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5 Easy Ways to Get Oklahoma State Parks Discounts!

5 Easy Ways to Get Oklahoma State Parks Discounts!

Ready to save money on your next Oklahoma State Park adventure? These wonderlands are nestled within the heartland of the United States and offer a tapestry of unique recreational opportunities and natural wonders that will captivate visitors of all ages.

This article will explore what Oklahoma State Parks discounts you may be eligible for and how you can get them.

Which Oklahoma State Parks Charge Admission?

In years past, Oklahoma did not have an entrance fee for most of their parks. However, years of delayed maintenance and desperately-needed park improvements forced the state to implement more widespread fees starting in 2020.

If you’ve found yourself unable to afford a visit to your favorite Oklahoma State Park, you’re not alone. This is a problem that is affecting a lot of people. The getaways that were once free are now locked behind gates that require you to shell out around $10 a day just to get in. That’s difficult and frustrating for low income Oklahomans.

The following state parks have required a Parking Pass Permit, as of June 2020:

  • Beavers Bend State Park
  • Boiling Springs State Park
  • Cherokee Landing State Park
  • Fort Cobb State Park
  • Foss State Park
  • Grand Lake State Park: Honey Creek Area
  • Grand Lake State Park: Twin Bridges Area
  • Great Plains State Park
  • Great Salt Plains State Park
  • Greenleaf State Park
  • Keystone State Park
  • Lake Eufaula State Park
  • Lake Murray State Park
  • Lake Texoma State Park
  • Lake Thunderbird State Park
  • Lake Wister State Park
  • Natural Falls State Park
  • Osage Hills State Park
  • Quartz Mountain State Park
  • Robbers Cave State Park
  • Sequoyah State Park
  • Talimena State Park
  • Tenkiller State Park

The Parking Pass is required in almost all areas of those parks, with the exception of golf courses and certain concession areas. The only reason that a parking pass isn’t necessarily required in those areas is because the state expects the golf course or restaurant to validate your parking after you pay them.

However, the following parks will NOT require a parking pass:

  • Alabaster Caverns State Park
  • Black Mesa State Park
  • Grand Lake State Park: Bernice Area
  • Grand Lake State Park: Cherokee Area
  • Grand Lake State Park: Spavinaw Area
  • Little Sahara State Park
  • McGee Creek State Park
  • Roman Nose State Park

If you visit a state park that does require a fee, there are many different ways to pay it. The daily rate is around $10, or you can purchase a three-day pass for around $25, a weekly pass for around $35, or an annual pass for around $75.

Oklahoma State Parks Pass Discounts

Fortunately, there are discount programs that can help you get into the park for less. However, you cannot combine these offers. If you’re a disabled Oklahoma resident, you will need to choose between the 20% discount for residents and the 50% discount for disabled people. You cannot combine them to get a 70% discount. It’s one or the other.

Oklahoma Residents Get a Discount

If you have a Oklahoma or Oklahoma Tribal license plate, you will automatically save 20% off of your Oklahoma State Parks Pass. That’s because the state offers discounted rates for residents.

For example, residents currently save about $2 on a daily pass, $5 on a three-day pass, $7 on a weekly pass, or $15 on an annual pass.

Seniors Get FREE Oklahoma State Parks Passes

If you are over age 62, you need to know about the Oklahoma State Park Pass for seniors! This pass is completely free and it also covers your spouse!

In order to get this pass, you need to have a valid Oklahoma driver’s license that shows your age and address. You will also need to provide information about your vehicle, such as the tag and registration information.

Veterans Get FREE Oklahoma State Parks Passes

If you are an honorably discharged veteran who lives in Oklahoma, you can also get a free state parks pass! You will need to prove both your residency and your veteran’s status in order to qualify.

There are several ways that you can prove this. You could show your valid Oklahoma driver’s license along with your VA ID or military discharge papers. If you have a ‘veteran’ emblem on your license, then you may be able to just show your license to get this discount.

Totally Disabled Guests Get 50% Off

If you have been deemed totally disabled under a state or federal law, then you can get a 50% discount on your admission to Oklahoma State Parks!

In order to claim this discount, you will need to provide some sort of proof of determination. Evidence could include a Medicare card that was issued before you turned 65, a Social Security award letter, a VA award letter, or a letter from your doctor.

OK State Parks Amenity Discounts

Many state parks choose to offer certain discounts to certain guests at certain times of the year. I always recommend calling ahead to make sure that these deals are still valid at the time of your trip so that you don’t encounter any unexpected surprises upon arrival.

Veterans Get 10% Off Lodging

Active and former military personnel can enjoy a military discount on lodging! This discount is valid on all campsites, cabins, RV sites and lodges. It’s valid year-round and appears to be available at all state parks.

Other Discounts

Of course, there are other discounts as well! You may be able to save money on your lodging, boat rentals and other adventures just by being a savvy shopper.

The beautifully redesigned OK Travel website has a slew of regularly-updated discounts available for guests of all ages, stages and eligibility criteria. For example, at the time of this publication, anyone can claim 10% off a three-night stay at the Spring River Fishing Cabins, 10% off a boat rental at Fountainhead Marina, or a $1 discount on admission to the Chisolm Trail Heritage Center.

These discounts are obviously limited to certain parks and certain times. However, I would always check the OK Travel website as you plan your trip!

About Oklahoma State Parks

There are 36 beautiful state parks in Oklahoma, ranging from rugged mountains to rolling plains. There are panoramic views, sand dunes, lakeside water activities, and more.

Here’s a list of Oklahoma State Parks and their locations.

State ParkNearest Town
Alabaster CavernsFreedom
ArrowheadCanadian
Beavers BendBroken Bow
Black MesaKenton
Boiling SpringsWoodward
Cherokee LandingPark Hill
Clayton LakeClayton
Fort CobbFort Cobb
FossFoss
Gloss MountainFairview
Grand Lake: BerniceBernice
Grand Lake: CherokeeDisney
Grand Lake: DisneyDisney
Grand Lake: Honey CreekGrove
Grand Lake: Little BlueDisney
Grand Lake: SpavinawSpavinaw
Grand Lake: Twin BridgesFairland
Great PlainsMountain Park
GreenleafBraggs
KeystoneSand Springs
Lake EufaulaChecotah
Lake MurrayArdmore
Lake TexomaKingston
Lake ThunderbirdNorman
Lake WisterWister
Little SaharaWaynoka
McGee CreekAtoka
Natural FallsWest Siloam Springs
Osage HillsPawhuska
Quartz MountainLone Wolf
Raymond GaryFort Towson
Robbers CaveWilburton
Roman NoseWatonga
Salt PlainsJet
SequoyahHulbert
Sequoyah BayWagoner
TalimenaTalihina
TenkillerVian

Oklahoma State Parks offer an immersive escape into the diverse landscapes and cultural heritage of the state. From the tranquil shores of Lake Eufaula and the majestic woodlands of Beavers Bend to the sweeping plains of Great Plains State Park and the rugged beauty of Quartz Mountain, these parks cater to a myriad of outdoor passions.

With family-friendly facilities, educational programs, and a commitment to preserving natural wonders, Oklahoma State Parks invite adventurers, families, and nature enthusiasts to uncover the beauty and stories that define this multifaceted region.

Summary

There is so much to do and see at these parks! Get your Oklahoma State Park pass discount now so that you can unlock all this adventure for you and your family. There are discounts that can help you with admission, boat rentals and more.

If you’re interested, you may also be able to get free access to a nearby state’s park system as well. Check our State Park Discount Directory for details.

Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.