The last stop on our 2023 Oklahoma trip was Turner Falls Park and a stay in Admore, Oklahoma. It was the perfect way to finish – with natural wonders, history, and art.
Turner Falls Park
Turner Falls Park is situated in the Arbuckle Mountains, one of the oldest formations between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. It is named for Mazeppa Thomas Turner, who moved nearby to a cabin along Honey Creek and discovered the waterfall in 1878. The park has three natural caves and formations of conglomerates, limestone, granite, shale, and sandstone. Visitors can swim, hike, and camp.
You can pre-book your admission, and I would recommend that during the warmer months as the park is a popular hangout spot. Because we visited in late October, we were the first to arrive and were able to park the car wherever we wanted – so we chose to go down by the waterfall and castles. A permit may be required on weekends and holidays to park at certain lots.
Turner Falls Park
2023 Price: $9 per person (prices vary by season, age, and day)
Turner Falls
Turner Falls is a 77-foot waterfall, tying with Dripping Springs for the tallest waterfall in Oklahoma. Honey Creek cascades down into a natural swimming pool.
While it was a low-flow day during our visit, it was still beautiful! I am always a sucker for waterfalls.
A walkway crosses Honey Creek to give you views of the falls from every angle. In warmer months, it is also a good spot to cool off and take a dip.
Dr. Collings' Castle
Turner Falls Park also offers 1930s rock structures. The main castle was built as a summer home for Dr. Ellsworth Collings. He was a professor and Dean at the University of Oklahoma.
A ton of stone steps lead you up the mountainside to the castle. We were able to walk into some of the rooms and around the castle grounds.
There is also another minor castle area. The stairs and building are less maintained than the main castle and we had to hold onto the handrails on the stairway.
Ardmore Art
The city of Ardmore has a ton of murals! We parked along one of the main streets and walked around.
A 2016 mural depicting the military presence in Ardmore during WWII and the Korean War is on the east side of the Ardmoreite Building.
Two 1960s Coca-Cola murals were revealed at Cook Paint. In the 1970s, metal walls were added to the building’s side to modernize the shop. In 2021, the shop started a renovation, and the metal walls were taken down, unveiling the murals.
We also passed many decorated fire hydrants including a cute one painted to look like the Pink Panther!
A Chickasaw warrior is on the side of the Bluebonnet Feeds silo on Mill Street. It was painted by Dr. Bob Palmer, a retired art professor, who has painted more than 3,800 murals across Oklahoma, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
After looking around downtown, we hopped in the car to find a multi-panel mural of Chickasaw history. The mural, painted by Dr. Palmer and his crew of professional muralists, is on the east wall of Ardmore’s Skateland.
“Everyone’s got a story. Murals are a good way to tell that story. And obviously the Chickasaw Nation has a great story to tell,” Palmer said. The mural’s five sections each depict a distinct period in the lives and times of the Chickasaw people. For specifics about the history, check out this article about the mural.
Food
We had dinner at Two Frogs Grill. Such a fun atmosphere and the food was yummy. I had a shellfish platter and mom had sauteed shrimp.
Ardmore is a great stop for an Oklahoma road trip. It has a walkable downtown, delicious food, art, and natural attractions nearby. Only an hour and a half from Oklahoma City, I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary.
I’ve been following your travels for quite a while now and they influence my choices. I’ve been toOklahoma but missed Ardmore. I will certainly try to see it the next time. Your pictures and descriptions always urge
me to follow your journeys.
I am an artist and always enjoy seeing the murals across this country. The information you provided about the unveiling of the Coca-Cola advertising murals was so interesting. A part of history back for view once again. LOVE the Chickasaw Nation mural. As always, thank you for sharing your experiences.