Here is a start at listing all of the Outdoor field trips we can think of. You’ll need to do your own research for details about each one because things change all the time.
Have a favorite that we missed? Have other information that we should add? Let us know by emailing team@hsok.org and including “Field Trip” in the subject line.
Alabaster Caverns State Park in Freedom, OK – The highlight of the 200-acre Alabaster Caverns State Park is the 1/4 mile cavern formed of alabaster, a rare form of gypsum, making it the largest natural gypsum cave in the world that is open to the public. Daily guided tours of Alabaster Cavern are available on the hour from 9 am-4 pm. For safety reasons, each tour has a maximum number of visitors who can be accommodated. A fee is charged for the tour. The cavern recently underwent an extensive lighting overhaul. Group tour reservations are required at least two weeks in advance. The park also features RV and other camping areas. Hiking trails, picnic areas, group shelters with electricity, grills, water, a horseshoe pit, and a volleyball court are available at the park. Wild caving is a unique adventure also available at the park.
Amusement Park Trip for Youth or whole families – Several in Oklahoma and surrounding states.
Astronomy Club of Tulsa – The Astronomy club of Tulsa schedules home school field trips to their observatory located SW of Mounds (about a 45-minute drive from downtown Tulsa). It is open to the public only by appointment. They have a classroom that holds up to 50 people and a 16-inch telescope in the dome which can be viewed by 15-20 people. Groups larger than 20 will need to provide adult supervision for those who are waiting their turn to go upstairs. You should have one adult for every ten children. Persons using the 16-inch scope must be capable of climbing a ten-foot step ladder for each object viewed. You should plan for 1 minute for each person to view each object. For example, if you have 30 people, who want to view the moon, Jupiter, and Saturn, it would take at least 90 minutes for everyone to get a look. The moon is by far the most popular object for first-time stargazers, therefore I usually suggest that visitors arrive about 30 minutes before sunset, on nights when the moon is visible between sunset and 10 PM. For those who arrive before the sun gets too dim, we have a small telescope with a special solar filter for viewing sunspots. Contact: Gerry Andries, Astronomy Club of Tulsa, Observatory Manager. Club voice mail is the number 918-688-MARS.
Black Mesa State Park. Fantastic Stargazing if you camp there. https://www.travelok.com/state-parks/black-mesa-state-park-nature-preserve
Berry Picking: Joe’s Farm, Thunderbird Berry Farm,
Bonfire held at someone’s house or a local state park
Canoeing on the Illinois River
Climbing and rappelling: go to an indoor climbing gym or set up with them to go outdoors.
Drillers Game: Watch the Tulsa Drillers play. Discounts usually offered for school groups
Drive-in movies: Admiral Twin in Tulsa
Fishing – Go fishing in a private pond or at a local park.
Great Salt Plains State Park in Jet, OK is your gateway to one of Oklahoma’s most fascinating natural wonders. The Salt Plains are literally a sea of salt. They offer outstanding birdwatching opportunities year-round. **Notice** Selenite crystal digging at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is temporarily suspended. All inquiries about crystal digging should be directed to the refuge headquarters at (580)626-4794.
Heavener Runestone State Park – Heavener: Ponder the mystery of the Heavener Runestone in the lush, beautiful valley that is the heart of Heavener Runestone State Park. The park is a perfect setting for a picnic or a hike, or to let your imagination roam.
Horseback riding – Eufaula at Fountainhead, Or at Sequoyah State Park
Kiddie Park – 200 North Cherokee, Bartlesville, OK 74005, 918-336-5337, Unique amusement park that features a variety of rides including a Ferris wheel, carousel, bumper cars, and a passenger train that circles the park. For kids 12 and under only.
Lendonwood Gardens — 1308 West 13th Street, Grove, OK. Lendonwood Gardens is part of the Oklahoma Botanical Garden system.
