Drive north to our neighboring state for some fun and frills.
Now and then, you’ve got to get in the car and drive north as far as you can until you’re in another state. North Texas is not that far from the Oklahoma state line. We can be at Winstar in an hour, Ardmore in 1.5 hours, and Oklahoma City in less than 3 hrs. Yet it takes us eight or more hours to drive to Big Bend!! Guess where we go the most? These five road trips from DFW to OK 3 hrs or less include nature, homemade pies, wine, the Chisholm Trail (history), a gorgeous Oklahoma State Park, and more for the whole family.
5 Road Trips from DFW to OK 3 Hrs or Less
South Central Oklahoma is centered on the Arbuckle Mountains, an ancient, eroded range traversing some 70 miles across the region and surrounded by rivers and lakes, notably Lake Texoma, Lake Murray, and Lake of the Arbuckles.
There is so much to do in this area, and the road trip is a snap – straight up I-35!
1. Drive The Chisholm Trail From Fort Worth To Oklahoma
Last year, I drove the Chisholm Trail from Fort Worth to Abilene, KS, with stops in Oklahoma. You don’t have to drive into Kansas to learn the history of this famous trail.
Chisholm Trail Heritage Center – Duncan, OK
A knowledgeable employee gave me a nice guided tour through the museum. The Chisholm Trail Heritage Center is a must-stop for seeing and learning more about the Chisholm Trail. Many displays depict the trail, stories about Jesse Chisholm, more about the cowboys who drove the trails, and so much more. Of the two I visited in OK, this one is the best.
Admission: $4-$6
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10 am to 5 pm, Sun, 1-5 pm.
Address: 2150 Chisholm Trail Pkwy
The Chisholm Museum – Kingfisher, OK
The Chisholm Museum in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, has a lovely display about Jessie Chisholm and an exhibit that includes trail maps, the life of a cattle driver, and more, including supplies they used along the route.
I didn’t know this when I went through, but there is a life-size statue of Jesse Chisholm in the middle of downtown Kingfisher.
Admission: $4-$6
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10 am to 5 pm
Address: 605 Zellers Ave, Kingfisher, OK
My full article on the Chisholm Trail From Texas to Abilene, TX, tells a much better story if you’d like to read it.
2. Turner Falls Park, Oklahoma
Turner Falls Park is located in the heart of the Arbuckle Mountains. A road trip to Turner Falls Park is roughly 1.5 hours from North Texas. That is enough time to drive there, set up your tent, swim, then enjoy your dinner by the campfire. Or, do as we do and go for the day.
Its beautiful scenery is unforgettable. Likewise, it’s the perfect place to go on a sunny day or even in the fall. The water temperature is cold, and it will always be cold, even in the summer, because it’s a natural swimming pool, and natural pools are always cold.
3. Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Broken Bow is located in Southeast Oklahoma amid the Ouachita National Forest, close to the Texas-Oklahoma and Oklahoma-Arkansas borders. Three hours from DFW (depending on where you start), you’ll be in beautiful Broken Bow, Okla, and all the scenic beauty you can handle. My mom and I road-tripped in October a couple of years ago and stayed in an Airbnb rental. We loved spending time in its fall season with gorgeous trees surrounding our cabin and a creek nearby.
If you travel here and want to stay in an Airbnb, book early because it gets busy mainly in the summer and fall. However, summers are busier. There are quite a few rentals there, so I can’t imagine it being a problem, but if you’re looking for a specific one that will house your whole family, or one with a hot tub, etc., I recommend booking in advance.
A few places not to be missed are Grateful Head Pizza, where you can order handmade cheese sticks, and Girls Gone Wine, the all-pink boutique winery. We had great hamburgers at Mountain Fork Brewery and watched beer being made.
There is also the town of Hochatown. It’s a little further up from Broken Bow on the main road, and when we were there, it was getting a makeover. So, I think there are many rentals there as well, plus a few stores.
Anywhere you stay, great memories will be made. Be sure to visit Beavers Bend State Park – in Broken Bow, which offers many hiking trails, golfing, swimming, lodges, and so much more. I ziplined over the lake.
4. Chickasaw Country
When I took a road trip to Chickasaw Country from DFW several years ago, we went on a Chickasaw Country wine tour. That included towns of Sulphur Springs, Ada, Tishomingo, and a few others. But if you don’t want to do that, spend time in these small towns that encompass this area, which is full of history, good food, nature, and Blake Shelton!
The best place to start is at the Chickasaw Visiting Center in Sulphur Springs, OK. There, you’ll find history about the Chickasaw Nation and much more about the land before our time. There is also a casino and hotel in Sulphur Springs.
If you’re like me and want to go on a wine tour, see Chickasaw Country Wine Trail and follow their recommendations.
5. Oklahoma City (Bricktown)
We all know Oklahoma City and probably have been there to visit the excellent museums. But have you ever spent some time in the Bricktown area of the city? I like how districts separate the city. Bricktown is the entertainment district in Oklahoma City, with over 45 places to eat, a movie theater, many places to shop, live music, attractions, and fun for the whole family.
The area is booming with many things to do and a diverse mix of people – families, college students, couples, grandparents, and more. There are a lot of things that everyone can do in this area. It’s definitely a place for families to wonder.
I took my son here about four years ago, and we visited all the fantastic museums, went to the zoo and fed a rhino, stayed in the downtown district, went bowling, and got ice cream in Bricktown. I wish we had spent more time here, but we were on a strict schedule.
HeyDay Entertainment is for the whole family, featuring bowling, arcades, billiards, and dining. Happy hour is from 4 to 7 pm.
Take some time to plan, and if you can include these road trips from DFW to OK while you’re in Texas, please do!
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