OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT SOURCES ONLYTHE STATE & NATION RELEASE ARCHIVE
THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESK

PERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE

Travel Archive

Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.

2026-04-28

1 STORIES

2026-04-13

1 STORIES

2026-01-16

1 STORIES

2025-12-30

1 STORIES

2024-09-21

1 STORIES

2024-07-29

1 STORIES

2024-07-22

1 STORIES

2024-05-31

1 STORIES

2024-05-23

1 STORIES

Most areas of Chickasaw National Recreation Area are now open

Chickasaw National Recreation Area is reopening a number of areas of the park, including Veterans Lake, Bromide Hill, Rock Creek Campground, Cats Eye Road, Bromide Pavilion, the Bromide Picnic Area, and Bluestem Prairie. The remainder of the trail system has also opened, including the Bison Pasture Loop, the spur trails to Bromide Hill and Rock Creek Campground, the Inkana Trail, the Veterans Lake Trail, and the Rock Creek Multi-Use Trails.

Official NPS source

2024-05-18

1 STORIES

2024-05-12

1 STORIES

Central Campground, Cold Springs Campground, and Buckhorn at Chickasaw National Recreation Area to open

Beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 13, Chickasaw National Recreation Area will reopen the Central Campground, Cold Springs Campground, and the Buckhorn area of the park, including Buckhorn Campground Loops C and D, the boat launch, fishing dock, and picnic areas. Buckhorn Campground Loops A and B will remain closed until brush piles are removed.

Official NPS source

2024-05-09

1 STORIES

2024-05-07

1 STORIES

2024-05-06

1 STORIES

2024-05-05

1 STORIES

Chickasaw National Recreation Area to open East Perimeter Drive in the Platt Historic District on Monday May 6

An outline of Chickasaw National Recreation with the very northwest section, about 5% of the park, highlighted and labelled as open.
National Park Service · Original image and credit

Most of the Platt Historic District that is east of U.S. Route 177 will open to the public at 8 a.m. Monday morning, May 6th. This opening includes the Southeast and Northeast Perimeter Drives, all trails east of the highway, the Travertine Nature Center and Little Niagara. However, Central Campground and Cold Springs Campgrounds will remain closed.

Official NPS source

2024-05-01

1 STORIES

Chickasaw National Recreation Area closed while staff assess storm damage

A brick and wood restroom building with a good portion of the roof completely missing, a broken mirror on the ground, and tree limbs leaning up again the structure
National Park Service · Original image and credit

Chickasaw National Recreation Area remains temporarily closed to all public access due to the unprecedented damage from a tornado that impacted the park and the town of Sulphur on April 27, 2024. National Park Service crews are conducting assessments on the damage. The park will remain closed until the assessments have been completed.

Official NPS source

2024-04-22

1 STORIES

Enjoy spring flowers at Chickasaw National Recreation Area and the Chickasaw Cultural Center

A bumblebee and a butterfly rest on the greenish flowering cluster of a milkweek plant
National Park Service · Original image and credit

Celebrate National Park Week by joining a National Park Service volunteer ranger and a Chickasaw Nation Ecological Resource Coordinator on Saturday April 27th for a Wildflower Walk at Veterans Lake, followed by a garden tour at the Chickasaw Cultural Center. The program will start at 10:00 am at the Veterans Lake Dam parking area. Participants will walk from the lake to the Cultural Center using the Inkana Trail and Bridge. Participants can then join a half hour garden tour starting at approximately 11:00 am.

Official NPS source

2024-02-12

1 STORIES

2024-01-29

1 STORIES

2024-01-02

1 STORIES

Chickasaw National Recreation Area to host Eagle Watch twice in late January

Chickasaw National Recreation Area staff will host “Eagle Watch” on Saturday, January 20, 2024 and Saturday, January 27, 2024. Both watches will start at 9 a.m. inside the Travertine Nature Center and continue later in the morning at Lake of the Arbuckles. After a lunch break, additional activities will be offered at the Chickasaw Cultural Center.

