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Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are your camping facilities and fees?
Chickasaw National Recreation Area has six campgrounds with 410 camping sites. Camping fees vary from $12.00 for a tent site in the Platt District to premium utility sites (water and electric hookups) for $22.00 in the Arbuckle District. Quiet time in the campgrounds is 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.. During the summer season, there are campground hosts in most of our campgrounds that can assist you.
Fees are collected through an automated fee machine at the entrance of each campground. The machine accepts either cash or major credit cards.
Camping rates (effective May 1, 2006):
- Non-utility $12.00 (Cold Springs, Guy Sandy, & Rock Creek Campgrounds)
- Non-utility $14.00 (Buckhorn and the Point Campgrounds)
- Utility $20.00 (Buckhorn and the Point Campgrounds, and one site at Rock Creek Campground)
- Premium utility $22.00 (May through Sept. Buckhorn Loop D #24, 25, 26 & Loop C #4, 5, 6, 7 and the Point #20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
- Group Sites $24.00 (Rock Creek, Cold Springs & Central Campgrounds)
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Can I reserve a campsite?
Some of our campsites are on a reservation system. Reservations can be made by calling www.ReserveUSA.com
Sites at Chickasaw National Recreation Area under reservation system:
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Group sites at Rock Creek, Central, and Cold Springs Campgrounds - Rates are $24.00 per night, per site
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Buckhorn Campground, Loops A & C – Rates are utility sites $20.00 (Loop C only) per night, per site; premium utility sites $22.00 (May thru September Loop C sites #4, 5, 6, 7) per night, per site; and non-utility sites $14.00 per night, per site (Loops A & C).
- The Point, Upper Loop (sites 42-56) – Rates are utility sites $20.00 per night, per site & non-utility sites $14.00 per night, per site
Handicap accessible sites are not on the reservation system.
Reservations for individual sites can be made 240 days in advance and group sites 360 days in advance, both no later than 7 days from arrival date.
A $9.00 reservation transaction fee is charged by ReserveUSA.
The rest of the campsites are on a first come, first serve basis. Availability of first come, first serve campsites depends on the time of the year, day of the week, and weather.
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Can I bring my pet?
Pets are allowed - always on a leash and never left alone. Areas that are closed to dogs are posted. Pets are prohibited on the trails east of the Travertine Nature Center, within the Travertine Nature Center, and in all locations where persons gather to swim or sunbathe. An exception to this rule is granted for service dogs accompanying persons with disabilities, regardless of the disability requiring the use of a service dog. This restriction does not apply to animals used by authorized Federal, State, and local law enforcement offices in the performance of their official duties.
Pet excrement must be disposed of in accordance with the following conditions:
All pet excrement must be removed by the owner/keeper from all trails, roads, camping areas, picnic areas, and parking areas, and shall be deposited in refuse containers or removed from the area.
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What can I do at the Travertine Nature Center?
The Travertine Nature Center has live animal-exhibits and presents interpretive programs related to the park's natural and cultural resources.
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Do you have hiking trails?
The park has over 20 miles of hiking trails.
The Rock Creek Multi-Use Trail is open to horseback riding, mountain bikes, and hiking. With all of the loops, the trail is approximately 8 miles. Trailheads are located at north and south ends of the trail.
more information on trails....
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Can I purchase groceries, sundry items, or fuel in the park? Can I rent boats or camping equipment in the park?
While there are no concessions in the park, the City of Sulphur is adjacent to park property. Groceries, fuel, dining, etc. are available. Contact the Sulphur Chamber of Commerce at 580 622-2824 or Davis Chamber of Commerce at 580 369-2402 for boat or camping equipment rentals.
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Can I have a campfire?
Fires are allowed in the provided fire grate. Ground fires are prohibited. You can gather dead and downed wood for campfires. You cannot cut any live trees. NOTE: RED FLAG FIRE ALERT (burn with caution) OR BURN BAN (absolutely no fires) MAY BE IN EFFECT.
