Known as the “Oil Capital of the World”, Tulsa offers an array of green spaces providing residents and visitors alike accessible opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. From sprawling gardens and preserves to neighborhood parks fitted with courts and playgrounds, this midwestern city values recreation and respite its public parks provide.
| Park Name | Features |
|---|---|
| Woodward Park | 55 acres, public gardens, conservatory, lake, Tulsa Garden Center |
| River Parks | 10+ miles of trails, connects city parks, pedestrian and cycling trails |
| Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area | 300+ acres, rugged terrain, trails for hiking and cycling, nature escape |
| Lafortune Park | Golf, disc golf, softball, playground, pavilion, trails |
| Oxley Nature Center | Cross Timbers ecoregion, hiking trails, outdoor learning, preservation efforts |
| Utica Square | Green space amid shops, restaurants, seating areas, playground |
| Guthrie Green | Community space, events, food trucks, lawn games, playground |
| Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza | Honors Tulsa’s founder, connects River Parks to downtown, pedestrian bridge |
| Hunter Park | Historical park, children’s museum, trails, pond |
| Gathering Place | 100 acres, activities for all ages, landscaping, walking paths |
| Parkview Neighborhood Park | Playground, wading pool, ball courts, in Greenwood District |
| Mohawk Park & Golf Course | 420 acres, golf course, Tulsa Zoo, amusement park, lawns |
| Owen Park | Historic, tranquil, fountains, gardens, art installations |
To discover the best outdoor spots channeling Tulsa’s connection with nature even amid cosmopolitan energy, here are 12 can’t miss parks and green spaces to explore across the city.
Woodward Park
Name and Location: Woodward Park is a picturesque park located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
History and Significance: Established in 1929, it is known for its beautiful gardens, historic structures, and serene atmosphere.
What to Expect: Visitors can expect well-maintained gardens, walking paths, and seasonal displays, including the famous Tulsa Rose Garden.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, it’s a perfect place for a leisurely stroll and enjoying the beauty of nature.
Blanketing 55 acres of rolling hills on Tulsa’s north side, Woodward Park provides a family-friendly oasis featuring lovely public gardens, open lawns, a conservatory and lake. The grounds encompass vibrant rose gardens, quiet nooks honoring veterans and other cherished community members and a sunkenChildren’s Garden perfect for play. Nature lovers delight in walking the trails encircling Evans Lake, admiring diverse tree stands throughout and getting lost amid special annual garden displays.
Inside Woodward Park, the Tulsa Garden Center’s atrium contains tropical plantings from around the world that visitors can learn more about through guided tours. Woodward Park’s range of outdoor areas and special features make this a quintessential Tulsa Park not to overlook.
River Parks
Name and Location: River Parks is a scenic recreational area along the Arkansas River in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
History and Significance: Developed in the 1970s, it transformed the riverfront into a vibrant space for outdoor activities and events.
What to Expect: Visitors can expect riverside trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and access to water sports like kayaking and canoeing.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, River Parks offers a wide range of outdoor experiences and hosts community events.
Over 10 miles of pedestrian and cycling trails wind through Tulsa along the Arkansas River banks, connecting numerous city parks and attractions together known as River Parks. Paved pathways accessible to all ages and abilities make enjoying Tulsa’s waterfront safe and easy via foot or bike. The trails link high energy spots like the new Gathering Place development to serene hideaways like the Tulsa Rose Garden.
Running parallel to Riverside Drive means trail users can hop off to grab a bite, go shopping at an eclectic bazaar or wet their whistle on one of the riverfront brewery patios they pass along the way. For an effortless way to soak up Tulsa’s riparian landscapes spanning from downtown to wilderness, escaping into River Parks’ lush connectivity lets you set the pace.
Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area
Name and Location: Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area is an outdoor haven within Tulsa, Oklahoma.
History and Significance: This wilderness area has a history dating back thousands of years and offers a natural escape in an urban setting.
What to Expect: Visitors can expect hiking trails, mountain biking, and stunning views of the Arkansas River.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, it’s a favorite spot for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore nature.
