25 Top Things To Do In Medicine Park, OK
Looking for a fun getaway in Oklahoma? Check out Medicine Park! It’s a charming Oklahoma mountain town in the heart of the Wichitas, about 90 minutes from Oklahoma City. Living nearby, we visit several times a year.
Steeped in Oklahoma history, this cobblestone-lined community has only about 400 year-round residents. Thriving with tourism, there are many amazing things to do in Medicine Park, OK.
Given Oklahoma’s varied terrains with few areas considered to be “mountainous” across the state, quaint cobblestone mountain towns may seem few and far between. Medicine Park is a rarity not just in Oklahoma, but across the nation. It still maintains a quiet, unhurried atmosphere most of the time, with quaintness intact.
It’s truly a hidden gem with a fantastic comeback story. Medicine Park makes a terrific getaway destination tucked in between the nearby refuge, creeks, lakes, and mountains.
Best Things To Do In Medicine Park, OK
Medicine Park offers both amazing indoor and outdoor adventures. You can enjoy wildlife, water activities, and scenic hikes in the area’s natural wonders. You can swim in the town swimming hole, shop at eclectic stores, and eat yummy food, to name a few. Check out some of our favorites, in no particular order.
Click on the Google Map to access the various points of interest mentioned below.
1. Swim in Bath Lake
Bath Lake is a swimming hole situated along Medicine Creek in the heart of Medicine Park. Formed by a dam along the creek, a beautiful waterfall flows around its edges. Perfect for swimming, floating, and relaxing, visitors and locals enjoy its cool waters for swimming during the summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day and its views year-round.
It has been a popular spot for swimming and relaxation since the early 1900s. Learn more about our adventures at Bath Lake here.
Pro-Tip: If you plan to swim, we strongly encourage water shoes and flotation devices.
2. Medicine Creek
Medicine Creek is a picturesque waterway that runs right through the town of Medicine Park and is a key component of the town’s history, beauty, and ecosystems. The creeks’ banks and walkways are lined with cobblestones, adding to the town’s distinctive charm. Bath Lake is situated along Medicine Creek.
3. Fishing
Medicine Creek & Lake Lawtonka both provide fantastic fishing experiences. Trout fishing is popular along Medicine Creek during the winter months. Lake Lawtonka is known for its small-mouth and large-mouth bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish. Age-appropriate Oklahoma fishing permits are required while fishing.
The best times to fish are early morning or late evening. These times offer cooler temperatures and better chances of catching fish. Remember to follow local fishing regulations.
4. Shopping & Souvenirs
Medicine Park offers unique shopping experiences with charming shops and handcrafted items. You’ll find one-of-a-kind gifts and authentic Native American crafts to take home as mementos.
Unique Gift Shops
As you stroll down Main Street, you’ll discover a village of cute shops. These boutiques offer a variety of goods, from local art to quirky souvenirs.
- Discovery Outpost: One standout is the Discovery Outpost. This packed little shop is perfect for finding classic toys and gifts for kids. The owners have carefully chosen their stock to delight visitors of all ages.
- Medicine Creek Olive Oil: For food lovers, don’t miss Medicine Creek Olive Oil. Here, you can sample a range of olive oils and balsamic vinegar. It’s a great place to pick up gourmet ingredients to spice up your cooking at home.
- Comanche Shirt Company: Comanche Shirt Company has a variety of unique items, apparel, and jewelry. We spotted the cutest bison coffee mugs on our last visit.
5. Medicine Park Aquarium & Natural Sciences Center
The Medicine Park Aquarium and Natural Sciences Center offers a glimpse into the area’s natural history. You’ll see native fish species and learn about local ecosystems. The center has interactive exhibits that teach you about the area and its wildlife.
You can touch aquatic creatures in the touch tanks. The outdoor botanical garden lets you explore native plants. Kids love feeding turtles and quail and watching the feeding shows!
6. Sweets & Coffee Shops
Bakeries, coffee shops, and souvenir shops line the streets in Medicine Park. A couple of our favorites include:
☕ Mrs. Chadwick’s Bakery: This shop serves crafted coffee, ice cream, and delicious pastries. I always enjoy a latte, while my kids pick out ice cream every time!
☕ White Buffalo Trading Post: The White Buffalo Trading Post is a jack of all trades! Find old-fashioned sodas, coffees, teas, slush puppies, snacks, and souvenirs in this unique little cobblestone shop.
☕ Medicine Perk Coffee Company: Great coffees and treats!
