An Area Hotspot... Sportsman Lake Equestrian Trails

The equestrian trails are densely wooded, rocky and hilly with several small creek crossings. Leaving the day parking area entering the Meadows area riding on to cross Sand Creek then onto Tiger Creek; stopping at Beaver Pond and crossing The Little Muddy and doing some switch backing on up to Lookout Point is an enjoyable ride. Having packed lunch with us a picnic table in this area was a welcome sight. I'm still trying to figure out how they got it up there. The view while eating was incredible overlooking the area and an arm of the Lake. Several trees were available for tying the horses/mules. Of course we weren't alone, but enjoyed visiting with other trail riders while here. Before discovering the picnic table: we had dined on large rocks along the trail.

Seeing humans on horse/mule back isn't uncommon to the wildlife at Sportsman Lake. With the timber, terrain and availability of water viewing deer is an enjoyable part of trail riding at Sportsman Lake.

There are equestrian campsites with full service as well as unimproved campsites. Day parking is available for day riders. Upon entering Sportsman Lake is a paved area with restrooms and a self-service pay station. Trail fees are 2.50 daily per horse for day riding, $12.50 daily for full service campsites and $5.00 per day for unimproved campsites. Trail fees are not included in campsite fees. A map of the trails with rules and regulations for the area can be obtained at the pay station.

Be prepared to meet fellow equestrians on these popular trails. Winter, spring, summer or fall we've always had plenty of company when riding the trails at Sportsman Lake and it didn't seem to make a difference what day of the week it was. Sportsman Lake Equestrian Trails Seminole, Oklahoma 4 miles east on Hwy 9 to FM360 2 miles south to E.W. 124 turn north at Cove 1, lake sign pointing to Equestrian Parking. Contact Sportsman Lake Ranger John Carlisle at 405-257-3600 for more information.

Trail riders, Paul on Bunny, Raymond on Cracker and Connie on Spot, maneuver around rocks and through timber at Sportsman's Lake, Seminole, OK. Photo by Pat Dugger

We-wo-ka in Seminole means "Barking Water" so named by the Seminoles because of the noise made by a small falls located near their settlement on Wewoka Creek in 1849. One of the oldest cities in the state of Oklahoma the first postmaster's commission ever issued to a postmaster was here in 1867.

Adopted by the Seminoles as their seat of Government, a Capital Building and a council house were erected in Wewoka. At that time the Capitol Building also served as the United States Government Court House. It was also used by the Seminoles to make their laws and enforce them. Trials took place here and if found guilty, sentencing was enforced on the Court House grounds. If the sentence was execution the convicted was seated at the foot of the "Execution Tree" and shot to death. Less severe punishment was to be tied to the "Whipping Tree" and whipped according to the sentence. The Old "Execution Tree" with visible bullet marks stands today in a room of the State Historical Society located in the State Capitol Building in Oklahoma City. The "Whipping Tree" still stands on the grounds of the present courthouse in Wewoka, Oklahoma. Today a modern Seminole Tribal Complex is located in Wewoka. A Chief and an Assistant Chief along with the General Council govern over Tribal matters for the 12,000 enrolled Seminole Tribal Members.

Founded in 1929 in Wewoka, Oklahoma and listed on the National Register of Historic Places is one of Oklahoma's most beautiful small libraries. It is reminiscent of New England architecture. More information and activities on this Historical small town can be found at www.wewoka.com.

West from Wewoka, Oklahoma some 15 miles to Seminole, Oklahoma, you'll find the Seminole Oil and Historical Museum. Dedicated to preserving the history of one of the Greatest Oilfields in the world during the 1920's and 30;s, this Museum is open Monday thru Friday. Seminole, Oklahoma became the center of this areas oil boom and although the days of being the greatest of them all is gone, the oil industry is still a very big part of the economic base for Seminole County. Two notorious boomtowns spawned during the heyday of the Greater Seminole Fields were Cromwell and Bowlegs. Cromwell, Oklahoma became known as the wickedest city in the world and Bowlegs, Oklahoma named for Seminole Chief Dave Bowlegs, was known as the toughest town in America. The Museum is located at 1800 Wrangler Blvd., Seminole, Oklahoma.

