News Releases

Celebrate National Public Lands Day by helping clean up Rock Creek at Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Join park staff at the Lincoln Bridge parking lot near the junction of Highway 177 and Northwest Perimeter Road on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 9:00 am to sign up as a volunteer. The event will last until noon.

On April 27, a tornado touched down south of Veterans Lake in Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Perhaps the most iconic tree impacted by the tornado was the Monkey Tree. While the Monkey Tree did sustain damage, experts say it will likely survive.

The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Devon Bradley as superintendent of Chickasaw National Recreation Area. In this role, Bradley will also supervise the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site superintendent and support operations at the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Bradley will begin his new assignment in August.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area is seeking applicants to cut and remove hay from three former agricultural fields in Chickasaw National Recreation Area.

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.

Beginning at 12 noon on Sunday, May 19, Chickasaw National Recreation Area will reopen Flower Park.

Beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 13, Chickasaw National Recreation Area will reopen the Central Campground, Cold Springs Campground, and the Buckhorn area of the park, including Buckhorn Campground Loops C and D, the boat launch, fishing dock, and picnic areas. Buckhorn Campground Loops A and B will remain closed until brush piles are removed.

Beginning at 8 a.m. May 10th, Chickasaw National Recreation Area will reopen The Point area of the park, including the boat launch area, picnic areas, and campground.

The Guy Sandy boat launch area will reopen on May 8th, 2024 to provide access to the Lake of the Arbuckles.

On April 27, a tornado touched down south of Veterans Lake in Chickasaw National Recreation Area. It traveled northeast for 1.4 miles and was .5 miles wide. Most trees in the tornado’s path were uprooted or had their canopies sheared off. Very few were left unscathed.