Find latest started threads
334 miles - About 9 hours If you relish driving through soft rolling hills of grasslands with an occasional herd of cows, an elevator here and there, scattered oil wells and small towns, you're going to love this route. During the homesteading days the land of the Oklahoma panhandle went unclaimed by surrounding states, thus it was named 'No Man's Land'. But there's much to discover -- cheese festivals, sculptures and wind farms are only the beginning. Be prepared to respond to the customary one-finger-wave when meeting traffic on the back-roads!
Here are just a few of the highlights on this route:
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Starting point)
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city in Oklahoma. Located at the crossroads of I-35, I-40 and I-44, Oklahoma City is a place worth spending a day or two. The Oklahoma City Underground is an urban redevelopment project that pretty interesting. It is comprised of a 3/4-mile tunnel system that links 30 buildings downtown. The walls of the underground tunnels feature the work of local artists and some of the buildings have skywalks enabling easy access to the project. Oklahoma City has morphed its warehouse area into an entertainment district known as Bricktown. Bricktown has a canal with water taxis. The Oklahoma City National Memorial is located in the northern part of downtown.
Fort Reno, OK (mile 27)
Although this is not a Route 66 route, Fort Reno is on the 'Mother Road' via exit 119 on I-40. The Fort Reno Visitor Center is housed in a restored 1936 Officer's Quarters and weddings are held in the white Wedding Chapel.
Watonga (mile 70)
The town of Watonga has held the Watonga Cheese Festival and Art Show since 1976. If time permits, visit the lobby of the Watonga post office to see the Post Office mural. The T.B. Ferguson House is in Watonga. The house was built in 1907 and it was the home of Oklahoma's sixth territorial governor. The T.B. Ferguson House can be toured for free, but hours are limited.
Woodward (mile 142)
Woodward has morphed itself from an oil town to using the wind to generate energy. The Plains Indians & Pioneer Museum offers a chance to learn and see the history of Northwest Oklahoma in and near the town Woodward.
Ft. Supply (mile 157) Fort Supply was established in 1868 and it was originally called ''Camp of Supply.' Visiting the historic site is free, but hours are limited (closed Sunday and Monday; open 9-4 Tuesday through Saturday). Cavalry Day occurs every September at Ft. Supply.
Goodwell (mile 276)
The panhandle of Oklahoma was originally named 'No Man's Land' because it was strip of land between Kansas and Texas that wasn't claimed by a state. The No Man's Land Museum offers an opportunity learn about the history of what was No Man's Land. Goodwell is home to Oklahoma Panhandle State University, which was founded in 1909.
Boise City (mile 334) Boise City doesn't have a town square, but it does have a town circle and in its center sits the Cimarron County Courthouse. Boise City was the only city in the continental United States to be bombed during World War II and there's a marker to memorialize the event. US Highways 56/64/287/385/412 and OK Highways 3/325 all feed into the Boise City circle. From Boise City you can drive to four different states in less than an hour (west to New Mexico, south to Texas, north to Colorado, northeast to Kansas). The Cimarron Heritage Center Museum is on the north side of Boise City along US Highways 287/385/OK Highway 3 and 'Cimmy' the Cimarronasaurus is a roadside marvel. The highest point in Oklahoma at just under 5000 feet is located 30 miles west of Boise City at Black Mesa State Park.
Flowers blanket the grasslands of Oklahoma's panhandle
Message from RoadTrip America