Pilot Point, TX
Ray Roberts Lake State Park
Sandy beach swimming, kids fishing pond, and lakeside camping at Ray Roberts Lake - a big North Texas family destination near Pilot Point
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- ~5h
- Paid
Things to Do 3–4 Hours from Oklahoma City with Kids
78 kid-friendly adventures about 3 to 4 hours from Oklahoma City, nearest first.
- Under 1 hour (6)
- 2-3 hours (5)
- 3-4 hours (78)
About these times. Each estimate is a straight-line measurement from downtown Oklahoma City, padded by 17% for winding roads and divided by a 55 mph average — so “about 3 to 4 hours” means roughly that, not a routed time. Traffic, where in OKC you start, and the last few miles of park road can all move it by half an hour. Check a map before you load the car.
about 3 hr drive
about 3 hr 15 min drive
Talihina, OK
Talimena State Park Camping
Small wooded creekside campground at the western end of the Talimena Scenic Drive, the ridge-top highway through the Ouachitas
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- Overnight
- Paid
about 3 hr 15 min drive
Hugo, OK
Hugo Lake State Park Camping
Quiet lakeside state park camping on Hugo Lake, a calmer alternative to Beavers Bend about 90 minutes west of Broken Bow
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- Overnight
- Paid
about 3 hr 15 min drive
Decatur, TX
LBJ National Grasslands
20,000 acres of prairie with mountain biking and primitive camping. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Hiking
- Ages 4+
- ~3h
- Free
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Wister, OK
Lake Wister State Park Camping
Shoreline camping areas and cabins on Lake Wister in the Ouachita foothills, an easy pairing with the Talimena Scenic Drive
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- Overnight
- Paid
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Fort Towson, OK
Raymond Gary State Park Camping
Small shaded lakeside campground and swimming area east of Hugo, and a workable overflow option when Beavers Bend is booked solid
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- Overnight
- Paid
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Little Elm, TX
Johnny Broyles Nature Trail
Paved 2.7-mile nature trail along Lake Lewisville in Little Elm. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.
- Hiking
- Ages 2+
- ~1h
- Free
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Little Elm, TX
Little Elm Beach
Sandy lake beach on Lewisville Lake with roped swim area and free life jacket loans. Free. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.
- Swimming
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Free
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Frisco, TX
B.F. Phillips Community Park
Ranch-themed community park with open fields and rustic backdrops. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~1h
- Free
about 3 hr 30 min drive
McKinney, TX
Erwin Park
10 miles of DORBA-maintained mountain bike trails in McKinney TX with a beginner skills course, playground, and free primitive camping
- Mountain Biking
- Ages 4+
- ~3h
- Free
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Frisco, TX
Frisco Central Park
Scenic park with waterfalls and bronze cattle sculptures popular for portrait sessions. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.
- Photography
- Ages 2+
- ~1h
- Free
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Frisco, TX
Frisco Commons Park
Nature trails and an amphitheater surrounded by mature trees in central Frisco. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~1h
- Free
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Frisco, TX
Frisco Heritage Center
Historic buildings and a steam locomotive make this a top portrait photography spot. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.
- Photography
- Ages 2+
- ~1h
- Free
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Frisco, TX
Frisco Rail District Murals
Colorful street murals along historic Main Street perfect for edgy senior portraits. Free. Best from about age 4. About an hour.
- Photography
- Ages 4+
- ~1h
- Free
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Frisco, TX
Frisco Square
Urban architecture and a central park gazebo ideal for portraits and family photos. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.
- Photography
- Ages 2+
- ~1h
- Free
about 3 hr 30 min drive
McKinney, TX
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
Interactive nature museum and 289-acre wildlife sanctuary. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.
- Nature
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Paid
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Frisco, TX
Kathy Seei Park
Bronze longhorn sculptures and a pond in a compact landscaped park. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~1h
- Free
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Frisco, TX
Limestone Quarry Park
Former quarry with exposed limestone walls and prairie wildflowers. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Dogs welcome.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~1h
- Free
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Frisco, TX
Museum of the American Railroad
Frisco rail museum with full-size steam locomotives, a Pullman sleeper and vintage passenger cars that kids can walk right through.
