Turkey Mountain is a hidden place. Considering that the main trailhead is only 7 miles from downtown Tulsa, one would expect such a place to be crowded with users. However, first-time visitors are often surprised to find that one can run/bike for miles without seeing another soul – a testament to the many trails at Turkey Mountain. Crowded with roots and rocks, blessed with views of the Arkansas River, and basically untouched by humanity in general, Turkey Mountain is a treasure to all Tulsans.
Location
Turkey Mountain is located at 68th and Elwood, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Click here for a Google map.
Hours
Turkey Mountain is generally accepted to be a dusk-to-dawn facility. Occasionally, night rides are organized by some of the local bike shops.
Trails and Conditions
For persons considering visiting Turkey Mountain, a few FYI’s: it’s not what you would expect. When most think of Oklahoma, they think of flat land, few trees, and lots of red dirt. Turkey Mountain has the opposite. Steep hillsides combine with thick vegetation to make trapsing through the woods difficult. Even on the trails, one occasionally must dodge tree limbs, jump rocks, and find ways around ponds and gullies.
For runners, this means that Turkey Mountain is a great place for variety. Bikers will appreciate the technical aspects, although beginners may quickly learn that their skillset is going to need some improvement. Equestrians may need to stay away from some of the steeper, rockier sections. However, families with children will enjoy the shorter side trails that meander close to the parking lot.
Facilities
Thanks to a generous grant from the Kaiser Foundation, Turkey Mountain has an all-new restroom facility and parking lot. The parking lot has equestrian parking, along with handicapped and regular parking for approximately 70 vehicles.
As a youth pastor, it’s wonderful to have a place that I can take a couple of youth hiking and get away for the city buzz without having to drive a couple of hours. I can pick them up for school, go for a quick hike, take them to Braums after and have them home in time for dinner. Thanks RiverParks!
With the stigma of church authorities and youth, your comment sounds creepy! May want to rethink this one.
If you were involved with youth work at all you would know how ignorant your comment was. The perverts are a very small percentage of those of us who do really good work with teenagers and love them unconditionally.
The only thing I would say with any adult working with any kids is that I hope it is two deep leadership. Meaning you have at least 2 adults always present when any kids are around. You are correct in saying that it is a small percentage of creeps that ruin it for everyone but that being said all adult leaders need to be on guard to protect themselves and the kids they work with.
As someone whom just moved to Oklahoma from Michigan its a great place to bike since i’m used to biking wooded trails. So i’m very happy with this biking/walking/trail area!
This place was totally awful. First of all you guys have no signs on which trail you are on and which way you should be going when your on the trail. Second You have no emergency call boxes incase of any emergencies. My friend and I were walking the red trail and ended up walking way past the trail because we didnt see a sign to where the red trail ended or which way to go. I wasn’t pleased and I probably won’t be going back.
“Totally awful”? Really? Luckily you must have never visited the trail before all of the improvements. It’s leaps and bounds ahead of where it was a few years ago. when there were no markings on any of the trails, except a few spray-painted trees. We still managed to navigate them just fine. I’ve lived in Tulsa my entire life, but didn’t realize what a treasure Turkey Mountain was until I started mountain biking in 2007. There’s a surprising amount of variety to the trails with a little bit of something for everyone. Don’t be afraid to explore the unmarked trails.
Welcome to the real world. Go get a map, a friend, a cell phone, or one of those buttons old people put around their neck. : ) We will be glad to see you go, its nice not being crowded.
Exactly!
Awful, really? Honestly, if you’re so incompetent that you’re going to get lost in a small wilderness area that is right in the city–where the river is always to your east and the main trial head is always to your south–, then you probably shouldn’t even be there anyway. This person’s reply seems typical of the new America where people want every single little thing spoon fed to them, rather than learning through trial, risk and challenge! Sad!
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Just finished walking/running the yellow trail. What a great place to get a workout in. I was in Tulsa visiting my daughter and she told me about Turkey Mountain. I live in Jersey and these trails reminded me of many of the trails in my area. Thanks for making a place for people to get away and get a great workout in.
Why is there no mention of the Rune markings on this web site.?
To be frank, no one is really sure how seriously to take the petroglyphs. Most persons seem to consider them fairly recent markings. River Parks has never had an paid expert study them. As of now, they are a relatively hidden secret.
Where are these petroglyphs? I’d like to see them!
I have only lived in Tulsa for a few years, but this amazing place has become one of my favorites. It continues to be improved and well attended. I haven’t been on all of the trails, but I’m working on it! Well done, guys!
Are leashed dogs welcome on the trails? I do not see any references to pets on the website.
I had no idea this even existed until today. It’d be a good place to film, I’m sure.
what you mean by filming?