Rugged terrain and hardwood forests ready for exploration await at Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness spanning over 300 acres mere minutes from central Tulsa. The landscape contains rocky bluffs, wildflower meadows and dense oak woodlands with a network of unpaved trailsUndulating terrain makes a range of trail options appealing from easy half mile loops to challenging nine mile treks. Diverse plants, rolling singletrack routes, elevation changes adding dimension and potential wildlife sightings make Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness a nature lover’s ideal escape.
Besides hiking and trail running, the park also allows cycling and horseback riding on select paths. With both central access and remote sections to discover, Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness lets visitors choose their own adventure not far outside the city hubbub.
Lafortune Park
Name and Location: Lafortune Park is a large park located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, offering a variety of recreational activities.
History and Significance: Named after a former Tulsa mayor, it has been a community gathering place since its establishment in the 1970s.
What to Expect: Visitors can expect sports fields, golf courses, playgrounds, and a community center with fitness facilities.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, Lafortune Park provides opportunities for sports, relaxation, and family fun.
For over 50 years, Lafortune Park has served Green Country residents as a recreation hub focused around golf, disc golf, softball and community gatherings. Spanning almost 200 acres, the grounds feature an 18-hole municipal golf course welcoming golfers at all skill levels to tee off on the links style course also open for night play. Those more inclined towards disc golf will find two championship level courses weaving through the landscape’s rolling hills as well.
Lafortune Park reserves over eight acres specifically designed as an inclusive playground facility accessible to visitors of all abilities and adaptation needs so all can share in the fun. Lovely gardens, Gregg Memorial Pavilion event space and walking trails round out amenities drawing Tulsa residents and tourists west.
Oxley Nature Center
Name and Location: Oxley Nature Center is a natural preserve located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, within the Mohawk Park complex.
History and Significance: Established in 1974, it serves as an educational resource and wildlife habitat conservation area.
What to Expect: Visitors can expect nature trails, birdwatching, and educational exhibits about Oklahoma’s native flora and fauna.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, it’s a peaceful retreat for those interested in nature and wildlife.
Tucked against the Arkansas River’s east bank, Oxley Nature Center immerses visitors into the Cross Timbers ecoregion’s diverse ecology through hiking trails, outdoor learning spaces and preservation efforts. Designated as a National Natural Landmark, Oxley’s varied habitats include high plains, wooded streams and canyon terrain supporting over 760 native plant species plus area wildlife. Five miles of multi-use trails give visitors plenty of room to wander through prairie openings, wooded ravines and limestone lookouts guiding you deeper towards the river.
Interpretive programs run regularly taking advantage of the onsite Susie, Paul and Carl Allen Discovery Center containing interactive natural history exhibits. Whether joining a guided hike or charting your own self-discovery walk, Oxley Nature Center lets you slip into wilder environs in the eastern region of Tulsa with ease.
Utica Square
Name and Location: Utica Square is an upscale shopping district located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
History and Significance: Founded in 1952, it has evolved into a premier shopping and dining destination in the city.
What to Expect: Visitors can expect a mix of high-end shops, boutiques, restaurants, and a charming outdoor setting.
Visitor Information: Open for shopping and dining, it’s a great place to explore upscale retail and enjoy al fresco dining.
At the edge of midtown Tulsa, Utica Square offers a pleasant public space integrating ample green space amid plenty of shops, restaurants and conveniences. Mature elm and oak trees tower over seating areas surrounding a central lawn, fountain and gardens throughout the property. Visitors can catch artistic dance or musical acts on the formal Solea Recital Series Stage or simply unwind on one of the many benches tucked under shade canopies.
Youngsters expend energy at the tot lot playground while families recharge over snacks from the onsite Starbucks or locally owned Cinnaholic vegan bakery. For an easygoing downtown adjacent respite in a shady village setting, Utica Square nails the mix of leafy park vibes amidst Tulsa leisure.
Guthrie Green
Name and Location: Guthrie Green is a vibrant urban park located in the Brady Arts District of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
History and Significance: Since its opening in 2012, it has become a hub for cultural events, concerts, and community gatherings.