- Museum
- Ages 2+
- ~2h
- Paid
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Frisco, TX
National Videogame Museum
Frisco museum of video game history with a free-play 1980s arcade, playable consoles, and decade-by-decade living rooms.
- Indoor Play
- Ages 5+
- ~2h
- Paid
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Frisco, TX
Texas Sculpture Garden at Hall Park
Free outdoor sculpture park with 50+ works and beautiful landscaping. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.
- Photography
- Ages 2+
- ~1h
- Free
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Hodgen, OK
Cedar Lake Recreation Area Camping
National forest campground on a small lake with a sandy swim beach and a flat shoreline loop trail kids can walk on their own
- Camping
- Ages 3+
- Overnight
- Paid
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Lewisville, TX
Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area
2,000 acres of prairies and wetlands with guided nature programs. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two hours. Easy going.
- Nature
- Ages 3+
- ~2h
- Paid
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Valliant, OK
Pine Creek Lake Camping
Basic Army Corps campgrounds on a quiet reservoir west of Broken Bow, for families who want an empty boat ramp over restaurants
- Camping
- Ages 3+
- Overnight
- Paid
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Flower Mound, TX
Northshore Trail
26 miles of lakeside singletrack mountain biking trails. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome. Moderate effort.
- Mountain Biking
- Ages 6+
- ~3h
- Free
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Plano, TX
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Family-friendly trails and an observation tower in Plano. Free. Works from toddler age. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.
- Hiking
- Ages 2+
- ~2h
- Free
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Plano, TX
Crayola Experience Plano
Two floors of hands-on art stations in Plano where kids name their own crayon, melt wax into art and take home everything they make.
- Indoor Play
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Paid
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Plano, TX
Legacy West
Modern architecture and a choreographed fountain at this lifestyle center on the Frisco-Plano border. Free. Works from toddler age.
- Photography
- Ages 2+
- ~1h
- Free
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Plano, TX
Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve
800-acre park with boardwalks and kayaking in Plano. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly. Dogs welcome.
- Hiking
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Free
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Southlake, TX
Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve
Short easy trails through rare Cross Timbers forest in Southlake. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~1h
- Free
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Grapevine, TX
Grapevine Junior Sailing Club
A nonprofit club on Lake Grapevine running two-week RS Zest dinghy camps, booked through city parks and rec. Ages 8 to 15.
- Sailing
- Ages 8+
- ~7h
- Paid
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Grapevine, TX
Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine
Indoor water park hotel in Grapevine kept at 84 degrees year-round, with body slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, an arcade and a ropes course.
- Swimming
- Ages 1+
- Overnight
- Paid
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Grapevine, TX
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas Fort Worth
Indoor LEGO play center at Grapevine Mills with build zones, two rides, a 4D cinema, soft play and a MINILAND model of DFW landmarks.
- Indoor Play
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Paid
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Grapevine, TX
Lake Grapevine Horseshoe Trails
Easy lakeside hiking trails on Grapevine Lake. Free. Best from about age 3. About an hour. Stroller-friendly. Dogs welcome.
- Hiking
- Ages 3+
- ~1h
- Free
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Grapevine, TX
Meadowmere Park
Sandy beach swimming on Lake Grapevine with playground and camping. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Paid
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Grapevine, TX
SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium
Mall aquarium in Grapevine with eye-level tanks, touch pools and a walk-through shark and ray tunnel, sized right for little kids.
- Aquarium
- Ages 1+
- ~1h
- Paid
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Cooper, TX
Cooper Lake State Park
Uncrowded lakeside camping with swim beach in Northeast Texas. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Wylie, TX
East Fork Park
Sandy swim beach and lakeside camping on Lake Lavon. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Richardson, TX
Prairie Creek Waterfall
Hidden suburban waterfall and shaded creek trail in Richardson. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Dogs welcome.
