Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 4.0Oklahoma Forests — 9 Days
Sulphur springs NRA → cedar river canyons of the Ouachitas
Route Map
● Austin (start/end) · numbered stops in order · dashed line shows approximate route
Estimated Trip Cost
Gas estimate assumes 2WD pickup + travel trailer at 10 mpg, 65 mph max, $3.25/gal regular unleaded (approx. national avg). Includes 425 mi of stops + 420 mi return to Austin.
Trip Highlights
- ▶ Chickasaw NRA: sulphur springs, swim beach, and mineral water — unusual NPS destination on the southern plains
- ▶ Beavers Bend: cedar-canopied Mountain Fork River with stocked trout, kayaking, and old-growth pine hiking
- ▶ Two of Oklahoma's most scenic parks back-to-back; the state's natural landscape surprises most Texas visitors
- ▶ Day 1 arrives Austin by 2 PM — among the earliest arrivals of any itinerary
Stop-by-Stop
Day 1: depart Austin 10 AM — 230 miles via I-35 N → Ardmore OK → US-177 N → Sulphur OK; arrive ~2 PM. Rock Creek or Buckhorn CG; reserve on Recreation.gov. Sulphur mineral springs and swim beach Day 2. America the Beautiful Pass cuts per-night cost to ~$9. Full services in Sulphur town 1 mi from camp.
Day 5: depart 10 AM — 195 miles via US-177 E → McAlester → US-270 E → Wilburton → US-259 S → Broken Bow; arrive ~1:24 PM. Cedar Slope or Creekside loop, pull-through sites available. Mountain Fork River trout fishing Day 6. Canoe rental Day 7 (~$50–80). Day 9: depart 10 AM — 420 miles via Hugo OK → Paris TX → US-82 W → Sherman TX → I-35 S → Austin; arrive ~5:22 PM (within 6 PM window).