Chickasaw National Recreation Area, National Recreation Area in Murray County, Oklahoma.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area spans roughly 9,888 acres and encompasses lakes, springs, and streams within the Arbuckle Mountains with varied terrain. Water is the defining feature throughout the landscape.
The area began in 1902 as Sulphur Springs Reservation and merged with Arbuckle Recreation Area in 1976 to form its current identity. This union brought separate protected lands under one management.
The area is named after the Chickasaw Nation, who sold the original land to the federal government after their relocation in the 1830s. That name reflects the deeper indigenous history of this land.
Visitors will find six public campgrounds with around 400 campsites, boat launches at Lake of the Arbuckles, and several swimming areas spread throughout. Facilities are clearly marked and easy to locate.
Structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s dot the area, including stone pavilions and buildings that still serve visitors today. These works show solid craftsmanship that has lasted decades.
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