Lake of the Arbuckles, Reservoir in Murray County, Oklahoma, US

The Lake of the Arbuckles is a reservoir in south-central Oklahoma, formed by a dam that holds back three creeks near the town of Sulphur. Along its shoreline you will find boat ramps, covered fishing piers, and campgrounds spread across several access points.

Congress authorized the Arbuckle Project on August 24, 1962, after a drought in the early 1950s depleted water supplies in the Arbuckle area. The Bureau of Reclamation awarded the dam contract on June 9, 1964, and Arbuckle Dam was finished on June 30, 1966. The aqueduct and pumping system followed, completed in 1968, and the Bureau handed operation to the Arbuckle Master Conservancy District on January 1, 1968.

The lake takes its name from the nearby Arbuckle Mountains that define the region. It serves as a gathering place for local families and anglers who come to spend leisure time together and connect with the water.

The lake sits within the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, so many activities there follow National Park Service rules. It is a good idea to check fishing regulations before you go and to book a campsite in advance, especially during summer weekends.

Researchers from Oklahoma State University use this lake to study the Plains spotted skunk, a rare animal that is hard to find in most other parts of the region. This makes the lake an active research site, not just a place for outdoor recreation.