Chickasaw

Chickasaw Buffalo Springs Chickasaw National Recreation Area Oklahoma LAUMNCE PARENT Springs, streams, lakes—whatever its form, water is the attraction at Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Little Niagara and Rock Creek beckon waders and swimmers. Relax in the coolness of a shaded stream or take a dip in a swimming hole. Veterans Lake calls anglers to test their skills. Lake of the Arbuckles provides excellent motorboating, skiing, sailing, fishing, and swimming. Freshwater springs welcome a variety of wildlife. The mineral springs were once sought for medicinal qualities. The springs are formed when water passes through underground rock formations. Rock layers form a canoe-shaped structure called a syncline. Water enters the high point of this formation and travels downhill. Sunset over Lake of the Arbuckles Pressure then forces the water up through fissures in the rock layers. Some rock layers contain sulphur and bromine; water coming through these layers collects the minerals, becoming mineral water. Water passing through rock layers without these minerals is considered fresh water. Archeologists believe that people have lived here for thousands of years. Folklore says that ancient people called this place "the Peaceful Valley of Rippling Waters." They believed in the healing power of the strong-smelling mineral water, and tribes like the Wichita, Caddo, and others came here. In the early 1800s the Recreation Abounds About Your Visit © LAURENCE PARENT ©LAURENCE PARENT Bromide Pavilion federal government began moving tribes from east of the Mississippi River—Choctaw, Chickasaw, and others—to this area. In 1855 land that is now part of the national recreation area came under the control of the Chickasaw Nation. By the late 1890s settlers had built the town of Sulphur Springs around the fresh and mineral springs, with hotels and bath houses that promoted the waters' medicinal qualities. Residents of the town and the Chickasaw and Choctaw nations, fearing the waters would suffer from uncontrolled use, worked with government officials to find ways to save the springs. In 1902, when the Chick- Activities Afloat National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior © LAURENCE PARENT Travertine Creek asaw and Choctaw nations sold all the springs and 640 acres to the Department of the Interior to protect these resources, the area became Sulphur Springs Reservation. In 1906 it was expanded and renamed Piatt National Park for Sen. Orville Hitchcock Piatt, sponsor of the park legislation. In the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps built pavilions, roads, trails, and waterfalls and planted over 500,000 trees and shrubs. In 1976 Piatt National Park, Arbuckle Recreation Area, and additional lands were combined to create this nearly 10,000-acre recreation area. The foresight of the Chickasaw Nation in 1902 played a critical role in preserving the springs and creeks. The park is named in their honor. Ranger-Led Programs Activities Ashore Chickasaw National Recreation Area has activi- Swimming Streams are cold and clear all year. Largemouth Bass This White Crappie A favor- Picnicking Picnic areas c a m p g r o u n d . Buck- ties all year. Stop at t h e Travertine Nature Center Rock Creek has a small beach. Do n o t use soap p o p u l a r catch is o f t e n ite catch in winter, t h e have tables a n d grills. h o r n a n d The Point f o r exhibits, nature films, books, and i n f o r m a t i o n or s h a m p o o in streams. A t lakes, s w i m in b o a t confused w i t h small- crappie is a s t r e a m fish You can reserve Buck- have w h e e l c h a i r - a b o u t t h e area's history, w i l d l i f e , a n d g e o l o g y . exclusion areas. Never swim alone, near fishing mouth and spotted also w e l l - a d a p t e d t o horn and Veterans Lake accessible sites. A c t i v i t i e s include n a t u r e w a l k s , history t a l k s , docks, after dark, or f r o m an unanchored boat. bass. The largemouth's large lakes. a n d seasonal p r o g r a m s . O p e n daily except picnic pavilions at upper j a w extends past Thanksgiving Day, December 25, a n d January 1. Watersports Conditions f o r t o w e d w a t e r sports www.recreation.gov. its eye socket. Hiking The park m a i n tains over 20 miles o f and personal w a t e r c r a f t (PWC) are ideal on Lake Camping M o s t c a m p - trails, f r o m short, level Visitor Information Station This facility in t h e of t h e Arbuckles. PWC p e r m i t t e d f r o m sunup t o sites are f i r s t - c o m e , strolls t o steep, uneven Sulphur C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e