Night Star Walk ��

from Fun Times Magazine 2022 - Promoting FUN in the Arbuckles

Contact Information��

NATIONAL PARK OFFERS RANGER-LED PROGRAMS

GET OUTDOORS, EXPERIENCE NATURE AND HAVE FUN LEARNING!

At Chickasaw National Recreation Area (CNRA), the Rangers make it fun to learn. There are programs year-round but summer hosts the busiest schedule. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, you will findplenty of events covering a variety of subjects.

Activities are offered to help all ages explore the wonders of our

National Park. Morning hikes on Saturday and Sunday start at the Travertine Nature Center at 9:30 am. During other seasons, these walks are held in the afternoon. Also at this location, you can view videos that give an orientation of CNRA. Plan some extra time to explore the exhibits at the Nature Center. Pop-up Programs cover a variety of topics including history, wildlife, the environment and more. They “pop-up” at the Nature Center on Saturday and

Sunday. Call ahead or visit the website.

Other popular daytime programs are the Junior Ranger and the Junior Angler Program. To become a Junior Ranger, participants are provided an activity booklet and, upon completion, earn a badge. The Junior Angler Program teaches kids all the fundamentals of fishingand furnishes a book, all equipment and bait. This activity is early on Saturday morning and requires a reservation at least the day before. Did you know...? Night time is also full of fun. Friday Night Nature Walk will allow you to examine the creatures that come out after dark. Call ahead on Fridays to make your reservation. The Night Nature Walks are held the firstpart of summer (9:00) and switches to the Night Star Walk at Veteran’s Lake in mid-summer. (Approx 9:30 - no

Cowboys in Oklahoma used to tell time using the position of The Big Dipper reservation required) At Cold Springs, Buckhorn, and The Point Campgrounds, check out the bulletin boards for postings on Saturday night programs at the amphitheaters. (Ursa Major) in the night sky. Be sure to call ahead (580-622-7234) or check the website (nps.gov/chic) for complete details and reservations if required. Get outdoors and have some fun!

IMPROVEMENTS UNDERWAY

A visit to Turner Falls Park in 2022 will bring some pleasant surprises. The park, owned by the city of Davis, is receiving numerous improvements. And there is so much more in the works! Creating an enhanced visitor experience is the goal for new park manager, Ricky Harness. That goal has been supported at every turn by the Davis City Council. Multi-year, phased plans have been discussed, with insight from the Council, and implementation is already under way.

What are the changes you will see during 2022?

Some of the most noticeable will be the renewed bathhouses and restrooms and refurbished cabins complete with new furnishings. Also, improved parking and the ability to move about within the park will be made easier by frequent shuttles and newly installed shade structures to protect you during the wait. Safe walking trails from level 2 parking to the lower level have been added. To enhance the “top of the falls” area, creek lines have been cleaned and maintained, inviting visitors to enjoy the spring-fed stream. Should you work up an appetite, local food trucks will be at various sites through the park to keep you fueled for fun. Screened shelter houses are available for rent and are near the primitive and RV camping. Greater efforts are being made to keep Turner Falls Park clean and an enjoyable experience for everyone. An increased number of disposal containers will be available and a dedicated trash crew will be present. Guests are asked to be respectful of property, wildlife and other visitors by picking up after themselves.

And what about those future plans?

In 2023, bunk houses will be added and RV park improvements. Primitive campgrounds will see additional toilet vaults and shower houses. An exciting new opportunity for guests will be to stay in shaded tipi camp sites. All campgrounds are being upgraded to national park standards.

And what about those down-the-road BIG dreams?

The future is looking brighter and even more fun at Turner Falls Park. This group of progressive planners has visions of mountain bike trails for riders of all skills. Lasting memories will be made with overnights in Conestoga (covered) wagons, sleeping under the stars.

More details may be found on page 22. Online park tickets and reservations are recommended. Facebook and the website (www.turnerfallspark.com) will offer up to date information.

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Things are Cranking Up at Cross Bar Ranch

Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt. – John Muir

Although Mr. Muir was probably not thinking of taking that path in an offroad vehicle, if he visited Cross Bar Ranch, he might have changed his mind. Especially under the management of Midground Creators. Wake up offroaders – things are about to get interesting!

Midground Creators is a management team with vision. Early in 2017, they took on managing, promoting and developing 6,500 acres west of Davis, known as Cross Bar Ranch Off Road Park. The park is in the heart of the Arbuckle Mountains, south-central Oklahoma’s ancient mountain range. It is the largest and most centrally located off-road recreation area in the region.

Cross Bar offers a diverse terrain that varies from flat, wide, ope spaces to loamy hills with hardwood timber, as well as muddy bottoms and steep, rocky, hill climbing sections. In addition, the panoramic views from mountain tops, crystal clear streams and brilliant starfilled night skies are like scenic icing on the rugged cake Midground’s goal is to develop all of this into a premier outdoor recreation destination in the Central

US. Every type of off-road vehicle will find their place in this challenging mountain range. Since 2017, Midground

Creators has steadily made improvements to the main road, creating more trails and trail signage. They desire to provide a family-friendly atmosphere and do so by having security and a very hands-on management team.

Safe, fun events are huge at Cross Bar. In April, the Red Dirt

Jeep Crawl will be held. This is a fund raiser for Supporting

Kids Foundation, a group working with families dealing with childhood cancer. At the time of printing, there were other events in the planning stages, so check the website.

Midground Creators has a vision for further development. Future plans include cabins, additional full hook-up RV sites, concessions and a lake for swimming. Already in place, online ticket purchases and registration are highly recommended to get on the trail quicker. Stay up to date on the website – www.crossbarranch.net. Go to Fun Times Magazine page 20 for info on tickets, directions, hours and more.

Cross Bar Ranch

4550 Dolese Road. Exit 55 off I-35 - W. 1 mile - S on Dolese Rd. 2 miles to dirt road entrance

580-247-7244 • www.crossbarranch.net

Leave Your Footprint on

CHICKASAW NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

Taking care of our public lands is the responsibility of every American citizen. After all, if we don’t, who will see that the pristine waters, forest covered paths or historical landmarks of Chickasaw National Recreation Area (CNRA) are protected for generations to come? Your commitment to become a “Friend of the Park” will leave your personal footprint. The Friends of CNRA is a group

of people who love the park and want to support the National Park Service in their mission. The annual dues raise funds to support special projects, such as maintaiing the bison interpretative signage, cleaning trails, promoting public appreciation of the park and fundraising for the park’s special needs. The Friends of Chickasaw National Recreation Area is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which means all donations Acorn Vacation Homes are tax-deductible and every dollar is used to conduct the mission of the group. Annual memberships are $25 for individuals, $50 for families. Business and corporate sponsorships are available. Membership information is available on the Friends Group Facebook page where you may join thru PayPal or mail a check to P.O. Box 976, Sulphur, OK 73086. Information is also available at the CNRA Superintendent’s Office at 901 W. 1st St. (580-622 7220 or Travertine Nature Center on the east end of the park (580-622-7234). Please join the Friends of CNRA in supporting the nation’s 7th oldest National Park.