It Once Was A National Park, But No More - State & National Park Series
When the Chickasaw Nation was forced to relocate to Indian Territory, within their new borders they found a wooded area filled with fresh water and strong-smelling mineral water springs. They believed these springs had healing powers. Fearing that they would not be able to protect this area from commercial development and becoming another Hot Springs, Arkansas, they sold it to the Federal Government, with the condition that it be protected, and kept open to the public. In 1902 Senator Orville Platt introduced legislation designating this area the Sulphur Springs Reservation, and in 1906 Congress passed legislation creating Platt National Park, named for Senator Platt, who had recently died.
CCC built structure around Buffalo Springs.
CCC built structure around Buffalo Springs.
At 640 acres, Platt National Park was the seventh and the smallest unit in the National Park System. Though small it was no less popular, in 1914 it received more visitors than Yellowstone or Yosemite. In the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps was assigned to make improvements, to make the area deserving of being a National Park. They added many buildings, and landscape features, that significantly altered the character of the park. By 1949 it was receiving more than a million visitors a year. However, many people within Congress felt that Platt National Park lacked the grandeur and scope expected of a National Park. On March 17, 1976, Congress changed the status from Platt National Park to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area because it was not the same natural beauty as Yellowstone and Yosemite. This former national park was added to the Arbuckle Recreation Area to create a lush playground for all to enjoy.
Lake of the Arbuckle's on a foggy fall morning.
Lake of the Arbuckle's on a foggy fall morning.
The older portion of the park, the Platt District, remains popular, still receiving more than a million visitors a year. It features the springs, a swimming hole, fishing, boating, hiking, and camping. The swimming hole has a small man-made waterfall called the Little Niagara. Here the spring water is cold and a host to people of all cultures.
The lower falls at Little Niagara.
The lower falls at Little Niagara.
There are three basic camping areas. The Lake of the Arbuckles areas: Buckhorn, Guy Sandy, and The Point. One, Guy Sandy, is first come-first serve and does not require a reservation. You simply show up, decide on your spot and visit the kiosk, then pay for your stay. Buckhorn and The Point are reservation camping loop is very nice with full hook-ups and full almost all year round. The third camping area is within the historic Platt District, the original area of the park has three camping loops, in which the only one is open year round and only first come-first serve. This area is surrounded by the rushing creek and active in the springtime.
Hiking along one of the many trails at Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
Thank you @penderis for such great artwork!
Ren and I first visited in Fall of 2013, we were on the way back from visiting family in Oklahoma. This was before we really caught the travel bug, but we fell in love with the park and made plans to return. We have revisited the park several times since then, it is a reasonable drive from both Fort Worth and from Tulsa. When I started photography it was one for the first places I wanted to go.
We decided one day to visit the visitor center and hike trails behind it. Here the shade from the canopy of trees kept us cool in the Oklahoma August heat. It was quiet for the most part, except the various little waterfalls and birds chattering in the treetops. Here we found a peaceful place just minutes away from the main county road. It was an amazing hike.
Hiking along one of the many trails at Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
We then took the time to swim in the swimming hole just below the Little Niagara Falls. We even followed many of the young people and jumped off the top! It was exhilarating. I remember my heart pumping and watching the people ahead of us pop up from down below. My knee was aching, it was only recently healed from being broken and the cold, spring water felt good, taking away the swelling.
It may not be a National Park anymore, but it is still worth a visit if you are in the area.
Thanks so much for visiting this park with us!
Waco Mammoth National Monument
https://steemit.com/national/@xcountytravelers/oonju0nv
Scott and I visited the Waco Mammoth National Monument in 2016. If you want to see a real fossil dig site, this is the place you want to visit. For further information about Waco Mammoth National Monument, please visit https://www.nps.gov/waco/index.htm
Seven Parks in Seven Days
https://steemit.com/travel/@xcountytravelers/seven-state-parks-in-seven-states
Last year we lost my mother in a car wreck. In September we took her ashes to Piggott, Arkansas, to be buried next to my Father’s family, where he will one day rest. I had not been back to Piggott since we moved away when I was twelve. Since she loved our travels so much, we decided that we would do something special on this trip.
Thank you @penderis for such great artwork!
I love all your water shots!!! And the view of the lake is magnificent..
i could just sit down while my feet lingers on the flowing cold water.. ohhhh! That would be so nice indeed. I could just lay under it the whole day while waiting for whatever you are cooking or baking uo in the RV!! Hahahahahaha... imagining the day of our RVTeam WW adventures.. 😄😂
Posted using Partiko Android
Oh, my sweet, sweet friend! You stir up the dream! I would love nothing more than to host you and everyone else in the group camping area along the water's edge. I would be happy to cook for you all.
Hahahaha it is one of the ultimate dreem for Team WW to get to travel and have an adventure!!!
It would be soooo great really to eat out and laugh all day with you guys..
Looking forward to it! It is not impossible.. someday miss ren someday!
Posted using Partiko Android
Thanks
You can't tell from the photo, because it was November, but just above the waterfall was a swimming hole. Very cold water, year round.
My favorite place to swim.
Scott
Posted using Partiko Android
Oh there is one??! 😮😮
I could not really see it.. is it dangerous? Haha i dont know how to swim! 🤣.. in just be lingering on the shallow part playing with the peebles and splashing a bit..
Posted using Partiko Android
Not dangerous at all. In the summer there are hundreds of people swimming and jumping in from the large falls. It is fantastic! Unfortunately, there really isn't a shallow part below the falls, but above it, there is the perfect space for little ones. I'll see if I can find some photos.
Ren
My husband ogre would love it for sure! Actually we all love to swim its just im afraid of the deep waters..i have had a few experience of almost drowning..
Yes please do take some pictures id love to see more..
Posted using Partiko Android
The water is not terrible deep, only in a few places. There are places you can sit on the rocks and put your feet in. It is wonderful.
That!! That is exeactly what i wanna do.. sit on the rocks linger and playfully tease the cold waters..
Omg!! I hope soon...
Posted using Partiko Android
Hiya, just swinging by to let you know you're being featured in today's Travel Digest #331. Please drop by to check out all the rest of today's great posts and consider upvoting the Travel Digest if you like what we're doing.
Thank you very much! We appreciate you allowing us to put stuff up on your map!
Ren