View Full Version : Favorite lake in the state



Celebrator
08-10-2012, 08:59 AM
What's your favorite lake in the state of Oklahoma...consider amenities/conveniences offered in surrounding towns, views, water clarity, recreational opportunities, etc....which one has the whole package in your opinion?

soonerguru
08-10-2012, 09:50 AM
Broken Bow. It's surrounded by pristine, undeveloped forest and is fed by a mountain stream. It features mountainous islands throughout and is apparently extremely clean by EPA standards. While there is some development, it is bounded by national forest land and therefore will remain relatively unspoiled, unless of course every boater in DFW decides to make it their weekend retreat.

TaoMaas
08-10-2012, 09:53 AM
Broken Bow is probably the most beautiful lake in the state. Grand Lake is probably a better all-round package.

CuatrodeMayo
08-10-2012, 09:58 AM
Broken Bow followed by Tenkiller. Unlike the rest of the Corps of Engineers lakes, Grand Lake allows for private lakefront development, which gives it an edge in amenities.

poe
08-10-2012, 11:44 AM
I always had great fun at Tenkiller. My family would also frequently use Fort Gibson as a location for our reunions, and it always delivered. Those two are my favorites for sentimental reasons.

Great thread by the way!

OKCisOK4me
08-10-2012, 01:00 PM
Tenkiller

Fantastic
08-10-2012, 01:15 PM
I'm also going to have to go with Tenkiller. My family and I used to stay at Fin and Feather Resort once a year when I was a kid, and it was fantastic. Had so much fun, can't wait to take my kids there.

OKCisOK4me
08-10-2012, 01:26 PM
Honestly grew up on Grand Lake and I always loved Eufala for how big it was/is. For massive parties, I'd say it's a tie between Grand (Dripping Springs Cove) and Texoma (The Islands). I don't have a boat or a wave runner or anything like that, so when I go, it's because someone else has them and most recently has been at Tenkiller, which has a pretty good party cove itself. Pretty sure I've revealed my age in this post, lol.

rcjunkie
08-10-2012, 05:47 PM
I have two, Tenkiller and Eufaula. Eufaula if I'm fishing, but you can't beat Tenkiller for skiing, swimming, diving, etc:. I've lived at Tenkiller (Park Hill Ok), for the past 2 years and love it.

HewenttoJared
08-11-2012, 04:55 PM
Grew up on Arbuckle, still love going back. Most of the extra stuff on larger lakes doesn't do much for me anyways.

KayneMo
08-11-2012, 05:26 PM
Broken Bow Lake for me!

kevinpate
08-11-2012, 05:47 PM
Always will hold a space in my heart for tiny little Cedar Lake in Holson Valley, SE OK. You have Winding Stair, amongst other mountains and their trails and the Talimena Drive nearby.

If you need civilization, you can get there easy enough. Or you can feel like you're a million miles from anywhere.

Easy180
08-11-2012, 05:47 PM
Grew up going to Tenkiller so that is my fave...Nicest?... Broken Bow

Double Edge
08-12-2012, 07:03 AM
Always will hold a space in my heart for tiny little Cedar Lake in Holson Valley, SE OK. You have Winding Stair, amongst other mountains and their trails and the Talimena Drive nearby.

If you need civilization, you can get there easy enough. Or you can feel like you're a million miles from anywhere.

I was going to give that one a mention. Beautiful spot to camp and hike. Or ride your ponies if that's your thing.

YO MUDA
08-12-2012, 02:47 PM
DirtyBird.........NOT

Celebrator
07-06-2013, 10:32 PM
Went to Lake Eufaula for the first time today. It was great to finally get to an Oklahoma lake after living here for 4 years already, but I found it to be...a bit brown in appearance. Now, I understand this is a man-made lake, I wasn't expecting Lake Tahoe or anything, but even looking at it from afar it looked more like chocolate milk most places. There were a few places where it was darker green (more what I've seen in other man-made lakes like Lake of the Ozarks up in Missouri), but mostly it was very brown and quite turbid.

So, is this rare for Eufaula, or did all the rains last month or some other weather conditions this season, flood control releases, or just plain peak boat traffic cause this? Or is that how it always looks? Just curious, it won't stop me from returning, I enjoyed myself there today, the setting was beautiful. Can't wait to explore more.

soonerguru
07-06-2013, 10:46 PM
Went to Lake Eufaula for the first time today. It was great to finally get to an Oklahoma lake after living here for 4 years already, but I found it to be...a bit brown in appearance. Now, I understand this is a man-made lake, I wasn't expecting Lake Tahoe or anything, but even looking at it from afar it looked more like chocolate milk most places. There were a few places where it was darker green (more what I've seen in other man-made lakes like Lake of the Ozarks up in Missouri), but mostly it was very brown and quite turbid.

