Just because the temperature has gone up doesn’t mean your vacation budget has to rise as well. Plan your next affordable Oklahoma vacation with ease thanks to these hot summer travel ideas that won’t break the bank. All pricing shown is for 2024.
Swimming Holes
Treat the whole family to a dip in cool waters at one of Oklahoma’s natural swimming holes. Blue Hole Park in Salina is a popular summertime destination for its clear, cool waters. Or, head over to Gage Artesian Beach to swim in mineral-laden waters for a low entry fee. You can also experience flowing springs for free at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur or the public access areas along the Illinois River in Tahlequah.
State Park Swimming Pools
Slide into summer savings at one of Oklahoma’s state park pools. Remember that the pools are open seasonally, so please call ahead to check hours and availability.
Boiling Springs State Park in Woodward: $4 per swimmer; $1 for non-swimmers; and free for ages 2 & under. (Cash only)
Lake Murray State Park in Ardmore: Free for lodge and cabin guests.
Osage Hills State Park in Pawhuska: Guests 7 & older: $4; Guests 6 & under: $2. (Cash or check only)
Robbers Cave State Park in Wilburton: $5 per person; free for children 5 & under.
Roman Nose State Park in Watonga: $6 for adults; $5 for kids (3-12); $3.50 for seniors and disabled; free for children 2 & under. (Cash only)
Sequoyah State Park in Hulbert: Free to lodge and cabin guests only.
Tenkiller State Park in Vian: $5 per person; free for children 3 & under..
Drive-In Theaters
Pack your snacks and start making memories at one of Oklahoma’s nostalgic drive-in movie theaters. Adults can catch a flick at the Admiral Twin Drive-In in Tulsa, or at the Winchester Drive-In in Oklahoma City for a low-cost ticket. Movie-goers can catch a show for a reasonable price at the Beacon Drive-In Theater in Guthrie, the Chief Drive-In Theatre in Ninnekah or Sapulpa's Tee Pee Drive-In. Admission to the Tower Drive-In Movie Theater in Poteau is even cheaper, while El-Co Drive-In Theatre in Shattuck is extremely affordable for adults. Be sure to ask about discounted admission for children, and bring cash because it is the only form of currency accepted at many of these theaters.
Roadside Oddities
Oklahoma’s roadside oddities are sprinkled all across the state from big-city attractions like Tulsa’s Golden Driller and Oklahoma City’s Milk Bottle Grocery to the Creek County Frog Rock in Mannford and the Spider VW Bug in Lexington. Whether you’re looking for the world’s highest hill or the world’s largest peanut, you’ll find it in the Sooner State. Grab some friends, hop in the car and discover over 50 quirky roadside attractions across the state.
Tours
Braum’s Family Farm: Cool off with a sweet treat and free factory tour from Braum’s Family Farm in Tuttle. Visitors will get a behind-the-scenes peek at how Braum’s delicious ice cream is made with a guided tour Monday through Friday with advance reservations.
U-Pick Farms
Summer means fresh fruit, and u-pick farms in Oklahoma are ready to deliver. For just a few dollars, you can spend some relaxing time on a farm selecting fresh fruit to take home and enjoy. You’ll find abundant strawberries from May to June; sand plums from May to July; blueberries from June to July; peaches from June to September; blackberries from July to August; raspberries from July to August; wine grapes from July to September; and prickly pears from August to September. Take a look at the Summer Jelly-Making Farms article to find a location near you.
Budget-Friendly Events
Baseball: Celebrate America’s favorite pastime and catch a Tulsa Drillers baseball game. Score cheap lawn tickets on Tuesdays where you can spread out a blanket on the lawn and cheer on the home team any day of the week.
Art Walks: Scope out an art walk near you to enjoy free gallery showings, live music and wine tastings. Monthly art walks are held in Enid, Norman and Oklahoma City.
Food Festivals: Enjoy the bounty of the season with one of Oklahoma’s delicious food festivals. Kick off your food festival frenzy at the Fort Gibson Sweet Corn Festival in June, then in July visit the Valliant Watermelon Festival, Porter Peach Festival, Stratford Peach Festival, McLoud Blackberry Festival and the Jay Huckleberry Festival. August rounds out the food festivals with the Rush Springs Watermelon Festival. Each festival is free to attend, and many also offer free tastings.
County Fairs: Oklahoma’s county fairs start as early as July and run well into the fall season. With free admission, you’ll be able to spend hours browsing through local competitions and enjoying live music. Plus, for just a couple bucks, you can also enjoy midway rides and hot kettle corn.
State Park Cabins
Summertime is a great time to explore an Oklahoma state park. With a variety of cabins, cottages and lake huts spread across the state, these budget-friendly getaways can’t be beat. Visit during the summer and return in the winter for even lower rates. Check out this booking link to see rates and availability.
