Adair County combines the forested Ozark landscape with Cherokee history and practical options for enjoying nature and staying overnight. When planning your trip, consider three questions: Which landscapes interest you, which historic places would you like to learn about, and would a camping option suit your stay? The Ozark Plateau includes the forested foothills of the Boston Mountains. The county itself was formed from the Going Snake and Flint districts of the Cherokee Nation.
Landscape and Barren Fork Creek
The Illinois River drains the northern and central parts of Adair County. Two wildlife management areas of different sizes lie along Barren Fork Creek: Barren Fork WMA covers about 497 acres in the eastern county, while Thomas A. Bamberger Sr. WMA covers 301 acres in the western county. Both are along Barren Fork Creek; Barren Fork WMA is in the east and, at about 497 acres, covers more area than the 301-acre Thomas A. Bamberger Sr. WMA in the west.
At Barren Fork WMA, the creek offers year-round fishing for black bass, especially smallmouth bass. Thomas A. Bamberger Sr. WMA rises more than 200 feet from the streambed into a mature oak-hickory forest. An information kiosk is located at the northern entrance. While Barren Fork WMA offers year-round fishing for black bass, especially smallmouth bass, Thomas A. Bamberger Sr. WMA is distinguished by its rise of more than 200 feet from the streambed into a mature oak-hickory forest and the information kiosk at its northern entrance.
Cherokee history and historic sites
The history of the Cherokee Nation is reflected in several historic sites in the county. The Stilwell City Cemetery was a disbandment site on the Trail of Tears in 1838–39. In Westville, Bushyhead's Depot was used to distribute rations to members of the Cherokee Nation arriving on the Trail of Tears. The site is designated as an important location on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.
At Bushyhead's Depot, the Baptist Board established the Baptist Mission in 1841, with a church, a school, and a printing press. The mission near present-day Westville was initially called Breadtown and later became known as Baptist Mission. The first issue of the Cherokee Messenger was published there in August 1844; it was the first newspaper produced in Oklahoma. This history links one site to relief, education, and printing. The grave of Reverend Jesse Bushyhead is significant for its connection to the Cherokee Trail of Tears from 1837 to 1839.
The histories of Stilwell and Westville also reveal different facets of the area. The KCS Railway Depot is significant to Stilwell's transportation history. Golda's Mill near Stilwell is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In Westville, the Opera Block is associated with the period when the town was the county seat of Adair County; during the era of traveling vaudeville and Chautauqua performances made possible by the railroads, it also served as an entertainment center. The Buffington Hotel on West Main Street in Westville was built in 1910 to meet the lodging needs of travelers and is also listed on the National Register.
Local events and places to stay
The annual Stilwell Strawberry Festival has been held since the 1940s to promote the strawberries grown in the region. Festival activities include a 5K run. The Stilwell Farmers Market sells fresh Oklahoma produce. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the event dates for your travel period.
For a specific camping option, Adair Park offers 20 basic campsites and seven RV sites with electrical and water hookups. These are two distinct options: basic campsites and sites with utility hookups. Check current availability before finalizing your plans.
Getting there and finding your way
U.S. Highway 62 runs east–west through the county, and U.S. Highway 59 runs north–south. From Tulsa, one route goes east on Highway 412 to West Siloam Springs, then south on Highway 59 to Stilwell. Check current directions and road conditions before setting out. The directions of the two U.S. highways provide a general guide to the county; the specific drive from Tulsa can be planned separately.
Discover more destinations: Stilwell, Le Flore, Comanche County, Kay County, Creek County, Ottawa, Woods, Bryan County.
For the broader travel overview: Oklahoma.
