Travertine Nature Center — Attraction in Sulphur

Well worth the easy 90 minute drive from Oklahoma City. I visited here on my last day of sightseeing around OKC. It's a great change of pace.

This part of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area was once a national park and you can see those trappings at the Travertine Nature Center. It's a beautiful building on the outside that spans the creek. If you squint, you can almost imagine that Frank Lloyd Wright designed the building for the park service. The inside is a bit dated but has interesting displays about the local environment and what makes the park unique. Live reptiles and taxidermied mammals seemed popular with children.

But the real attraction is a peaceful setting where multiple fresh-water springs create a beautiful creek that flows through the forest and cascades over travertine ledges. The crowds are below the nature center where visitors can swim in the creek. There are swimming holes with sandy beaches, parking, and picnic tables. Other swimming holes are more secluded.

Above the nature center, where swimming is prohibited, a short round-trip hike of just over a mile on a level gravel trail takes you to two springs. One of the springs has been left in a natural state so you can see the clear water flowing out of the travertine. The other spring has been improved so that the water bubbles up through the ground into a pool that forms the headwaters of the creek. Both spots are beautiful with plenty of spaces to sit quietly.

The trail is good enough that you can easily take a jogging-style stroller with...

This is an excellent place to visit if you're at all interested in nature. Even if you're not, why not give it a try anyway? You will have a good surprise I believe.

This area is set in a beautiful valley with a clear, cold stream running through. Travertine stream is fed by several different springs, all of which can be visited on foot by using the well groomed and wide trails that start at the nature center and wind up through the valley floor towards them.

If you want to cool off on a hot day, go just a little ways down to Little Niagara and go for a dip. The water is cold, even in the blistering heat of an Oklahoma August.

The nature center itself is full of interesting information about the local wildlife, flora, and geology. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly and for those of you who like to do a little shopping with your nature, there's even a gift shop. Stop by and enjoy this...

Family friendly and not too far away! Absolutely beautiful natural sulphur springs everywhere. The river is perfect and crisp all year long! Perfect for hikers, walkers, campers, families, couples, schools, and clubs! The nature center itself houses a huge stuffed buffalo and other assorted wildlife, some living! They have a wonderful presentation that is constantlybgoing so you never miss out. The staff are very eager to help you or educate you on the animals, the park, or technical questions. I can't say enough about how friendly and welcoming this place is. Even the people who come to the park to visit are generally very kind and respectful of the surrounding nature. Love it and would recommend to anyone looking for a quick enjoyable...