Are you dreaming of a beach getaway? Well, your waterfront fun might be closer than you think. While Oklahoma is a land-locked state, we have miles and miles of lake and reservoir shoreline that can whisk you away with some splashing fun. Pack your “beach bag,” load up the family, and head to one of these great Oklahoma beaches for some summertime fun!
Lake Eufaula
Eufaula, OK; 918-689-7751
As the largest lake completely within Oklahoma’s borders, Lake Eufaula has plentiful sandy beaches and more than 600 miles of shoreline. Your family can easily find a fun spot to frolic in the water and enjoy a picnic waterside. Highway 9 and Porum Landing Campgrounds, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, offer designated swimming beaches with playgrounds nearby. Their beaches are open to the public but there is a car entrance fee for day use. There are two swim beaches within the city of Eufaula off Lakeshore Drive. Both are open to the public and free to use. Families can also enjoy a volleyball net, picnic tables and grills. Hummingbird Beach at Lake Eufaula State Park offers a sandy beach with playground equipment and disc golf course nearby.
Eufaula is also home to a Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, also known as Eufaula Cove Park. Families can enjoy water toys including an obstacle course, slides and a water trampoline in addition the resort’s pool and splash pad. Day passes are available for those not interested in an overnight stay.
Grand Lake
Northeastern OK, 918-786-2289
Home to five state parks and lots of scenic shoreline, Grand Lake offers a wealth of water fun. Families can splash in the water at rocky Pebble Beach near Langley, OK. The Little Blue area, just south of the dam, has a small, meandering creek to keep you cool with picnicking areas and beautiful views. The Bernice area of Grand Lake State Park, in Bernice, OK, offers designated swimming beaches, a nature center and walking trails with a playground nearby. The rocky beach at the Cherokee area, next to the historic Pensacola Dam, has shallow areas for the younger children with buoys marking the deeper areas for the mature and experienced swimmers.
Lake Murray
Ardmore, OK, 580-223-4044
Let the clear waters of Lake Murray whisk you away! Sunset Beach, on the east side of the lake, stretches for over half a mile offering plenty of waterfront play. The beach is day-use only so it tends to be less crowded, and has restrooms and picnic tables in the area. Sandy Marina Beach has shallow areas great for walks and family-friendly swimming with a playground and picnic tables on the beach. Lake Murray Water Sports & Mini Golf has decked out the Resort Lodge Beach with water slides and trampolines. For $15 per person, your crew can jump, splash and slide in the cool waters.
Lake Texoma
Kingston, OK, 580-564-2566
The deep waters of Lake Texoma draw many to its shores every year. The designated swimming beach at Ben’s Campground, near to Catfish Bay Marina area, lets families enjoy a dip in the water, hiking trails and day-use picnicking in addition to overnight camping options.
Fort Gibson Lake
Fort Gibson, OK, 918-682-4314
Fort Gibson Lake has two swimming beaches. Taylor Ferry Beach is the biggest and most developed with a playground, picnic shelters, restrooms and an outdoor shower. Its sandy shores offer plenty of family-friendly entertainment. Rocky Pointe Beach, on the west side of the lake, offers designated swimming along its rocky shores as well as camping nearby. There is an entrance fee of $5 a carload for both areas.
Foss Lake
Foss LakeFoss, OK, 580-592-4433
Located west of Clinton about an hour and a half drive from the metro, Foss Lake State Park offers families a relaxing sandy beach to explore as well as boating, fishing, hiking, disc golf and more. Foss Lake is the largest lake in western Oklahoma and Sunset Beach welcomes beach-goers with a designated swimming area, tiki huts, grills and nearby a playground.
Arcadia Lake
Edmond, OK, 405-216-7470
Nearby Arcadia Lake makes for a quick trip for summertime fun. Designated swim beaches are surrounded by hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking trails, playgrounds, a disc golf course and more for a fun-filled day near the water. Arcadia Lake has three beaches: Spring Creek Park beach, Central State Park beach and Edmond Parks beach. These sandy beaches have picnic areas scattered around and restrooms with outdoor showers. Concessions are available from Memorial Day to Labor Day offering water toys, food, drinks and other treats like ice cream and snow cones. There is a park entry fee of $6 per car on weekdays and $7 per car on weekends which covers up to 5 people in each car. Kids under the age of 13 must have a life jacket on while in the water.
Looking for other great ways to explore Oklahoma? Find hundreds of ideas here.
To find even more ways to keep cool, check out our guide to Splash Pads, Pools & Lakes in the OKC Metro.
