Located just across the Texas border, Lawton has everything you need to enjoy a weekend getaway. This adorable town has everything from hiking, wildlife refuge, museums, shopping, rodeos, and more!
Lawton is located about 1.5 hours from Oklahoma City and 2.5 hours from Fort Worth. This may be a small town, but you’ll find plenty of historical and outdoor adventures!
There are so many fun things to do in Lawton, Oklahoma, making it the perfect weekend getaway.
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Things to do in Lawton Oklahoma
Bath Lake Medicine Park
Pack a picnic lunch and swimsuit for a day at the lake. With its natural flowing water from Medicine Creek, this is a fun and unique place to relax during the summer months. There is a natural shallow pool perfect for floating in the lake or cooling off under the waterfall. During the winter season, grab your fishing pole and spend the day catching trout.
Comanche Nation Waterpark
This is the perfect family-friendly destination to cool off on those hot summer days in Oklahoma. This waterpark is 100% tribally owned and a great place to suck up the sun during the summer. With tickets priced only at $15 per person, this park is a great affordable outing with the kids.
Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center
Located next to the Museum of the Great Plains, this free museum is open Monday – to Saturday. It’s home to the world’s greatest collection of Comanche fine art and gives visitors a glimpse into the tribe’s way of life, customs, traditions, and rich history. Their permeant exhibits feature the history of the early lives as “Lords of the Plains” to the military Code Talkers who helped defeat Hitler’s army on D-Day. The national traveling exhibits include loans from the Chicago’s Field Museum, Michigan State University, and Smithsonian Institution.
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Fort Still Historic Landmark & Museum
Located on several acres, this 19th-century frontier army outpost has more than 50 structures including historic residences, a museum, and the Post Chapel. All of these structures are located in the Post Quadrangle area.
It’s the final resting place of Geronimo, Quanah Park, and still serves as an active Army military base.
Fort Still Post Cemetery
The most famous site at the cemetery is Geronimo’s Grave. Geronimo’s Grave represents a pyramid out of cobblestones. The Apache warrior died in 1909 of pneumonia. The memorial provides a little bit of history of his life and final year at Fort Still.
Forty Foot Hole
Take the 1.5-mile trail in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge to view these gorgeous valley views.
Be sure to bring plenty of water and wear a hat, as there is no shade on the trail. Along the trail, you will view several waterfalls formed from Cache Creek as they flow over the rocks.
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Holy City of the Wichitas
Take a pilgrim to the Holy City without even leaving the country. This site started as an Easter Passion Play in the Wichita Mountains in 1926. As the play grew in popularity, more structures were built.
The site looks more like ancient ruins and includes Pilate’s Judgment Hall, Herod’s Court, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Lord’s Supper building.
The Easter Passion Play is still in production and the site is open year-round for visitors.
Lake Ellsworth
This is a perfect day trip from Lawton. The lake boasts 43 miles of coastline and 5,600 acres of water. Guests can also use the RV hooks site, grills, gazebo, and swimming area.
Lake Ellsworth is great for fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and picnics. Stop by Ralph’s Resort Concession and Marina for fishing gear and boat supplies.
Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation
Elmer Thomas Park is the perfect spot to take a walk or bike ride. The park offers a wonderful playground for the kids, a covered picnic area, and restrooms. There is also a large lake for fishing and feeding the ducks.
Lake Lawtonka
Located at the base of the Wichita Mountains, makes for a gorgeous place to spend the day. Whether you are wanting a day trip or overnight camping, this is the place to go.
The lake was formed by a dam on Medicine Bluff Creek. A lake is a great place for swimming, watersports, fishing and hiking. Take the 4-mile Green Trail around the lake and then cool off with a dip in the cool water.
Guests can set up coma and the East Campground and Robinson’s Landing. Both features grills, picnic tables, and a fish cleaning table. Nearby are a playground, bathrooms, a grocery store, and a gas station.
Lawton Ballet Theater
The Lawton Ballet Theater is the premier ballet school in Southwest Oklahoma for those 3 years and up. The ABT National Training Curriculum focuses on age-appropriate ballet instruction. Along with ballet classes and performances, they also have tap, jazz, hip hop, and modern lyrical.
Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra
Throughout the year, performances at Lawton’s McMahon Memorial Auditorium are scheduled. Concerts include classical composers, holiday-themed concerts, and other special events.
Lawton Rangers Rodeo
The first rodeo took place in 1938 and is still going strong today. It’s one of the top 25 rodeos in the country and is a must-do on the weekends.
Feel the American spirit and cheer on the competitors as they compete in everything from bull riding, tie-down, team roping, steer wrestling, and more.
Lawton Speedway
Located on Sheridan Road, just outside of town, visitors can enjoy some loud and fast excitement.
Built in 1963, this 4-mile track has races every Saturday from April to August. This is a family-friendly experience and a great place to see some exciting races.
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Leslie Powell Gallery
This gallery may be small, but it offers vibrant collections. They have displays of photos, paintings, and a wide variety of other contemporary art.
The gallery features local artists and holds regular seminars and lectures.
Mattie Beal Home
This Neoclassical Greek Revival-style Historic Mattie Beal Home was owned by Charles Warren and Mattie Beal Payne.
The history of this home is unique. Mattie was a teenage telephone operator and was the second name called in the 1901 land lottery. She chose a 160-acre parcel of land on the town’s southern boundary.
When the Paynes bought the property in 1923, they rebuilt the home and lived there for over three decades.
In 1974 the Lawton Heritage Associated acquired the property and later turned it into a historical home for guests to visit.
Medicine Park Aquarium and Natural Sciences Center
Located 20-minutes outside of Lawton in Medicine, Oklahoma. The eight-acre aquarium features over 90 species of fish, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles from all over the globe. Visitors can also buy food to feed quail and turtles.
Along with the aquarium and science center, they also have a six-acre botanical garden with local plants and vegetation.
Mount Scott
Drive-up the 3-mile road to the summit with breathtaking views of southwest Oklahoma. The peak is 2,464 feet above sea level and a wonderful spot to enjoy a picnic lunch.
Those wanting to hike up the mountain can do so on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The rest of the time, it’s open for cars and bikes to access the drive-up.
Museum of the Great Plains
This living history museum depicts life on the great plains in the 1840s. Take a stroll through the history of Oklahoma and how this great state was transformed.
The museums offer everything from self-guided tours, Paleo-Indian exhibits, trading post models, interactive exhibits, a replica of the historic building, train depot, and schoolhouse.
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Quanah Parker Star House
Located in Cache, is the home of Quanah Parker, Comanche chief and a founding supporter of the Native American Church. The two-story home built in the 1890s boasts ten rooms and is now a Native American historical site.
Visitors today can view the 14 stars painted on the roof of this historic home, smokehouse, and summer house. Legend has it that the chief slept outside on the decor story’s porch instead of inside the home.
U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum
Bateman Road is home to the Museum of Air Defense Artillery. The museum features relics that include old weapons and warcraft.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
Jump around, jump around! This is the best year-round indoor entertainment for kids of all ages. Located on Cache Road, this family-friendly amusement park has trampolines, a warrior course, a tube playground, and climbing beams.
You can host birthday parties, and family events, dine at the Urban Air Cafe, and burn off all your energy at this fun trampoline park.
Venture 2 Climb
This is a perfect place for adventure and extreme sports lovers. Test your strength and endurance while rock climbing. Visitors can learn to rock climb and rappel.
This is the perfect outdoor adventure to enjoy with friends. Their experienced guide is guaranteed that you are safe and improve your climbing skills.
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Wichita Wildlife Refuge
Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge is located in southwest Oklahoma in Lawton. The refuge spans over 59,000 acres and is home to numerous wildlife. It’s a nature lovers’ paradise just on the other side of the Texas border.
The refuge boasts everything from grass prairies, acres of natural grasslands, granite mountains, freshwater lakes, and streams. Best known for its roaming bison, longhorn, Rocky Mountain elk, prairie dogs, and other wildlife.