Linnaeus Teaching Gardens, named after Carl Linnaeus, opened June 8, 2006, in the southeast corner of Woodward Park, east of the Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 S. Peoria, Tulsa, OK. The gardens are “designed to be a green classroom, inspiring visitors to recreate its beauty in their own landscape. Trained Linnaeus gardeners will be on hand daily to share their knowledge.” For more info: call 918.746.5125. Visit their website for news and events, free teaching resources, and info on their volunteer programs.
Myriad Botanical Gardens. WHAT: Seven-story Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, featuring a fascinating collection of palm trees, flowers, and exotic plants from across the globe. (The Crystal Bridge Conservatory is closed for major renovation until fall 2022 – can’t wait to share with organizations like HSOK the new look! Much better on education options.) WHERE: 301 West Reno; Reno & Robinson, OKC. COST: Admission charged. WHEN: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. CONTACT: (405) 445-7080
Natural Falls State Park: West Siloam Springs – Ever wonder “Where the Red Fern Grows”? See for yourself why this beautiful natural wonder was chosen as the setting for the delightful movie. Natural Falls State Park is perfect for a day, a weekend, or a week.
New Life Ranch at 160 New Life Ranch Drive in Colcord, Ok has canoeing, ropes, Outdoor education events, hiking, overnights, etc. They can do single events or retreats. See www.newliferanch.com. 918-422-5506
Oklahoma City Zoo – WHERE: 2101 NE 50th. CONTACT: (405)424-3344. ADMISSION: Adults (ages 12-64): $6.00 Children (ages 3-11): $3.00 (2 and under FREE) Seniors (ages 65 and older): $3.00 Discount rates are available for organized groups of 15 or more people. HOURS: May (Memorial Day) – September (Labor Day) 9 am – 6 pm daily; exhibit buildings close at 8 pm. September – May 9 am – 5 pm daily; exhibit buildings close at dusk. Guests may always remain on grounds until dusk
Old Round Barn – WHAT: The only truly “round” barn (most are actually hexagonal or octagonal), the Barn is 60′ in diameter, 45′ in height and is two stories high. WHEN: Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. WHERE: 9 miles east of I-35 (Edmond), on Old Route 66. Northside of 66 in the heart of the town of Arcadia. AGES: All. COST: None. You can rent the upstairs for special events. CONTACT: 405.396.0824. Near here is “Pops” a unique soda fountain, restaurant, and gas station with more kinds of soda than you can imagine, as well as neat architecture.
Oxley Nature Center, Tulsa, OK. Kids’ Saturday. The third Saturday of September through May from 10-11:30 a.m. Beginners welcome. Discovery Club: 3- to 5-year-olds, each accompanied by an adult; Adventure Club: kindergarteners through 2nd graders. Call (918) 669-6644 on or after the first Sunday of each month to register.
Park Day at any number of local parks
Peach Festival in Porter.
Picnic at Honor Heights in Muskogee or at another park near you. Play in splash pads
Picture in Scripture: “The Elijah Factor” – A compelling story of the prophet Elijah as he displays God’s power in his encounters with the wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Includes live animals and pyrotechnics. Optional pavilion dining (extra cost) at 6:30 pm. Gospel singing begins at 8:00 pm. Play begins at sunset. Friday and Saturday nights from June 18th through August 21st. Adults: $10.00. Ages 4-12 yrs: $4.00. Contact: 918-435-8207. Located on Grand Lake in Disney, OK.
Pumpkin Patch, Shepherd’s Cross, Harvest themed events
Red Fern Festival in Tahlequah, Ok
RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL of Oklahoma: Step back in time to days of old. Castle of Muskogee Renaissance Festival — 3400 Fern Mountain Rd, Muskogee, OK. Weekends in May
Robbers Cave State Park — Hwy 2 N, Wilburton, OK
Safaris Interactive Sanctuary – WHAT: An Educational, interactive wildlife refuge. Visitors always enjoy a stop at Safaris Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary to get a close-up view of Exotic Cats, Wolves, Bears, Primates, Reptiles, as well as many barnyard animals in the petting zoo. WHEN: Weekends – open to the public from 12 noon to 5 pm. Other times and days by appointment. WHERE: 26881 E 58th Street, B.A., OK. AGES: All. COST: Fee charged. CONTACT: 918-357-5683 in order to have private tours. An advanced appointment is necessary. Guided tours last approximately one and one-half hours and include a wealth of information. You can bring sack lunches and pop machines are available. One adult for every 10 children is required.
