Dallas To Oklahoma City Road Trip: Best Stops Along The I-35 Corridor

If you’ve got a road trip planned between Dallas and Oklahoma City and looking for the best places to stop along the way, this driving itinerary will show you where all of the beautiful and fun places to visit are along I-35.

This road trip will take you on a quick jaunt through south-central Oklahoma. The drive between Dallas and the Texas border isn’t especially scenic however that soon changes once you cross the state line into Oklahoma’s Arbuckle Mountain region.

Dallas To Oklahoma City Driving Itinerary

Your road trip begins in Dallas, Texas. You will need to get on Interstate-35 northbound which will take you all the way to Oklahoma City. The complete drive is 206 miles and only takes a little over three hours without stops.

This road trip can be completed in one day with more than enough time at each of the recommended stops and attractions.

However if you’d like to turn this one day road trip into a longer adventure, I recommend staying at Winstar World Casino & Resort in Thackerville or Artesian Hotel and Spa in Sulphur. For those traveling in an RV or campervan, Chickasaw National Recreation Area is a great place to spend a few nights camping.

Winstar World Casino

First stop on this Dallas to Oklahoma City road trip is Winstar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville. Owned by the Chickasaw Nation, it is the largest casino in the USA!

There are over 8,000 electronic games here, a poker room, keno, and bingo. Plus multiple restaurants and bars, as well as an entertainment center that regularly hosts performances by big name artists like Luke Bryan, Pit Bull, Rod Stewart, Miranda Lambert, and others. You can see upcoming events here.

One of the most impressive things about this casino is its architecture. The facade of the casino has been designed to replicate London’s Parliament Building, Rome’s Coliseum, and the Arc de Triomphe from Paris.

If you don’t have much time to dedicate to this driving itinerary, a quick stop just to see the casino’s exterior is recommended. You could also take a quick walk through the casino.

If you do have time, you might like to enjoy a meal at Gran Via Buffet, a large buffet restaurant with a huge selection of food and dessert options.

The newest addition to the casino is a luxurious five-acre, resort-style pool complex. However only guests of Winstar have access to this facility. But it certainly is a great excuse to stay at the casino for a night or two.

There are multiple options when it comes to accommodation at Winstar World Resort & Casino. You can choose to stay at the casino’s hotel which is connected to the casino, at the casino’s inn which is just a short shuttle ride away, or at Winstar’s RV park which also has a shuttle service to the casino.

Turner Falls

Nestled in the Arbuckle Mountains is Turner Falls, a beautiful waterfall that drops into a big blue pool. Standing at 77-feet tall, Turner Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oklahoma!

Since waterfalls are few and far between in Oklahoma, especially one of this size, it’s kind of a big deal. Therefore it is a must see for anyone driving between Dallas and Oklahoma City.

There are two locations you can view Turner Falls; from an overlook on Highway 77 and from inside Turner Falls Park.

Turner Falls Park is privately-owned so you will have to pay an admission fee to enter the park. Tickets range between $6 per person in winter to $20 per person on a summer weekend.

Once inside the park you can see Turner Falls from various viewpoints. There are also several locations within the park you can swim and hike.

The waterfall flows year-round and is wonderful to see at anytime of the year. Summer is a popular time to visit so expect heavy crowds inside the park particularly on weekends.

Autumn is an especially beautiful time to visit when Turner Falls is surrounded by trees with changing leaf colors. The Arbuckle Mountains are in fact one of the best places to see fall colors in Oklahoma!

Read: Visit Turner Falls Park and See The Tallest Waterfall in Oklahoma!

Collings Castle

Explore the ruins of Collings Castle while you’re at Turner Falls Park! This castle in Oklahoma was once a private residence. Its design was inspired by Old English architecture and built using local stone.

Today, visitors can walk through the castle’s maze-like rooms, peek through windows, and climb to the castle’s rooftop to see amazing views of the Arbuckle Mountains.

The multi-level castle was built into the side of a mountain so you will have to climb a steep staircase to get to it. Learn more about the hike to Collings Castle.

