Mountain Bike Trails in Oklahoma

The landscape of Oklahoma features extensive rolling plains, lofty mountain ranges, rose rocks, red clay hills, Indian grass, natural parks, and several lakes, including the largest number of man-made lakes in the United States. Wind turbines abound and generate around 30 percent of the electricity in the state. Apart from wind power, the Sooner state is a leading producer of oil, helium gas, wheat, and minerals such as iodine. The 76-foot Golden Driller statue is among the key landmarks that depict the history of oil production in Oklahoma. Other attractions include iconic southern-style cuisines such as chicken fried steak and a rich Native American Heritage, with 13% of the residents consisting of 67 Native American tribes, the third largest in the country.

Best Mountain Bike Trails in Oklahoma

Tulsa
The Turkey Beginner Zone Trail is one of the easiest trails at Turkey Mountain Park hence the name. Beginners should do their best to stay on this trail since it’s best suited
4.97 mi
Tulsa
The Creek Turnpike Trail is a paved trail that was built in conjunction with the Creek Turnpike and parallels it. There is a short climb at the beginning, but after that,
6.27 mi
Tulsa
The Blackjack Trail is one of the two intermediate-level trails at Bales Park alongside the Bootlegger. The rock features, especially on the lower west section, make it
1.61 mi
Tulsa
The Riverparks West Bank Trail is an easy, roughly 8.4-mile paved trail that snakes along the west bank of the Arkansas River. It should be easy for just about anyone with
8.38 mi
Tulsa
With many of the trails on Turkey Mountain Park being very technical due to the rock gardens, Turkey Hold the Rocks trail is one of the easiest ways to go for a long
5.28 mi
Norman
OverviewDeep in the heart of Oklahoma, in the city of Norman, there's a cycling oasis that's been the talk of many an enthusiast: the Thunderbird Trail. With a reputation for
15 mi
Oklahoma City
Nestled in the heart of Oklahoma City lies Bluff Creek Trail, a gem for both beginners and seasoned riders. While the trail might be short, it offers a myriad of experiences
4 mi
Oklahoma City
The heart of Oklahoma pulses with an invigorating mountain biking trail, the Draper Trails. Set within the lively bounds of Oklahoma City, this 13-mile network-style trail
13 mi
Ponca City
The heart of Oklahoma houses a hidden gem for cycling enthusiasts - Lake Ponca Trails. Nestled within the serene environs of Ponca City, this trail offers an exhilarating
8 mi

Oklahoma: Area Description

Oklahoma is among the 20 largest states in America. It has a total area of 96,903 square miles, made up of 70.9% land and 1.3% water.

The state has 10 ecological regions; Gypsum Hills, Ozark Plateau, Red River Valley Region, Ouachita Mountains, Arbuckle Mountains, Prairie Plains, High Plains, Red Beds Plains, Sandstone Hills Region, and Wichita Mountains.

The southern-central state has a variety of landforms, and the highest and lowest points are Black Mesa and Little River, respectively. There are low hills, flat regions, towering mountains, and oil and gas reservoirs, as well as shoreline that extend to 11,611 miles.

Farmland occupies 33.7 million acres, and the common crops are wheat, sorghum, corn, soybeans, and peanuts. There are numerous ranches and the state is one of the top producers of beef and pecan. Oklahoma also has several oil and gas reservoirs, and it is also known for helium, alabaster, lead, zinc, and gypsum.

The nearby states are Missouri, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Kansas and Arkansas. Arkansas River and the Red River are the major rivers, and the largest lakes are Lake Eufaula and Texoma.

There are many parks and recreational areas such as the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, a popular tourist site with mineral springs and designated spots for camping, hiking, biking, boating and fishing.

Land area (sq. mi; sq. km) 69,898 sq mi (181,038 km2)
Minimum Elevation 289 ft (88 m)
Maximum Elevation 4,975 ft (1,516 m)

Demographics of Oklahoma

Oklahoma is among the most populous states with a population of 3,948,136 made up of 64.9% White, 7.31% American Indian or Alaska Native, 7.23% two or more races, 7.14% Black or African American, and 6.25% Hispanic. Those whose primary language is non-English language make up 10.6% of the population. The main non-English languages are Spanish and Vietnamese.

92.6% of the population is U.S. citizens, and 36.7 is the median age.

There are 1,741,721 housing units, 66.1% homeowners, and a median household income of $53,840, with the highest being in Canadian County.