So, is this rare for Eufaula, or did all the rains last month or some other weather conditions this season, flood control releases, or just plain peak boat traffic cause this? Or is that how it always looks? Just curious, it won't stop me from returning, I enjoyed myself there today, the setting was beautiful. Can't wait to explore more.

Red dirt. Go to Tenkiller or Grand or Broken Bow if you want something that looks different.

OKCisOK4me
07-07-2013, 12:14 AM
Went to Lake Eufaula for the first time today. It was great to finally get to an Oklahoma lake after living here for 4 years already, but I found it to be...a bit brown in appearance. Now, I understand this is a man-made lake, I wasn't expecting Lake Tahoe or anything, but even looking at it from afar it looked more like chocolate milk most places. There were a few places where it was darker green (more what I've seen in other man-made lakes like Lake of the Ozarks up in Missouri), but mostly it was very brown and quite turbid.

So, is this rare for Eufaula, or did all the rains last month or some other weather conditions this season, flood control releases, or just plain peak boat traffic cause this? Or is that how it always looks? Just curious, it won't stop me from returning, I enjoyed myself there today, the setting was beautiful. Can't wait to explore more.

I've been to Eufaula on many occasions and it is not always like that. In fact, I'd say it's almost a murky green color that is just not as clear as other lakes in Oklahoma, especially those that are primarily spring fed. My guess is that the flooding rains had a lot to do with it. You have the Deep Fork coming in north of I-40 and the North Canadian River coming in south of I-40. I doubt the South Canadian River was as bad as those other two sources, but nonetheless, two outta three rivers/creeks will dirty a lake up when all that commotion pours in.

kevinpate
07-07-2013, 04:50 AM
Brown is to Eufaula what white is to snow.

RadicalModerate
07-07-2013, 06:48 AM
I'd have to go with Grand Lake.
Yet, in the several decades I've lived in Oklahoma I've never made it to the SE part of the state so . . .

mkjeeves
07-07-2013, 07:06 AM
You're missing out. Broken Bow and the Lower Mountain Fork River flowing out of it are some of the most scenic parts of the state.

RadicalModerate
07-07-2013, 07:12 AM
You're missing out. Broken Bow and the Lower Mountain Fork River flowing out of it are some of the most scenic parts of the state.

I know that's true based upon pictures I've seen of that area.
Still, the entire Grand Lake area is very appealing to me.

mkjeeves
07-07-2013, 07:45 AM
I know that's true based upon pictures I've seen of that area.
Still, the entire Grand Lake area is very appealing to me.

Seems like there's a lot going on at Grand. I've passed through but not spent any time at the lake. Haven't spent a lot of time at Broken Bow either but I was there again boating the lake and kayaking the river a couple of weeks ago. Can't wait to go back. I have spent a fair amount of time fishing, kayaking, skiing and sailing a good many other lakes in the state. It's nice to have the choices!

betts
07-07-2013, 08:04 AM
I'd never been to Beaver's Bend, but during the Centennial I saw a video that had pictures from around the state. When I saw the lake, my first thought was: "I've got to go there." I did, and wasn't sorry. It's a stunning lake and the area reminds me of New England (not during August, however). I highly recommend a visit. While Eufala is not as clear as some of the other lakes (at least in some parts), it too is a beautiful lake and an enjoyable place to visit. We have a sailboat on Texoma and while I really like the lake, the surrounds are not as attractive as those other two. Grand Lake is nice too, but parts of it are a bit too developed for my taste. I grew up in Minnesota and like rustic cabins over homes that could be plopped down in Oklahoma City.

soonerguru
07-07-2013, 09:33 AM
I'd have to go with Grand Lake.
Yet, in the several decades I've lived in Oklahoma I've never made it to the SE part of the state so . . .

You need to change that. By far the prettiest part of the state.

OKCisOK4me
07-07-2013, 11:45 AM
You're missing out. Broken Bow and the Lower Mountain Fork River flowing out of it are some of the most scenic parts of the state.

I've heard it's like heaven down there....until you hear the banjos a playin, lol.

mkjeeves
07-07-2013, 12:45 PM
http://imageshack.us/a/img827/7589/vmhs.jpg

bluedogok
07-07-2013, 12:58 PM
Grand has always been my favorite.

blangtang
07-07-2013, 01:36 PM
One time I was traveling back from New Mexico and my AAA atlas showed a campground icon at Lake Optima in the panhandle. It was dark when I set up the tent and in the morning the lake was not there at all!