Read: Explore Castle Ruins at Turner Falls Park in Davis, Oklahoma

Arbuckle Mountain Pies

Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pies specialize in fried pies and holy moly… these fried pies are beyond delicious! If you’ve never had a fried pie before, you simply must stop here and have one. Trust me, you will be wondering where they have been your whole life.

There are so many flavors to choose from that you’ll have a hard time deciding between them. Sweet fruit pie flavors include cherry, peach, pineapple and coconut cream to name a few. Savory options include Polish sausage and potato, bacon and egg, Tex-Mex, and more.

Their dough is incredibly buttery — and somehow perfectly soft and crisp at the same time! It’s hard to describe in words how good these pies are so you will have to try one for yourself to see what I mean.

The pies are made fresh especially for you so it does take a couple of minutes to prepare. There is a large seating area inside the store where you can sit and wait. They also have frozen pies which are a little bit cheaper. You can take the frozen ones home and pop them in the microwave to enjoy later.

Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pies is a must stop on every road trip between Dallas and Oklahoma City! Since they are located right on Interstate-35 you have no excuse not to visit.

Take the exit for Highway 77 and look out for a dinosaur and rooster sitting on top of a gas station.

Smokin’ Joe’s Rib Ranch

BBQ lovers, do not miss Smokin’ Joe’s Rib Ranch! This locally owned BBQ joint smokes some of the most mouthwatering meats you will ever have. Seriously, this is one of the best places I have ever had BBQ.

You can choose from ribs, sliced brisket, chopped brisket, pulled chicken, chicken on bone, pork tenderloin, bologna, polish sausage, hot links, and smoked hot wings.

They have a long list of housemade sides including smoked beans, smoked green beans, smoked baked potato, potato salad, coleslaw, okra, and more.

Their meat plates are served with two sides of your choice and Texas toast. Portions are very generous so you may struggle getting through your meal.

I was lucky enough to try almost all of their meats and everything tasted fantastic but I especially loved the ribs, chopped brisket and half chicken. The okra was terrific too!

Smokin’ Joe’s Rib Ranch is less than one mile off Interstate-35 on Highway 77. Expect the restaurant to be packed when you arrive.

Bedre Fine Chocolates Facility

Bedre Fine Chocolates is a nationally recognized luxury chocolate brand owned and operated by the Chickasaw Nation.

You can visit their state-of-the-art, 34,600 square-foot manufacturing facility to see how their luxurious chocolates are created. Although guided tours are not offered, you can watch through floor-to-ceiling windows and see the manufacturing process.

The best part about visiting the Bedre Fine Chocolates Facility is sampling their delicious treats! They’ve got everything from chocolate bars to chocolate-covered espresso coffee beans, dark chocolate ground coffee, dark chocolate sauce, chocolate-coated potato chips and so much more!

I originally had intentions of walking out of here without buying anything at all but after being given a sample of their white fudge chocolate twists I had to give in.

These corn twists are something I have never seen before. They are a perfect combination of sweet and salty! Naturally I had to grab a packet for the road plus a couple extra to have later at home.

Bedre Fine Chocolates Facility is an easy stop on this road trip because they are located right off Interstate-35 (exit 55) in Davis, Oklahoma.

I highly recommend stopping by to stock up on road trip snacks. They also sell gift baskets if you’re looking for presents to take home for family or friends.

Chickasaw Cultural Center

Did you know Oklahoma is home to more native American tribes than any other state? Members of at least 67 tribes call this state home and there are 39 tribal headquarters within the state’s borders.

On this road trip you will be driving through Chickasaw Country which is home to the Chickasaw Nation. Chickasaw people were removed from their homelands in the mid-1800s to new lands in Oklahoma (then known as Indian Territory).

You can learn all about their journey at the Chickasaw Cultural Center. It is one of the largest and most extensive tribal cultural centers in the United States.

The Chickasaw Cultural Center‘s museum chronicles the story of the Chickasaws from first European contact and early trading to becoming modern day warriors.

You’ll begin your journey in the Chikasha Poya Exhibit Center with a 20-minute film in a theater designed to resemble an 18th century-style council house. The screen then rises and visitors walk over a stream to the Spirit Forest, an interactive exhibit featuring native plants and animals. 

Following the Spirit Forest you’ll walk through an exhibit that tells the story of ancient ancestors and the separation of Chickasaw and Chocktaw Nations.

