The Oklahoman

State parks offer a sweetheart of a deal

- By Dino Lalli

Asense of “normalcy” is still looking very nice. Thanksgivi­ng and Christmas did provide for most a sense of that “normalcy,” at least to some degree. Now up ahead comes Valentine's Day.

Yes, it is time to celebrate the most romantic holiday of the year! And if you are looking for a way in which to do so, Oklahoma State Parks have a “Sweetheart Special” during the month of February. In past years, this special rate was only available for the cabins and lodge rooms. However, the special rate is now available for camping, as well.

The promotion is running Feb. 1 through Feb. 28. You will get 15% off the total of your stay, but you have to use the special discount “SWEETHEART RATE” when booking through www. travelok.com or through the Oklahoma State Parks app on your smartphone. The 15% off promotion cannot be combined with other discounts.

Various activities at the state parks this time of the year add to the enjoyment of a visit. Wildlife watching is one of those activities with eagle watches being one of the most popular at some parks. For example, Lake Thunderbir­d State Park has eagle tours by reservatio­n Feb. 6 and 20.

Out of social distancing concerns, you still can enjoy an informativ­e eagle watch hosted by Tenkiller State

Park by way of a caravan tour with the guide broadcasti­ng through your car's FM radio so guests can safely enjoy the outing. Now those eagle tours are hosted by Tenkiller but will actually take place at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. Those tours will take place every Saturday in February and will be limited to 15 cars. So you need to call ahead for reservatio­ns there, too.

Sequoyah State Park will have some modified eagle viewings in February, but Valentine's weekend, Sequoyah will host a lovebirds couples night! Along the way, you might also see a lot of songbirds, deer, opossum and even the squirrels as they chase each other across the landscape at various parks across the state.

Hiking is also very popular,

and this time of the year, chances are the trails are clear. And you have plenty of trails from which to choose across the state parks. In fact, Oklahoma state parks offer

thousands of miles of hiking trails in some of the prettiest areas around! Given Oklahoma's weather, of course, hiking is such a wonderful way to get outside, enjoy

nature, relax and get some exercise. Hiking in a state park also can give you an idea of the state's diverse terrain, and there are hiking trails to meet all the different skill levels. And don't forget about fishing as a splendid and fun way to get rid of stress.

Just remember the cabins and lodges are not as busy this time of the year, which makes a weekend and weekday getaway even more appealing. And since so many of us are striving for that sense of normalcy, taking advantage of the “Sweetheart Special” during the month of February at an Oklahoma state park just might be what you're looking for.

Some state parks are in the process of creating specific events for Valentine's Day weekend. For example, at Sequoyah State Park, they are putting together a special RSVP couples outdoor Valentine's event. For more informatio­n on the “Sweetheart Special,” go to www.travelok.com. While there, find out more about other activities you can participat­e in while staying at an Oklahoma state park.

 ?? [OKLAHOMA TOURISM AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT] ?? Take advantage of the “Sweetheart Special” discount to book a stay at an Oklahoma state park cabin, such as this one at Lake Wister State Park.
[OKLAHOMA TOURISM AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT] Take advantage of the “Sweetheart Special” discount to book a stay at an Oklahoma state park cabin, such as this one at Lake Wister State Park.
 ??  ?? Oklahoma State Parks' “Sweetheart Special” during the month of February includes a special rate for camping.
Oklahoma State Parks' “Sweetheart Special” during the month of February includes a special rate for camping.
 ??  ?? Wildlife watching is one of those activities with eagle watches being one of the most popular at some parks.
Wildlife watching is one of those activities with eagle watches being one of the most popular at some parks.
 ?? [OKLAHOMA TOURISM AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT] ?? Oklahoma state parks offer thousands of miles of hiking trails, and this time of the year, chances are the trails are clear.
[OKLAHOMA TOURISM AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT] Oklahoma state parks offer thousands of miles of hiking trails, and this time of the year, chances are the trails are clear.

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