Welcome to Grand Lake, Oklahoma’s hidden gem where the excitement of fishing and boating reigns supreme, but where a world of unique attractions and unforgettable experiences await beyond the water’s edge.
More Than Just a Lake
That feeling when you stumble upon a delightful surprise?
Expect plenty of those here. Whether you’re charting out a family vacation, seeking the perfect spot for a romantic escapade, or just exploring on a spontaneous day out, Grand Lake promises experiences beyond your imagination.
Every visit is a chance to uncover something new, something magical.
While Grand Lake’s reputation for world-class fishing and unparalleled boating adventures is well-deserved, it’s the lesser-known charms that weave the complete story of this enchanting destination nestled in the foothills of The Ozarks.
You can delve into the past at local museums that shine a light on everything from the Cherokee legacy to the throwback experience of an old-time Ozark mountain village.
Discover the tales that shaped this land and its people, and how they’ve evolved into the bustling, vibrant community that welcomes you today.
The Majestic Grand Lake O’ the Cherokee
Indeed, at the heart of it all is the Grand Lake O’ the Cherokee.
The lake isn’t just a sight to behold, but an emblem of nature’s grandeur and mankind’s ingenuity.
This sprawling beauty, boasting over 1,300 miles of meandering shoreline, is cradled by the mighty Pensacola Dam.
Pensacola Dam
The Pensacola Dam is a testament to human prowess.
Not only does it hold back the vast waters of Grand Lake, but it also stands as a symbol of the region’s development and progress.
Dive deeper into the history and significance of this impressive structure to learn about its true impact on Northeast Oklahoma by experiencing the dam yourself.
Stage Highway 28 runs over the Pensacola Dam between the towns of Langley and Disney.
And at the west end of the dam, in the Town of Langley, you will find the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) Ecosystem and Education Center, which is open to the public and offers a glimpse into both the history of the construction of the dam, the history of the valley, and the challenges in keeping the Grand Lake watershed vibrant and thriving well into the future.
Looking for More?
There’s a world of discovery and memories waiting for you at Grand Lake.
Whether it is a historical step back in time at Har-Ber Village Museum or a walk through the meandering shady pathways featuring more than 1,200 different types of plants at Grove’s 8-acre Lendownwood Gardens.
Or maybe something more geared for the kids, like the Bernice Nature Center or Oasis AnimalAdventure Park.
Whatever it is, let the waters of Grand Lake be just the starting point of your Grand Lake adventure.
And then dive into the wide variety of experiences that lie beyond, waiting to be explored, cherished, and remembered.
Welcome to Grand Lake – where every visit is a new adventure.
Bernice Area at Grand Lake State Park is located on the northwestern corner of Grand Lake in the small town of Bernice.
The 88-acre park area boasts 150 primitive tent sites and 33 RV sites with water and 50 amp electric hookups. There are also two comfort stations with hot showers located on either side of the park. Picnic areas are scattered throughout the park, and there is one covered shelter.
Bernice Area at Grand Lake State Park also offers several activities for kids of all ages. With two playgrounds, a swimming beach, a nature center, a wildlife feeding area, and two wildlife watchtowers, the whole family is certain to find something to enjoy. The park also features one mile paved walking and jogging path that is handicapped accessible.
If you’ve ever wanted to ride in a helicopter, then you don’t want to miss a fun flight on one of our helicopter rides around Grand Lake and Northeast Oklahoma. There are several tour options to choose from.
You could choose a helicopter tour that takes you over the dam, where you’ll see beautiful views of the water from above, or take a private tour all the way to Chief’s stadium or an ATV track for a thrilling ride. Our pilots help you customize a tour experience that fits the vibe of your visit to Oklahoma.
With private tours this easy to customize at a cost most can easily afford, you don’t want to miss out on elevating your Grand Lake experience. Check out our list of air tours on our website at https://flygrandlakehelicopter.com/ to choose your favorite or customize your own experience for one of the best helicopter rides over Grand Lake.
The GRDA Ecosystems & Education Center, located at the West end of the Pensacola Dam in Langley, OK., is dedicated to greater ecosystems and lake management and education in Northeast Oklahoma.
And it is the home of the FREE Pensacola Dam tours every summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Update – No Dam Tours in 2020 due to Covid-19
The Ecosystems & Education Center is the home to the offices for GRDA permits, where people can find and submit applications for any kind of dock, event or construction permits that may be needed.
And the central location of the GRDA Ecosystems & Education Center provides a perfect location for the GRDA Police & Lake Patrol to headquarter throughout the busy lake season with easy access to both Grand Lake & Lake Hudson.
While the public benefits in many ways from this beautiful facility in Langley, ultimately it’s the Grand River Dam Authority who gets to use the Ecosystems & Education Center on a daily basis as a management tool for the entire Grand Lake region.
The facility is open year-round to the public with information on Grand Lake, Lake Hudson and the surrounding area of Northeastern Oklahoma.
Har-Ber Village Museum, located along the shores of Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees in Grove, Oklahoma, is the site of a pioneer-era village and history museum of over 100 exhibits displayed inside authentic log cabins and reproduction buildings.
You can experience the history and ecology of the Grand Lake area through self-guided tours, which includes a walk through the grounds with several historic buildings include a relocated schoolhouse, jail, and 16 log cabins.
The museum has an active calendar of special events throughout the year for local residents and visitors alike.
Har-Ber Village also includes a nature trail, cafe, and an events center that regularly hosts community events.
Your best bet to make sure you have the current hours, locate the museum and find the latest on any events taking place is to visit the Har-Ber Village website HERE.
Lendonwood Gardens is an eight-acre botanical garden near Grand Lake in northeastern Oklahoma.
Shady pathways meander through more than 1,200 different types of plants, including an amazing collection of rhododendrons, many varieties of daylilies, and several varieties of dogwoods.
Lendonwood is home to the Oklahoma Garden, featuring “Oklahoma Proven” plantings as identified by Oklahoma State University. These are plants that thrive in our unpredictable climate.
The garden is open year around during daylight hours with maps and information for self-guided tours are available inside the entrance at the gatehouse.
Lendonwood’s Welcome Center and Gift Shop is open seasonally Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Pensacola Dam, which holds back the waters of Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ the Cherokee, is truly one of the most impressive sites in Oklahoma.
State Hwy 28 runs across Pensacola Dam from Langley on the west end to Disney, which is actually an island community, at the east end of the Dam.
Further east, through Disney, are two more flood-control spillways, which create Disney Island.
Pensacola Dam is open daily for FREE Tours from Memorial Day through Labor Day (Update, due to Covid-19, there are no Dam Tours in 2020) from 9 am to 4 pm and you can also schedule tours throughout the year with groups of 10 or more by calling 918-782-4726.
The GRDA Ecosystems and Education Center is located at the west end of the dam in Langley and is open year-round for all of your Grand Lake area information.
So much to do at The Anchor Activity Park at Shangri-La Resort!
From tennis and pickleball to the mini-Fenway Park replica whiffle ballpark, to the VR gaming, simulators, and so much more – there truly is something fun and active for everyone.
And you can make a full day of it by enjoying the sports bar and Galley Restaurant as well.