Official NPS source

2023-12-15

1 STORIES

2023-12-11

1 STORIES

Howdy Cowboy

A law enfocement ranger kneels next to a brown dog
National Park Service · Original image and credit

K9 Ranger Cowboy recently joined the law enforcement staff at Chickasaw National Recreation Area. The nearly 2-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer is trained to detect narcotics and assist in tracking people and locating items.

Official NPS source

2023-12-04

1 STORIES

2023-10-16

1 STORIES

2023-10-02

1 STORIES

2023-05-15

1 STORIES

Road construction to begin in Lake of the Arbuckles area

Road construction will begin in late May at Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Several of the access roads to the Lake of the Arbuckles and its campgrounds will be undergoing renovation. Check the park’s current conditions webpage and social media accounts for up-to-date information on areas affected.

Official NPS source

2023-05-05

1 STORIES

2023-04-25

1 STORIES

Wildflower Walk at Veterans Lake

Join a ranger on April 29th or on May 6th for a Wildflower Walk at Veterans Lake. The program will start at 10:00 am at the Veterans Lake Dam parking area. The walk will cover about half a mile and last for one hour.

Official NPS source

2023-03-27

1 STORIES

2023-01-07

1 STORIES

2022-12-09

2 STORIES

2022-11-18

1 STORIES

2022-09-26

1 STORIES

2022-09-19

1 STORIES

2022-09-13

1 STORIES

2022-08-09

1 STORIES

2022-07-25

1 STORIES

2022-05-03

2 STORIES

Wildflower Walk at Veterans Lake

Join a ranger on May 7th for a Wildflower Walk at Veterans Lake. The program will start at 10:00 am at the Veterans Lake Dam parking area. The walk will cover about half a mile and last for one hour.

Official NPS source

2022-04-15

1 STORIES

2022-03-29

1 STORIES

Chickasaw National Recreation Area to initiate prescribed fires

Chickasaw National Recreation Area fire staff plan to initiate up to two prescribed fires on Friday, April 1, 2022. These prescribed fires will be at Arbuckle Dam and in the new bison pasture area. Up to 60 acres may be treated. Burning is anticipated to occur primarily in the late morning to afternoon, starting at approximately 8 am. During fire operations, the Veterans Trail and Southeast Perimeter Road will be temporarily closed. Smoke may be visible from Sulphur, along Highway 177, and near Arbuckle Dam. The prescribed burns may be rescheduled for a later date in April if weather conditions are not favorable on Friday.

Official NPS source

2022-03-25

1 STORIES

Veterans Lake Fire update for March 25, 2022

The fire is 448 acres and is approximately 90% contained as of late Friday, March 25, 2022. Fire personnel are still monitoring for any rekindling along edges that could lead to new spread. The Multi-Use Trails remain closed while the fire continues to burn out in the center. Smoke will be visible as materials smolder and occasionally flare up. Other previously closed areas have reopened. Visitors using the Veterans Lake Trail should stay on trail. Smoldering materials and hazard trees have been removed from the trail but are still present off trail.

Official NPS source

2022-03-22

1 STORIES

Veterans Lake Fire update for March 22, 2022

The Veterans Lake Fire started as a controlled burn (brush pile) on private land on Saturday evening, March 19, 2022. The fire is smaller than originally reported, with an estimated size of about 1000 acres. Approximately 250 acres are burning in the recreation area. Fire crews will work today to secure the fire perimeter. Containment is expected to be complete by early next week.

Official NPS source

2022-03-21

1 STORIES

Veterans Lake Fire partially contained

The Veterans Lake Fire started as a controlled burn (brush pile) on private land on Saturday evening, March 19, 2022. It escaped containment at approximately 6:30pm on Sunday, March 20, 2022 and spread quickly into Chickasaw National Recreation Area. As of 10:00am Monday 21, 2022, it is estimated at 3200 acres with 40% containment. Rain is forecast for the area throughout Monday and overnight into Tuesday, which is expected to greatly aid containment efforts.

