The Happiness Function

Whether you are looking to explore nature, go hiking, biking, or camping in some of Oklahoma’s most scenic places, you can take a break from work without taking vacation time.

We live in Tulsa and want to share our favorite places for weekend getaways and easy day trips that get you outdoors.

Best Weekend Getaways from Tulsa

If you are new to Tulsa or are just looking for ideas to recharge from the workweek, you’ll love this list of outdoorsy getaways.

We hope to inspire you to explore locally — there are a lot of cool places to visit.

Tallgrass Prairie Preserve

Located in Osage County, north of Pawhuska, the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is the largest tallgrass prairie on the planet. It consists of over 40,000 acres of protected prairie land.

There is a beautiful drive where visitors can see free-ranging bison year-round and even see newborn calves in the springtime.

Where to Hike: Two great hiking trails — the Prairie Earth Trail and the Nature Trail — are near the Visitor Center.

We love that you can experience solitude as you trek along tall grass and through the woods. The trails are dog-friendly.

Bluestem Falls

If you’re planning on visiting the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, be sure to take some time out of your day for an easy walk near Pawhuska.

Bluestem Falls is worth checking out, even if it means going off course from what might have been planned initially.

The Pioneer Woman Mercantile

Though not an outdoorsy activity, you simply cannot, I repeat, cannot visit the Pawhuska area without visiting The Pioneer Woman Mercantile by blogger and Food Network personality Ree Drummond (so that’s why it makes the list).

The town of Pawhuska is cute. Walk around, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy small-town Oklahoma at its finest.

Pair a visit to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve and Bluestem Falls with a visit to the Pioneer Woman Mercantile.

Osage Hills State Park

Are you looking for a hiking and camping adventure through rocky terrain and the Osage Hills? Then, head from Tulsa to Bartlesville and explore Osage Hills State Park.

The drive from Tulsa will take about an hour and a half; however, it’s worth the trip.

Be sure to hike the popular trail to Sand Creek Falls (a.k.a. Osage Hills Falls). You can park near the swimming pool. The trail sign is easy to see, and the hike is only 0.5 mile out and back. So get your feet wet (if it is warm enough), take some photos, and enjoy the falls.

We hiked to the falls during the late winter/early spring. They were kind of washed out, but it was still nice to get out of town for the day and get some fresh air.

Greenleaf State Park

Tucked within the Boston Mountains of Eastern Oklahoma, go camping, hiking, and enjoy fishing and kayaking at Greenleaf State Park. The area is super rural, and the forest is lush.

Greenleaf State Park has one of the neatest campgrounds, Cypress Row, nestled next to the lake under giant Cypress and Oak trees.

The park is home to one of the longest backpacking trails in Oklahoma –- The Ankle Express. The Ankle Express is a 19-mile loop through the mountains. The hike is primitive, with some steep grades and uneven surfaces.

If you’re not interested in an epic backpacking trip, no worries. Hike the lower section, the Greenleaf Trail, to the park’s famous swinging bridge. The lower section is 4.9-miles out and back from the campground trailhead.

Robber’s Cave State Park

Robber’s Cave State Park is the perfect mountain escape close to Tulsa. It is a unique place located in the Sans Bois Mountains. It was once home to Wild West outlaws like Jesse James and Belle Starr.

Here, you can explore an enormous cave that used to be their hideout. Don’t miss hiking the short trail to the cave through the rocks.

This part of Oklahoma has so much hidden history, and I am just waiting for you to visit. We were blown away the first time we came here.

Salt Plains State Park

One of the most fascinating natural wonders in Oklahoma is the salt plains. Just outside of Jet, you will find Salt Plains State Park, and it is well worth a road trip to dig for crystals.

Don’t forget to bring a camera. Your friends will not believe you are in Oklahoma.

Gloss Mountain State Park

Get away from the hustle and bustle of Tulsa and into the red dirt to explore Gloss Mountain State Park.

The main attraction is Cathedral Mountain, which can be reached by a hike along the Cathedral Mountain Trail. Spectacular views await your eyes at the top of the mountain.

Be sure to hike early if you’re visiting during the summer — it gets very hot out here.

Little Sahara State Park

You’ll think you’re in another world when entering Little Sahara State Park. It’s tucked away in Oklahoma, but there are massive sand dunes varying between 25 and 75 feet tall. Driving around the flat prairie to get here gives no indication of what awaits once entering the park.

Little Sahara is a popular destination for ATVs, dirt bikes, dune buggies, and landscape photographers. It also has a campground.

Planning Tip: Gloss Mountain, Salt Plains, and Little Sahara State Parks pair well together. You can see all three places on a day trip from Tulsa (that is what we did).

Natural Falls State Park

Home to a 77′ waterfall, Natural Falls State Park makes for a fun road trip from Tulsa. Tucked in the Ozark Highlands near the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas, take a short hike along the Dripping Springs Trail to the iconic waterfall.

Add visiting Natural Falls State Park to your weekend bucket list.

Lake Tenkiller

We love Lake Tenkiller. Touted as being one of the clearest lakes in Oklahoma, if you’re looking for one of the best lakes to camp at in Oklahoma, Lake Tenkiller is your place.

Since the water is so clear, it makes for a great place to swim and enjoy water sports such as kayaking.

There are also multiple places to camp managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or Tenkiller State Park.

You can camp right on the water at Cookson Bend (link to Recreation.gov) — that’s why we like camping here.

Oologah Lake

Looking for a hike close to Tulsa to spend half a day? Check out the Skull Hollow Nature Trail.

Don’t be deceived by the name — it’s not creepy. The trail wanders along the lake through the forest and rocks with nice views. The 1.2-mile loop is perfect for meandering any time of the year.

Along the trail, wood signs point out the different types of native trees, such as Mockernut Hickory, Sugar Maple, and Black Walnut. Keep your eyes peeled for Armadillo.

We hiked in late winter and were the only people there. Escape city life and recharge with some solitude in nature.

Redbud Valley Nature Preserve

Redbud Valley Nature Preserve is another perfect day trip and weekend getaway from Tulsa. Head out of town to hit the trails. The preserve has miles of trails managed by The Nature Conservancy.

One of our favorite trails is the Bluff Trail, which takes hikers along the bluff to see incredible geology tucked with the trees.

It is free to hike here, so come check it out.

We hiked here in late winter, and the weather was nice and cool. However, it is only open on the weekends, so be sure to keep that in mind.

Route 66

Route 66 is one of the most iconic routes in America, and Tulsa has been a significant stop on this famous route for years (est. 1926).

The community takes great pride in showcasing its Route 66 history to visitors from around the world. Oklahoma continues to invest in restoring many landmarks along historic Route 66 and adding new stops and memorabilia.

You don’t have to go far to drive along this famous historic route. There are many neat things to see along the road, such as murals, signs, and boutique shops.

We personally love visiting the Blue Whale near Catoosa — it is charming and quirky.

Thanks for reading.

Ashlee & Pablo

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