There are 1.69 million employees mainly working in Restaurants and Food Services, Elementary and Secondary schools, and Construction sectors, and the median earning is $29,297 for women and $41,709 for men. 22 minutes is the average commute time.

Coal-n.e.c is the top domestic product with $20.7B, and the main domestic partners are Texas, Kansas, and California states.

Total population  4,019,800
Population density (persons per sq. km)  55.20/sq mi (21.30/km2)

Climate of Oklahoma

The climate in Oklahoma varies according to the region. The eastern and southern regions are cloudier and more humid than the northern and western zones because of the moist and warm air from the Gulf of Mexico. The climate is semi-arid in the west, cold in the north, and humid in the east and south regions.

There are long and hot summers, and the warm months are from June to September, with daily temperatures above 83°F, and occasionally exceeding 100°F in the western zone. July has an average nighttime low of 73°F and a high of 93°F. Consistent winds help to alleviate the heat in summer, but they can also increase the coldness in winter. Summers include frequent showers and thunderstorms.

There are cold winters that are short, windy, snowy, and fairly dry. The cool months are from November to February. January has an average high of 50°F and a nighttime low of 31°F.

There are partial clouds for the better part of the year, and the average annual temperature is 60°F. The temperature rarely rises above 102°F or falls below 17°F.

Spring is punctuated by increased precipitation, hail, and thunderstorms, especially in central Oklahoma, which is also prone to tornados due to its location in the heart of Tornado Alley.

Pay a visit to the National Weather Center for more information about the severe occurrences in Oklahoma.

Average Temperature by Months

Month Temperature
January 39.1°F
February 42.6°F
March 52.4°F
April  61.8°F
May  70.3°F
June  79.2°F
July  84°F
August  83.7°F
September  75.3°F
October  63.3°F
November  51.6°F
December  40.7°F

Infrastructure

Oklahoma has five interstate highways, including Interstate 35 and Interstate 40, which intersect in the state’s capital and are among the key highways in America. Commute time is relatively short because there is a large freeway network consisting of 6 to 8 lanes and a street network of nearly 13,000 miles.

Amtrak offers passenger rail services via Heartland Flyer, Lime operates electric scooters, and EMBARK is the main provider of bus, bike share, and ferry transit services in the state. Oklahoma City Streetcar provides a convenient way to navigate the different districts with various hotspots.

Will Rogers World Airport is the main airport that you can access via many interstate highways and freeways. Other major airports are Tulsa International Airport, Wiley Post Airport, Lawton–Fort Sill Regional Airport, and Stillwater Regional Airport.

Sights and Landmarks in Oklahoma

Mountains, lakes, parks, quirky statues, southern-style dishes, sports, and museums are among the key attractions in Oklahoma. What’s more, there is a reliable infrastructure to ease transport around the state.

The 65-acre Bales Park trail system, including the more challenging Blackjack trail, is one of the popular ones in the Tulsa region for beginner and intermediate riders, along with the Creek Turnpike Trail.

Other places you should explore include:

  • Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden
  • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
  • JM Davis Arms and Historical Museum
  • Santa Fe Historic Trail
  • Myriad Botanical Gardens
  • The Museum of Osteology
  • Cave House of Tulsa
  • 45th Infantry Division Museum
  • Gilcrease Museum
  • Route 66

FAQ about Trails in Oklahoma

Which are the most challenging Oklahoma mountain bike trails?

The wildly popular Lake Draper Trail has loops of varied length and includes segments with sand, banked turns, and flowy descents for a fast ride as well as log crossing, tough berms, and extended climbs that many find brutal.

What bike trail in Oklahoma do you recommend in the wet season?

The Bert Cooper Trail is a bike path that is paved with asphalt and runs along wooded forests and the shoreline of Lake Hefner with scenic views of the sunset, lighthouse, sailboats, and migratory species. Water fountains, portable toilets, and fishing docks are available, and you can take part in boating and fishing.

Which bike trails are at Turkey Mountain Park?

They include the Turkey Beginner Zone, which is flat for the most part with few rocks and roots, compared to the rocky Turkey Hold the Rocks Trail, which has many technical obstacles and steep downhills, not to mention the new Boomtown Trail with technical rock lines, jumps and steep hills that is the largest mountain bike trail for downhill riding in the state.

City trails and maps in Oklahoma