The Lake of the Arbuckles is a popular fishing lake in Oklahoma. Visitors can fish for catfish, perch, bass, and crappie. The lake features 36 miles of shoreline and protective coves for trotlines. Facilities at the lake include campgrounds, camping and trailer spaces, picnic areas with shelters and tables, public restrooms, boat docks and boat ramps. Hunting is also permitted at Chickasaw National Recreation Area, subject to Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation regulations.
The park offers visitors a number of opportunities to participate in year-round water-based activities, including boating, canoeing and fishing. Two artificial lakes, Veterans Lake and Lake of the Arbuckles, provide boating opportunities with boat docks and ramps. Boaters require a permit to use the lakes, which can be purchased at fee machines at boat launch ramps in the park. Visitors can also swim throughout the park at the Lake of the Arbuckles, Veterans Lake, Travertine Creek and Rock Creek.
The park features two different ecosystems: the eastern deciduous forest and the mixed-grass prairie. The diverse ecosystem allows hikers, birdwatchers and wildflower enthusiasts to enjoy a variety of landscapes and wildlife. The park is also located in the central migratory flyway, offering visitors year-round birdwatching opportunities. Chickasaw has over 20 miles of hiking trails, including the eight-mile Rock Creek multiuse trail for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking. Six campgrounds with fire rings, picnic table and parking pads are located throughout the park.
The Travertine Nature Center, the park's main educational center, features an information desk and bookstore. The center includes exhibit dioramas, an interactive learning space, and live reptiles, amphibians and birds of prey. Ranger-led nature programs and films are also provided in the center's auditorium. The park's Platt Historic District also allows visitors to learn about the area's history by exploring roads, trails and structures in the district. Two of the park's oldest sites, the Flower Park and the 1909 Lincoln Bridge, are examples of historic sights that can be visited.
