Coal County: Forests, Heritage and Mustang Tours
Accommodation in Coal County
Coal County offers several sides to a stay: forests and the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains shape the landscape in the east, while a WPA gymnasium and a restored bank building tell the story of the county’s history. Fishing at Coalgate Lake, a Mustang-watching tour and a September event offer other ways to spend your time. If you’re looking for a vacation rental, first consider whether nature, heritage or a particular event date will shape your stay.
Forests, Water and Mustang Watching
In eastern Coal County, the land is forested, and the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains begin there. The Muddy Boggy drains the county. You can fish at Coalgate Lake, which also has a boat ramp. If you’re including outdoor experiences in your travel plans, first decide whether to focus on the landscape or on a specific activity on the water.
Mowdy Ranch offers a two-hour open-air UTV tour to see wild Mustangs. The ranch is a public Bureau of Land Management (BLM) off-range pasture for wild Mustangs. Advance reservations are required for the tour. Ranch visits are possible year-round by appointment only; walk-ins without an appointment are not permitted. Confirm arrangements before you arrive.
A bridge carries State Highway 31 over Keel Creek in eastern Coal County, seven miles northeast of Coalgate.
Buildings and Regional History
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the Coalgate High School gymnasium in 1939. In Lehigh, the two-story red-brick Merchants National Bank Building was completed in 1907. The Lehigh Historical Society restored the building and converted it into a museum and gathering place. Here, distinctive brick architecture meets the building’s later use by the community.
The Benjamin Franklin Smallwood House is the last surviving structure associated with Benjamin Franklin Smallwood and also the oldest surviving residence in Coal County. In Clarita, the Church of Christ building is among the town’s oldest surviving structures. The Coal County Historical & Mining Museum contains mining instruments and tools, models, historical photos and regional artifacts. Among the individual items on display is pioneer Dr. Clark’s medical bag.
Clarita and Its Amish Heritage
The Clarita Amish community was established in 1978, when a conservative group of Amish from Ohio and Indiana settled in Coal County. The Amish School Auction, Crafts & Antique Show takes place in Clarita on the second Saturday in September. The event features auctions of hand-sewn quilts, antiques, glassware and handmade furniture. Breakfast, sandwiches, homemade noodles, pies, cakes and bread are also available. Check the specific event date before planning your trip around it.
Choose a Vacation Rental to Suit Your Plans
When looking for a vacation rental, you can first choose the place that will shape your stay: Coalgate for the WPA gymnasium, Lehigh for the bank building, or Clarita for Amish history and the September event.
Explore more destinations: Stephens, Beckham County, Jefferson County, Johnston County, Dewey, Mcintosh County, Marshall County.
Return to the main travel overview: Oklahoma.
