It’s the big, unofficial blow-out end to summer, even though there is a LOT of great boating, fishing, and Grand Lake fun to be had throughout the fall months.
But still, it’s the last 3-day weekend and for a bunch of folks, it’s the last time to spend much time at the lake until next year.
With that, I thought it would help to give you 7 things to think about doing this Labor Day Weekend at Grand Lake.
There are no right answers and no wrong answers, it’s all about how you love spending your lake time.
So choose wisely…
Party in Grove
Grove is the place to be Saturday and Sunday for the Boats, Beats & BBQ party happening at Wolf Creek Park.
There are going to be Formula 1 boat races, a BBQ competition, a live music – sounds like a good time to me!
Get all the details HERE, and make plans for a great time.
Actually, the party in Grove gets started Friday night with the final Food Truck Friday happening in Downtown starting at 5, and featuring live music from Back in Black – the AC/DC tribute band.
Good times!
Paddle the River
Saturday is the first ever Grand River Dam Paddle, an organized event paddle event hosted by Langley resident John Knippers.
All skill levels and paddle crafts are welcome! Canoe, kayak, pedal drives, SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) to even tandems. The idea… encourage ALL paddle craft to participate.
They will have everything from a Kids’ 1k, a beginner/intermediate 5k, to the 11-mile down & back LONG course. It’ll be a real privilege to share the experience with Grand Lake locals, new faces, and friends from around the paddling community.
One of the Grand Lake’s best bets… all year long. Of course, you have to have a boat or access to a boat, but there is nothing like a relaxing cruise on Grand Lake.
Even on a big holiday weekend!
It’s true. Don’t worry about not having a ‘big enough’ boat – those boat sales guys have sure been trained up to sell you bigger, huh???.
It’s about knowing YOUR vessel, picking the right times of day, and especially paying attention when you are in the high traffic areas where the big girls like to let it rip.
You know, Shangri-La area, Duck Creek to the Drip, etc.
Be aware, slow down, know how to take on the big rollers in your rig, and, most of all – don’t spill your beverages!
(Oh, and this is probably a good spot to remind you to make sure that the kids, and anybody who wants one, is wearing a life-jacket).
Sunrises & Sunsets
Oh yea… now this one might call for a little more dedication. Well, not the sunset part.
Sunsets are easy. Just stay awake and stay on the lake.
The challenge with the sunset cruise is that there are more people on the lake, so you really have to keep your head on a swivel.
And a lot of those people out on sunset cruises might not be as experienced for the low-light cruise back to the dock or the ramp.
But still, Grand Lake sunsets are awesome.
But for my money, not as fantastic as a Grand Lake sunrise on the water.
There is something just so peaceful and promising watching the new day dawn and the sunrise over Grand Lake.
Bonus points on this one, if you are so inclined…
After you enjoy your float and take in the sun coming up over the horizon and have knocked out that cup of coffee or peppermint tea – there will NOT be a better time of day for a nice ride on your wakeboard, or old school slalom ski, or any board of your choice.
And this time of year, the water is perfect. Trust me… Just Do It!
Attractions!
There really are a lot of cool things to do around Grand Lake that don’t necessarily involve being on the water.
From the awesome Har-Ber Village Museum in Grove to the Oasis Animal Adventure Park near Disney, there is something to check out for young and old.
Heck, don’t forget about all the off-road fun that happens every weekend all year long in Disney. Rock crawlers, jeepers, RZRs, and more can all be found down on the rocks having a big time.
Looking for some of those attractions? Maybe this will help:
Bernice Area at Grand Lake State Park Nature Center
Bernice Area at Grand Lake State Park Nature Center
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How about that. I’m going to tell you to spend some money around here. The nerve!
This weekend will actually be the last weekend of the year for some of the on-the-water places. Sharky’s at Hammerhead will wrap up their season on Monday afternoon/evening, although VIP Pizza will stay open into the fall as usual.
Anyway, whether you find yourself doing some shopping in Grove or are out on the water looking for that perfect place on the water for a cold drink and good meal, you will find it.
Be patient, appreciate the effort of those trying to help you have a great weekend, and know that spending a little of your hard-earned time and money at Grand Lake is appreciated by all.
Relax
You know, you don’t have to be going non-stop. Grand Lake is the perfect place to stop, drop, chill, and just take it all in.
Sit on the shore, the deck, or the dock. Stop, and just listen. It’s awesome.
Take a nap. Read a book. Do what you want.
Sure, on the holiday weekend there will be plenty of noise through the middle of the day with engines roaring and music blaring and all of that, but even in the middle of the day, there are little nuggets of peace and quiet that us full-timers know and love.
And of course, there is plenty of quiet time early and late. It’s awesome. Enjoy it.
Alright, there isn’t anything brand new above, but hopefully, this helps remind you of some things you want to do at the lake this Labor Day Weekend.
Or, maybe even better, reminds you of things you don’t want to do this holiday weekend.
Either way, have fun and enjoy your Labor Day Weekend at Grand Lake!
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