Official NPS source

2022-03-07

1 STORIES

Cold Springs Campground moving to reservations only

Cold Springs Campground will be available by reservation only starting this summer. Reservations are expected to fill quickly for the 2022 season and visitors are strongly encouraged to plan ahead. Reservations for the entire summer season will be available starting on April 1, 2022. Reservations can be made online through recreation.gov or by calling their toll-free number, 1-877-444-6777 (TDD 1-877-833-6777).

Official NPS source

2022-01-06

1 STORIES

2021-12-10

1 STORIES

2021-12-09

1 STORIES

2021-09-13

1 STORIES

Candlelight Tour scheduled for October 15th and 16th, 2021

Visitors are asked to allow themselves at least a half hour to walk along candlelit paths of Flower Park to see displays of moments from the park’s history. These scenes, which will be illuminated from 7pm to 9pm both nights, give visitors the opportunity to learn more about how the park came to be the place they know and enjoy today.

Official NPS source

2021-06-14

1 STORIES

Free fishing programs at Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Two children fish along a lakeshore while two adults assist.
National Park Service · Original image and credit

On Saturday June 5, 2021 ten kids and seven adults enjoyed fishing at Chickasaw National Recreation Area as part of the park’s first fishing program of the summer. These free programs are planned for select Saturdays throughout the summer, weather permitting. Attendance is limited to twenty participants at each event. Program attendance is reserved by appointment.

Official NPS source

2021-06-13

1 STORIES

Opportunity to cut and remove hay

Chickasaw National Recreation Area is seeking an applicant to cut and remove hay from three former agricultural fields in Chickasaw National Recreation Area. The selected applicant would cut and remove about 120 acres of hay, consisting primarily of Johnsongrass and clover. The applicant must cut the hay by July 28. If notified by Park officials, the applicant may be required to cut and remove hay a second time later in the summer.

Official NPS source

2021-05-03

1 STORIES

2020-12-14

1 STORIES

2020-11-30

1 STORIES

2020-11-03

1 STORIES

2020-10-23

1 STORIES

2020-08-18

1 STORIES

Leash Law Enforcement to Increase at Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Following an increase in incidents involving pets, including a dog bite over the past weekend, law enforcement rangers will be increasing enforcement of leash laws. All pets must be on a leash of no longer than six feet, or under another secure means of physical control such as a carrier or stroller. Pets may not be left unattended at any time.

Official NPS source

2020-08-03

1 STORIES

2020-07-06

1 STORIES

2020-06-15

1 STORIES

2020-06-09

1 STORIES

2020-06-02

1 STORIES

2020-05-22

1 STORIES

2020-05-04

1 STORIES

2020-04-27

1 STORIES

2020-04-06

1 STORIES

2020-03-24

1 STORIES

2020-03-17

1 STORIES

2019-12-16

2 STORIES

2019-12-02

1 STORIES

2019-11-15

1 STORIES

2019-10-25

1 STORIES

Candlelight Tour reservations open starting November 1st

The Candlelight Tour will be held on December 6th and 7th. This community event is free, but reservations are required and can be made starting November 1st by calling (580) 622-7234 between 9am and 4:30pm. There are a limited number of tours for each evening and reservations fill quickly.

Official NPS source

2019-10-08

1 STORIES

2019-08-19

1 STORIES

2019-07-08

1 STORIES

2019-06-17

1 STORIES

2019-05-11

1 STORIES

2019-03-18

1 STORIES

2013-06-28

1 STORIES

Little Niagara Is Open For Swimming

2013 News Release - Recent rainfall in the area was enough to allow Antelope and Buffalo Springs to once again flow. The increased level of water in Travertine Creek has allowed the park to reopen Little Niagara, Bear Falls and Garfield Falls for swimming. Panther Falls and Black Sulphur Springs remain closed. Chickasaw NRA closed the Travertine Creek swimming areas last fall due to drought and low water flow conditions.

Official NPS source