I’m going to go ahead and guess that Oklahoma City has never been at the top of your travel bucket list? Right? I’m sure you are picturing miles upon miles of fields as you are flying over this state to your next epic destinations. WELL, I’m hoping I can prove you wrong and change your mind about this southern region. Oklahoma City is a great starting point to explore epic hikes, beautiful lakes, big cities, and so many other hidden gems! Throughout this post, I will give you all the best ideas for epic dog-friendly weekend trips from Oklahoma City! All within 5 hours!
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Table of Contents
Weekend Trips from Oklahoma City
Chickasaw National Forest, OK
Distance from OKC: 88 miles
We originally headed to Davis, OK with hopes of checking out Turner Falls. Immediately after paying our entrance fee, we were extremely disappointed (dirty, LARGE crowds, parking, etc), and we turned right around and headed back to our cozy cabin.
This led us to hunt for other cool things to do in the Chickasaw National Forest with our dog…and we were pleasantly surprised. First of all, make sure to rent a cozy cabin (we found a great dog-friendly one on Airbnb in Sulphur). After settling into your cabin, head to Bromide Trail for a great overlook trail. Then cool off along the Travertine River and end your night with a sunset stroll around Lake of the Arbuckles.
Wichita Mountains, OK
Distance from OKC: 91 miles
The Wichita Mountains are home to unique rocky hikes, bison crossings, prairie dogs, and a cute lakeside town. At only 1.5 hours from Oklahoma City, it is a great weekend trip for adventure lovers! Start your weekend getaway with a hike down The Narrows. This is a 2.7 round trip hike with beautiful views. Once into the canyon, there are big boulders that may be difficult for dogs. We did turn around a bit early.
After your first hike, you can check out the other 18 hiking trails, have a picnic by the lake, check out the prairie dog town in search of the cute critters and even bison and elk! After your day of adventuring, head into Medicine Park for a dog-friendly dinner at the Riverfront Cafe and a stroll around this charming town. End your night with a sunset drive up to Mount Scott.
Although I was unable to find any dog-friendly stays right in Medicine Park, we found many affordable options in the nearby Lawton!
Keep Reading! The BEST THINGS to do with One Day in the Wichita Mountains
Dallas, TX
Distance from OKC: 194 miles
Dallas may not be the most dog-friendly destination, but there are a few stops that are worth a visit!
Start your Dallas weekend with a trip to the urban Klyde Warren Park. Here you can borrow some board games, people watch and grab a bite to eat off the many surrounding food trucks. After lunch head out for a stroll along the Katy Trail (make sure to stop at the Katy Trail Icehouse for a delicious margarita).
The next day in Dallas, check out one of Let’s Roams self-guided scavenger hunts of the city. Since you spent one day downtown, I recommend the Deep Ellum Mural Hunt! After your scavenger hunt, you can check out Cedar Ridge State Park or Rockledge Park for some hikes!
Fort Worth, TX
Distance from OKC: 200 miles
If looking for some good ol’ honky tonk Texas vibes, Fort Worth is the place for you! Spend your first day strolling the streets of the Fort Worth Stockyards, window shopping, and watching the daily cattle run (held each day at 11:30 and 4). You are also able to grab some delicious BBQ on the dog-friendly patio of Riscky’s Barbeque…you will NOT be disappointed.
After your day in the Stockyards, spend your next morning paddling along the Trinity River with Backwoods Paddlesports. After your adventure head to the Fort Worth Water gardens for a relaxing picnic with your pup. End your weekend at the Coyote Drive-in Movie Theater.
Tip! Need more ideas? Check out Let’s Roam’s Fort Worth Scavenger Hunts
Keep Reading! ULTIMATE Dog-friendly Texas Road Trip for more pup-friendly things to do throughout the great state of Texas.
Broken Bow, OK
Distance from OKC: 236 miles
Broken Bow is the ultimate getaway for families, couples, or individuals looking for a relaxing cabin weekend! With countless cabins to choose from (from rustic to extreme luxury), you may never want to leave.
If you do stray away from your cabin, you can rent a boat on Broken Bow Lake, horseback ride, zipline, and of course hike! I recommend hiking Friend’s Trail Loop (1.5 miles) and Lookout Mountain Loop (2.9 miles).
Read more details about Broken Bow here!
Ozarks, AR
Distance from OKC: 263 miles
Imagine hiding away with no cell service, natural swimming holes, peaceful dirt roads, and epic hikes. Sounds perfect…right? If so, head to the Ozark National Forest in northwest Arkansas. Pack your current book and all the board games to spend a relaxing weekend in the woods!
Although there are many hikes to choose from, I recommend hiking to Whitakers Point (pictured) and Glory Hole Falls. Be sure to ask your airbnb host or other locals for any hidden swimming holes as well! (We stayed in a rustic cabin near Pettigrew, AR and there was a swimming hole right down the road!)
Waco, TX
Distance from OKC: 290 miles
Fans of Joanna and Chip Gaines (Fixer Upper) will enjoy a trip down to Waco, TX. They have created a unique venue, Magnolia Market at the Silos. While here you can shop (with your pup), people watch, grab a bite to eat off the food trucks, find cool photo ops, and check out some special events.
If wanting to extend your getaway, head 1.5 hours northwest to Glen Rose, TX where you will find Dinosaur Valley State Park. A cool park with some hikes and real dinosaur tracks!
Hot Springs, AR
Distance from OKC: 310 miles
Hot Springs National Park is one of the most Unique National parks in the United States. It is all downtown and features bathhouses, city hikes, and spring water. Although the actual bathhouses are not dog-friendly, it is cool to see them from the outside and you are welcome to bring your dog inside The Superior Bathhouse for a cold brew (made from springwater of course).
Even better than the National Park is the beauty that surrounds it, the Ouachita National Forest! Here you can check out the beautiful Lake Ouachita State Park, stroll around the Garvan Gardens, and search for more swimming holes. Read all about a weekend in the Ouachitas here (its one of my favorite places!)
What else would you add to this dog-friendly weekend trips from Oklahoma City list?
Do you love exploring the USA? I’d LOVE if you would follow along on Instagram for more USA gems and dog-friendly finds!
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