The town of Woodward, Oklahoma, came about after European colonists and American soldiers drove the First Nations peoples off the land in 1887 after more than 11 years of fighting. At that time, it was, perhaps, the wildest town in the entire American west. It had 23 saloons and 15 brothels along its few streets. It's much more sedate today, and a little less than 12,000 people call Woodward, Oklahoma, home. The town features two championship golf courses and seven walking trails that are just right for families with young children. Southern Great Plains Field Station Lake has terrific fishing from the bank right in the center of town.
The area has a strong history of cattle ranching, and the town was instrumental in the shipping of cattle east. The area is popular with storm chasers, as well, because of nearby tornado activity. Woodward's winds aren't always destructive. The newest wind energy plant in Oklahoma is in Woodward, and together with three other wind farms produce hundreds of megawatts. The Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum is dedicated to both the displaced First Nations peoples of Northern Oklahoma and the Americans who displaced them.
The town's most popular restaurant is Diarti. It serves traditional Italian cuisine and pizza and has both vegetarian and vegan items on the menu. For "diner grub," check out the Polly Anna Cafe, which is famous for its hamburgers. Al's Steakhouse does the cattle ranching spirit justice as well. If you need a gluten-free menu, then try Ramiro's Mexican Restaurant.
The closest selection of fine RV campgrounds is in Lawton, Oklahoma, which lies 164 miles to the south of Woodward, Oklahoma. The Peak RV Park is a notable example and provides both full hookups and both amperage levels of electricity at its 50 RV campsites. Most of the sites are pull-through, but there are 12 back-in sites too. Veterans and active-duty military personnel get a discount at this campground. The park has Wi-Fi at each site, and there are laundry facilities.
Granite Pointe RV Resort has only pull-through sites and provides full hookups and both 50-amp and 30-amp electrical connections. The resort also offers an astounding monthly rate of just $290, but you have to call ahead. The Wi-Fi and cable television are free, but the resort is in a dead zone for cell phones. There is a pool where you can swim during the summer. If it's raining and you need a workout, there is a small exercise room on-site as well.
The tiny Lawtonka RV Park has just six RV campsites, but it's a homey, friendly place that provides full hookups and allows pets to join their owners. The park provides school bus access for long-term campers.
It's only a 30-minute drive to Alabaster Caverns State Park from Woodward, Oklahoma. The caves contain gypsum formations, and you can tour them led by a ranger. If you're comfortable with spelunking, then you can also apply for a free caving permit and explore everything you can reach within the caves. There is only one short hiking trail outside the caves, and it is a good place to stroll to unwind under an open sky after being underground for a while.
Little Sahara State Park is just 36 miles from Woodward, Oklahoma. It's a thrill-seekers haven, and riding ATVs as fast as possible and jumping as high as possible off the top of the rolling sand dunes is the order of the day. Having picnics is popular at this state park, too, and you can hike between the dunes and enjoy the Oklahoma night sky.
It's a little more than an hour to Roman Nose State Park. Riding is one of the big activities at this state park, whether it's on your mountain bike or on the back of a horse. If riding isn't your thing, then grab your clubs and hit the links on the 18-hole golf course that's right inside the park. There are four trails in the park that are all interconnected. Two of them are just for biking and hiking, and the other two allow equestrians to ride. Be aware that rattlesnakes are common in certain areas of the park. The staff will educate you both on how to avoid them and how to handle them if you come across them anyway. Other wildlife includes coyotes, deer, and red-tailed hawks.
In 1830, President Andrew Jackson spearheaded an act of ethnic cleansing called the Removal Act of 1830. Thousands of First Nations peoples were thrown off their lands and sent west along the Trail of Tears. The Washita Battlefield National Historic Site commemorates one of the battles that followed. You can learn about the history of this battle by hiking the Washita Battlefield Park Trail, which has 15 stops along its 1.5-mile length that explain the events leading to Custer's surprise attack on a First Nations village in Cheyenne, Oklahoma.
It's 139 miles to Oklahoma City, where you can visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial. On April 19, 1995, 168 people died in the Oklahoma City bombing. The memorial is a somber attraction, and people wander the grounds and contemplate life. For a peaceful hike away from the memorial, try the Bluff Creek Park Trail. Although it doesn't leave the city, it's almost like a nature refuge. The Oklahoma River Trails run along both banks of the river and total 13 miles out and back. It's a long hike, but it's easy and flat. You visit the quirky SkyDance pedestrian bridge along this hike.
In the Texas panhandle, 160 miles distant from Woodward, Oklahoma, there is the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. It's a water-based area, and fishing, boating, and other water activities are the main draw. If you like birding, then be sure to bring your notebook to log all the migratory species you will see in the three coves along the Canadian River.
Lying 458 miles from Woodward, Oklahoma, the Carson National Forest contains New Mexico's highest peak. The forest's hiking trails are all easy or moderate hikes. Several follow old watercourses and end at beautiful lakes. If amateur astronomy is your thing, be sure to visit the observatory in the forest and gaze in wonder at the night sky, unaffected by light pollution. To test your intellectual mettle, put on your deerstalker and play detective to find the geocache within the forest.
The Davy Crockett National Forest is 487 miles from Woodward, Oklahoma. The Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area is inside the forest. You can swim, fish, and boat on this small lake. If you like to challenge yourself on hikes, then the Four C National Recreational Trail is just right. It's 20 miles long, and parts of it are very steep and rocky. They are interspersed, however, with flatter sections that give you a chance to recover. The Neches Bluff Trail is popular with families who have children and dogs. Joggers sometimes do laps on this flat trail in the early morning.
The Rio Grande National Forest in Colorado is 492 miles from Woodward, Oklahoma. It covers nearly 2 million acres, and you can spot both many birds and animals within it. Some of the species, such as the Canada lynx, are critically endangered. Elks and mule deer regularly migrate through the forest, and the forest is home to one of the biggest herds of bighorn sheep in the country. Their massive, headbutting battles at mating time are well worth videoing.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Woodward, OK, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Woodward?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Woodward from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Woodward?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
