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Lake Murray, Oklahoma, USA

Lake Murray, in southcentral Oklahoma’s Arbuckle Country, is a 5,728-acre reservoir completely surrounded by the pristine beauty of Lake Murray State Park, Oklahoma’s oldest and largest state park. Near the city of Ardmore, Lake Murray is a very popular lake for both fishing and recreational activities with its 150 miles of shoreline. The lake was named for Oklahoma Governor William H. Murray and features a unique tower…
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    • All About Lake Murray, OK

    Lake Locations: USA - US Southwest Region - Oklahoma - Arbuckle Country, OK -

    Lake Murray, in southcentral Oklahoma’s Arbuckle Country, is a 5,728-acre reservoir completely surrounded by the pristine beauty of Lake Murray State Park, Oklahoma’s oldest and largest state park. Near the city of Ardmore, Lake Murray is a very popular lake for both fishing and recreational activities with its 150 miles of shoreline. The lake was named for Oklahoma Governor William H. Murray and features a unique tower on the south side of the lake which was a summer retreat for Governor Murray. Today, Tucker Tower is a nature center and museum featuring displays of area wildlife.

    Visitors to Lake Murray will find great fishing and outdoor activities including SCUBA Diving. The lake is partially spring fed so the water is clean, cool and clear. The lake can easily be reached via Interstate 35, Exit 24, then east two miles on OK-77S. OK-77S completely encircles the lake and provides excellent access to all parts of the lake.

    Oklahoma lakes are well known for big bass and fat crappies, and Lake Murray is no exception. Anglers will not be disappointed with the fish population in the lake which includes largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, drum, catfish, walleye and sunfish. There are a number of fish attractors in the lake which make finding a good fishing spot a bit easier. Marinas on the lake will be glad to tell you where the best fishing is, but sometimes finding the fish is half the fun.

    Because Lake Murray is part of Lake Murray State Park, encompassing over 12,500 acres of relative wilderness, activities on and around the lake are endless. Rentals include motor boats, sailboats, paddle boats, water bikes, jet skis, canoes, and cruise boats. You can also rent horses from stables near the lake. A state-operated lodge and resort located on the west shore of the lake offers cabins of all sizes and campground facilities. Off-water activities include golfing, horseback riding, hayrides, biking, roller blading, and miniature golf. Sports facilities include an 18 hole golf course with a pro shop, a driving range, tennis courts, softball fields, a baseball diamond, horseshoe pits, a remote control air field for hobbyists, a badminton net, and a volleyball net. There is also an airstrip, a bait and tackle shop, a restaurant, and grocery stores. For those who don’t want to swim in the lake, there is a swimming pool. Lake Murray Marina even has Wi-Fi wireless internet service for visitors who need to check their email and keep in touch with friends and family. And for hunters, Hickory Creek public hunting area is located adjacent to the southern border of the park.

    Picnickers will find hundreds of picnic tables throughout the park, covered shelters, and a picnic gazebo. For campers, there are modern RV sites with water and electric, regular campsites with cement tent pads, and unlimited primitive camping in the surrounding woods. For non-campers, there are cabins and vacation rentals around Lake Murray and in the woods.

    Hikers, bikers and riders will enjoy the trails around the lake. There are separate trails for hiking, bicycling, roller blading, dirt bikes and 3 or 4 wheelers, and horses.

    Scuba diving activities are conducted on the southeast corner of Lake Murray in an area called Marietta Landing. This section of the lake is designated as a “no wake” zone where boaters must proceed slowly. Divers will find a sunken platform with ropes that lead to several sunken attractions. Native American artifacts, foundations of early settlement buildings, and prehistoric fossils can also be found under the lake’s surface. Lake Murray is one of the few dive sites in the region deep enough to allow diver training beyond 60 feet. Typical visibility is from 6 to 20 feet, depending upon the season and conditions.

    A unique feature on Lake Murray is The Tucker Tower Nature Center, which sits prominently on the south shore of the lake. The tower is made of stone and resembles a cross between a lighthouse and a castle. The Tucker Tower features local artifacts, nature programs and activities conducted by the state park.

    Besides all the incredible attractions of Lake Murray, the area around the park is worth checking out as well. A short drive north of Ardmore is Turner Falls Park which features the state’s tallest waterfall. Nearby is the Arbuckle Wilderness drive-through, an exotic animal theme park. East of Turner Falls is the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, and south of Lake Murray is Lake Texoma State Park, both of which offer more outdoor activities.

    With all there is to see and do, it’s no wonder Lake Murray is one of Oklahoma’s largest outdoor resort destinations.

    Things to Do at Lake Murray

    These are some activities in the Lake Murray, OK area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Swimming Pool
    • Canoeing
    • Jet Skiing
    • Scuba Diving
    • Golf
    • Tennis
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Hunting
    • Waterfall
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • State Park
    • Museum
    • Miniature Golf

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Murray?

    Lake Murray has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Perch
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Striped Bass
    • Sunfish
    • Walleye
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake Murray

    If you’re considering a Lake Murray lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Lake Murray Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Murray lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lake Murray Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: State of Oklahoma

    Surface Area: 5,728 acres

    Shoreline Length: 150 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 358 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 350 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 360 feet

    Average Depth: 27 feet

    Maximum Depth: 102 feet

    Water Volume: 161,642 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1960

    Drainage Area: 2,420 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Oligotrophic

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    Lake Water Level
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