Cotton County: Nature, History and Hotels

In Waurika WMA, floodplains meet adjacent higher ground; in Walters, Temple and near Randlett, local and railroad history are also central themes. When planning your trip, it’s worth considering nature, museums and historic buildings as distinct areas of interest. That way, you can choose what to see in Cotton County based on what interests you most.

Nature and Activities on the Water

Waurika WMA covers 10,580 acres in Cotton and Stephens Counties. The area includes the floodplains of the main tributaries to Waurika Lake and the adjacent higher ground. The WMA also contains 440 acres of wetland units south of Highway 53, adjacent to Big Beaver Creek, Little Beaver Creek and Walker Creek. The figures for acreage, tributaries and higher ground make the area’s varied landscapes easy to picture.

Waurika WMA is used by birdwatchers and hikers. These activities appeal to different nature interests: you can make birdwatching or hiking the focus of your time in the area. At Waurika Lake, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates campgrounds with full RV hookups and boat ramps. If you’re planning to camp in an RV, the hookups are a practical consideration; the ramps offer another option for activities on the water. Fishing is available at Dave Boyer Lake. The lakes thus differ in the activities associated with them: campgrounds and boat ramps at Waurika Lake, and fishing at Dave Boyer Lake.

Walters: Park, Museum and Architecture

Sultan Park features a waterfall and is located about one mile north of Walters. The Cotton County Museum in Walters displays artifacts from the local community, including a wood cookstove, typewriters and pianos. These varied objects give the museum a tangible connection to local life.

Built in 1920, the Walters Rock Island Depot is an excellent example of a brick-and-stucco Rock Island railroad depot building. Other historic landmarks in Walters are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Cotton County Courthouse was listed in 1984, and the First United Methodist Church in 1983. The years refer to the respective register listings.

Temple, Devol and Regional History

The Temple History Museum displays artifacts related to Temple’s history; some date back to the 1889 Land Run. There is also an exhibit about the B&O Cash Store. This brings together a historical connection to the Land Run and a separate exhibition focus.

Railroad history is also tied to different places in different ways. The Enid and Anadarko Railway laid a line from Lawton to Waurika that passed through Walters and Temple. Another railway was involved at Devol: the Wichita Falls and Northwestern Railway contributed to the town’s founding in 1907, when it built tracks through the area. This distinction is important for context: Walters and Temple were on a described route, while the track construction at Devol was connected to the town’s founding.

Cotton County was named for cotton, the district’s leading crop. Near Randlett, the Cornelius Homestead received recognition as an Oklahoma Centennial Farm. The county’s name and the homestead’s recognition are two distinct agricultural history references.

Events and Practical Planning

The Walters Round-Up Club Rodeo held its 63rd edition in 2025. At the Comanche Nation Homecoming Powwow, traditional Indigenous dancers perform in full ceremonial regalia; food vendors are also on site. If you’d like to plan your trip around either event, check the latest event dates in advance.

Reservations can be made at the Walters Swimming Pool for pool parties. If you’re planning this activity, check availability in advance.

Discover more destinations: Devol, Randlett, Okmulgee County, Pontotoc, Muskogee, Murray County, Seminole County, Garvin County.

For the broader travel overview: Oklahoma.