b u i l d i n g has s u n d o w n . Waterskiers must be accompanied by first-served (fee). Reg- climbs. i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t services, activities, a n d t w o people: t h e b o a t o p e r a t o r and a spotter. ister a n d pay at t h e Wear an approved life preserver (PFD) at all p r o g r a m s . Hours vary by season. © LAURENCE PARENT Park Headquarters The National Park Service Fishing Lake of t h e Arbuckles and Veterans Lake a n d cares f o r t h e park's natural a n d cultural f e a - have wheelchair-accessible docks. Rods and reels tures. O p e n weekdays except f e d e r a l holidays. only on Veterans Lake. A state license is r e q u i r e d . N a t i o n a l Park Service r a n g e r stations are in t h e Piatt Historic District a n d o n Lake o f t h e Boating Boats and canoes all share t h e waves. A r b u c k l e s a t The Point a n d B u c k h o r n . Chickasaw N a t i o n a l Recreation A r e a is o n e o f m e n t in g o o d w o r k i n g order. Do n o t refuel craft over 390 parks in t h e N a t i o n a l Park System. To w h e n o n t h e water. Be safe—alcohol, drugs, a n d learn m o r e a b o u t national parks and National b o a t i n g do n o t mix. Wear an a p p r o v e d PFD. Per- Park Service programs visit w w w . n p s . g o v . mits required f o r Lake of t h e Arbuckles, available at b o a t ramps (fee). The transition ecological area between communities. lands meet the mixed-grass Danger Shallow water, rocks, o t h e r hazards. Restricted Area Boats prohibited. Controlled Area Speed limits, no skiing, no w a k e . Regulations w w w . n p s . gov/chic/parkmgmt/watercraft-regulations.htm two This is a char- acteristic of Chickasaw, where eastern NPS / DAKOTA RADFORD For ranger-led program Organized groups need schedules ask a ranger advance reservations or check bulletin boards. y e a r - r o u n d . Use d e s i g n a t e d ramps. Federal and state laws apply. Do n o t overload boats. Keep safety e q u i p - Ecotone: FWS/DUANE RAVER Boating Safety Guide manages t h e area, provides f o r recreational uses, adjacent NPS/DAN FEARER times. PWC are p r o h i b i t e d o n Veterans Lake. Scissor-tailed flycatcher wood- prairie. The Prairie All prairies have c o m m o n traits. They g r o w better. A l t h o u g h called " T h e Great A m e r i - The Edge As y o u t r a v e l t h r o u g h Chickasaw shelter choices w h e r e h a b i t a t s o v e r l a p . A t t h e The Woodland In Chickasaw's forests y o u w i l l area give hikers a chance t o see w i l d l i f e a n d exist o n f l a t or r o l l i n g t e r r a i n . Rainfall averages can Desert," this mixed-grass prairie once f e d w a t c h h o w habitats change f r o m eastern w o o d - edges w o o d l a n d sumac a n d w i l d turkeys live f i n d many t r e e s — s y c a m o r e , oak, hickory, w a l - t h e i r traces. W a t c h f o r tracks l e f t by n o c t u r n a l b e t w e e n 10 and 40 inches per year and is concen- t h e large b u f f a l o herds o f t h e West. Stretching land t o prairie a n d back t o w o o d l a n d a g a i n . amidst prairie yucca a n d b o b w h i t e q u a i l . The n u t , pecan, and more. But a forest is more t h a n animals, o w l pellets, a n d o t h e r signs of n i g h t - t r a t e d , so every year has b o t h w e t a n d dry p e r i - f r o m t h e Dakotas t o n o r t h - c e n t r a l Texas, these W h e r e these habitats m e e t (see Ecotone above cardinal's eastern range overlaps t h e scissor- trees. By l o o k i n g carefully y o u can discover o t h e r t i m e activity. A r m a d i l l o s appear in t h e early ods. Constant w i n d s e v a p o r a t e m o i s t u r e a n d grasslands have historically s u p p o r t e d a variety left) t h e r e are m o r e p l a n t a n d a n i m a l species tailed flycatcher's m i d - c o n t i n e n t range. These residents of t h e forest h a b i t a t . Dead trees and e v e n i n g , s h u f f l i n g alongside trails. A l e r t f o r e s t c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e d r y n e s s — a n d w i n d s spread of w i l d l i f e . Today many p l a n t and animal species t h a n in either w o o d l a n d or prairie h a b i t a t alone. w o o d l a n d and prairie edges are t h e best places t h e f o r e s t f l o o r p r o v i d e homes t o a variety of visitors may be r e w a r d e d w i t h glimpses o f f i r e . Fire, a n a t u r a l f o r c e , w e a k e n s or kills trees, still live here, i n c l u d i n g b u f f a l o grass, Indian K n o w n as t h e " e d g e e f f e c t , " this increase in t o see w i l d l i f e . species. You