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| Frequently Asked Questions |
Where is the nearest Indian Reservation?
Is there any casino gambling in Oklahoma?
Where is the home of Garth Brooks?
Where can I see buffalo?
Are there any national parks in Oklahoma?
Where do I go to research my Indian family history?
How do I get married in Oklahoma?
Do Oklahoma state parks recognize the Golden Age Passport?
What is the difference between a storm watch and a storm warning?
What do I do in case of a tornado?
Where do I get a passport?
What do I need to know to go boating in Oklahoma?
What are your motorcycle helmet laws?
What are the state requirements for a vendor to participate in an arts & crafts show?
Where Can I Find the Oklahoma Video?
Do you have Amish or Mennonite communities in Oklahoma?
Where can I find information to float the Illinois River?
Where is the nearest airport to Fort Sill?
Are there places to ride four wheelers in Oklahoma?
I'm looking for information about a crystal digging area that I've heard about?
Where is the AMTRAK station in Oklahoma City and what services and lodging are nearby?
Where can I rent a houseboat?
Where is Turner Falls and how can I get more information about it?
What is a Sooner?
I've heard of a statue that shows Christ weeping. Can you tell me where this is?
What is the highway emergency cell phone number?
Where can I get information about Oklahoma's toll roads?
| Where is the nearest Indian Reservation? Oklahoma doesn't have Indian Reservations. We do, however, have 39 federally-recognized tribal nations headquartered in the state, and rank second to California as the state with the largest Native American population. Back to top |
| Is there any casino gambling in Oklahoma? Although some of the Indian tribes are now calling their gaming facilities casinos, they aren't the type you'll find in Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Oklahoma has Class 2 gaming only. Electronic bingo, electronic games, and off-track betting is what you'll typically find here, with jackpots often in the thousands and higher. Back to top |
| Where is the home of Garth Brooks? Garth Brooks was raised in Yukon, a western suburb of Oklahoma City. He went to college at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, where he began his country & western music career in a local club called Tumbleweeds. Back to top |
| Where can I see buffalo? Buffalo herds can be viewed at one of four locations in the state: Woolaroc Museum Ranch near Bartlesville, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton, Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Pawhuska or at the Pawnee Bill Museum & Ranch in Pawnee. Back to top |
| Are there any national parks in Oklahoma? There are three locations in Oklahoma that are under the administration of the National Park Service: the Chickasaw National Recreation Area at Sulphur which used to be called Platt National Park, the Washita Battlefield National Memorial Monument at Cheyenne, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial in Oklahoma City. Another 'national' site that is popular with campers and trail users is the Ouachita National Forest, located in southeastern Oklahoma. Back to top |
| Where do I go to research my Indian family history? You can contact the Oklahoma Indian Legal Services at (800) 658-1497 or (405) 943-6457 for a copy of their "Tracing Your Indian Roots" brochure. The Oklahoma Historical Society library in Oklahoma City provides archives and other information as well on this subject. Back to top |
| How do I get married in Oklahoma? Marriage licenses are issued at any of our 77 county courthouses across the state, for a fee of $50. Applicants must show a photo ID, and give their social security number, age and address. The license is valid for only 10 days, including the day of issue. Applicants can get married on the same day that their license is issued. You do not have to get married in the same city or county as your license was issued. Back to top |
| Do Oklahoma state parks recognize the Golden Age Passport? Our state parks do not honor the Golden Age Passport. A discount is given to visitors from states who in return give Oklahoma seniors a discount when they visit those states. At the present time, those states are Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Back to top |
| What is the difference between a storm watch and a storm warning? The National Weather Service issues a storm watch when conditions are favorable for a storm to develop. A storm warning is issued when a storm is in progress. Back to top |
| What do I do in case of a tornado? If you believe you are in the path of a tornado, seek cover in a low place such as a ditch. Do not stay in your vehicle. If indoors, go to a basement if possible or the center part of the structure, such as a closet, bathroom or hallway. Back to top |
