News Release

Most areas of Chickasaw National Recreation Area are now open

Date: May 23, 2024
Contact: Public Affairs

SULPHUR, Okla. – Chickasaw National Recreation Area is reopening a number of areas of the park, including Veterans Lake, Bromide Hill, Rock Creek Campground, Cats Eye Road, Bromide Pavilion, the Bromide Picnic Area, and Bluestem Prairie.
 
The remainder of the trail system has also opened, including the Bison Pasture Loop, the spur trails to Bromide Hill and Rock Creek Campground, the Inkana Trail, the Veterans Lake Trail, and the Rock Creek Multi-Use Trails.
 
The park continues to recover from the tornado that touched on April 27. The tornado and associated heavy flooding caused significant damage to the park and the community of Sulphur. National Park Service crews have been working diligently to open sections of the park for visitation.
 
“We’re excited to have 95% of the park opened back up,” says Acting Superintendent Kane Seitz. “Come back anywhere we’ve got open but be careful. Some hazards may still exist, and new ones might pop up as we get more storms.” 
 
Open Areas:

• Veterans Lake 
• Bromide Hill 
• Cats Eye Road 
• Bromide Pavilion 
• Bromide Picnic Area 
• Rock Creek Campground 
• All remaining trails 
• Bluestem Prairie 
• Flower Park 
• The Platt Historic District east of U.S. Route 177 
• Cold Springs Campground 
• Central Campground 
• Buckhorn boat launch, courtesy dock, fishing dock, picnic areas, and campground 
• Guy Sandy courtesy dock, fishing dock, and boat launch. 
• The Point courtesy dock, boat launch, picnic areas, and campground. 
• Breezy Point and Post Oak Roads 

 Closed Areas:

• Northwest Perimeter Road, in the western portion of the Platt National Park Historic District, including: 
  • Black Sulphur Springs 
  • Walnut Grove 
• Blackjack Road and Picnic Area 
• The Point fishing dock 
• Eagle Bay 
• Catfish Bottoms 
• All areas marked as closed with physical barriers such as gates, traffic cones, flagging tape, and sandwich boards. 

 As you reenter the park, respect the current closures and be mindful as unknown hazards may exist. Crews are still working in both open and closed areas of the park. 
 
For more information about Chickasaw National Recreation Area and for updates on park operations, visit https://www.nps.gov/chic/planyourvisit/conditions.htm or follow the park’s social media accounts, username ChickasawNPS, on Facebook, X, and Instagram. 

About the National Park Service
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 429 National Parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.