Fun in the Sun
Many of the waterways and parks in the Tahlequah area , have myths , legends , and stories in their history . Tenkiller Ferry Lake was named after the Tenkiller family , which enjoyed local prominence and owned a ferry on the river . To form the reservoir , business , and homes were either moved or covered by water , and a cemetery was relocated . Fort Gibson was established in 1824 to keep the peace between the Osages and Cherokees . It figured prominently in the Indian removals and was home to many of the Cherokee Nation ’ s leaders during the 1840s and 1850s . Go to www . okhistory . org / sites / fortgibson for more information on the history of this town . Take the time to read historical placards to learn more .
Illinois River
The Grand River Dam Authority Act was created in 1935 to protect the Grand River . In 2016 , the GRDA took over the mission and responsibilities of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission , including the Illinois River . The Illinois River ’ s tributaries are Lee Creek , Little Lee Creek , Barren Fork Creek , Flint Creek , and Upper Mountain Fork . GRDA carries out the provisions of the Scenic River Act through protection , preservation , and education . Fun in the sun activities include fishing , boating , camping , horseback trails , hiking , and many programs offered through the state parks . Visit www . wildlifedepartment . com for information on licensing and permits and www . grda . com for helpful links regarding floating guidelines , scenic river rules , and conditions . Call 918-456-3251 for public access points .
Tenkiller Ferry Lake
A reservoir formed by damming the Illinois River in 1952 , the lake covers 12,900 acres and has a shoreline of over 130 miles in the Cookson Hills of Cherokee and Sequoyah Counties . It has 10 marinas and over 20 launching ramps . Camping ranges from primitive to full hookup and is evenly spread out along the lake . Hiking trails vary in length . Aside from fishing for popular game fish including trout , hunting is permitted in much of the park , and principal species hunted are whitetail deer , turkey , rabbit , and squirrel . A map of hunting areas is included in the hunting atlas published by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation . Refer to their website at www . wildlifedepartment . com , or Lake Tenkiller Association at www . laketenkiller . com . A map supplied by GRDA on www . grda . com , shows the public access points , outfitters , and other services , and information on costs of fees for access and camping
Fort Gibson Lake
Lake Fort Gibson offers the same types of amenities and activities as other lakes and state parks . On the Grand ( Neosho ) River about 5 miles northwest of historic Fort Gibson , and extends upriver to the Markham Ferry Dam – Lake Hudson . There are three heated fishing docks to afford comfortable winter fun during the crappie fishing season . Visit www . recreation . gov / camping / gateways / 556 , for more information on this beautiful lake .
State Parks
Twelve state parks are the Tahlequah vicinity are listed on the Oklahoma State Parks website . Starting farthest north of Tahlequah and to south of the city is the Twin Bridges , Bernice , Cherokee , Little Blue-Disney , Lake Eucha , Snowdale , Rocky Ford , Natural Falls , Sequoyah , Cherokee Landing , Greenleaf Lake , and Brushy Lake . All offer the standard amenities of campsites , fishing , and hiking . Some have pools . Cherokee State Park offers golf , as does Sequoyah State Park . Greenleaf was built in the 1930s by the CCC , WPA , and German prisoners-of-war . Natural Falls has a stunning 77-foot waterfall . Sequoyah State Park offers guided horseback trail rides . Go to www . stateparks . com / ok . html for a more complete listing of state parks and the activities offered .
City Parks
Disc Golf , a variation on traditional golf , also known as frisbee golf , has the same expectation as golf . The aim is to have the lowest number of attempts to get the disc into the target . Courses have nine to 18 holes – baskets . Check out www . udisc . com / places / tahlequah-ok for a list of locations in Tahlequah .
“ Skate Park : Welcome to Tahlequah ,” the large wall mural , looms behind the Tahlequah Skatepark . Three-level pool , street obstacles , mellow transitions and vibe , states a review of this park . It is at the intersections of W . Choctaw St ., S . Park Ave ., and S . Bluff Ave ., in Tahlequah and open 24 hours .
Tahlequatics is a city park offering waterslide , pool , chairs , tables , locker rooms , diving board , and lifeguards . It is on West Allen Road and Main Parkway . Admission fees can be found at the city ’ s website at www . cityoftahlequah . com and click on “ Parks and Facilities .” Check the website for the exact dates and times the park is open for the summer season .
Sequoyah City Park is off West Bluff Ave . and East Shawnee Street in Tahlequah . This park offers wading in Tahlequah Creek , playground equipment , and picnic tables . For a family or business function , the gazebo , green space and Loeser Small and Large Pavilion can be rented at Floyd H . Norris Park for up to six hours . It is off North Water Avenue and East Morgan Street . Go to www . cityoftahlequah . com for information on all the parks in the city .
COMPILED BY
LEE GUTHRIE
58 Newcomers Guide 2023 | Tahlequah Daily Press