7. Dining
Medicine Park offers tasty food options that showcase local flavors. You’ll find cozy spots for a quick bite and scenic restaurants perfect for a relaxing meal. Some locations are closed mid-week so be sure to check out their hours during various times of the year in advance.
- Healthy Hippie Cafe & Bar: The Healthy Hippie Cafe & Bar is a must-visit for health-conscious eaters. They serve fresh, nutritious meals in a laid-back setting near the entrance to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Rent one of their cozy Hippie Huts for private dining which can be heated! They also have a glamping village where visitors can rent primitive camping sites or fully furnished tent sites with fantastic views of the surrounding landscape with easy access to hiking trails.
- Joe Mountain Breakfast Bar: You can start your day at Joe Mountain Breakfast Bar. It’s a great place to fuel up before exploring the town. They offer hearty breakfast options to satisfy your morning cravings.
- Small Mountain Street Tacos: This is a great stop for a quick and yummy bite to eat by the walkway on Medicine Creek. We love stopping for tacos after a morning’s swim in Bath Lake.
- Old Plantation Restaurant: For a quick lunch, try The Old Plantation Restaurant. This local favorite serves up comfort food that’ll remind you of home-cooked meals.
- Riverside Cafe: Riverside Cafe offers a unique treehouse dining experience. You’ll enjoy delicious food while surrounded by live trees growing in and around the restaurant. The cafe overlooks Medicine Creek, providing stunning views as you eat.
- Tu Familia Mexican Restaurant: If you’re in the mood for Mexican cuisine, try Tu Familia Mexican Restaurant. They serve tasty dishes and sit atop a cliff with an amazing view of Medicine Park below. It’s a perfect spot for lunch or dinner after a day of outdoor activities.
8. Walking
Medicine Park is quite walkable. Cobblestone-lined pathways meander along Medicine Creek, providing great opportunities for walks along its trails. We park in a public parking lot near Bath Lake and then walk up and down the pathways as well as the streets easily, to shop and explore the town.
9. Escape Rooms & Pizzeria
Open Wednesday through Sunday, Escape The Park is a pizzeria and escape room combo. It has 4 escape room opportunities, as well as the ability to book online. Stay and eat some pizza while enjoying great views of the surrounding area afterward!
10. Mount Scott Scenic Views
Drive, hike, or bike up Mount Scott for stunning vistas. The paved road to the top is perfect for both driving and cycling. Hours of entrance vary based on heat and time of year. A nice parking lot is found at the top. We love to spend an hour walking around the boulders and exploring the area. Catching a sunrise or sunset from this vantage point is exceptional. However, drivers, bikers, and hikers have certain hours they are allowed to use the road, so be sure to check that out depending on when you plan to visit.
11. Hiking
Medicine Park has six Lawtonka Trails perfect for various levels of hiking. Some areas are rocky and slick and may be overgrown or covered with water depending on the time of year and recent rainfall. You’ll find paths winding through beautiful landscapes.
Check out the Bear Mountain Trailhead and Lawtonka Trailhead to begin.
Blue Trail: 🟢 Easy / 2.1 miles / Loop trail / 40 min.
Green Trail: 🔵 Moderate / 3.8 miles / Loop trail / 1 hour 20 min.
Orange Trail: 🔵 Moderate-Difficult / 3.9 miles
Medicine Park Black Trail Loop: 🔵 Moderate / 2.5 miles / Loop trail / 1 hour / Rocky
Red Trail: 🔴 Difficult / 1.9 miles
Find more hiking trails available in the Wichita Wildlife Refuge Area.
- For a challenge, try the Elk Mountain Trail. It offers breathtaking views of the Wichita Mountains.
- The Charons Garden Wilderness Area has rocky trails leading to hidden waterfalls. Wear sturdy shoes for this adventure.
- A great scenic, short hike to the Forty Foot Hole is well worth your time.
Remember to bring water and snacks on your hikes. The Oklahoma sun can be strong, so wear sunscreen too.
12. Historic Cobblestone Architecture
The historic cobblestone architecture of Medicine Park is a must-see. These unique buildings date back to the early 1900s. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you walk past the small round cobblestones adorning shops and homes.
Many of the old buildings now house cute shops and restaurants. You can browse local art, buy handmade crafts, or enjoy a meal in these historic spots. Don’t forget to take photos of the charming cobblestone architecture.
13. Picnicking
Pack a picnic and enjoy the scenery at one of many peaceful spots along Medicine Creek or in the refuge. Picnic tables can be found along roadways in the refuge and by Bath Lake.
14. Festivals
Medicine Park hosts exciting music festivals and art events throughout the year. You can enjoy live performances and browse local artwork.
