For a stay centered on Durant, you can choose from several themes: regional history, Indigenous art and outdoor activities. Two museums offer distinct cultural focuses; Fort Washita adds a historical perspective, while Lake Durant offers a nature trail and disc golf. If you’re looking for a hotel in Durant, it may help to first decide which of these interests you want to shape your stay.
Museums and History
The Three Valley Museum houses artifacts relating to the history of Bryan County. Its small-town exhibit area features more than 20 shops and scenes from the early 1900s. A gallery about Indigenous peoples highlights Indigenous tribes in southeastern Oklahoma. Here, you can explore regional history and a range of themes from the area’s past.
The Semple Family Museum of Native American Art offers a different focus. It is the permanent home of Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s collection of Indigenous art. The collection represents 26 federally recognized tribes and more than 80 artists. While the Three Valley Museum focuses on historical artifacts and scenes, Indigenous art is at the heart of this museum; the two museums therefore offer different points of connection for your interests.
Fort Washita is designated a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1842 as the southwesternmost military post of the United States. Fort Washita is also associated with the Fur Trade Era Rendezvous. This historic site and the event offer another approach to cultural history, distinct from the museum collections.
Trails and Disc Golf
Lake Durant is a 296-acre lake with a two-mile nature trail. The Craig Parker Memorial Disc Golf Course, with 18 holes, is also located at the lake. Tournaments, leagues and practice sessions can be scheduled there. Hiking and disc golf are two different ways to enjoy outdoor activities during your stay.
More trail options include Carl Albert Memorial Park and the Three Valley Loop. The park has paved jogging and walking trails. The Three Valley Loop is a 0.5-mile loop that starts at the Three Valley Museum in historic downtown Durant. It is shorter than the two-mile nature trail at Lake Durant; its length and starting point give it a character of its own. The park’s trails add paved routes to the options.
Planning Your Trip Around Your Interests
To plan your trip, you can organize the options around your interests: for example, the history of Bryan County, the collection of Indigenous art, or activities at Lake Durant and Carl Albert Memorial Park. Fort Washita is another distinct historical focus.
The Fur Trade Era Rendezvous is associated with Fort Washita, and a Chautauqua lecture series is associated with the Semple Family Museum. If you’d like to plan your visit around either of these offerings, check the dates before you travel. It’s also worth checking current conditions when planning recreational activities, as offerings and scheduling arrangements may change.
For an overview of the wider area: Bryan County.