Outside is the Chikasha Inchokka’ Traditional Village which is a historically accurate replica of a real Chickasaw Village that you are welcome to roam through. It is made up of two summer houses, two winter houses, a corn crib and ceremonial mound.

One of the highlights for me was being able to try a traditional Chickasaw meal at the Aaimpa’ Cafe. I ordered the Chickasaw Special which consisted of Indian tacos, pashofa, and grape dumplings. The fry bread used in the Indian tacos were so good that we ordered another round of just frybread!

Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Chickasaw National Recreation Area is an oasis in Oklahoma. If you’re looking for some outdoor action or a place to get out in nature, don’t miss this beautiful park. It’s an especially great place to be during summer!

The park was established in 1902 as Sulphur Springs Reservation through an agreement with the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations and the federal government to protect the natural mineral springs found inside the park.

In 1906, it was renamed Platt National Park and became Oklahoma’s only national park. Rumour has it that the park attracted more visitors than Yellowstone or Yosemite! The park’s national park status was abolished in 1976 however it is still operated by the National Park Service.

Once you get to the park, head straight to Travertine Nature Center where you can learn a little bit about the park’s history. The nature center also has reptiles on display which the kids just love!

Then take a hike to see one of the mineral springs that the park is famous for. The most significant sulphur springs in the park are Hillside Spring, Pavilion Springs and Black Sulphur Spring. 

Don’t leave without seeing Little Niagara Falls (which is more of a cascade then a waterfall). If it’s summer and you still have time, you can cool off in Travertine Creek.

Oklahoma City

Final stop on this road trip is Oklahoma City! If it’s your first time visiting be sure to take a look at this Oklahoma City bucket list which will show you all of the top attractions you shouldn’t miss.

This highly under-rated city surprisingly has a lot to offer! You’ll find fascinating museums that cover Native American history, museums all about cowboys, and even museums entirely dedicated to banjos.

There are amusement parks, waterparks, and whitewater rafting here too. Yes, whitewater rafting in Oklahoma! Add to that beautiful architecture, fantastic restaurants, extensive green spaces and some very hip neighborhoods.

Many of Oklahoma City’s top attractions can be found in the downtown area. Some iconic attractions in downtown Oklahoma City you should not miss include Myriad Botanical Gardens and the Skydance Pedestrian Bridge.

Another place in downtown Oklahoma City you are sure to love is the Bricktown District. Bricktown is known as the entertainment district of OKC.

In Bricktown you can catch a baseball game at Bricktown Ballpark, enjoy laser tag, miniature golf, and other games at Brickopolis, ride a water taxi on the Bricktown canal, and treat yourself to decadent cupcakes at Pinkitzel.

There are also some great restaurants and bars in Bricktown. My favorite restaurant here is Bourbon Street Cafe who specialize in New Orleans inspired food.

Other districts I recommend visiting in Oklahoma City include Wheeler District and Stockyards City. The Wheeler District has a giant Ferris Wheel and is the location of the famous giant OKC sign that tourists love to have their photo taken with.

Over in Stockyards City you can immerse yourself in cowboy culture. This historic district is home to a working stockyard where you can watch live cattle auctions every Monday and Tuesday. It’s also home to a range of stores specializing in western wear.

If you want outdoor action head to Lake Hefner where there are over nine miles of scenic trails that you can hike or bicycle around. You’ll also find kayak rentals if you want to get out on the water.

As you can see there is a lot to do in this not so big city so hopefully you have at least two or three days to explore one of my favorite cities in the U.S. You are guaranteed to have a memorable time in Oklahoma City no matter what your interests are.

Quick Guide to Hotels in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City has a great selection of hotels to choose from and the majority of them are within walking distance of the city’s best attractions.

If you prefer high-end accommodation or are visiting OKC for a special occasion like an anniversary or a birthday you should book a stay at The National or The Colcord. Both properties are historic and feature stunning art deco architecture.

*You can read an honest review of The Colcord Hotel here.

For mid-range hotels some of the properties you may want to consider include The Skirvin-Hilton, Sheraton and Aloft. For budget accommodation take a look at Holiday Inn Express or the Best Western on I-35.

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