Lake Murray State Park, about eight miles south of Ardmore on US-77, holds the distinction of being Oklahoma's first state park, established in 1933 as a New Deal-era project. The centerpiece is 5,728-acre Lake Murray, a reservoir ringed by red-clay hills and eastern cedar. The park is enormous by Oklahoma standards — nearly 13,000 acres in total — and offers a range of activities that rewards a full day or even an overnight stay.
The Tucker Tower Nature Center, a dramatic stone structure built by the Civilian Conservation Corps on a rocky promontory above the lake, is one of the most photographed buildings in the state. The park's lodge and cabins are well-maintained and popular with families year-round. Fishing is excellent (bass, catfish, crappie), and the marina rents paddleboats, kayaks, and motorboats. Golfers will find an 18-hole course on the grounds. In summer the swimming beach fills quickly on weekends, so arrive early.