SULPHUR, Okla. – Portions of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur opened to the public this week as the area continues to recover from an EF-3 tornado that touched down in the park April 27.
The tornado and associated heavy flooding caused significant damage to the park and the community of Sulphur. The entire recreation area was closed immediately following the storm for damage assessment, and National Park Service crews have been working diligently over the last week to safely open some sections of the park.
Monday the National Park Service opened most of the Platt Historic District east of U.S. Route 177, including the Travertine Nature Center and Little Niagara, and the Guy Sandy boat launch area on Lake of the Arbuckles was opened Wednesday.
“I commend the collective efforts of the National Park Service, the community of Sulphur, the Chickasaw Nation and all the people who have come together in our time of need. This is an important step on the road to healing our park and community,” said the park’s acting Superintendent Devon Bradley. “We are making good progress, first opening the east portion of the Historic District and now the Guy Sandy boat launch to create access to Lake of the Arbuckles. The other boat launches have extensive amounts of accumulated debris and flood damage so it will take longer to get open.”
Areas now open to the public include most of the Platt Historic District east of U.S. Route 177, including Southeast and Northeast Perimeter Drive, all trails east of the highway, the Travertine Nature Center and Little Niagara, as well as the Guy Sandy courtesy dock, fishing dock, boat ramp and Lake of the Arbuckles.
Much of the park remains closed to visitors. Those areas include the western portion of the Platt National Park Historic District, all campgrounds, Veterans Lake, and all other areas within park boundaries not specifically listed as open. Repairs are needed to many park buildings, roads, trails, bridges, and other infrastructure in those areas.
All campground reservations and special use permits have been cancelled through May 13, and National Park Service officials said there may be further cancellations as conditions continue to be assessed.
Visitors reentering the park are asked to limit their activity to open areas and on established trails and picnic areas. There are still crews working west of Highway 177 with heavy equipment, and several types of active hazards still exist.
For more information about Chickasaw National Recreation Area and for updates on park operations, visit https:// www. nps. gov/chic/planyourvisit/ conditions.htm or follow the park’s social media accounts, username ChickasawNPS, on Facebook, X, and Instagram.