- Hiking
- Ages 2+
- ~1h
- Free
about 3 hr 45 min drive
Colleyville, TX
Colleyville Nature Center
Nature trails and playscape perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~1h
- Free
about 4 hr drive
Garland, TX
Rowlett Creek Preserve
524-acre preserve with creek crossings and mountain bike trails. Free. Best from about age 3. About two hours. Dogs welcome.
- Hiking
- Ages 3+
- ~2h
- Free
about 4 hr drive
Garland, TX
Spring Creek Forest Preserve
Old-growth forest with guided nature hikes near Dallas. Free. Best from about age 3. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.
- Hiking
- Ages 3+
- ~2h
- Free
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Beaver Lodge Nature Trail
Easy 2-mile forest loop trail through towering pines in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. Best from about age 3. About an hour.
- Hiking
- Ages 3+
- ~1h
- Free
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Beaver's Bend Mining Company
Gem mining sluice and dinosaur mini golf in Hochatown. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~2h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Beavers Bend Depot & Trail Rides
Miniature train rides and guided horseback rides through the Ouachita pines. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About two hours.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~2h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Beavers Bend Marina
Pontoon and boat rentals on crystal-clear Broken Bow Lake. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Easy going.
- Kayaking
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Beavers Bend Safari Park
Drive-through and walk-through safari with 350+ exotic animals near Hochatown. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About two hours.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~2h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Beavers Bend State Park
Oklahoma's premier family state park with trails and river access in the Ouachita Mountains. Paid entry. Works from toddler age.
- Hiking
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Beavers Bend State Park Cabins
Rustic and modern state park cabins in the pines at Beavers Bend, minutes from Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River
- Lodging
- Ages 1+
- Overnight
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Beavers Bend State Park Campgrounds
Family campgrounds along the Mountain Fork River in Beavers Bend State Park. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Plan to stay overnight.
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- Overnight
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Broken Bow Lake
Crystal-clear 14,000-acre mountain lake with calm swimming coves and 180 miles of shoreline. Free. Works from toddler age.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Free
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Broken Bow Lake Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboard rentals and lessons on crystal-clear Broken Bow Lake. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up. About two hours.
- Paddleboarding
- Ages 6+
- ~2h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Broken Bow Treehouse and Glamping Stays
Treehouses, A-frames, geodesic domes and canvas glamping tents scattered through the woods around Hochatown and Broken Bow Lake
- Lodging
- Ages 4+
- Overnight
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Broken Bow and Hochatown RV Parks
Private full-hookup RV parks along the Highway 259 corridor near Beavers Bend, plus the hookup loops inside the state park
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- Overnight
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Cedar Bluff Nature Trail
Easy 0.8-mile river-view loop across from Dogwood Campground in Beavers Bend State Park - one of Broken Bow's best quick family hikes
- Hiking
- Ages 3+
- ~0.5h
- Free
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
David Boren Hiking Trail
Premier 12-mile trail system with lake views and flexible routes in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. Better for ages 6 and up.
- Hiking
- Ages 6+
- ~3h
- Free
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Evening Hole Fishing Area
Popular family fishing pier on the Mountain Fork River with trout and bass. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. About two hours.
- Fishing
- Ages 4+
- ~2h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Forest Heritage Center Museum
Free forestry museum inside Beavers Bend State Park with wall murals, logging tools, and dioramas for a rained-out cabin day.
- Museum
- Ages 3+
- ~1h
- Free
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Friends Trail Loop
Popular 1.5-mile family loop with a river waterfall in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. Best from about age 3. About an hour.
- Hiking
- Ages 3+
- ~1h
- Free
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Hochatown Cabin Rentals
The private cabin market around Hochatown and Beavers Bend, where hot tubs, bunk rooms, game rooms and fire pits are the family standard
- Lodging
- Ages 1+
- Overnight
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Hochatown Petting Zoo
Rescue-based petting zoo with barnyard animals and exotics in Hochatown. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About an hour.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~1h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Mountain Fork River Kayaking
Kayak and canoe rentals on the crystal-clear Mountain Fork River near Beavers Bend. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. About two hours.
