Love: Nature, History and Special Experiences

Love County lies halfway between Oklahoma City and Dallas and is easily accessible via I-35. The shoreline of Lake Texoma, forests along the Red River, historic sites, and golf and resort offerings provide different ways to shape your trip: water activities, nature, regional history, or sports and entertainment.

Forests, River and Lake

The Love Valley Wildlife Management Area covers 7,746 acres in south-central and eastern Love County. Its landscape is characterized primarily by post oak and blackjack oak forests, as well as bottomland forest; the area lies along the Red River on the Oklahoma-Texas border. Spending time there offers a different landscape experience from the lake. There are several undesignated sites for basic camping in the area. Check the conditions for this camping option before your visit.

Part of Lake Texoma’s shoreline and border area lies in Love County, Oklahoma, along the border with Texas. The lake’s 91,200 acres of water offer opportunities for fishing, camping and watersports. This provides two distinct outdoor experiences: water activities at Lake Texoma and the forest and river landscape of the Love Valley Wildlife Management Area.

History and Museums in Marietta

The Love County Courthouse was built in 1910 and was Oklahoma’s first county courthouse constructed after statehood. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places under number 84003148. Trade, numerous ferry crossings and some of the first trading posts in Indian Territory are part of Love County’s early history.

In Marietta, Norton’s Indian Territory Museum offers a distinctive experience: it is a private collection inside Norton’s Jewelry store. The collection includes old bottles, arrowheads, antiques and historical documents from the region. The Love County Historical Society Pioneer Museum in Marietta houses artifacts depicting pioneer life. Together, the two collections offer different insights into regional objects and pioneer life.

Golf and Resort Offerings in Thackerville

The WinStar Golf Club is located in Thackerville. It includes the Redbud Golf Course, an 18-hole championship golf course. Travelers who want to include golf in their trip will find a specific sporting option in Love County.

Cascades is a five-acre, three-tiered pool area with a shallow splash pool, several pools, lounges, cabanas and three outdoor bars. The shallow splash pool is a specific detail to consider when planning with children; however, it does not constitute a blanket statement about the suitability of an entire stay. Cascades operates seasonally, and its amenities may change. Check operating conditions and current offerings before your visit.

Also in Thackerville, WinStar World Casino & Resort is a standout attraction, divided into nine areas themed after world cities. The gaming floor covers more than 600,000 square feet and features more than 10,500 electronic games. These operating figures may change over time; check the latest information if they are important to your plans.

Events and Getting Your Bearings

Love County Frontier Days is a weekend event in downtown Marietta. The program includes vendors, live music, entertainment and food trucks. Friday’s program features an off-road show and rodeo events such as Mutton Busting and Team Goat Roping. Saturday includes a car show and the “Git A Long Little Doggie” race with a costume contest. Dates and program details may change from year to year; confirm the specific information before your trip.

The Love Run is an annual 5K run and one-mile fun run. Details of this event may also vary from year to year. If you plan to travel for a specific race or event, check the dates in advance.

Border Casino is located off I-35 at Exit 1, near the Oklahoma-Texas border. The Thackerville Tourism Information Center is three miles north of the border at mile marker 3.5. These locations can help you find your way along the interstate without assuming driving times between individual destinations.

When looking for a vacation rental, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on. A stay centered on water activities is different from one focused on regional history in Marietta or golf in Thackerville. Then compare the locations of specific accommodations with the day’s itinerary that matters most to you.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Woodward County, Noble County, Logan County, Atoka County, Rogers County, Okfuskee County, Le Flore

Return to the main travel overview: Oklahoma.