Shooting range – take the older kids to a shooting range. Try shooting skeet!
Silver Dollar City Homeschool Days – previously in the fall. www.silverdollarcity.com
Sutton Aviary Research Center – West of Bartlesville, does eagle counts, rescues birds and other ornithological things
Swimming – Lake Day with swimming or spend a day at a local Creek in the summer
Tallgrass Prairie Preserve – WHAT: largest protected remnant of tallgrass prairie left on earth. WHEN: Call. WHERE: Between Bartlesville and Pawhuska. From downtown Pawhuska, drive north on Kiheka at the intersection of Highway 60 (at the corner of the triangle-shaped building), follow signs to the Preserve headquarters (approx.18 miles). COST: None. AGES: All. CONTACT: (918) 287 4803 http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/oklahoma/preserves/tallgrass.html
Tiger Safari: WHAT: Exotic and Domestic animal zoo for private parties and field trips. Waterfalls and jungle tree houses. Tiger Safari features the largest selection of domestic and exotic animals in Oklahoma. WHEN: Check the website. WHERE: 963 County St. 2930, Tuttle, OK 73089. AGES: All. COST: Fee charged, CONTACT: 405-414-9365 or https://tigersafarizoo.com/
Tulsa Botanic Garden: Beautiful walking paths and a wide variety of flowers and activities https://tulsabotanic.org/
Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum: 6421 East 36th Street North, Tulsa, OK. WHAT: Zoological Park. WHEN: 9 am – 5 pm daily. Closed third Friday in June & Christmas Day. WHERE: 6421 East 36th Street North, Tulsa COST: Admission Charged. See website. AGES: All, CONTACT: Phone: (918) 669-6600, https://tulsazoo.org/
Vineyards – many local ones to choose from
Washington Irving Trail Museum – Saturday and 1 to 5 on Sunday. WHERE: 6 miles east of Stillwater, OK, on Highway 51 and 3 miles south on the Mehan Road. Address: 3918 South Mehan Road, Ripley, OK 74062. AGES: All. COST: None. CONTACT: 405-624-9130 or http://www.washingtonirvingtrailmuseum.com/
Water Parks – River Country in Muskogee or the one in Wagoner or Tahlequah or one closer to you
Woolaroc: WHEN: Open Tuesday thru Sunday, Closed Monday, all year 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. WHERE: South of Bartlesville. Call for directions. AGES: All. COST: Adult $5.00, Children under age 12 (except special events) Free, Annual Season Pass $15.00. CONTACT: 918-336-0307. WHAT: Founded by Frank Phillips, Woolaroc is a wildlife preserve, a museum, and a nature trail. The Wildlife Preserve contains 3600 acres which are home to 700 animals and birds. Nature trails include the Northroad Tour which is five miles of scenic adventures through wildlife, the Oil Patch (history of the oil industry in OK), and the 1840s Trader’s Camp. The museum includes western art paintings of Frederic Remington, Charles Russell, Thomas Moran, and more; Indian artifacts from 40 different tribes; and gun collections
Woolaroc Encampment. WHEN: October 6th and 7th. 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. WHERE: Woolaroc, South of Bartlesville. AGES: All. COST: Free. CONTACT: Carol Foust at 918-336-0307. Visit the living teepee and experience Mountain Man life on the banks of Bison Lake. (Circa 1840). The children will be able to go to different tents and talk to the “campers” to find out how clothes were made of tanned skins, wood was fuel chopped with a tomahawk, and firearms used black powder and was loaded one shot at a time. Bring your own lunches or purchase from snack bars at Woolaroc. Call if bringing a large group so they can prepare for you.
Youth backpack, camping, and canoeing trip – Greenleaf or Robber’s Cave