Oklahoma's Oldest Resort Town Is A Little-Known, Vintage Cobblestone Paradise

You have a drive a good distance to reach Medicine Park, Oklahoma, and many may wonder why a town of 477 people would be worth the long drive through the flatlands of Tornado Alley. Then you reach this bucolic little town, which stands at the foot of the Wichita Mountains and along Medicine Creek, and you start to understand what all the fuss is about. This place is peaceful, the rugged landscape is gorgeous, and there's a surprising number of great local eateries to choose from, like the Riverside Cafe and Fancy Nancy's Bar and Grill. As you take a dusky stroll over a steel-framed pedestrian bridge and watch the sun set over Mt. Scott, you may very well ponder spending a few more days in town.

You wouldn't be the first. Medicine Park has attracted ailing and stressed-out visitors for more than a century. This is a place where folks can reset, connect with nature, and meet locals and fellow travelers. It is also a terrific springboard for exploring rural Oklahoma; the wide variety of outdoor activities in this Southern U.S. state makes it a must-visit.

The story of Medicine Park reads like a folk tale: a man named John William Elmer Thomas found this little patch of land in 1908, directed in part by local Indigenous people. He was drawn to the peaceful creek and big-sky vistas, of course, and he was also fascinated by the wealth of round rocks embedded in the soil. Thomas took advantage of these geologic flukes, which were used as cobblestones in the town's first buildings. During the 1920s, Medicine Park became a wellness resort where visitors could splash in nearby Bath Lake, take long walks in the foothills, and enjoy a more tranquil pace of life.

In its heyday, Medicine Park received such famous guests as President Franklin Roosevelt and cowboy-comedian Will Rogers. Thomas eventually moved on, and the town survived new management, the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and many other 20th century travails. Today, it remains a popular destination among Southwestern travelers, and many of its historic buildings still stand on the road nicknamed Cobblestone Row. Indeed, you'll have to veer off course for a few hours, but you can add Medicine Park to the best stops to make on your trip along Route 66.

Medicine Park offers easy access to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge, which is a major motivator for arriving (and staying) in town. Your odds of spotting a bison or bald eagle are pretty decent in these parts, and the refuge is webbed with hiking trails for all skill levels. The most provocative destination is the Holy City of the Wichitas, a stone recreation of biblical sites constructed in the 1930s, which was intended to bring New Testament gospels to life. There is an official pageant that takes place here, but you can also just visit and admire the anachronistic architecture.

If you decide to stay, Medicine Park has dozes of lodges, cabins, and cottages to rent, or you can camp at Lawtonka RV Park in nearby Lawton. Lawton is also your best bet for a traditional hotel or motel, as the city is about 20 times larger than Medicine Park and is only 20 minutes away by car. While you're in the area, consider a visit to Oklahoma City — and see why tourists are calling it the most budget-friendly city in the South.