If you are looking for the #1 place to have fun at Grand Lake, then look no further than Monkey Island.
Centrally located between the commercial hub of Grove and the wide-open, deep boating waters of South Grand Lake, Monkey Island has a perfect mix of resort amenities, lake access, and bars and restaurants to help you make the most of your Grand Lake Living!
The luxury Shangri-La Golf Club, Resort, Marina, and Conference Center is absolutely the centerpiece of Monkey Island, and for good reason.
With 27 holes of championship golf, plus other amenities such as a resort hotel & conference center, private fine dining, a resort pool with aquatic slide, pool and lakefront dining, a full-service marina including boat rentals, spa, and fitness center, plus a fantastic and all-new Activity Park featuring tennis, pickleball, a whiffle ballpark, and more – Shangri-La has what you need to make the most of your time at Grand Lake.
But that just gets you started, as Monkey Island has so much more.
Monkey Island has an active and engaged group of residents who work non-stop to improve the quality of life for both full-time residents and visitors.
One of the most popular features is the recently completed Monkey Island Trail (built with ALL donated funds), a 5-mile paved walking and riding trail that follows along Highway 125 and connects Tera Miranda Resort to Shangri-La, and all of the bars, restaurants, and amenities in between.
It’s a community and amenities like this that make Monkey Island truly special.
But, if you’ve landed on this page, you are likely looking for a little more information on Monkey Island. Below you will find some featured places to stay and eat.
Of course, the Shangri-La Resort and Conference Center is the headliner here.
This beautiful full-service resort and conference center is the only one of its kind on Grand Lake.
Besides the hotel, there are several great vacation rentals on Monkey Island. Here is a rundown of several featured properties and places to stay for your Monkey Island getaway.
Are you looking for that perfectly appointed vacation rental at Grand Lake for your next getaway?
Well, you have found your way to the right place, as Grand Life Vacation Rentals has over a dozen homes to choose from, ranging in size from 1,200 square feet to 4,600 square feet that sleep from 6 to 18 people.
These homes are all fully equipped and just waiting for you to enjoy some Grand Lake time!
Click the website HERE to check out what is available.
Monkey Island RV Resort is the newest luxury RV park on Monkey Island, Oklahoma – smack dab in the middle of Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees and all of the action on Monkey Island.
Enjoy 100% concrete roads and pads with all pads wired with 30 and 50 amp electrical service, water and sewer hookups.
Our clubhouse features a laundry room with 3 washers and dryers as well as a folding table and we have clean, private indoor showers.
The cozy cabins rooms all include a queen bed, sleeper sofa, big screen TV with cable, kitchen area and a private bath with shower.
Visit our website or give us a call today to make your reservations for your Grand Lake getaway now!
The Shangri-La Resort Hotel & Conference Center is now open and has immediately become the place to stay on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake.
This lakeside getaway and conference center on Oklahoma’s premier golf course has something for everyone, whether you are looking for a golf getaway, a great lakeside resort or even the perfect place for your wedding or corporate outing.
The Shangri-La Resort Hotel and Conference Center includes:
120 guest rooms
Large resort pool and children’s splash pad area
Luxury spa • 120 seat casual-style restaurant
Bar with roof-top patio overlooking the lake
8000 SF of conference space with ballroom
Call (918) 257- 4204 now to make your reservations or learn more about hosting your event or special occasion.
Grand Lake Vacation Properties: Your Perfect Lake Getaway Starts Here
Whether you’re planning a weekend escape, a family vacation, or a lakeside retreat, Grand Lake Vacation Properties offers the perfect rental to make your stay unforgettable.
With a handpicked selection of luxury homes, cozy cabins, and waterfront retreats, we specialize in premium vacation rentals that let you experience Grand Lake in comfort and style – from Monkey Island to Grove and beyond.
From stunning lakefront views to private docks and resort-style amenities, each of our properties is thoughtfully equipped to provide a seamless and relaxing stay. Whether you’re looking for a spacious home for a large group, a romantic cabin for two, or a pet-friendly rental, we make finding the perfect getaway easy.
Why Choose Grand Lake Vacation Properties?
Exclusive Selection – Only the best lake homes and cabins, ensuring quality and comfort. Local Expertise – Owned and operated by lake lovers who know Grand Lake inside and out. Easy Booking – A hassle-free reservation process with personalized service. Prime Locations – Stay near top attractions, marinas, and the best boating, fishing, and dining spots.
