At Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, you can discover wildlife, fishing and wide-open landscapes. Museums, historic cabins and trails also reveal the region’s many different sides. You can choose which experiences to focus on based on your interests: watching wildlife from your car, activities on the water, or insights into Oklahoma and Cherokee history.
Watch Wildlife and Go Fishing
Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge covers 20,800 acres and was established in 1970. Its auto-tour routes offer opportunities to observe wildlife and habitats from your car throughout the year. This puts the landscape at the center of your visit without requiring you to choose a hiking route.
Fishing is another activity available at the refuge. Both bank and boat fishing are possible. Target species include Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, White Bass, Walleye, Sauger, White and Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Flathead Catfish and Bluegill. Fishing piers also make it possible to fish from the bank. You can choose among different types of fishing, while the auto-tour routes offer another perspective on wildlife and habitats.
The Simp and Helen Watts Management Unit, also known as the Watts Unit, offers another fishing option. It provides public access to nearly a mile of trout waters, as well as 320 acres of public hunting grounds. The Watts Unit is located about four miles north of Gore on Highway 100, then one mile east on County Road E0990. These distances can help you plan a visit to the area.
Experience the Water and Explore the Trails
Lake Tenkiller has 130 miles of shoreline and covers 13,000 acres of water. Water sports available at Tenkiller State Park in Vian include water skiing, fishing, boating, tubing and diving. At Tenkiller Scuba Park, you can explore a sunken airplane fuselage, a school bus, a helicopter and two boats underwater.
If you prefer to get around on foot or along a trail, Tenkiller State Park has two routes with different distances. The Nature Center Trail is 1.5 miles long and runs from the visitor center to below the cabins. The Tenkiller Multi-Use Trail is one mile long, fully paved and accessible. The information on length and route can help you distinguish between these two trails.
History in Cabins and Museums
Sequoyah's Cabin Museum combines a historic building with two themes: the log cabin was built in 1829, and the museum explains Cherokee history and the basics of Sequoyah’s syllabary. It is located in a 10-acre park, which visitors can explore on foot. Both the building and the grounds are part of the experience described here.
Dwight Mission also dates back to 1829. It was reestablished in May of that year on Sallisaw Creek in Sequoyah County, near Marble City. At its peak, the mission housed 80 students. Lattimore Cabin offers a different historical perspective: Samuel Lattimore built it in 1835, and it is a uniquely preserved testament to Oklahoma’s turbulent Civil War years.
The 14 Flags Museum celebrates Oklahoma’s diverse history and the influence of 14 different nations. Its complex consists of three log cabins and a railroad depot. Along with Sequoyah's Cabin Museum and Lattimore Cabin, it can be considered part of a history-focused visit that takes in both individual buildings and broader historical contexts.
Combine Dining and Your Interests
Clearwater Cafe is located by the lake and can be reached by land or water. The menu includes cheeseburgers, salads, sandwiches, seafood and steak; seasonal offerings may vary. If you’re planning a visit, it’s a good idea to check what will be available at your preferred time.
When planning your trip, you can focus on wildlife watching, fishing, water sports, trails or history. This makes it possible to choose accommodation based on the experiences that matter most to you.
Discover more destinations: Gore, Sallisaw, Muldrow, Roland, Notchietown.
Discover more destinations: Adair County, Pawnee County, Tulsa.
View the main travel guide: Oklahoma.
