Where to Wander
The Tulsa area offer miles and miles of trails to hike, bike, walk and run. One of the most celebrated is the River Parks trail system.
Trails are the heart and soul of River Parks, the defining feature weaving together the public spaces that comprise Tulsa’s outdoor riverfront park system, with connections to other regional trails. Most of River Parks’ east bank trails, covering nine miles from 11th Street near downtown Tulsa, south to 101st Street, feature pedestrian and cycling lanes separated by a median. Connections to other regional trails are found at 96th and Riverside, where trail users can leave River Parks and travel west, crossing the river to Jenks, or east, connecting to the Creek Turnpike Trail which extends to Broken Arrow. The Creek Trail crosses major traffic arterials at several locations.
At 11th and Riverside, the trail continues north, then west, passing through Newblock Park and joining the M.K. and T. (“Katy”) Tulsa – Sand Springs Trail near Gilcrease Museum Road. Built on an abandoned railroad line, the Katy Trail runs west to Highway 97, passing near Sand Springs’ historic downtown.
River Parks’ west bank trail extends from 11th Street/Southwest Boulevard, south to 71st Street and the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area. The west bank trail features markings to delineate cycling and pedestrian lanes. All of the trails are open for non-motorized use and are lighted except during curfew hours, 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. The mostly flat, hard-surface trails are suitable for many fitness levels, except for steep grades at the trail connections to the Turkey Mountain parking lot and to the Katy Trail at Gilcrease Museum Road.
At 11th and Riverside, the trail continues north, then west, passing through Newblock Park and joining the M.K. and T. (“Katy”) Tulsa – Sand Springs Trail near Gilcrease Museum Road. Built on an abandoned railroad line, the Katy Trail runs west to Highway 97, passing near Sand Springs’ historic downtown.
River Parks’ west bank trail extends from 11th Street/Southwest Boulevard, south to 71st Street and the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area. The west bank trail features markings to delineate cycling and pedestrian lanes. All of the trails are open for non-motorized use and are lighted except during curfew hours, 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. The mostly flat, hard-surface trails are suitable for many fitness levels, except for steep grades at the trail connections to the Turkey Mountain parking lot and to the Katy Trail at Gilcrease Museum Road.
Parking lots to access the paved trail system include:
Tulsa Gathering Place
2650 John Williams Way
Tulsa, OK 74114
41st Street Plaza
4100 S. Riverside Dr.
Tulsa, OK 74105
96th and Riverside Park
9600 S. Riverside Dr.
Tulsa, OK 74137
Hunter Park
5804 E. 91st St.
Tulsa, OK 74137
Liberty Trailhead and Pond
9527 S. Garnett Rd.
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
Liberty Trailhead NSU
3100 W. New Orleans St.
Broken Arrow, OK 74014
Natural Hikes
Ray Harrel Nature Park and Center
7101 S. Third St.
Broken Arrow, OK 74011
Keystone Ancient Forest
160 Ancient Forest Dr.
Sand Springs, OK 74063
Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area
6800 S. Elwood Dr.
Tulsa, OK 74132
LOCAL TIP: "Keystone Ancient Forest is a hidden gem just 20 mintues west of downtown Tulsa with beautiful trails that are both challenging and interesting. Wear bug spray and great shoes!" – Kelly K.