Your dream lake vacation is just a few clicks away! Visit GrandLakeVacationProperties.com to explore available rentals and book your perfect Grand Lake escape today.
Are you looking for the perfect Grand Lake family getaway? If so, you’ve got to check out this Monkey Island vacation rental.
This waterfront property with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths sleeps 6 comfortably, but that’s not the whole story.
Since you are at the lake, you want access to the lake, right? We’ll you’ve got that here with a big open deck, plus a boat slip in a dock, and that dock even has an upper deck for the ultimate in Grand Lake relaxation.
And besides ALL of that, the location puts you minutes away from all of the amenities at Shangri-La Resort and other great Monkey Island restaurants and attractions.
Click the links above to check us out on our website, on Facebook, or go ahead and head to our VRBO page to check availability now!
If you are going to be spending some time on Monkey Island, chances are you are going to stay busy.
Whether you will stay booked up with a tee-time at Shangri-La, or want to rent a boat, maybe do a little shopping, stock up on groceries, go hang out at The Anchor – there are plenty of options.
Discover the ultimate golf cart experience with The Golf Cart Guyz – your one-stop shop for sales, rentals, service, and golf cart customization in Northeast Oklahoma.
Single-day and multi-day rental options are available with carts of varying size.
And, you will find a wide selection of new and high-quality used golf carts for sale, from standard models to custom-built designs. The carts are built to last and are perfect for golfers, lake home owners, or anyone in need of some reliable (and stylish) transportation around the neighborhood.
Plus, our expert technicians provide top-notch service and repair options to keep your cart running smoothly – and we can handle ALL of your customization ideas!
The Golf Cart Guyz is your one-stop shop for all of your Grand Lake golf cart needs! Visit their website to find out how they can help with your golf cart rental and sales needs.
Shangri-La’s Summit Restaurant offers Grand Lake’s finest dining experience. With unbelievable views from the highest point on Monkey Island, it is the perfect setting for a truly memorable meal.
Exquisite brunch buffets, beautifully paired wine dinners and weekly specials have all made the Summit the area’s first choice for intimate dinners, entertainment, special events, weddings, receptions and catering.
Reservations are available to the general public 24 hours in advance.
With a great bar menu, a wide variety of beverages, an extensive wine selection and five flat screen televisions, the Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La has become the gathering spot for golfers, sports fans and friends who simply want to relax in an atmosphere of casual elegance. Table seating or bar seating is available.
Grand Lake Livin’ at its finest happens at The Quarterdeck at Tera Miranda on Monkey Island.
Make sure to find them on social media for full hours, but you can expect to find them every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from April through October – at least!
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.
Besides these great options, there are a handful of other popular places to eat.
Bailey’s Bistro and Chickanellas are both great breakfast and lunch options on the island while The Road Hog, located at Littlefield’s Corner at the entrance to Monkey Island has great BBQ. And The Shebang has been serving great food and fun to Monkey Islanders for years.
Monkey Island is also popular for its nightlife, with places like the Blind Swine, Big Shots, and Monkey Island Pub offering live music and dancing most weekend nights.
Where did the name Monkey Island come from?
Not an island at all, actually a 6-mile-long peninsula into Grand Lake, there have been a lot of stories about how Monkey Island got its name but one thing remains true… there have been no real monkeys on the island. Well, maybe some pets and some folks acting like monkeys, but that’s about it.
Anyway, the story goes that some folks from the Bernice area had gone to the Tulsa Zoo about the time the Pensacola Dam was being built and the lake was getting ready to be formed, and they had themselves a fine Sunday that included watching and feeding the monkeys, who were all kept on a small island with a moat around it.
Soon after, a reporter from the Tulsa World came through the Bernice area to do a story on the changes that the lake would bring, and these folks pointed towards what would become known as Monkey Island and said something to the effect of “over there will be Monkey Island, that’s where the monkeys will be kept”.
That story was printed in the Tulsa World a few days later, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Monkey Island is a hub of activity, from golf, fishing, and boating on Grand Lake, to great dining and a happening live music scene.
Whether you are looking to buy a boat, do some fishing, enjoy some great food and fun, or you just want a quiet getaway – for a weekend or a lifetime – you can do that at Monkey Island.