The beautiful, 5,700-acre lake just outside Ardmore is situated in Lake Murray State Park – Oklahoma’s largest – and its clear water makes it ideal for a day at the beach.
What to do
There are several beaches to choose from, including Sunset – on the east side of the lake – which is a popular day-use beach (no camping) with plenty of picnic tables. An 18-hole golf course, great fishing and recreational boating are all available.
Tucker Tower is one of the state’s most interesting architectural destinations. It’s located on a rocky outcropping, and now accessed through the Nature Center. Originally built by the WPA in the 1930s, Tucker Tower’s original purpose is a bit of a mystery, but it’s a lovely peek into the state’s past.
What to eat
Ardmore is just about 30 minutes up the road from Winstar World Casino, a resort casino with multiple dining options, including a jointly branded Mickey Mantle’s/Kirby’s Steakhouse. The name will be familiar to OKC steak lovers, and the same quality and service found in Bricktown are also featured at the casino. The wine list is easily the best in southern Oklahoma.
Closer to the water – on the edge of the lake, in fact – is Foggy Bottom Kitchen, a project of the Swadley’s Bar-B-Q company. The country-style eateries are popping up in state parks all over Oklahoma, and they typically represent the best dining options we’ve seen in those locales. Featuring a scratch kitchen and a menu full of country cooking and comfort food, Foggy Bottom delivers on flavor and quality at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The delicious, hand-breaded zucchini chips are one of the most popular items, and once you taste them, you’ll understand why. They have a stellar array of dishes, including the spicy El Diablo Siesta Burger and a fantastic chicken fried steak with jalapeno sweet corn and mashed potatoes and gravy. The fried honey bun is decadent deliciousness, if you have room for dessert.
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Where to stay
Foggy Bottom is adjacent to the new Lake Murray Lodge, a beautiful new facility with 32 rooms and beautiful lake views. The park also boasts 56 cabins, mostly rustic and close to the lake, equipped with fire pits and picnic tables for cooking out. The cabins don’t have lake views, but the shoreline is a very brief walk from the front door.