You’ll love the festivals in Medicine Park. The town puts on several fun events each year. One big one is the Roots Ball in May. It’s a great chance to hear folk and roots music.
Another cool fest is Rock’n the Park in July. You can jam out to rock bands over a fun weekend. In August, there’s the Blues Ball. This event brings in top blues artists.
The Medicine Park Flute Festival, Art Walk, and Powwow occur in October each year. You’ll find paintings, sculptures, and more.
15. Art Walks And Crafts
Medicine Park has a thriving art scene too. As you stroll through town, pop into the small shops. Many local artists display their creations here. You might find the perfect piece to take home.
Medicine Park’s location near the Wichita Mountains makes it an ideal spot to find authentic Native American crafts.
You can browse intricate beadwork, colorful dreamcatchers, and hand-painted pottery. These pieces make wonderful gifts or decorations for your home.
Some shops also offer traditional Native American jewelry. Look for interesting pieces, each telling a unique story through its design.
By purchasing these crafts, you’re not just taking home a souvenir. You’re also supporting local artisans and helping to preserve important cultural traditions.
16. Wildlife Viewing
Take a drive through town as well as the refuge to spot wildlife. Bring binoculars for better views. You’ll likely see birds, roadrunners, bison, and elk out and about depending on the weather and the time of year.
17. Iconic Town Chair Photo Op
Each time we visit with our friends, we have our children (carefully) pile onto the town’s beloved iconic chair. We love seeing how our kids have grown over the years, but the chair remains the same!
18. Nightlife
Looking for a fun place to hang out at night on the weekends? Nice Ice Baby in Medicine Park is a bar and grill that has yummy bites to eat and tasty drinks. Check out their stage lineups, game night viewings, and current hours on their Facebook page (linked above) before planning a visit.
Things To Do Near Medicine Park
There are many amazing things to do in the area that are technically outside of the town of Medicine Park, but that are just down the road or nearby.
19. Visit Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is a must-visit spot on the outskirts of Medicine Park. It was established to protect and preserve native wildlife and their habitats.
The refuge is home to a diverse ecosystem, including plants, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Its free-roaming herd of bison, elk, deer, and longhorn cattle are fun to spot while hiking and driving throughout the refuge.
Visitors to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge can enjoy a wide range of recreational activities, including hiking, birding, and hunting.
The diverse landscape includes mixed-grass prairie and ancient granite mountains.
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge offers visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of Oklahoma’s landscape while supporting vital conservation efforts for native species and their habitats.
20. Holy City
The Holy City is located within the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and offers visitors a blend of natural beauty and religious symbolism. It was created as a recreation of ancient Jerusalem and is used as a backdrop for the area’s annual Easter pageant. It was built between 1934 and 1936. Easter 2025 will officially be its 100th Easter pageant!
You can browse the area on your own or book a guided tour. Check out the gift shop as well.
21. Parallel Forest
The Parallel Forest is a unique and intriguing location within the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. You’ll walk through rows of cedar trees planted exactly 6 feet apart in all directions. The forest is known for its eerie, maze-like appearance. It’s perfectly straight rows of trees create parallel lines that stretch as far as the eye can see. Some believe that the forest is haunted.
It was planned with intent by the federal government as part of an effort to counteract the effects of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. The trees were meant to act as a wind block to prevent soil erosion.
It’s one of the last standing remains of when the area was a national forest.
22. Lake Lawtonka
Lake Lawtonka is situated on the northern border of Medicine Park. It spans about 2400 acres and is home to many species of fish and wildlife. Boating and other water sports are popular on the lake, as well as a swimming beach that can be used during daytime hours. A marina and gas station are available as well.
Take a kayak to explore the shoreline. It’s a great way to see the area from a new angle. Fishing enthusiasts will love the variety of fish. Bass, catfish, and crappie are common catches.
Don’t forget to pack a cooler with snacks and drinks. You’ll want to spend the whole day here!
Drive to the top of Mount Scott to take in breathtaking views of rocky landscapes and Lake Lawtonka below.
23. Burger in Meers
Meers Store and Restaurant is located nearby in Meers, OK. Both iconic and tasty, it’s a quite popular spot for burgers. We stopped by after a day of hiking before heading home. Wait times may be long, but the burgers are worth it!
It’s a rustic hidden gem of the area. It’s not open every day, so be sure to check out hours before planning a trip. Their Facebook page stays active and often has more up-to-date hours and information than Google.
