Tenkiller State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tenkiller State Park |
|
|---|---|
 Tenkiller State Park
Location in Oklahoma
|
|
| Location | Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, United States |
| Nearest city | Vian, OK |
| Area | 1,190 acres (480 ha) |
| Established | 1953 |
| Governing body | Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department |
Tenkiller State Park is a fun and exciting place to visit in Oklahoma! It covers about 1,190 acres, which is a huge area, and is located in Sequoyah County, near the town of Vian. Other cities not too far away include Sallisaw and Muskogee.
The park is right next to Lake Tenkiller, which is one of the biggest lakes in Oklahoma. It's a great spot for water activities! Next to the park, there's also the Tenkiller Wildlife Management Area. This is a special place where people can go hunting for animals like deer, quail, ducks, and rabbits.
Contents
Park History: How Tenkiller Began
The Name of Lake Tenkiller
Tenkiller Ferry Lake, often just called Lake Tenkiller, got its name from a very important local family. The Tenkillers were a well-known Cherokee family who owned the land around the lake a long time ago.
Becoming a State Park
Tenkiller State Park officially became part of the Oklahoma State Park System in 1953. This happened when the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (ORTD) made a deal to use land next to the Tenkiller Ferry Project. This land was managed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Nature and Wildlife at Tenkiller
Trees and Plants You Can See
The park is full of many different kinds of trees. You'll find strong oak trees, tall timber, and graceful willow trees. There are also sycamore, hackberry, elm, ash, and birch trees. It's a beautiful place to explore nature!
Animals Living in the Park
Tenkiller State Park is home to many amazing animals. Keep an eye out for deer, wild turkeys, and bobwhite quail. You might also spot cottontail rabbits, squirrels, and even some clever gray foxes or coyotes. Other animals that live here include bobcats, raccoons, skunks, mink, and opossums. If you visit in the winter, you might even see majestic Bald eagles flying around Lake Tenkiller!
Fun Things to Do at Tenkiller State Park
Activities for Everyone
Lake Tenkiller has so many cool things to do! You can play volleyball or basketball, try shuffleboard, or throw horseshoes. There's an outdoor theater, playgrounds for kids, and a community building. You can also swim in the pool or at the swim beaches. There are special picnic areas, a nature center to learn about animals, and paved trails for hiking. Plus, there are lighted boat ramps if you want to go out on the lake.
Places to Stay
If you want to stay overnight, Tenkiller State Park has lots of options!
- Cabins: There are 39 cabins, from one to three bedrooms. Most cabins are duplexes, meaning two cabins are connected. They all have dishes, beds, full kitchens, heating, air conditioning, and satellite TV.
- Courtyard Cottages: These rooms are smaller but still have heating, air conditioning, a refrigerator, and linens.
- Campsites: You can also bring your RV or set up a tent at one of the campsites. Restrooms and showers are available for campers.
Fishing and Boating Fun
There's a special fishing pond just for kids! If you are 16 or younger, you can catch up to three fish per day without needing a permit or paying a fee. The park also has Pine Cove Marina, where you can buy fuel, gifts, snacks, and even rent a boat slip. There's also a floating restaurant called Clearwater Cafe!
Underwater Adventures
One of the most unique attractions is the underwater scuba diving park. If you like to dive, you can explore amazing things hidden underwater. There's a school bus, different sunken boats, and even parts of an aircraft! It's like an underwater museum.
Park Entrance Fees
To help keep the park nice and make improvements, there is a small entrance fee to visit Tenkiller State Park and 21 other state parks in Oklahoma. This fee started on June 15, 2020.
- Daily Fees: It costs $10 per vehicle for a single day. If you live in Oklahoma and have an Oklahoma license plate, it's $8.
- Free Entry: If you are an honorably discharged veteran or an Oklahoma resident age 62 or older (and your spouse), you don't have to pay the fee.
- Passes: You can also buy passes that are good for three days, a week, or even a whole year! An annual pass for all 22 parks costs $75 for visitors from out of state, or $60 for Oklahoma residents.