- Kayaking
- Ages 5+
- ~2h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Mountain Fork River Tubing
Gentle family river float through the Ouachita Mountains on the Mountain Fork River. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two hours.
- Tubing
- Ages 3+
- ~2h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Outlaw's Guided Adventures
Guided off-road UTV trail rides through 75+ miles of Ouachita Mountain trails. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.
- Nature
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Riverman Trail Rides
Guided horseback riding through the Ouachita Mountains overlooking the Glover River. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About an hour.
- Nature
- Ages 3+
- ~1h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
Rugaru Adventures
Top-rated six-line forest canopy zipline tour in the Ouachita Mountains. Paid entry. Better for ages 7 and up. About two hours.
- Aerial Adventure
- Ages 7+
- ~2h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Broken Bow, OK
The Maze of Hochatown
Giant 29,000 sq ft wooden maze in Hochatown near Broken Bow - tickets sold at the gate, with checkpoint towers and stamp collecting kids love
- Nature
- Ages 3+
- ~1h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Mineral Wells, TX
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
Natural rock climbing at Penitentiary Hollow plus lake swimming and trails. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.
- Rock Climbing
- Ages 5+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Mineral Wells, TX
Mineral Wells Fossil Park
Free fossil digging where kids keep 300-million-year-old marine specimens. Free. Best from about age 4. About two hours.
- Nature
- Ages 4+
- ~2h
- Free
about 4 hr drive
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Fort Worth science museum with a toddler wing, a dinosaur dig pit, water play, a dome theater and Noble Planetarium star shows.
- Science
- Ages 1+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
25 miles of trails with bison and prairie dogs in Fort Worth. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Nature
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Fort Worth, TX
Gateway Park
Beginner-friendly mountain bike trails along the Trinity River. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours. Dogs welcome.
- Mountain Biking
- Ages 5+
- ~2h
- Free
about 4 hr drive
Fort Worth, TX
Kimbell Art Museum
Free permanent collection in a famous Louis Kahn building in Fort Worth, small enough for a one-hour gallery visit with young kids.
- Museum
- Ages 4+
- ~1h
- Free
about 4 hr drive
Idabel, OK
Museum of the Red River
Idabel museum forty minutes from Broken Bow with a full mounted Acrocanthosaurus and Native American art of the Americas.
- Museum
- Ages 4+
- ~2h
- Free
about 4 hr drive
Fort Worth, TX
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
Fort Worth museum of the women of the American West with a bucking bronc ride simulator, rodeo gear, saddles and Wild West costumes.
- Museum
- Ages 4+
- ~2h
- Paid
about 4 hr drive
Fort Worth, TX
Tandy Hills Natural Area
Native prairie wildflowers and skyline views in Fort Worth. Free. Best from about age 4. About an hour. Dogs welcome. Moderate effort.
- Hiking
- Ages 4+
- ~1h
- Free
about 4 hr drive
Fort Worth, TX
Trinity Trails
Over 100 miles of paved family-friendly trails along the Trinity River in Fort Worth - free biking, walking, and nature right in the city
- Biking
- Ages 2+
- ~2h
- Free
about 4 hr drive
Weatherford, TX
Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway
20-mile flat rail trail perfect for kids building biking endurance. Free. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Biking
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Free
Towns in this drive-time band
- Broken Bow, OK (25)
- Frisco, TX (11)
- Fort Worth, TX (7)
- Grapevine, TX (6)
- Plano, TX (4)
- Garland, TX (2)
- Little Elm, TX (2)
- McKinney, TX (2)
- Mineral Wells, TX (2)
- Colleyville, TX (1)
- Cooper, TX (1)
- Decatur, TX (1)
- Flower Mound, TX (1)
- Fort Towson, OK (1)
- Hodgen, OK (1)
- Hugo, OK (1)
- Idabel, OK (1)
- Lewisville, TX (1)
- Pilot Point, TX (1)
- Richardson, TX (1)
- Southlake, TX (1)
- Talihina, OK (1)
- Valliant, OK (1)
- Weatherford, TX (1)
- Wister, OK (1)
- Wylie, TX (1)