For a smaller scale experience of “Lake of the Ozarks” that still offers a ton of fun and crystal-clear waters with unique experiences— a trip to Lake Tenkiller (aka Tenkiller Ferry Lake) may be your happy medium.
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Where is Lake Tenkiller?
Located in the Ozarks of East Oklahoma, less than an hour south of Tahlequah, Lake Tenkiller is a massive lake that stretches over 15 miles from end to end. Find out how to keep the whole family captivated at Lake Tenkiller in Oklahoma.
Related: Visit Lake of the Ozarks
Things to Do and See at Lake Tenkiller
Here’s just a taste of what you can find at Lake Tenkiller:
Over a Dozen Parks
Scuba Diving in the Lake
Resorts and Stays on the Water
Fishing Piers
Watercraft Rentals at Marinas
Floating Restaurants
Explore “Heaven in the Hills”
At the southeast corner of the lake, you’ll find Tenkiller State Park. This is a great starting point since there’s a lot to do in a concentrated area, including a visitor’s center and gift shop. Stop here to take a quick family hike, visit the Driftwood Nature Center, or put a line in at the kid’s fishing pond. You can even have a picnic at one of the pavilions before exploring the rest of the lake. Here’s a map of this small park to get you started.
Eat at Soda Steve's and See Something Unusual
Within walking distance of the lake, there’s an unusual restaurant that’s worth a visit. There’s something in the dining room that doesn’t belong. Find out what it is while you enjoy some Monte Cristos and Patty Melts at Soda Steve’s. For dessert, try the hot fudge nachos!
This unique eatery is located at: 445889 Oklahoma 10A, Paradise Hill, OK, 74435
Learn to Scuba Dive in Lake Tenkiller
The clear, deep waters of Lake Tenkiller make it a diver’s paradise. If you’ve been interested in scuba diving, but prefer to learn in a shark-free environment—why not learn at Lake Tenkiller? You can sign your family up (ages 10+) for first-time scuba instruction in the safety of an indoor environment at Nautical Adventures.
If you’re seriously interested in certification, you'll need to commit 3 days in order to dive in open waters. Once certified, though, you can enjoy the dive park inside Tenkiller Lake and explore these treasures under the water:
Ruins of communities that were flooded when the dam was built
Sunken airplane fuselage
Underwater school bus
Helicopter
Boats
Float Over to Goat Island
On the West side of Tenkiller Lake, you can make your way over for a site you don’t see every day—goats living peacefully on an Island in Oklahoma. On Goat Island, near Pettit Bay campground, real goats live out in the middle of Lake Tenkiller. The goats even seem to be friendly enough for an up-close view in person!
If you’re in need of a vessel to get you to the island, we’ll cover the proper venues to accomplish that mission next.
Float the Lake on a Rental Watercraft
If you’re looking to float on the water, Lake Tenkiller is the place to be. Whether you’re looking for a ski boat, kayak, jet ski, or pontoon boat—find them all here. Don’t forget to rent a tube with your boat if you want to add an adrenaline rush!
There’s no shortage of rental options. Here are a few locations that you can rent from:
Burnt Cabin: Ski Boats, Skis & Boards, Pontoon Boats, and Jet Skis
Pine Cove Marina: Pontoon Boats, Kayaks
Strayhorn Marina: Paddleboards, Kayaks, Pontoon Boats
Elk Creek Resort & Marina: Pontoon, Tubes, Kayaks, Paddleboards
Cookson Bend Marina: Ski boats, Paddleboards, Wakeboards, and Wakeskates
Prices range, but you can expect non-motorized rentals like paddleboards and kayaks to run around $20 per hour and boats to run around $300 for half a day (4 hours). Jetskis are around $100 per hour.
If you’re bringing your own boat, all of the marinas above offer boat slips!
Stay on the Lake
There’s a lot worth seeing at Lake Tenkiller. If you’re looking to hang out here longer than a day, there is an abundance of beautiful rentals. Just make sure you are choosing from the right pool of stays. Though the Marina does offer some resorts, you might have better luck elsewhere. Instead, check out these welcoming and unique stays on Lake Tenkiller on VRBO.
Here’s one that caught our eye, accommodates up to six guests, and it even comes with two complimentary kayaks for guest use:
Ready to Plan Your Trip to Lake Tenkiller?
Here are a few links to help you get the ball rolling on your reservations.
Rent a Van: Pack your bags and fit your family comfortably on your road trip to Cookson, Oklahoma with a rental vehicle. Leave the worries of car troubles behind and travel in style and comfort. Reserve yours here on Economy Bookings.
Get a Room: If you prefer a traditional hotel stay, you can peruse your options here on Trip.com. Alternatively, here are a few more cabin options for staying on the lake.
Looking for more tools to plan your family vacation to the Ozarks? Check out our guide.