Oklahoma's Optima Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project that was authorized to provide flood control to the region in 1936. Due to events and circumstances, construction didn't begin until 1966 and was subsequently completed in 1978. The dam structure is a rolled earth embankment about 120 feet above the streambed, with a roadway that crosses on top of the dam. Optima Lake is located on the North Canadian River at mile 623.2, about 4.5 miles northeast of Hardesty, Texas County, Oklahoma.
Besides providing flood control on the river, the project creates recreational and wildlife management areas. The lake is situated in the Oklahoma Panhandle region, where sand hills, rock outcroppings, and rolling grasslands define the landscape. The area was once referred to as “No Mans Land” and was one of the last places in the west to be settled. The lake pool has never reached its expected levels, and pool levels can be quite low, making the lake unsuitable for recreational activities. There is public access to the lake at Anglers Point, Hooker Point, and the Hardesty Public Use Area, but no facilities or services currently exist at these locations.
The Optima National Wildlife Refuge sits to the west of the lake, providing habitat for area wildlife. Wildlife watching and hunting on the 3400 acres of public land at Optima Lake and in the 4300 acres of Federal Wildlife Refuge nearby is the most prevalent recreational activity provided at this Corps site.
Overnight camping is available in the Beaver Dunes Park, which is under a one hour drive to the east. Other great RV destinations in the region are Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Cheney State Park.
Optima Lake sits on a narrow strip of land jutting out from the northwest corner of Oklahoma called the Oklahoma Panhandle. Texas closely borders it on the south, New Mexico on the west, and Kansas and Colorado on the north. In spite of its proximity to several other states and small towns, this area was once referred to as “No Man's Land,” and is sparsely populated with few services and amenities. When traveling in the area, be sure to be aware of where service stations with fuel and amenities are located, to ensure you are adequately supplied. The nearest sizable town to Optima Lake is Guyon, Oklahoma.
To get to Optima Lake from the town of Guyon travel 30 miles east on U.S. State Highway 412, then turn left to head north on 49 Mile road. The road will curve to the east, becoming 50 Mile Road, and then curves north again. Optima Lake and the dam site are on the left side of the road. Take N1046 Road to access the lake on the left side of 50 Mile Road just before it curves to the north. Access roads are naturally surfaced and can be dusty or rough for traveling with an RV or tow vehicle. Access points around the lake, at Anglers Point, Hooker Point, and Hardesty Public Use Area do not have paved parking lots. Although there is plenty of open prairie land to park and turn vehicles around, this may not be ideal for RVs and trailers with low clearance.
Beaver Dunes Park has overnight camping, under an hour's drive to the east. To reach Beaver Dunes Park from Optima Lake head north to US Route 64, then take Highway 64 east to Highway 27 and head south on Beaver Road. The park will be on the west side.
Beaver Dunes Park was once a state-run park but is now maintained by the town of Beaver, Oklahoma, through which sites can be reserved. The Hackberry Bend Campground is located adjacent to Beaver Lake, a small two-acre lake that is stocked with bass, catfish, and perch.
The campground has seven RV sites and ten tent sites. RV sites have water and electric hookups. There is also a primitive cabin available at this site, which can be reserved. Campsites have picnic tables and grills, and some trees providing shade, although the area is relatively open. An ADA accessible comfort station is available onsite with restrooms. Pets are allowed but should remain leashed in the park, and you should be prepared to clean up after your pet.
An RV dump station is situated nearby, and Big Sandy Picnic area is also located in the park. This picnic area has sand volleyball courts, a basketball hoop horseshoe pits, a playground, hiking trail, and two reservable group picnic shelters.
