Hiking

Discover Rogers County Hiking

Looking for the best hiking trails in Rogers County? Whether you’re getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, Oologah and Claremore have some great trails to offer! Explore one of 3 easy hiking trails in Oologah or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. Check out some trails with historic sights or adventure through the nature areas surrounding Oologah and Claremore that are perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts at any skill level.

Skull Hollow Nature Trail

Explore this 1.2-mile loop trail near Oologah, Oklahoma. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 27 min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail
are March through April. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

Reviewers of Skull Hollow Nature Trail in Oologah, Oklahoma describe a beautiful and well marked trail with lake views and inclines. Recent reviews mention enjoying a beach and a gazebo trail, with conditions being good despite rain the day before. Typically in April, the trail conditions may be pleasant for hiking, with the possibility of some rocky terrain and inclines. The trail offers a great opportunity for families to enjoy a leisurely outdoor activity near the lake.

 

Kite Hill Loop

Try this 4.8-mile loop trail near Oologah, Oklahoma. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. This trail is great for birding, fishing, and hiking, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are August through October.

Skull Hollow Long Loop

Head out on this 0.9-mile loop trail near Oologah, Oklahoma. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 20 min to complete. This trail is great for birding, hiking, and running, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

Skull Hollow Short Loop

Get to know this 0.4-mile loop trail near Oologah, Oklahoma. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 10 min to complete. This trail is great for birding, hiking, and running, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring.

Claremore Hiking and Biking Trails

The Claremore Mountain Bike Trails near Claremore Lake is home to a world-class mountain biking, trail running and hiking system. What began in 2007 as a 2-mile trail system, has transformed into a popular year-round attraction. Today, the bike trails, which are also popular with hikers and trail runners, provide more than 16 miles of fun for outdoor enthusiasts. Featured on popular trail apps such as MTB Project, Trailforks and Alltrails, our system is an attraction by design and that is evident by the year-round condition of the trails. Managed by local volunteers, the City of Claremore and Rogers County, the trails are known for being rideable and walkable all year long. The trails include professional trailhead signage with maps and color-coded trail markers indicating difficulty as and trail names. It is a great place for young and skilled riders alike, offering something for every level.

In 2018, the trail system joined the Tour De Dirt championship race series. Tour De Dirt is the official USA Cycling State Mountain Bike Championship Series for Oklahoma. It provides a series of competitive mountain bike races in or near Oklahoma with a point accumulation process to determine awards for racers of various ages and skill levels. As a result of joining the series, Claremore hosted the Shoreline Shred mountain bike race in 2018 and 2019. These races brought in hundreds of racers from Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and all over Oklahoma.

Whether you like to bike, hike, run or walk, the Claremore Mountain Bike Trails offer the perfect outdoor experience. The south trail head is a great place to start to explore the Mountain bike trail.

Here is a link to the google listing with a pinpoint to the trail head: https://g.co/kgs/eDZWMGd

Another great option for parking is the Blaze Trail head with more information available on Google here: https://g.co/kgs/ev8xfSs

Claremore Lake Trail

The Claremore Lake Trail is a short multi-use trail that runs along the west side of Claremore Lake, in the City of Claremore not far from Tulsa. Beginning just north of E. Blue Starr Dr., the trail extends north to the intersection of E. Lowry Rd. and W. Lake Rd. The trail provides access to the lake, as well as scenic views.

Parking and Trail Access

Parking for the Claremore Lake Trail is available at both the northern and southern trailheads in Claremore Lake Park. Enter the park from E. Blue Starr Drive near the city’s water treatment plant.

Will Rogers Centennial Trail, Claremore, OK

Experience this 10.9-mile point-to-point trail near Claremore, Oklahoma. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 24 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking and horseback riding, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring. April typically has pleasant weather in Claremore, with occasional rain showers and mild temperatures, but can also bring muddy conditions due to spring showers.

The Will Rogers Country Centennial Trail is a full 18-mile hike that can be broken down into other minor hikes, including the Main Trail, Dike Trail, and Kite Hill Trail. You’ll find five more miles of trails near the scenic 346-acre Tom Kight Hill, so whether you are looking to spend the day or just a few hours, you can easily find a trail that suits your needs. The Centennial trail is continuous, designed originally for equestrian use. You will see a lot of horses, but hikers and mountain bikers are also fond of this trail. Campers are allowed in designated areas of the park. Depending on the area you are in, you will find amenities like marina services, boat ramps, docks, campsites with electricity, parks, restrooms, picnicking and group picnic shelters. You can also go swimming and fishing along the lake. Hiking through this trail will take you through 50,000 acres of land and water, including the beautiful Oologoah Lake, which is a Corps of Engineers managed lake. The area is mostly used for wildlife management, so you and Fido will definitely see some animals on your travels. Many game animals, like white-tailed deer, quail, fox, and rabbits, can be spotted, so Fido is required to have a leash while you explore.

You can expect the trail to be moderately level, with some inclines and declines. The trail was designed to leave as much nature as possible undeveloped, so you will be walking through loose terrain at times. There is a steep area on Tom Kight Hill. This part of the trail is considered challenging and not recommended for equestrian riders or the average hiker and their furry travel companion. In addition to the scenic natural beauty, travelers along this trail can see the boyhood home (called the Dog Iron Ranch) of the trail’s namesake, Will Rogers, located northwest, across the lake.

You can find this trail five miles east of the town of Oologah on Hwy 88, or 6.5 miles north of Claremore on Hwy 88. The trailhead itself is located just off of Hwy 88, east of the Emergency Spillway.

Map location: https://g.co/kgs/rMHXvEW

Rogers Conservation Education Reserve

Try this 2.4-mile loop trail near Claremore, Oklahoma. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 49 min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and mountain biking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

The Conservation Education Reserve is a 120-acre facility of undeveloped wilderness adjoining the University Center at Tulsa/Rogers University campus. It provides teachers and students with an opportunity to observe many different habitats and to participate in a variety of outdoor field experiences. The reserve includes the following: backyard habitat area (waterfall, composting demonstration area, butterfly garden), miles of hard- and soft-surfaced trails, a pond with dock, a wetlands boardwalk, two mini-environment ecosystem study labs, and a prairie reclamation site.

Individual teachers seeking ideas for their own outdoor classrooms and environmental education in general are encouraged to visit. The trails are open to the public and can be walked in short loops or long 3+ mile hikes.

Reviewers of Rogers Conservation Education Reserve in Claremore, Oklahoma mention the trail is great for both novices and pros, with plenty of wildlife sightings like deer and birds. The trail is easy to follow, with paved and dirt mixed sections, making it ideal for families. Recent reviewers from April enjoyed the extra loops, butterfly sightings, and a time of solitude. Typically in April, the conditions in the area are mild and perfect for outdoor activities, with a high chance of seeing wildlife like deer and birds.