Built in the 1930s, south-central Oklahoma's Lake Murray State Park was the first state park constructed in the Sooner State and, at 12,500 acres, it also is the largest. Set on the shores of its namesake lake just south of Ardmore, the park is home to a number of water sports activities and many other recreational amenities, including a system of ATV trails and a campground for ATV riders.
Rules and Regulations
The ATV riding area at Lake Murray State Park (travelok.gov) is open year-round from early morning to sundown. The trails are restricted to motorcycles, and three-wheel and four-wheel ATVs. Golf carts, dune buggies and other larger four-wheel-drive vehicles are not allowed. ATV operators and passengers under age 18 must wear a helmet, and double riding is not allowed unless the vehicle has a seat specifically made for a passenger. A daily fee is charged to access the trails, but ATV/ORV flags are not required.
ATV Trails
Lake Murray State Park's ATV area lies in the northeast section of the park and is home to 10 miles of trails that wind through, up and over a variety of terrain, including wooded and open areas, sand, gullies and hills. The 1,000-acre ATV area is fenced, except where it is bordered by the lake. The trails are rated easy to moderate in difficulty. The ATV area has a large day-use parking lot and restroom facilities.
Campgrounds/Lodging
The ATV Campground is one of nine campgrounds at Lake Murray State Park, which has 323 campsites for RVs and another 500 tent-only sites -- all available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Open year-round, the ATV Campground lies just north of the ATV area, and has 29 RV sites with full hookups, including 12 pull-through sites, plus 10 primitive RV sites with no hookups, and 15 tent sites with electric and water. For camping information, call the park office at 580-223-4044. Campsites have grills and picnic tables, and campground amenities include a playground, restrooms and RV dump station. Other overnight options include the 52-room Lake Murray Lodge, and 56 cabins, ranging from one-room cottages that sleep two, to three-bedroom family cabins that sleep 10. To reserve a cabin or lodge room, call 800-257-0322.
Other Amenities and Activities
The most distinctive structure at Lake Murray State Park is the Tucker Tower, a stone tower on the lake's southern shore constructed in the 1930s as a summer residence for Oklahoma governors. The tower now is used as the park's nature center, which has a collection of wildlife and geological exhibits. Lake Murray is the park's recreational focal point. A concessionaire, Lake Murray Water Sports (lakemurraywatersports.com), rents paddleboats, canoes, kayaks, sailboats, jet skis and other water-sports equipment. Park amenities include a 450-slip marina, 10 boat launches, three swimming beaches, an 18-hole golf course, disc golf and miniature golf courses, tennis courts, 300 picnic tables, nine playgrounds, four hiking trails, riding stables, and 10 miles of equestrian trails. The park even has a 2,500-foot-long airstrip and remote-control airplane field.
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