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Do you have picnic pavilions? How can I rent a pavilion?
Buckhorn and Veterans Lake Pavilions is an open sided pavilion with grills and water but no electricity and can be reserved through the Special Park Use permit system. Please call 580/622-3161, for available dates and application for a Special Use Permit. There is a $30.00 non-refundable reservation fee.
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How can I get a map of Chickasaw National Recreation Area?
Upon receipt of a mailing address, park brochures will be mailed to you.
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How can I obtain a Golden Age or Golden Access Passport?
Golden Age Passports and Golden Access Passports are available at the Travertine Nature Center. The nature Center is open 7-days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (September through May) or 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (May to September). You must apply for either passport in person. The cost of a Golden Age Passport is $10.00 for your lifetime and must be at least 62 years of age or older. For the Golden Access Passport proof of medically determined permanently disability or eligibility for receiving benefits under federal law must be shown. Upon your first visit to any National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service, Federal Duck Stamp Office, Forest Service, Tennessee Valley Authority site, you may apply for either the Golden Age or Golden Access Passports.
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Can I hunt in Chickasaw National Recreation Area and where?
Hunting and fishing is allowed in Chickasaw national Recreation Area and is concurrent with Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) regulations. Specific hunting regulations apply. There is a section on Chickasaw in the ODWC publications on hunting and fishing. Chickasaw has a hunting map that can be mailed (U.S.P.S.) to you.
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Can I use my Jet Ski, Skidoo, on Lake of the Arbuckles?
The rulemaking process to allow Personal Watercraft (PWC), also known as jet skis, on Lake of the Arbuckles was completed as of 8:30 a.m. September 2, 2004. The final special rule was published in the Federal Register on September 2, 2004 and allows personal watercraft to operate on Lake of the Arbuckles under additional PWC restrictions.
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How do I get a lake launching permit for Lake of the Arbuckles?
Chickasaw National Recreation Area requires a lake launching permit. A daily permit may be purchased for $4.00, and the annual permit can be purchased for $30.00 from the automated fee machines at Guy Sandy, The Point, Buckhorn launch ramps, and the Visitor Information Station. If visitors are eligible for Golden Age or Golden Access Passport discount, they must have their Golden Age or Golden Access card in hand to input the card number for permit purchase. The fee machine, which will accept either cash or credit card, dispenses two receipts for each transaction. These receipts, which are heat and light sensitive, are redeemable for a sticker within one week of purchase. The receipts may be redeemed at the following locations: Travertine Nature Center, 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Park Headquarters (1008 W. Second Street), Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Visitor Information Station (717 West Broadway) 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Monday; and the Point and Buckhorn Ranger Stations when personnel are available. Watercraft owners will also need to bring their current boat registration. The annual permit expires at the end of the calendar year (December 31).
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Will drinking the spring water improve my health?
Historically, there is no scientific evidence to support such claims; some people have long attributed medicinal and restorative powers to the mineral waters flowing from these springs. Over the years, some of these springs have ceased to flow. Today, Pavilion Springs, Black Sulphur Springs, Hillside Springs, which is unsafe for drinking, and the Vendome Well are the only mineral waters flowing at Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Though the National Park Service claims no proof to the curative qualities these springs may hold, visitors to the area can still enjoy the beauty of the springs or possibly indulge in the mystery of their healing powers.
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Can I scuba dive in Lake of the Arbuckles?
Scuba diving is allowed in Lake of the Arbuckles in Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Diving is not allowed around boat docks and launch ramps. Visibility is poor, three to five feet. You are required to fly a flag above the area in which you are diving. The nearest place to refill air tanks is Norman, OK (60 miles away).
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How can I volunteer?
For volunteer opportunities at Chickasaw National Recreation Area are posted at www.volunteer.gov/gov or on the park volunteer page. An on-line application is available. All of our opportunities are strictly volunteer. Camping sites with full RV hookup are provided to camp hosts.
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