Pioneer Campground is located in Beaver Dunes Park, which is maintained by the town of Beaver, Oklahoma, and sites can be reserved by contacting the town; online booking is not available. Pioneer Campground is located right next to the off-road vehicle area. The off-road vehicle area is situated on 520 acres, with 300 acres of sandhills for off-road fun. Many visitors bring dune buggies and ATVs to the campground as it has direct access to the dunes. Pioneer Campground has 13 RV sites with water and electric hookups. An ADA accessible restroom/comfort station is available at the campground. Pets are allowed. Pioneer Campground visitors can easily access the Big Sandy Picnic area where recreational facilities like sand volleyball courts, a basketball hoop, horseshoe pits a playground, hiking trail, and two reservable group incidents shelters are available. An RV dump site is available in the park for campers with RVs.
Hunting in the public areas around Optima Lake and in the national wildlife refuge to the west is permitted. All hunting at COE sites must comply with federal and state regulations. Information on Oklahoma site regulations can be found at Oklahoma Department of Wildlife. A detailed map of hunting areas can be found at Optima Lake Map of Hunting Areas. Species commonly harvested in the area include quail, deer, dove, pheasant, and turkey.
Optima Lake provides an excellent water source in this area of the Oklahoma Panhandle that attracts a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds. The prairie grass also attracts Rio Grande turkeys, quail, and pheasants The Optima National Wildlife Refuge to the west and Optima Lake are a stopover on the migratory route of many songbirds and raptors, although some unique raptors can be spotted in the area all year round.
Keep an eye out for the Swainson's hawk, Mississippi kite, American kestrel, red-tailed hawk, northern harrier, and turkey vulture during both the offseason migrations and during the spring and summer.
Cooler temperatures and more wildlife viewing opportunities are available when hiking the Oklahoma Panhandle in the off season. Breathtaking views await hikers from mesas and plateaus that overlook sweeping prairie vistas.
The Black Mesa Trail is a 4.4-mile point to point trail, west of Optima Lake that skirts around the west side of the Black Mesa Wilderness Area. The trail is rated as intermediate, but is relatively easy, with switchbacks allowing hikers to make a gentle ascent to the highest point on the trail. The trail is marked and has a restroom and registration point at the trailhead.
Camping in the area at Beaver Dunes provides access to the Pioneer Interpretive Trail, which is a one-mile-long trail that can be used by hikers of all ability levels. During the summer, brutally hot temperatures make area trails strenuous, but during the offseason, cooler temperatures are more congenial to hiking. There is little shade on hiking trails in the area, so pack lots of water and wear a hat to protect from the direct sun.
Open prairie grassland, Optima Lake, and rocky geological formations create excellent habitat for a variety of wildlife, with the lake providing a water source for thirsty critters in the region. The area has cottonwood trees, bluestem, and Indian grass. Large mammals you may commonly spot in the area of Optima Lake include white-tailed deer and coyotes. The wildlife refuge to the west harbors a wide variety of species, so keep a close eye out for mule deer, porcupine, black-tailed jackrabbit, raccoon, badger, bobcat, and skunk as well as horned lizards and horned toads. The prairie rattlesnake also makes the region home, so watch where you step when spotting wildlife in the area.
The sandhills at Beaver Dunes Park provide 300 acres of dunes and a 520-acre dune buggy area, which is a haven for off-road enthusiasts. This recreation area was a state park and is now managed by the town of Beaver, Oklahoma. Overnight camping is available on site, and many visitors and locals take their ATVs to rip around the natural areas and the unique sandhill terrain here. Be sure to follow all rules and regulations regarding licensing of vehicles and ensure you have appropriate safety gear, including helmets. The dunes are open from 7 AM to 11 PM daily.
Although there is no fishing at Optima Lake, Oklahoma has 200 lakes, with one million acres of water surface that are great for fishing with 40 species of fish. Webb Lake is just a 20-minute drive south of Oprima Lake and provides excellent fishing in the region. Bass, catfish, trout, sunfish walleye, paddlefish, sauger, and saugeye are just some of the great sport fish available in lakes and rivers in the region. Be sure to have an Oklahoma State fishing license to participate in fishing activities in the region.