| Where do I get a passport? You can obtain a passport by going to a post office. Most of the branch post offices offer this service, but it would be best to call ahead. Some have certain days they do it and take the picture, etc. For more info on passports, see travel.state.gov/passport/index.html. Back to top |
| What do I need to know to go boating in Oklahoma? To operate your boat on an Oklahoma lake, it must first be registered in your home state. Oklahoma regulations also require you to have on board a fire extinguisher, throw cushion or flotation device, an oar and life jackets for each person on board. Children 12 and under MUST be wearing their life jackets. For more information contact the Oklahoma Lake Patrol at (405) 425-2143. Back to top |
| What are your motorcycle helmet laws? Anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet if riding on a motorcycle. Some city ordinances also require that headlights be on at all times. Back to top |
| What are the state requirements for a vendor to participate in an arts & crafts show? If the vendor will be selling art or craft items and is an Oklahoma resident, a sales tax permit must be obtained from the Oklahoma Tax Commission at (405) 521-3279. Vendors selling food or beverages must obtain a permit from the Oklahoma Health Department at (405) 271-4200 to participate at these type of events. Back to top |
| Where Can I Find the Oklahoma Video? This video, simply titled Oklahoma, is a one-hour documentary-style film about the history, heritage, land and people of Oklahoma. It is a fantastic piece of work that would make any Oklahoman proud. The film was produced a few years ago, but is still available for purchase through Oklahoma Today Magazine www.OklahomaToday.com or the Oklahoma City Tourism Information Center. The cost is $14.95 plus tax and shipping. Back to top |
| Do you have Amish or Mennonite communities in Oklahoma? There are several areas in Oklahoma that the Amish reside, however, the most predominant location is in Chouteau, located 20 miles east of Tulsa, and the nearby communities of Inola and Mazie. Here, you can visit an Amish family and sample an Amish meal. For more information about this, contact the Chouteau Chamber of Commerce at (918) 476-8222. Another location in Oklahoma known for its Amish families is Clarita, located in southeastern Oklahoma between Ada and Durant. Their Amish Auction & Crafts and Antiques Sale draw thousands every September. Just south of Weatherford in southwestern Oklahoma is the small town of Corn. Visitors are invited to an Amish-Mennonite meal during the German Feast & Auction held annually in February. The community of Enid, located in northwestern Oklahoma, also hosts an annual event featuring handmade quilts and other craft items with proceeds going to the Mennonite Central Committee. The event, Oklahoma Mennonite Relief Sale, is in November. Back to top |
| Where can I find information to float the Illinois River? You can search on our web site under Lodging for Resorts or Campgrounds in Tahlequah to get a list of properties along the river. The Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission, headquartered in Tahlequah, can mail you a free Floater's Guide that includes tips and general river info, a map and listing of canoe outfitters and resorts. You can reach them at (918) 456-3251 or OSRC@fullnet.net. The Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce also has information about the Illinois River on their web site, www.tourtahlequah.com. If using your own canoe, state regulations require you to register your canoe with a tag agency, display registration and decal on canoe, carry copy of waterproof registration with you in canoe, have life jackets for every adult in canoe and children under 12 must be wearing the jacket, and you must have a sound device in the canoe such as a safety horn, whistle or compressed air horn. Although the Illinois River is the most well-known area for floaters, other locations in Oklahoma include Greenleaf Lake (northeast), Lakes Watonga and Boecher (northwest), the Mountain Fork River (southeast) and Spring River (northeast). Back to top |
| Where is the nearest airport to Fort Sill? Oklahoma has three commercial airports -- Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Lawton -- that service most national carriers. Fort Sill is located on the north side of Lawton, therefore, visitors to this military base would fly into the Lawton airport which is located on South 11th Street about five miles from the base. For web site links to Oklahoma's airports and military installations, select the linke for Vacation Ideas from our home page, then Visitor Information. Back to top |
