From the Kansas state line to the Texas state line South of Randlett, Oklahoma is 259 miles. Assigned in 1938. All community populations here are approximates.
Road tripping through the communities along the way, I have listed Websites I have found that are about the towns/areas we pass through. The other day I traveled the entire US Highway 281 route through Oklahoma from bottom to top, Texas to Kansas. The entire journey took less than a couple of hours, I took my time and with plenty of breaks along the way.
Whaaaa? Huuuh? Hey Johnny Knuckle Head how can that be? Two words my silly willie friend. "Google Satellite", the map views. Yes I did! Simataniously doing Google community searches while traveling thru cyberspace. My research results and links listed below. Hope these are helpful to those planing a road trip on US Highway 281 Oklahoma. One thing I noticed as I was "Satellite Traveling" US Hwy 281 there are lots of rural areas along the way and very few swimming pools on farmers homesteads. Looking forward to making the real live time road trip.
I have included websites of the communities and area(s) if available. (All Links were operational at the time of this blog post).
Alva, Oklahoma, along the Salt Fork Arkansas River. Home to Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU), founded in 1897. Main campus in a city of nearly 6,000 residents in northwest Oklahoma. Alva is located just 14 miles south of the Kansas border. Alva is approximately 115 miles northwest of Oklahoma City and 100 miles southwest of Wichita, Kansas. It maybe fun to catch a college game or some culture at the university while in Alva as we are traveling US Hwy. 281.
Alva Area Chamber of Commerce: NWOSU Athletics Website:
South of Alva is Waynoka, (993) a town in Woods County. It continues to grow and prosper while preserving a warm and friendly atmosphere. A variety of parks are located throughout the city, including a swimming pool for the citizens to enjoy.
An interesting thing about Waynoka. ATV's are now allowed around the downtown square. Call City Hall for the latest updates, 580-824-2261. Night riding fans: remember that the ATV trail to the dunes is open daylight hours only due to Oklahoma State Law regulating railroad crossings. Did I mention Little Sahara State Park is located 4 miles south.
City of Waynoka Website: Waynoka Chamber of Commerce Website:
Little Sahara offers over 1600 acres of rideable sand dunes ranging in height from 25 to 75 feet. Amenities include showers, picnic areas, RV hookups with electric/water and tent sites.
Little Sahara State Park Website:
A website is dedicated to the promotion of the Little Sahara State Park and ATVers, their interests and enjoyment. A useful site for those who use the park as well as those who may wish to visit the park. Waynoka.com:
Seiling, (773) a town sandwiched between Watonga and Waynoka on US Highway 281.
Roman Nose Resort Park is located seven miles north of Watonga. Once a favorite area of the Cheyenne tribe, this area is a scenic retreat set on a canyon bluff that overlooks ancient mesas. Towering cedars, buffalo grass, and wild blue sage add to the beauty of the legendary setting, and to the enjoyment of numerous recreational activities.
Roman Nose State Park & Lodge Website:
Watonga, (4,658) to Geary, (1,258). Watonga is an Oklahoma Certified City and the downtown is a part of the prestigious Oklahoma Main Street Program. The Watonga Chamber is owned and operated by citizens who care about the community.
Watonga Chamber of Commerce Website:
Hinton. At the time I was doing this research. Wikipedia® had this listed for Hinton, Okla. (2,138); "Hinton is famous for the great streaking riot of 2006 in which 1200 people ran naked through the streets. 46 people were killed and many more were injured". Huh? Whaaa? I'm wondering if this is really true? Red Rock Canyon State Park was once a stop on the famous California Road Trail. South of Hinton on US Highway 281. The park and campsites are located down in the canyon among the canyon walls. In addition to RV and tent camping, the park offers picnic areas, nature trails, a small fishing pond, and playground equipment. The canyon walls are a favorite for rappelling and open exploration.
Red Rock Canyon State Park Website:
Anadarko, (6,645) sprang into existence as part of the Land Lottery Bill of 1901. Self-titled, "Indian Capital of the Nation." The Southern Plains Indian Museum (Anadarko) displays richly varied arts of western Oklahoma tribal peoples. A series of promotional sales exhibitions introduces unsurpassed Contemporary American Indian arts and crafts by emerging artists and craftspersons. The museum was founded in 1947-48 through Federal and Oklahoma State governments’ Cooperative efforts.
The City of Anadarko.
Southern Plains Indian Museum, Anadarko, Oklahoma Website:
Apache, (1,616) a town in Caddo County. Home of "Mo" Betta Clothing Company, authentic western wear. "Mo" Betta Clothing Company Website:
North of Lawton is Lake Ellsworth on US Highway 281. Lake Ellsworth has 43 miles of shoreline and 5,600 surface acres. Lake Ellsworth Website:
Lawton, (92,757). Lots to see and do in Lawton Oklahoma. (I have not included any information here on Lawton). This blog is more about the rural communities.
South of Lawton. If one was to travel a stretch of I-44 of US Hwy.-281 (they overlap) you might miss Randlett Oklahoma on US Hwy.-281, Randlett, (497). Cookietown (3), to the north is located at the crossroads of U.S. 277/ US Hwy. 281 and SH-5A, in Cotton County,15 miles north of the Red River and Texas. The town still has a handful of residents but no cookie factory.
Cookietown. Origin of its unusual name? The tiny southwestern Oklahoma community was named after a local business owned by Marvin Cornelius back in the early twentieth century. Some say the town's name came from a young lad who, after being handed a cookie by the general store's owner, exclaimed "I don't want to leave 'Cookietown'". Others hold that the town just wanted an unusual name to receive recognition and more tourists.
Safe travels. Ya'll come back...
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