What to Expect: Visitors can expect live music, food trucks, yoga classes, and a splash pad for kids in a dynamic, green space.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, Guthrie Green offers a diverse range of activities and events for all ages.
At the center of Tulsa’s Brady Arts District, Guthrie Green park provides a stellar community gathering place through sporting events, concerts, movie nights and festivals held on its great lawn. Local food trucks often park nearby while visitors play lawn games, relax in garden alcoves or let kids roam the playground. The urban space filled with native trees and prairie grasses comes alive through diverse programming happening almost daily.
Guthrie Green’s hourglass designed pavilion equipped as an outdoor music and event venue also makes it a prime place to catch various cultural celebrations reflecting the city’s diversity year-round. For a centrally located reprieve or entertainment venue, Guthrie Green’s outdoor landscape inspires human connections.
Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza
Name and Location: Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza is a historic site located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, celebrating Route 66.
History and Significance: Named after the “Father of Route 66,” it commemorates the iconic highway’s history and significance.
What to Expect: Visitors can expect Route 66-themed displays, sculptures, and a chance to learn about the highway’s heritage.
Visitor Information: Open for exploration, it’s a must-visit for Route 66 enthusiasts and history buffs.
Directly east from downtown’s central business district, Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza provides a popular place honoring Tulsa’s founder beside the Arkansas River banks. Visitors roam stone labyrinths, splash in the focals and admire the prominent Cyrus Avery statue while enjoying skyline views. The plaza park area connects the River Parks trail system to downtown easily so runners, cyclists and walkers traverse the space regularly.
Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza also directly links up the east side of the iconic 11th street bridge. The sweeping futuristic pedestrian bridge featuring glass walkways, strings of lights and gleaming at night allows easy passage into the Brady Arts and Blue Dome Districts. Public spaces like Cyrus Avery Plaza that fuse together key areas of Tulsa entice visitors to linger longer to uncover more urban adventure.
Hunter Park
Name and Location: Hunter Park is a community park located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, providing recreational facilities.
History and Significance: It has served as a neighborhood gathering place and sports venue for local residents for years.
What to Expect: Visitors can expect sports fields, playgrounds, and open spaces for outdoor activities.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, it’s a convenient spot for families and sports enthusiasts.
On the National Register of Historical Places, Hunter Park and the 1912 granite dam structure at its edge provide a window into Tulsa’s early 20th century waterworks supplying power to the booming region. Flowing walkways now replace the large water pipes that previously ran 800 feet carrying water down into a turbine building now functioning as a children’s museum. The park’s namesake also owned the nearby longstanding White City Amusement Park which operated through the mid 20th century until closing.
Visitors young and old now enjoy tromping through the Children’s Museum Garden, getting hands on inside the museum space, casting lines into the pond or exploring trails leading over the picture worthy stone dam flanked by flowing water elements. For sightly appeal wrapped up in local history, Hunter Park makes a compelling natural stop.
Gathering Place
Name and Location: Gathering Place is a vibrant park located on the banks of the Arkansas River in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
History and Significance: Opened in 2018, it quickly became a community hub, offering a variety of recreational, cultural, and educational experiences.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy beautifully landscaped gardens, playgrounds, sports courts, and regular events and performances.
Visitor Information: The park is open year-round, and admission is free. It’s an ideal destination for families, picnics, and outdoor enthusiasts.
As one of Tulsa’s newest but also most ambitious public projects, the sprawling Gathering Place draws locals outside providing 100 acres of experiences along the Arkansas River for all ages. The George Kaiser Family Foundation invested $465 million into crafting the space containing activities from roller skating to ice skating, basketball to bocce ball, stand up paddleboards to live music and more over multiple pocket parks.
The sprawling grounds serve up stunning naturalistic landscaping native to Oklahoma including prairie grasses, wildflowers and towering trees connected through 8 kilometers of walking paths perfect for recreating, relaxing or taking in the waterside views in vibrant company. Gathering Place prioritizes inclusionary programming and facilities tailored so all feel welcome tapping into recreation suited specifically for them.
Parkview Neighborhood Park
Name and Location: Parkview Neighborhood Park is a community park located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
History and Significance: It serves as a local green space and gathering place for the surrounding neighborhood.
