Lake Eufaula

Lake Eufaula is a popular destination for fun and adventure in Oklahoma. Located two hours east of Oklahoma City just off of I-40, the area around Eufaula Lake is steeped in legend, Indians, and outlaws.

The home of legendary Belle Starr, pistol packing honey of outlaw fame, who hid Frank and Jesse James out at her cabin near the north end of the Eufaula Dam in the 1800’s.

Site of the largest and most important of the battles fought during the Civil War in Oklahoma, the Battle of Honey Springs was fought only a couple of miles from Checotah.

Northeast of Eufaula you can visit the site of Asbury Mission, a boarding school built in 1849 by the Methodist Episcopal Church with the Creek Council.

The middle of the square in downtown Okmulgee houses the Creek Indian Council House and Museum, and an historical feast of pioneer history and archeology. The exhibits include artifacts and Indian murals and paintings.

“Eufaula was named after one of the historic Creek Indian villages in the Creek’s old homeland in Alabama” https://lakeeufaula.bar-z.com/502/location/lake-eufaula-history

Formerly known as Fountainhead State Park, Eufaula Lake is located near Checotah, just south of Interstate 40. The lake is a 102,000-acre reservoir with a lot of activities to enjoy, both on land and on the water.

Lake Eufaula has a swimming area with a large beach and many different boat ramps for easy access to the lake, along with several marinas. One of the local marinas even has an enclosed, heated dock and tackle shop, to make fishing possible all year-round.

“Some of the largest fish in the state of Oklahoma have been caught at Lake Eufaula” https://www.travelok.com/state-parks/lake-eufaula-state-park

Overnight accommodations can easily be booked online in advance. You can choose to rough it and pitch a tent, or motor your way here and hook up to the RV facilities, or, you can book a stay in one of the parks three unique “yurts”. A yurt comes complete with heat/ac, bedding, microwave, mini-fridge, electrical outlets and an LED TV.

The Longhorn Loop yurt includes a fold-out futon, picnic shelter, and doorstep lake access, while the ADA compliant Hummingbird Beach yurt comes with two full-sized futon bunk beds and lake access. The Longhorn Loop Honeymoon yurt features a queen-size log canopy bed, two picnic tables, a lantern holder, a grill and a fire pit.

The only drawback to “yurt” living is the lack of bathroom facilities, but never fear, restrooms are located within 50 yards from your yurt. Also, no pets are allowed inside of the yurts.

Lake Eufaula State Park features a large group camp that can accommodate up to 96 people, complete with a fully equipped kitchen and dining hall, and four air-conditioned bunk houses. Comfort stations are scattered throughout the park that cater to hikers and mountain bikers.

Visit the Deep Fork Nature Center where you and the kiddos can take part in naturalist programs and activities, and check out the fishing pond and the numerous playgrounds at the park.

Enjoy a game of golf at the 18-hole disc golf course at Hummingbird Beach, or play the 18-hole Fountainhead Creek Golf Course nearby, which has a putting green and a pro shop, to boot.

Honeymooners can pledge their love for one another by carving their initials on a padlock and leaving it there at Lake Eufaula’s Lovelock Fountain.

Dale Weatherington of Yukon, Oklahoma makes the trip down to Eufaula in his motor home at least once or twice a year with his daughters and grandchildren. “I used to have a cabin over in Porum Landing”, said Dale, “And I guess I kind of miss being here, and being around the locals here. I still have a couple of old friends around the lake.”

Cheryl Cass moved to Eufaula from the Tulsa area when she retired. “I love the tranquility of the lake,” she said. “I used to vacation here and I couldn’t wait to be able to move up here.”

Lake Eufaula boasts of 600 miles of shoreline, most of which lies in the boundaries of the old Creek Nation, with the southern portion of the lake being the old Choctaw Nation.

Whether you come to get away from it all and get back to nature, experience some of the best fishing in Oklahoma,or soak up some Oklahoma history, Eufaula Lake promises to be a fun filled vacation for the whole family.