Sequoyah State Park
Hulbert, Oklahoma
It is hard not to fall in love with the Sequoyah State Park’s 2,000-acre, serene wooded landscape. Recently renovated, the lodge contains 104 newly refurbished rooms as well as an in-house restaurant. In addition, there are 45 cottages, a fully furnished lake house and a lake hut. A lot of larger groups rent the bunk house, which can hold up to 46 people and features meeting space, a fireplace and a kitchen.
Sequoyah offers a variety of ways to delve into nature. Groups can rent a boat from the marina or take advantage of the two-and-a-half-mile paved trail, which is great for runners and bikers and accessible for those with disabilities. There is also a fitness trail with exercise stations along the path.
After an afternoon of hiking or fishing, guests can lounge on the swimming beach or wade into the newly renovated pool between the bunk house and the lodge.
Other amenities include horseback riding, lighted basketball and tennis courts, an 18-hole golf course and a disc golf course. In short, Sequoyah has plenty to offer everyone.
“It’s wonderful for families and large groups because there’s so much to do,” said Kelli Clark, programs officer for the Oklahoma Tourism State Parks Division.
Kanopolis State Park
Marquette, Kansas
Situated in the Smoky Hills region of Kansas, Kanopolis State Park yields a breathtaking and unusual landscape, with rugged canyon cliffs, desert plants and tallgrass prairie.
“It was our first state park, and it’s a vista that we don’t have anywhere else,” said Linda Lanterman, director of Kansas State Parks.
Rangers work hard to maintain the park’s nationally recognized trail system, which draws many equestrian groups and mountain bikers. On the Horse-Thief Canyon Trail, visitors can hike or ride along exquisite cliffs overlooking the 3,500-acre lake.
Using the boat ramps or courtesy docks, those who enjoy fishing can take advantage of the lake’s abundant supply of fish and game. Other local wildlife includes herons, osprey, bald eagles and prairie dogs.
The unique terrain extends to the adjacent park, Mushroom Rock State Park, which is managed by Kanopolis staff as well. It is worth stopping by this small park for the afternoon to see the strange mushroom-shaped rock formations that gave the park its name.
Kanopolis offers six cabins with modern amenities and campsites with corrals for equestrian use. Groups can also choose to book a hotel in one of the nearby towns, such as the Swedish heritage town of Lindsborg.
