Jack Gray/Flickr Creative Commons
Folks, with the summer winding down and those hot hot hot August days behind us, there may be only a few weekends left to hit the ol swimming hole. I mean, what’s better on a hot day than heading down to the creek, taking the shoes off and going for a quick dip? Especially if that creek has a couple great spots to eat lunch once you’re out of the creek and dried off?
Good news is I know a great old-school resort spot in the Wichita Mountains, just west of Lawton that is a wonderful place to swim, eat lunch, listen to music, and just chill on a hot afternoon… Medicine Park, OK.
The little village of Medicine Park is over 100 years old, and is know far and wide as a cobblestone town. It has a very CCC style look to it, as the cobblestones and a lot of the remaining buildings are built of the native red granite of the Wichita Mountains. It’s entire history has been as a resort destination, even though it was founded before Oklahoma even became a state. Two dams were used to create Bath Lake Swimming Hole, which now features bridges, shaded areas, sunny areas, picnic areas, and of course one big ol swimming area!
Very often Medicine Park hosts live music on the big stage across the street from the creek, so while you’re floating and relaxing you can also enjoy live Country music, Blues music, Americana, Western Swing as you’re cooling off. The folks at Medicine Park are also very friendly and welcoming as they’ve been playing host to visitors for more than a century. Heck the current mayor is a retired school teacher who, besides running the town, also organizes the music on the stage! As of the 2010 census the town’s permanent population is only slightly more than 300, but on summer weekends the population swells into the thousands, so if you’re bringing your RV or trailer, call ahead for a berth at one of the campgrounds, or get there in the morning! And remember to visit our website for all your parts and accessories!!