Wear your horse out and need a new horse for riding the trails at Sportsman Lake? Moving on a few miles west to Shawnee, Oklahoma is Triangle Horse Sales Co., Inc., the largest registered Quarter and Paint, halter and performance horse sales company in the world. Triangle Sales Co., Inc. conducts six sales annually in Shawnee. For dates and times of sales as well as other activities in Shawnee, Oklahoma go to www.visitshawnee.com.

Thirty miles west of Shawnee, Oklahoma on I-40 it's "WELCOME TO OKLAHOMA CITY"! Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is known as the "Horse Show Capital of the World," hosting more major horse shows than any other city. It's also home to some of the country's top horse ranches. North of Oklahoma City is the Lazy E Arena, the largest indoor rodeo arena in the world with more than 25 championship events held here each year. The Lazy E is completely enclosed and climate controlled with a seating capacity of 7,200.

Discover the American West in Oklahoma City at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Through its Halls of Fame, this Museum honors and memorializes the men and women who through their lives have embodied and perpetuated the heritage of the American West. Though many they are all exemplary. From history you'll recognize names such as Charles Goodnight who operated the J.A. Ranch in the Palo Duro Canyon, Texas with 1,325,000 acres and 100,000 head of cattle at its peak. There is Samuel Burk Burnett a Texas Pioneer Cattleman and founder of the Four Sixes Ranch. The remarkable Oklahoma 101 Ranch founded by George Miller who is honored there as well as many more real cowboys and ranchers from about every state in the union. Sadly some of the "reel" cowboys are more familiar to us. A few are John Wayne, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Tex Ritter and Gene Autry.

If you're looking to experience the feeling of the old west, Stockyards City is alive with this one-of-a-kind atmosphere. The Oklahoma City Stockyards and its meat packing plants were Oklahoma City's first major industrial business. The Oklahoma National Stockyards Company began operating as a public livestock market in 1910. Built to serve the Nation as a primary source for meatpacking, Armour Foods and Wilson Foods both opened large processing plants adjacent to the stockyards in Oklahoma City. Many other businesses were generated from the opening of the Oklahoma City cattle market. They all maintain the rugged old west way of life. Eating a steak at Cattlemen's Restaurant was listed in the popular "1000 things to do before you die." Walk the brick sidewalks with period lighting and enjoy the nostalgic old west atmosphere at Stockyards City. www.stockyardscity.org A real treat is to visit the Photo Gallery on this website.

More Cowboy fun is still to be had at Frontier City, USA while in Oklahoma City. Stroll through an authentic 1880's western town. Enjoy the live shows available at Frontier City and experience the Gunfight at the OK Corral.

Each year Oklahoma City State Fair Park hosts the Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival. This is the world's largest powwow and voted one of the top 100 events to see in the United States.

In Oklahoma City's State Fair Park one of the nation's most thrilling Rodeos is held each year. The International Finals Rodeo with the top IPRA cowboys and cowgirls in seven events competing for world championships. Also there is always a PRCA Championship Rodeo held each year during the State Fair of Oklahoma in September.

World Class equine action is available at Remington Park Racetrack with live racing Friday, Saturday and Sundays and simulcasting everyday.

Information for all these equine events and other activities, as well National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and visitor information for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is available at www.okccvb.org or call 1-800-225-5652 for a free 48-page visitors guide with all there is to do or see in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

There are several places to board your horse while you take in the activities and history available in the area. Go to www.statefairpark.com/visitorequine for more information on this and Oklahoma State Fair activities.

While riding the rugged remote trails at Sportsman Lake, Seminole, Oklahoma you don't realize how close you are to big city activities. Many of the trail riding enthusiasts you will meet on the trails at Sportsman Lake will be from the Oklahoma City Metro and surrounding areas. From every walk of life they are trying to escape the faster pace of city living. A great escape; this explains the popularity of Sportsman Lake.

"Oklahoma Welcomes You"