Top 10 Fabulous Oklahoma Beaches Everyone Will Love

Oklahoma, often overlooked for its beach destinations, offers a surprising array of scenic lakes and reservoirs perfect for beach lovers. Here are the top 10 must-visit beaches in the Sooner State:

  1. Lake Arcadia: Nestled in Edmond, northeast of Oklahoma City, Lake Arcadia boasts 26 miles of shoreline, with opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking. The lake’s beauty makes it a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike​​.
  2. Cedar Lake: This 86-acre lake features two sandy beaches and is surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest. Its north shore offers stunning views, making it a popular destination for camping, fishing, and boating​​.
  3. Lake Eufaula: The largest lake entirely within Oklahoma, Lake Eufaula covers 102,000 acres with 600 miles of shoreline. Known for its crystal-clear waters, it’s a hotspot for scuba diving and has multiple sandy beaches​​.
  4. Lake Murray: Part of the largest state park in Oklahoma, Lake Murray has a 5,700-acre surface area. Sunset Beach, one of the lake’s highlights, is ideal for less crowded beach experiences, while Marina Beach offers picnic tables and playgrounds nearby​​.
  5. Broken Bow Lake: Providing views of the Ouachita Mountains, Broken Bow Lake is one of the largest lakes in the state. It’s excellent for scuba diving and is a renowned year-round fishing spot​​.
  6. Tom Steed Reservoir: A 6,000-acre reservoir in Kiowa County, this lake is a paradise for birdwatchers and fishermen alike. It offers facilities like group shelters, playgrounds, and hiking trails​​.
  7. Lake Tenkiller: South of Tahlequah, this reservoir is a dream for scuba divers. Its clear waters near Skunk Island are home to sunken artifacts waiting to be explored​​.
  8. Canton Lake: Known for hosting Oklahoma’s oldest fishing contest, the Canton Lake Walleye Rodeo, this lake is excellent for fishing, swimming, sunbathing, and skiing. It also borders a 17,000-acre hunting area​​.
  9. Great Salt Plains Lake: Unique for its prehistoric ocean water, this lake allows you to find hourglass-shaped selenite crystals along its shoreline. It also offers traditional activities like swimming, fishing, and kayaking​​.
  10. Lake Texoma: Straddling the Oklahoma-Texas border, Lake Texoma is one of the country’s largest reservoirs. Its beaches, reminiscent of oceanic shores, attract over six million visitors annually​​.

Other notable mentions include Fort Gibson Lake, known for its sandy beaches and year-round accessibility, and Grand Lake, located in the Ozark Mountain Range and offering scenic views and water activities​​. Foss Lake, with its tropical-like Sunset Beach, and Arcadia Lake, featuring multiple beaches and recreational activities, are also worth visiting​​.

These beaches in Oklahoma offer a variety of experiences, from tranquil retreats to adventurous water sports, catering to every type of beach enthusiast. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these destinations promise memorable moments by the water.