Oklahoma State Parks: Okmulgee Lake and Dripping Springs

Okmulgee State Park and Dripping Springs State Park are two distinct state parks in eastern Oklahoma, but they are only three miles apart. Both parks have lakes. Okmulgee State Park is centered on Okmulgee Lake, while Dripping Springs State Park contains Dripping Springs Lake.

Getting There

Okmulgee Lake and Dripping Springs State Parks are located in eastern Oklahoma south of Tulsa and north of Henryetta. (Henryetta, Oklahoma is a town famous for being the home of former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman.) Specifically, the parks are located six miles west of the town of Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

From Interstate 40, take exit 240B and follow it north onto US Highway 75. In historic downtown Henryetta, turn left on East 6th Street, which is also Oklahoma Highway 56. Follow the Highway 56 signs to stay on Oklahoma State Highway 56 until you see the large entrance sign for both Okmulgee State Park as well as Dripping Springs State Park.

We drove from Norman, Oklahoma, which is a suburb south of Oklahoma City. The driving distance is 118 miles from Norman, Oklahoma to Okmulgee Lake and Dripping Springs State Parks. The driving time is about two hours.

If you are driving from a different location, you can use an online map to determine specific directions, using 16830 Dripping Springs Rd, Okmulgee, OK 74447 as the destination address.

Overview of Activities at Okmulgee State Park and Dripping Springs State Park

Swimming, fishing, hiking, and mountain biking are just some of the activities available at these two Oklahoma state parks. The park also has lighted boat ramps/docks, designated swimming areas, picnic areas, pavilions, security, and playgrounds.

Some of the open-air shelter pavilions are made of the abundant rock in the area. They are quite beautiful, nestled within the many oak trees in the area. The shelters can be reserved and rented for a fee.

Many people think of Oklahoma as being flat and treeless, but eastern Oklahoma is quite different. There are lots of lakes and wooded hills in eastern Oklahoma.

Because of the abundance of oak trees that produce acorns in Okmulgee Lake and Dripping Springs State Parks, you are sure to see squirrels gathering acorns in the parks.

For those who enjoy fishing, some of the fish that may be caught in the lakes are Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Sunfish, White Bass, and Channel Catfish. On the north side of Okmulgee Lake, there is a public hunting area.

We tent camped at Okmulgee State Park, and so for Part II of this article series, I will focus on Okmulgee State Park rather than Dripping Springs State Park.