Chickasaw NRA: Beautiful Springs, Indigenous and CCC Heritage in Oklahoma

Date Visited: June 18, 2022 (Park #222 Visited)

Chickasaw NRA History

One of my recent stops driving cross country was Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Chickasaw NRA) in Oklahoma. If there is ever a park that shows that designations don’t matter when it comes to measuring the significance and worth of a national park, this one is at the top of the list. This national park has a fascinating history. It was one of the oldest parks, dating to the 1900s as the Sulphur Spring Reservation, then was redesignated Platt National Park. Included within this historic portion of the park are many of its most famous sites, including CCC heritage example like the Lincoln Bridge, and mineral springs features like Antelope Springs, Vendome Park well, Little Niagara, and Buffalo Springs.

At the time, it was primarily established to protect mineral springs in the northern portion of the current park. The park was established on land purchased from the Chickasaw Nation in order to prevent the kind of development that had occurred in the area around the Hot Springs Reservation (now Hot Springs National Park) in Arkansas.

From Platt National Park to Chickasaw NRA

In 1966, the Bureau of Reclamation built Arbuckle Dam on Rock Creek to create a water supply for the city of Ardmore. In 1976, additional land was purchased from the Chickasaw and the lake and lake were transferred to the National Park Service to be joined with Platt National Park. In order to recognize the contributions of the Chickasaw Nation to the current and past history of the park, Congress substituted the name of the nation for Platt in the title of the park. They also changed the park designation from “National Park” to “National Recreation Area.”

“Platt National Park” thus became “Chickasaw National Recreation Area.”

This defied most trends of areas gaining land and becoming redesignated as “National Parks.” Yet, the core of the original area previously designated a national park didn’t change. It remains today as the “Platt National Park Historic District.” Clearly, the designation change happened due to a change in the resources and activities available to the public, but it didn’t diminish them, so it wasn’t a “downgrade,” just an acknowledgement that they had changed.

Today, in addition to the mineral springs and swimming holes, lake and campgrounds, it is an excellent place to view and celebrate the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which built many of the trees, trails, and structures present today in the Historic District. There is also a bison pasture, making it one of the best places on federal land east of the Rockies to see American bison roaming their iconic plains.

My Visit

Due to time constraints, my visit was somewhat limited and different than it typically would have been. I stayed in a nearby hotel, and since I’m not a boater, I focused on the northern district, the historic Platt National Park. After a brief stop at the Chickasaw center in Sulphur Springs, I headed into the park itself. Since it was a holiday weekend, I expected the park to be quite busy, especially the popular Little Niagara.

I parked at Pavilion Springs and headed up the trail along Travertine Creek. The lot at Little Niagara and the falls themselves were indeed quite busy. Crossing, I continued toward and made a stop to chat with the rangers at the Travertine Nature Center before continuing to Buffalo Spring, where I paused for a rest.

From Buffalo, I retraced my steps along Travertine Creek to Pavilion Springs by way of Antelope Springs, and made my way to brief stops at Black Sulphur Springs and the Lincoln Bridge, the oldest structure from Platt National Park, and the first constructed within Platt. Crossing Rock Creek, the bridge was constructed to be wide enough for four horses to pass abreast of each other. Eight electric globe lights were installed on each of the four towers of the bridge, which were each cylindrical and topped with a flag mount. The park uses these today to fly 46 star flags on summer weekends to commemorate Oklahoma’s status as the 46th state and the history of Platt National Park.

I wrapped up my trip with a brief stop at the bison paddock on the south end of the Platt District. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any bison on this stop, but I’ve seen them in the past at Wind Cave, Yellowstone, and the North Rim of Grand Canyon.

Chickasaw NRA Essentials

Getting there:

Closest Town: Sulphur Springs, Oklahoma
Closest Major City: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Best Access: US-177 travels through the park; I-35 is just west and provides easy access south from Oklahoma City or north from Dallas

Things to Do:

Camping, fishing, boating, swimming (swimming holes and lake), hiking, wildlife, wildflowers, mineral springs

Recommended Timeframe:

At least 2-4 hours for the Platt National Park Historic District. If you want to enjoy the swimming holes, you could easily take longer; this is merely the time to hike from Pavilion Springs to Buffalo Springs. There are also two additional trails that you could do in the area to the prairie and the Tall Oaks Trail and another that circles the bison paddock if you don’t see any at the overlook. The Arbuckle District is mostly for boaters, and time recommendation there would depend on how much time you want to spend on your boat. There are a couple other campgrounds down in the Arbuckle District if ones in the Platt District are full.

Must See Points of Interest:

* Lincoln Bridge
* Old Park Headquarters (current ranger station)
* Bison paddock, if you have never seen bison before
* Buffalo Springs
* Antelope Springs
* Little Niagara
* Travertine Nature Center
* Vendome Park well, an artesian well

Camping & Campgrounds:

Platt National Park Historic District:
* Rock Creek
* Cold Spring
* Central
Arbuckle District:
* Buckhorn (4 loops)
* The Point
* Guy Sandy

All sites have a fire ring, picnic table, and parking space. The following areas have reservable campsites; all others are first come, first served:
* Group sites at Rock Creek, Central, and Cold Springs Campgrounds ($30.00/night, no utilities)
* All other campsites at Cold Springs Campground ($14/night, no utilities)
* Buckhorn Campground, Loop C – Utility sites $22-24/night; nonutility sites $16/night
* The Point, Upper Loop – Utility sites (water and electrical only, no sewer) $22-24/night; non-utility sites $16.00/night

Campground Size Limits & RV Information:

* Buckhorn and The Point, tents and RVs up to 40’
* Guy Sandy, small RVs, no hookups
* Cold Spring & Central, RVs must be car sized or smaller
* Rock Creek, RVs up to 25’

Recommended Chickasaw NRA Itinerary

I recommend starting your day at either Pavilion Springs, Little Niagara or the Travertine Nature Center. From your starting point, you can hit the main points of interest along Travertine Creek, including the Nature Center, Little Niagara, Buffalo Springs, Pavilion Springs and Antelope Springs. If it is a hot summer day, Little Niagara makes for a great cooling off spot.

From there, you can swing by the bison paddock and the historic Lincoln Bridge. If you’re a boater or camper, consider checking out the Lake of the Arbuckles to the south. And before you head out, check out the Chickasaw Cultural Center in the town of Sulphur Springs outside the park.