Lake Front Hefner — Attraction in Oklahoma City

Lake Hefner’s Gila Monster: Half Lizard, Half Okie

Deep in the heart of Oklahoma City, where the wind whips across Lake Hefner and the locals gather for fishing, sailing, and questionable fashion choices, a legend was born. Or maybe it was hatched.

One stormy night, old man Virgil Brewer was out by the lake, slightly over-served on Coors Light, trying to catch catfish with an expired bologna sandwich. As he stumbled along the shore, he heard a rustling in the reeds. Then came a deep, guttural belch, followed by a sound that could only be described as a banjo string snapping.

Virgil turned and saw it—the Lake Hefner Gila Monster.

It was half lizard, half Okie, and all kinds of ugly. Its scaly skin was covered in oil stains and barbecue sauce. It had a long, whip-like tail that flicked dust in the air like an old Ford truck peeling out of a gravel driveway. But the most terrifying part? It wore cowboy boots. Real leather, size 13, custom-tooled with a bald eagle drinking a Keystone Light.

“Wha—what in tarnation?” Virgil stammered, nearly dropping his bologna sandwich.

The creature tipped its oversized camo trucker hat and spoke. “Evenin’, Virgil.”

Virgil gasped. Not only could it talk—it had a thick Okie drawl, the kind only achieved through years of inhaling mesquite smoke and Sonic Drive-In fumes.

“Now how in the hell do you know my name?” Virgil asked, backing up toward his tackle box.

“I been watchin’ y’all for years. Fishin’. Grillin’. Fightin’ over whose uncle won the biggest deer contest. Y’all never once invited me over for a beer.”

Virgil gulped. “Didn’t know you was… uh, real.”

The Gila Monster sighed, adjusting its oversized belt buckle (which read “Ain’t Skeered”). “Well, I am. And I got a problem, Virgil. See, I’m tired of hidin’ out here in the reeds. I wanna be part of the community. I wanna enter the chili cook-off.”

Virgil blinked. “The one at the Elks Lodge?”

“That’s the one,” the monster nodded. “I got a recipe that’ll make your mustache curl.”

Virgil scratched his chin. “Well… you do got the look of a man who knows his way around some spicy food.”

“Damn straight,” the monster said, slapping its tail against the dock. “My secret ingredient? A lil’ bit of lake water. Adds a kick.”

Virgil made a face. “Ain’t that got jet ski gas in it?”

The monster grinned, showing a row of uneven, corn-yellow teeth. “That’s what makes it good.”

And so, with a handshake (or rather, a tailshake), a legendary partnership was formed. Virgil and the Lake Hefner Gila Monster entered the chili cook-off under the team name “The Spicy Reptiles.”

Did they win? No. The judges disqualified them after Virgil let slip about the lake water. But did the Gila Monster finally feel like part of the community? You bet your boots.

To this day, some say if you stand real quiet by Lake Hefner at night, you can still hear the monster’s deep, Okie drawl echoing across the water:

“Y’all got any more of...

Great park and lake in NW Oklahoma City. The lake features a ten mile walking/biking/skating trail that circles the entire lake. The south and west parts of the lake are more covered with trees that make it a great place for shaded areas and fishing with varied terrain. There are many parks, paddle board rental and a golf course in this area. The east side of the lake has restaurants and open fields with a rocky shore line that enables a direct path to the water. The north side has a one direction road that provides good views of the lake and parts of the city that is a good place to hang out with friends or fish. It doesn't really matter what part of the lake you land at because there are cool places to hang out with friends and...

This part of Lake Hefner was perfect for morning walks! It's a nice scenic view with paved walkways that somewhat wrap around the lake. There are a lot of cyclists here so be on the lookout if you are walking your dog. Also, bring a hat! There isn't much shade aside from the little picnic areas. Overall, would come here again as it is a large space and does not feel crowded. Perfect for your doggo but be sure to bring poop bags as there aren't...