Visit these Choctaw Country swimming spots to beat this summer heat

It’s no secret that this summer has been a hot one, as heat waves have gripped most of the United States.

No need to let soaring temperatures put a damper on your outdoor fun. It’s time to grab some friends, a cooler full of drinks and a few floaties and go swimming.

If you’re looking for a scenic and fun way to beat the heat, look no further than these spectacular swimming spots.

Our first stop is a hidden gem near the city of McAlester: Arrowhead State Park.

This 2,200-acre Oklahoma State Park is located on a peninsula of Lake Eufaula, the largest lake in Oklahoma.

Lake Eufaula is a sight to behold, with 105,500 surface acres and 600 miles of stunning shoreline.
Arrowhead State Park is located within one of the most beautiful parts of the lake. You can see the rolling hills covered in trees from the swimming area.

Lynzi Bouchard and her daughter, Thea, enjoy the swimming area at Arrowhead State Park.

Melissa Faull is the administrative assistant at Arrowhead State Park, and she said the park has seen a rise in visitors over the past two years as more people are exploring Oklahoma’s State Parks.

“Since the start of the COVID pandemic, we have seen visitation really pick up,” she said. “We are located right off highway 69/75, so people come from all over to camp, swim, hike and use our equestrian area,” said Faull.

The swimming area is located at Lake View Circle inside the park, and restrooms and showers are available inside the park, according to Faull.

If you are looking for a fun and exciting place to get a tan, look no further than Arrowhead State Park.

The next place on our list is Sardis Lake near Talihina, Oklahoma.

This lake has stunning views of the surrounding Potato Hills and the nearby Ouachita Mountains.

The largest swim beach is located at the Potato Hills South campground. Volleyball nets, restrooms, pavilions and other amenities are available near the swim beach.

If you are looking for a secluded feel and beautiful water, pack your swimsuit and head to Sardis Lake.

Traveling southeast from Sardis Lake, you will find yourself in one of the fastest-growing areas in Choctaw Country.

Guests cool off in the water at Arrowhead State Park.

Broken Bow Lake and the surrounding area have become popular destinations for visitors and locals. And for a good reason. This area offers outdoor adventures while having many upscale restaurants, cabins, shopping and entertainment.

The clear waters of the 14,000-acre Broken Bow Lake are a favorite stop for anglers, boaters, swimmers and even scuba divers.

The lake is located on the Mountain Fork River, and visitors flock to this Oklahoma paradise to enjoy the river’s cool currents. Near the center of Beavers Bend State Park, a small inlet creates a perfect swimming hole.

With a mini-golf course, paddle boat and canoe rentals, tasty snacks at the concession stand and treats from the snow cone shack just a short walk away, this area is sure to please everyone.

Up next is Robbers Cave State Park near Wilburton, Oklahoma.

This park is in the scenic, wooded Sans Bois Mountains of southeast Oklahoma and is known for the Cave that was used as a hideout by outlaws.

A swimming pool is located inside the park, open to everyone trying to cool down in the summer. The fee to enter is $5 per person.

If you want to earn your pool time, enjoy rock climbing, disc golf, or hiking in the park, you will not run out of ways to enjoy the summer at Robbers Cave State Park.

If you prefer lounge chairs and swim-up bars to sand between your toes, then the tropical surroundings at the Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant is your type of place.

Perhaps you are looking for a more luxurious way to cool down. How does this sound? A lounge chair near cool water, a swim-up bar where your perfect drink awaits. A restaurant just footsteps away from the pool. If this sounds like your style, Durant, Oklahoma, has a treat for you.

When you book a stay at the Choctaw Casino and Resort – Durant this summer, you get access to a world-class tropical escape. Aqua is on three beautiful acres and boasts two pools: one family-friendly and fully equipped with two waterslides, and the other an exclusive, adult-only pool. Aqua is the perfect way to beat the heat luxuriously.

To learn more about Aqua and book your room today, visit choctawcasinos.com.

Choctaw country offers a swimming destination for families, couples getaways and everything in between.
There is something for everyone in southeast Oklahoma, from the naturally formed swimming holes and lakes surrounded by fantastic scenery or world-class aquatic luxury.