| Are there places to ride four wheelers in Oklahoma? There are several locations around the state that have trails for all terrain vehicles and off road vehicles. Click here to view more information about all terrain vehicle sites. Back to top |
| I'm looking for information about a crystal digging area that I've heard about? The area you are referring to is part of the Salt Plains Federal Wildlife Refuge near Cherokee in northwest Oklahoma. (We also have a state park with cabin accommodations located adjacent to the refuge.) This is the only location in Oklahoma where you can dig for the tea-colored selenite crystals. Refuge personnel recommend you bring a good-sized shovel, a coffee can or other rigid container to dip in water, something to put the crystals in and clean water to clean up with. They also suggest you wear a hat and sunscreen in warmer months because the salt flats tend to be hotter and more windy. The digging grounds are open to the public at no charge from sunup to sundown April 1 through October 15. For more information, call the refuge at (580) 626-4794. Back to top |
| Where is the AMTRAK station in Oklahoma City and what services and lodging are nearby? The Amtrak station in Oklahoma City is located in the downtown area on E.K. Gaylord between Reno and Sheridan. It is considered a 'whistle stop' station because there are no ticket agents on site. For tickets, it is recommended you contact a travel agent or Amtrak at (800) 872-7245. Parking is available across the street in an underground lot at the Cox Convention Center for a daily fee. There are three hotels within one block of the station, the Westin, Marriott Renaissance, and Courtyard by Marriott. Taxis are on site at the downtown hotels, and the city operates a trolley route between the downtown area and Meridian Avenue, where numerous hotels and restaurants are located. Bricktown, Oklahoma City's newest entertainment district, is adjacent to the Amtrak station where the Bricktown Ballpark, Outdoor World Bass Pro Shop, a 16 screen cinema, and several restaurants and clubs are located. The Greyhound Bus Station is located three blocks west of the Amtrak station. Back to top |
| Where can I rent a houseboat? There are three locations in Oklahoma we are currently aware of that rent houseboats. They are Beavers Bend Marina on Broken Bow Lake, (580) 494-6455, www.brokenbowlake.com; Evergreen Marina on Lake Eufaula, (918) 799-6113, www.evergreenmarina.com; and Eufaula Cove Marina on Lake Eufaula, (918) 689-7723, www.eufaulacovemarina.com. If readers are aware of any other rentals in Oklahoma, please let us know! Back to top |
| Where is Turner Falls and how can I get more information about it? Turner Falls is a city park of Davis, located in southcentral Oklahoma. Its biggest attraction is the 77 foot waterfall and other natural pools where visitors frequently travel in the summer to cool off. There is also camping and picnic facilities in the park. To get there, take Exit 51 from I-35 and follow the signs. If you go to Site Search from our home page, and enter turner falls, you should pull up information about this location. Or, go to www.turnerfallspark.com for more information. Back to top |
| What is a Sooner? Oklahoma's nickname is the Sooner State. During the late 1800s, land runs were held in what is now Oklahoma. The movie, Far and Away, with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman was about one of these land runs. The name, sooner, was used to refer to those landrunners who sneaked past the territory markers prior to the actual shotgun start in search of the best land areas. Much of northern and central communities in Oklahoma was established in a matter of hours. Norman is one of these communities, which is also the home of the University of Oklahoma, whose mascot is a sooner. Back to top |
| I've heard of a statue that shows Christ weeping. Can you tell me where this is? St. Joseph's Old Cathedral Church in downtown Oklahoma City erected this statue as a result of the Oklahoma City bombing that occurred in 1995. The church is located at 307 NW 4th Street, just south of the Oklahoma City National Memorial. You will find the statue of Christ weeping behind their church, which is open to the public 24 hours a day. Back to top |
| What is the highway emergency cell phone number? When traveling on U.S. highways and interstates, you can dial *55 (star 55) on your cell phone and be connected with highway patrol and other emergency services. Back to top |
| Where can I get information about Oklahoma's toll roads? The Oklahoma Transportation Authority is your source for getting Pike Pass information, viewing route maps, exit points and fees for specific toll roads, checking construction projects, and much more. Visit www.pikepass.com or call 1-800-PIKEPASS for more details. Back to top |