What to Expect: Visitors can expect a playground, open spaces, and a place for local residents to relax and play.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, it’s a neighborhood park ideal for families and residents looking for outdoor recreation.
Tucked within midtown Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District also referred to as Black Wall Street, Parkview Neighborhood Park provides a safe play space families frequent complete with a jungle gym, wading pool and ball courts. Shady surroundings encourage local residents to spread out picnics while kids roam freely burning through extra energy before heading home for the day.
After Tulsa’s 1921 race massacre devastated this culturally rich African American community, public amenities slowly returned aiding rebuilding. Safe neighborhood anchor points like Parkview Park provided Green Country families firm roots to reestablish Black Wall Street businesses, cultural pillars and generations preserving important heritage here through dedicated community connection.
Mohawk Park & Golf Course
Name and Location: Mohawk Park is a sprawling park complex located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a golf course.
History and Significance: Established in the 1920s, it offers recreational opportunities, including golf and nature exploration.
What to Expect: Visitors can expect a golf course, walking trails, and access to the Oxley Nature Center within the park.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, it’s a diverse park complex perfect for golfers and nature enthusiasts.
Spanning 420 acres in midtown Tulsa, Mohawk Park lives up to its name with an 18-hole championship golf course rolling through woodlands, wetlands and wildflower fields players traverse from hole to scenic hole. At almost 100 years old, the course attracts golfing enthusiasts even through modern course upgrades keeping popular returning. Beyond the links, Mohawk’s namesake park section entertains friends and families through the Tulsa Zoo, fun works amusement park and multiple spacious lawns for games or unwinding over a picnic spread on nice days.
When you need a dose of nature but seek creature comforts of zoos and vibrant recreation just beyond, Mohawk Park bundles it all into surroundings offering a blend satisfying every whim in your party.
Owen Park
Name and Location: Owen Park is a historic park located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, known for its scenic beauty.
History and Significance: Dating back to the early 1900s, it has been a beloved green space in Tulsa for generations.
What to Expect: Visitors can expect mature trees, walking paths, and a serene environment for relaxation.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, it’s a peaceful oasis in the city, perfect for picnics and leisurely strolls.
Historic Owen Park resides just blocks from downtown Tulsa but provides a tranquil escape into oak and elm tree stands welcoming visitors to relax amid fountains, gardens and art installations. As the city’s first public park gifted to Tulsa in 1909, Owen Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its long legacy meeting community needs.
Visitors strolling down paths may spot busy squirrels, native birds flitting about or even encounter locals walking their dogs across the sprawling lawns. you’ll also find specialty gardens like Tulsa’s only public bamboo garden and vibrant camellia garden within Owen Park’s grounds.
For an unhurried downtown adjacent retreat, Owen Park’s canopy of trees and comforting amenities foster easy repose.
Conclusion
Tulsa proves itself as an eclectic hub filled with energy and wilderness encircling the city through conservation and recreation efforts prioritized via numerous parks and outdoor spaces. From vibrant new waterfront development at Gathering Place to historic grounds like Owen Park dating back over a century, residents and visitors recreation wishes find accommodation.
Midtown classics like Woodward Park’s vibrant gardens appeal to traditionalists while trailblazers take on Turkey Mountain’s mountain bike and trail running challenges minutes outside downtown. River Parks keeps commuters and cyclists cruising while Utica Square, Guthrie Green and Cyrus Avery Plaza give them reason to drift when needing culture or people watching paired with their exercise.
Kid friendly fun abounds through playgrounds citywide but also via Lafortune Park’s inclusive new playground and the excitement of Hunter Park’s children’s museum. Tulsa’s long summers give its parks prime season to shine through concerts, markets and community connection. Although winter quietens things, even the off months provide crisp air perfect for walking the River Parks passageways.
Through appreciation of nature and people powered movement, Tulsa’s standout parks system links together with green spaces that welcome all looking to gather, unwind or invigorate across the city’s lucky landscape. Use this list as a launch point while exploring Tulsa’s beloved parks thriving today.