ideal and I personally would prefer Spring or Fall. But if you have children and enjoy swimming…etc…Summer would be a great time to visit. Bath Lake was formed in the 1920s as the town’s swimming hole and has since remained a hidden gem in the state. Located in the center of downtown, you will find a lake that contains beautiful waterfalls, stairs that provide entry at different points, and plenty of both shallow and deep areas, allowing you to sit, stand, swim, or simply float and enjoy the picturesque scenery that surrounds the shoreline. In the winter, Bath Lake is the perfect spot to perch on the shore and fish for trout.
The Wichita Mountains form the backdrop of Medicine Park and provide plenty of opportunities to explore. Stretching across 59,000 acres of mixed grass prairie and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wichita Refuge is home to hundreds of species of animals. On any given day, you will see American bison, Rocky Mountain elk, white-tailed deer, Texas longhorn cattle, and of course, the signature prairie dog. It’s a perfect blend of historical legacy and breathtaking scenery that you won’t find anywhere else. In addition to this spectacular wildlife, visitors can participate in many other activities, such as hunting, fishing and camping, as well as many hiking and bicycling paths.
Created in 1905 by the Lake Lawtonka Dam, Lake Lawtonka sits just to the east of Medicine Park. The lake spans more than 2 square miles, providing visitors with more than 20 miles of shoreline. Overnight campgrounds are available to the public, as well as picnic structures, playgrounds, hot showers and bathrooms. If you forgot your supplies at home, stop by the nearby marina and gas station to make sure your adventure can continue. Boat ramps and docks allow access to the lake at various points. Feel free to explore the entirety of the lake, or simply let your boat drift and enjoy the scenery that the nearby mountains provide. If fishing is more up your alley, fishing docks are also present. The lake is known for its smallmouth bass population and holds Oklahoma’s record for the largest reeled in (March 31, 2012).
Fort Sill is the home of the Fires Center of Excellence, located just outside Lawton, Oklahoma. Medicine Park acts as a relaxing retreat for soldiers and their families, whether they are stationed at the Fort or simply passing through for their Basic and AIT training. When you visit the historic little town, feel free to explore what they have to offer. Take a scenic canoe ride at Bath Lake, or hop in for a refreshing swim before returning to one of the quaint cabins for some R&R. If you venture into town, you’ll find plenty of restaurants that offer great food for the whole family, as well as local shops that offer one-of-a-kind souvenirs to remember your trip.
Historic Fort Sill is also a great stop for our local visitors. Visit the Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum to explore the area’s rich history or take a trip to the Lake Elmer Thomas Recreational Area for a relaxing day to soak in the sun and surroundings.
Read more and plan your visit with the link below.
We stayed at an Airbnb property that was dog friendly and perfect for hosting a large group!!! Linking lodging options for you as I think we want to stay in a little cabin next time downtown that will be smaller!
https://medicinepark.com/lodging/
Have so much fun and let me know if you have any questions!!!! Oh and do explore Mount Scott too!
Located on the eastern edge of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Mount Scott is one of Oklahoma's most prominent mountains. A three-mile-long paved road leads to the summit and a breathtaking view of southwest Oklahoma. The peak towers 2,464 feet above sea level. Parking is available on the summit so that you can get outdoors and enjoy the vistas and some rock hopping or hiking. Don't forget to bring your camera to snap photos of the beautiful views from the top of Mount Scott. Please note that hikers have exclusive access to Mount Scott on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Friday through Sunday, hikers must be off the mountain by noon. Cars and bikes have exclusive access to the mountain Friday through Sunday in the afternoon.