24. Museum of the Great Plains
Located in nearby Lawton, the Museum of the Great Plains preserves and showcases the cultural and natural history of the Great Plains region. It features a variety of exhibits, starting from the arrival of the Paleo-Indians known as the Clovis. It uses interactive exhibits and self-directed activities for visitors to use and explore. It’s a valuable educational resource for all visitors.
25. Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum
The Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum was created in 1935. Its goal is to preserve the history of the Field Artillery and Fort Sill and provide educational opportunities related to its history. It’s one of the largest collections of frontier-era buildings and structures in the United States.
Lodging in Medicine Park
Medicine Park offers cozy places to stay that let you enjoy nature and fantastic views. You can pick from rustic cabins, lodges, or sleep under the stars.
Cabins and Lodges
You’ll find many cabins and lodges in Medicine Park that give you a comfy home away from home.
Camping under the Stars
If you love the outdoors, camping in Medicine Park is a great choice. You can pitch your tent or park your RV.
The area has several campgrounds with different levels of comfort. Some have basic spots for tents. Others offer RV hookups and shower buildings.
⛺ Primitive Camping in Medicine Park
- Primitive camping is located off of Highway 49. Spots are first come first serve only. Permits are available outside of the Medicine Park Town Hall. The cost is 15 dollars per night per site.
⛺ Wichita Mountains Camping
- Doris Campground: great for group and individual camping sites.
- Fawn Creek Youth Campground: used for organized youth groups only.
- Charon’s Garden Wilderness Back-Country Camping: Permits are required and can be reserved up to 3 months in advance.
⛺ Lake Lawtonka East Campground: Offers both RV and tent site camping
⛺ Healthy Hippie Cafe & Bar Lodging: Check out their glamping village and primitive sites here.
⛺ LETRA Camping & Picnic Area: Located on base at Fort Sill at the bottom of Mount Scott, book a cabin or RV site and enjoy the many activities offered. Learn more here.
FAQs
Is Medicine Park worth a visit?
Yes, Medicine Park is absolutely worth visiting. If you enjoy unique cobblestone structures, streets filled with tasty eateries and trendy shops, fun things to do, a peaceful pace, and friendly souls, then you will adore it as much as we do.
What mountains are in Medicine Park, OK?
Medicine Park is situated within the Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma. The town is a tiny gem surrounded by nearby waterways, lakes, cliffs, gorges, and prairie grasses. Its diverse ecosystem adds to its unique charm.
Why is it called Medicine Park, OK?
The town was named after Medicine Creek, which flows through the town. It was named for the Native American tribes that inhabited the region and used the springs for medicinal purposes.
When is the best time to visit Medicine Park?
Wednesday through Sunday are preferable days of the week for visiting Medicine Park. Many shops and restaurants are only open during the latter part of the week.
Hikers may prefer visiting anytime during the fall, winter, or spring. Cooler months are ideal for hikers or early mornings during the summer. Many trails are closed during the hottest part of the day during the summer months, until daily temperatures drop.
Those looking for opportunities to swim and enjoy local shops, attractions, and restaurants may prefer to visit during the summer.
What is the history of Medicine Park, Oklahoma?
Medicine Park was originally founded as Oklahoma’s first “resort town” in 1908, just after statehood. Its founder, John William Elmer Thomas, adored the unique cobblestone deposits and mountainous terrain encompassing the area. Medicine Creek’s waters were believed to hold medicinal qualities according to local Indigenous tribes.
The town quickly became a popular destination for visitors seeking the therapeutic benefits of its mineral waters. Its picturesque setting at the base of Mount Scott in the Wichita Mountains made it an appealing getaway for many including both famous outlaws such as Bonnie and Clyde and lawful citizens such as President Roosevelt.
Like many small towns during the Great Depression, it experienced economic challenges over many years.
Over the last few decades, Medicine Park has seen a resurgence as a charming small town, with efforts to revitalize its historic buildings and promote tourism. Citizens worked with students from OU and ASCOG to win a grant and restore the area. The area is now known for its outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, as well as its quaint shops, restaurants, and art.
Medicine Park continues to celebrate its history while embracing its role as a destination for those looking to enjoy the beauty of the foothills of the Wichita Mountains and the healing spirit of the area.
Wrap-Up: Things To Do In Medicine Park, OK
Medicine Park offers a unique blend of natural beauty and small-town charm. You’ll find plenty to keep you busy in this historic Oklahoma town.
From swimming in Bath Lake to exploring the streets of town, visitors will love the area’s attractions.
With so much to see and do, you’ll want to consider staying for at least a weekend to fully experience all that Medicine Park has to offer.
Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adventure, Medicine Park has something for everyone. Start planning your trip today and get ready for an unforgettable Oklahoma experience!
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