Discover Kay County: Culture, Lakes and Trails

Kay County combines impressive landscapes with an unusually diverse cultural history. Between the expansive Kaw Lake, historic homes, museums and trails through varied landscapes, you will find inspiration for active days as well as peaceful discoveries. Those looking for a vacation apartment or vacation home can base their choice of accommodation on whether water, history, art or shared leisure activities should be the focus of their holiday.

Lakeside landscapes and trails for varied days

Kaw Lake covers 17,000 surface acres and has a shoreline of 168 miles. Boating is possible on the lake; at the eastern end of Kaw Dam, Sandy Beach is also a designated swimming area. Kaw Lake traditionally serves as the wintering grounds for one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the state of Oklahoma. The lake is also part of the Fishing Trail loop in northwestern Oklahoma.

For hikes, the approximately 12-mile Eagle View Hiking Trail is a good option; it runs between Osage Cove and Burbank Landing. A shorter route is the 0.711-mile Marland Estate Trail, which leads from the west gate of Marland Estate through the Unity Gym parking lot and Redbud Park to Hartford Avenue. The 70-mile Osage Nation Heritage Trail begins within the city limits of Ponca City and passes through landscapes and habitats for wild animals. These different formats make planning easier: You can schedule individual trails specifically or make longer excursions the focus of your stay.

History, architecture and special places

In Ponca City, Marland Mansion & Estate was built between 1925 and 1928 for 5.5 million US dollars. Marland Mansion covers 43,561 square feet across four levels; the grounds also include the Bryant Baker Gallery & Artist Studio. Marland's Grand Home is a restored house in the Renaissance Revival architectural style that was completed in 1916. An American Indian Museum, a 101 Ranch Museum and a Wild West exhibition area add to the historical perspective there.

The Pioneer Woman Museum preserves the history of women and documents their influence on the development of Oklahoma and the United States. The surrounding area also includes Bryant Baker's 30-foot-tall Pioneer Woman Statue, which was unveiled in 1930. The museum's education center hosts events and educational courses. At Standing Bear Park, trails pass six tribal observation courts, a small museum and a 22-foot-tall bronze statue of Chief Standing Bear. The site also presents the history of his request before a US court in 1879 to be recognized as a person and citizen.

The Poncan Theatre was designed by the Boller Brothers as an atmospheric theater. During a guided tour, you can get to know the theater and view the rare artworks in the lobby. Those interested in the development of the energy industry will find exhibitions at the Conoco Museum ranging from kerosene distribution to the major energy company; advance reservations are required for tours.

Museums and events in other towns

In Blackwell, the Top of Oklahoma Historical Society Museum is housed in the 1912 Electric Park Pavilion. The collection preserves objects ranging from the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893 to the present day. The Blackwell Tourism Information Center provides visitor and travel guides, brochures and advice from trained travel counselors. The annual Kay County Free Fair at the Blackwell Fairgrounds provides its own event highlight, with seven buildings filled with exhibits.

Tonkawa adds to the cultural offerings with the McCarter Museum of Tonkawa History and the Tonkawa Tribal Museum. The McCarter Museum displays, among other things, objects relating to the history of Indigenous people, the Three Sands Oil Fields, a World War II prisoner-of-war camp, Northern Oklahoma College and the pioneers. The Tonkawa Tribal Museum is dedicated to artifacts and photographic depictions of the history of the Tonkawa tribe. At the Heart in the Park Labyrinth, you can explore a 45-foot-long circuit surrounded by 100 engraved stones displaying a historical timeline. The Newkirk Heritage Center is a renovated historic building listed in the National Register of Historic Places; offerings include walks through the National Register district, storytelling events and tea events for groups.

Leisure, markets and practical orientation

For vacation days with varying levels of activity, Ponca City offers eight free public disc golf courses in parks and along the lakeshore. The Ponca City Disc Golf Club holds tournaments throughout the year. The Ponca City RecPlex has a 25-yard competition pool with six lanes as well as a family pool with a spiral water slide. Dan Moran Skatepark offers ramps, rails and obstacles for skateboarders, BMX riders and inline skaters; the Wally Smith Tennis Center is a public facility operated by the city. There is also a municipal kayak rental service at Lake Ponca.

During the growing season, the Ponca City Farmers' Market takes place weekly and brings local producers together with craft producers. White Eagle Transit provides transportation options for visitors in the Ponca City area. When looking for accommodation, you can therefore first determine your preferred experiences and then decide which base suits your planned mix of lake, culture, trails and leisure activities.

Find more travel ideas under Ponca City, Blackwell, Mcclain County, Wagoner County, Murray County, Noble County, Pushmataha County and Le Flore.

For the higher-level travel overview: Oklahoma.