What?s Next for Failed ?Lake? Optima, the Oklahoma Reservoir That Never Filled? | StateImpact Oklahoma (http://stateimpact.npr.org/oklahoma/2013/03/21/whats-next-for-failed-lake-optima-the-oklahoma-reservoir-that-never-filled/)

BG918
07-07-2013, 02:11 PM
http://imageshack.us/a/img827/7589/vmhs.jpg

Broken Bow? Looks amazing.

I like Grand just because I know it really well, and know lots of people who have boats/cabins there. I do wish they had something more like Bid Cedar Lodge where you could stay with the pools, restaurants, golf, etc. Shangri La used to be that place but sadly is not the same.

mkjeeves
07-07-2013, 02:26 PM
Broken Bow? Looks amazing.

I like Grand just because I know it really well, and know lots of people who have boats/cabins there. I do wish they had something more like Bid Cedar Lodge where you could stay with the pools, restaurants, golf, etc. Shangri La used to be that place but sadly is not the same.

Yes. Surrounded by hills with islands dotting the water.

soonerguru
07-07-2013, 04:05 PM
Yes. Surrounded by hills with islands dotting the water.

Broken Bow is the most pristine lake as far as development. It's surrounded by Ouachita National Forest land and there is little to no development on it. There are actually pine and hardwood forested mountains bordering it. It's an amazing setting.

Grand Lake is one of only two or three lakes in Oklahoma in which you can build up to the shoreline, which is mainly why it is so popular. It's where the well-to-do build their lake homes.

bluedogok
07-07-2013, 04:50 PM
Broken Bow? Looks amazing.

I like Grand just because I know it really well, and know lots of people who have boats/cabins there. I do wish they had something more like Bid Cedar Lodge where you could stay with the pools, restaurants, golf, etc. Shangri La used to be that place but sadly is not the same.
We used to have a golf tournament at Shangri-La every year and knew some people who had condos up there. It surprised me how far Shangri-La fell into disrepair. It seemed to me that they had some good "bones" there to maintain a profitable resort but then again when people start taking money out of properties for other properties (or themselves) the place can get into a cash flow/credit crunch pretty quick.

GaryOKC6
07-07-2013, 04:55 PM
Definitely Lake of The Lake of the Arbuckles. Located near the Chickasaw National Park and Turner Falls. Beautiful lake that is only crowded on the three major holidays of the summer. Oklahoma's best kept secret. I loved it so much that I built a house there.

bluedogok
07-07-2013, 05:15 PM
I know quite a few people from DFW that have bought or are buying land up there, Texoma and the Texas area lakes are too expensive and the property taxes in Texas have driven them to Oklahoma for lake/retirement property.

mkjeeves
07-07-2013, 07:00 PM
Lake of the Arbuckles was my favorite place when I owned my last powerboat. (25-30 years ago.)

Totally amazing how much Sulphur has grown in recent history. Construction was just getting started on the Artesian Hotel, Casino and Convention Center the last time I was there, right smack dab in the old downtown. The Chickasaw Cultural Center is there too.

http://artesianhotel.com/

MsProudSooner
07-08-2013, 12:03 PM
Speaking of red lakes, I drove over Keystone on highway 64 a couple of weeks ago and it was redder than I've ever seen it. It looked as if no river other than the Cimarron fed it.

Bellaboo
07-08-2013, 12:25 PM
Speaking of red lakes, I drove over Keystone on highway 64 a couple of weeks ago and it was redder than I've ever seen it. It looked as if no river other than the Cimarron fed it.

I was up there 1 week ago and it was still red.

TAlan CB
07-08-2013, 01:14 PM
Went to Lake Eufaula for the first time today. It was great to finally get to an Oklahoma lake after living here for 4 years already, but I found it to be...a bit brown in appearance. Now, I understand this is a man-made lake, I wasn't expecting Lake Tahoe or anything, but even looking at it from afar it looked more like chocolate milk most places. There were a few places where it was darker green (more what I've seen in other man-made lakes like Lake of the Ozarks up in Missouri), but mostly it was very brown and quite turbid.

So, is this rare for Eufaula, or did all the rains last month or some other weather conditions this season, flood control releases, or just plain peak boat traffic cause this? Or is that how it always looks? Just curious, it won't stop me from returning, I enjoyed myself there today, the setting was beautiful. Can't wait to explore more.

Problem with Eufaula is that the closet areas are where the Deep Fork goes into it near I-40 and the Canadians go into it. I use to ski in the area near the the Dam and it was always a deep blue. Since most Okie rivers run west to east, they cross the central Ok red-clay belt (think I-35). The heavy Spring rains did turn them Okie red. But EuFaula is a huge lake, you can go 100 miles without turning - and there is plenty of blue water to be found.

The blue water lakes of the Northeast are being polluted by Arkansas chicken farmers - turning them green. Arbuckle and Murray in the south are nice.