Woods: Cultural History and Dune Landscapes

Cultural history and landscape offer different focal points in Woods. Museums and historic markers tell the story of Alva, the Cherokee Outlet, and Cimarron Country. Dunes and sandy hills form another focus. If you are looking for a hotel in Woods, this thematic distinction can help you organize your interests for your stay.

Museums, Collections, and Local History

The NWOSU Museum of Natural History was founded in 1902 by Professor G. W. Stevens, head of the Biology Department. It is the second-oldest museum in Oklahoma and has more than 6,000 cataloged objects. Its founding year and the size of its collection give the museum a distinctive profile among the region’s historical and cultural attractions.

The Cherokee Strip Museum is dedicated to the history of Alva and the Cherokee Outlet across 40 rooms. It is housed in a former hospital building dating from 1932. Its regular program includes educational events, such as blacksmithing workshops and living history demonstrations. The collection, building, and events provide different ways to explore local history.

The Waynoka Air Rail Museum brings together railroad and aviation history. It is housed in a complex comprising a Harvey House and a Santa Fe depot dating from 1910. The exhibits cover Transcontinental Air Transport, the Santa Fe Railroad, and Fred Harvey. The museum is located on the BNSF main line, where 50 to 100 trains run daily.

Public memorials also highlight different historical themes. The Centennial Wall stands at the southeast corner of the Woods County Courthouse in Alva and commemorates the opening of the Cherokee Outlet in 1893. The Cherokee Strip historic marker in Alva marks the site of the first land office in the Cherokee Outlet. In Freedom, the marker The Cimarron Cowboy in American Legion Park honors the cowboys and ranchers who established and developed the cattle industry in Cimarron Country in northwestern Oklahoma.

Two other markers record events from 1878. The Battle of Turkey Springs marker stands on US-64, two miles east of Camp Houston. The last known encounter between Native Americans and the federal government in Oklahoma took place here on September 13 and 14. The Cowboy Cemetery marker is located about 12 miles north of Camp Houston. The bodies of cowboys Reuben Bristow and Fred Clark were found nearby on September 12, 1878.

Dunes and Sandy Hills

At Little Sahara State Park, more than 1,600 acres of sand dunes shape the landscape; they range from 25 to 75 feet in height. Riding dune buggies and ATVs across the sand is considered the main attraction. The park also offers RV sites with water, electricity, and sewer hookups, tent sites, picnic areas, and restroom facilities. In addition to motorized activities, visitors can choose from several camping and picnicking options as concrete themes for their stay.

Sandhills WMA is located in southeastern Woods County and covers 5,212 acres. It consists mostly of rolling sandy hills and includes about 1,500 acres of river bottomland. Its landscape therefore differs from the dunes at Little Sahara State Park. A designated primitive camping area is located along the main road, about 0.25 miles from the entrance.

Visiting Hours and Seasonal Planning

Alabaster Caverns State Park offers daily guided tours of Alabaster Cavern on the hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check the schedule before you arrive. In Alva, Bradt's Menagerie offers an agritourism experience for children and adults; visiting hours may vary seasonally, so checking ahead is recommended. The Alva Mural Society commissions one or two murals each year.

Discover more destinations: Alva, Okmulgee County, Woodward County, Mcintosh County, Johnston County, Dewey, Texas, Stephens.

For the broader travel overview: Oklahoma.