can see f u n g i on decaying leaves and beaver, gray fox, skunks, hawks, or raccoons. b u t m o s t grasses survive a n d as a result may grass, r o a d r u n n e r s , a n d coyotes. species results f r o m t h e increased f o o d a n d t r e e t r u n k s . Trails t h r o u g h t h e park's f o r e s t e d ILLUSTRATION: NPS / GREG HARLIN Exploring Chickasaw Chickasaw National Recreation Area is 90 miles south of Oklahoma City, Okla., and 140 miles north of Dallas/Fort Worth, Tex. Planning Your Visit Things To See and Do Outdoors or in, you will find activities here that are right for you. Streams and lakes attract boaters, swimmers, and anglers. Forests and prairies reward hikers, photographers, and campers. At the Travertine Nature Center you can see live animals and experience nature up close. Food, Lodging, Services Food, lodging, gasoline, rentals, and services are available at Sulphur and Davis. Climate Summers are hot and humid; winters mild. Thunderstorms are common April through July. Springs Fresh Water Antelope and Buffalo springs, with a daily combined flow of about 5 million gallons, feed Travertine Creek. Mineral Water Hillside, Pavilion, Black Sulphur, and other springs produce mineral water. The National Park Service neither substantiates nor denies claims about the therapeutic values of the waters. Campgrounds The park has six campgrounds with over 400 campsites. All campgrounds have tables, grills, restrooms, and water. Camp in designated sites only. Maximum stay is two weeks. A limited number of individual and group sites can be reserved: 877-444-6777; recreation.gov. The park does not make reservations. Piatt Historic District has three campgrounds: Cold Springs, Central, and Rock Creek. All three are suited for tent camping and small campers. No electric hookups. A sanitary disposal station is outside Rock Creek near Bromide Pavilion. Lake of the Arbuckles has three campgrounds; Buckhorn, The Point, and Guy Sandy. Buckhorn and The Point have lakeside campsites. Buckhorn and The Point also have limited electric hookups, showers, and a sanitary disposal station. Accessibility For information visit www.nps.gov/chic/planyourvisit/ accessibility.htm. Service animals are welcome. Swimming/Wading Know your limits! Do not swim if you are tired, chilled, or overheated. Glass containers are prohibited in swimming areas. Hunting/Fishing Hunting in desigWear shoes when wading. Don't nated areas and fishing are allowed dive from waterfalls or stream banks. in season under federal and state Swimming and wading are prohibit- regulations; state licenses required. ed east of the Travertine Nature Cen- Trapping is prohibited. For huntter. Do not place rope swings in trees. ing, fishing, and firearms regulations see www.nps.gov/chic. Park Trails Highlights Trails vary in difficulty, length, and Safety and Regulations Please scenery. Note: Bicycles and pets are be alert and observe these regulaprohibited east of Travertine Nature tions. Remember, your safety is Center. your responsibility. • Observe posted speed limits. Stay on roads. Don't stop, park, or wash vehicles Antelope and Buffalo Springs Easy: 1.2 miles, round-trip. This trail in low-water crossings. Never drive through flooded creek crossings. along Travertine Creek is wheel• Pets must be leashed and attendchair-accessible. ed. Pets are prohibited in buildings and swimming areas. • Build fires Travertine Creek Fasy; 7.5 m/7es, one-way. This trail follows the creek in designated areas only; extinguish fires completely. • Copperheads, between Pavilion Springs and the cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes live Travertine Nature Center. here. Be careful where you put your hands and feet. • Do not feed or Bison Pasture Moderate to strenuapproach wildlife. Do not disturb, ous: 1.9 miles, loop. Watch for bison damage, or remove animals, plants, (buffalo) in the fields. Do not enter or artifacts; all are protected by the fenced area. federal law. • More information at www.nps.gov/chic/planyourvisit/ Rock Creek Multi-Use Four trails, yoursafety.htm. easy to moderate: 2.1 to 4.4 miles, Emergencies: call 911. depending on the trail. This network of hiking, bicycling, and horse trails passes through an area where eastern deciduous forest meets western mixed-grass prairie. Fishing Rock and Lakeview Easy: 0.8 and 0.5 mile, one-way (respectively). Enjoy a hardwood forest, mixed-grass prairie, and beaches. More Information Chickasaw National Recreation Area 1008 W. Second Street Sulphur, OK 73086-4814 580-622-7234 www.nps.gov/chic OGP0:2011 — 365-615/80665 Reprint 2011 Printed on recycled paper.