Turkey Mountain Wilderness Area

I love Turkey Mountain’s trails for a good early morning weekend run. There are numerous distances to choose from, and I can mix it up to create more or less of a challenge for myself. Be aware though, the parking lot is small and can fill up easily if there is a race going on (Half and Half marathon for example) and street parking is illegal unless it is in the neighborhood nearby. And if it rains the night before you decide to head out, also be aware that there are flat areas that flood VERY easily and one creek bed in particular that overflows. Overall, a great running and hiking spot in Tulsa that lets you enjoy the outdoors and still be home in a twenty minute drive.

Wonderful spot to hike/​run/​bike/​be outdoors. There are different trails depending on difficulty and length. I usually go on the blue trail which is mostly flat terrain with a few rocky places you have to go up. Definitely go early to snag a parking spot because it gets crowded on a good day!

I took my kids and dog here for a hike. We went on the red trail first, then decided to go on the blue trail. If this is your first time going, I highly recommend the red trail first! It gives you a good feel of what to expect before going on a longer hike. The red trail was easy to follow and not too many obstacles to go over.
The blue trail was very nice, we came across a beautiful pond in the middle of the woods. It was absolutely gorgeous! There was a bench to sit and enjoy the view. There are a few places that were kind of hard to walk, like closer to the beginning there is a steep walkway of big rocks to climb. So if you aren’t athletic or used to walking around, it could be challenging. We got turned around on the trail as it is not very clearly marked. Thank goodness for some awesome people we found on the trail who walked us back to the beginning to get us out! My sons legs were cramping and he was having a hard time… Be sure to bring plenty of water, extra even. You never know if you’ll get turned around and you certainly don’t want to run out of water!
I would like to tackle the last 2 trails one day but I won’t do it without my husband. I’m just nervous to get lost out there with just me and the kids.

An excellent place to hike and explore when the weather is nice. Various paths for bikes, horses and hikers. The reputation of this place has certainly changed and its well maintained.
Parking is pretty much a nightmare when the weather is warm.

For Tulsa metro… this place rocks, and I think Grffin would agree.
We took the yellow trail and got turned around a few times… but eventually found our way. for a busy Saturday afternoon, we felt alone in the wilderness quite a few times which was nice. The trails were pretty free of trash and the bikers were always kind to us while passing.
I wish for a few more overlooks to Tulsa and the downtown area from the yellow trail, and maybe a loop on the yellow trail making an option to cut it down to 1.5 or 2 miles. All in all we are SOOOO grateful for this little oasis so close to home.

I love to hike and shoot photos at Turkey Mountain. But I do highly recommend you have plenty of water, a means to navigate and possibly a friend with you. It is pretty easy to get lost in the West side trails as none are marked very clearly. (This is a common problem here, the trails are so poorly marked you wonder if you are lost or not half the time.) And for those of you taking the main Yellow trail and coming out in the sun at the end, bring an umbrella for the walk back unless you want to walk through the woods. That sun can be brutal in the summer.
Make sure you try the assorted trails, there are a lot of great variations, lost and hidden treasures and fun places to wander and enjoy nature out there. The paved path is also a nice distraction for walkers, just be ready for the «fragrant aroma» that the sewer plant shares with you near the end of the paved path. It’s much stronger then if you are on the Yellow path. Trust me, ewwww.
Also, if you bring your dogs, please make sure you keep them on the leash, its not just the rules, it’s also for their safety. I’ve come across way too many lost dogs who I had to sit and give water to and wait for their owners to arrive, and many of those are rude to me for helping their dogs out. Not nice for the dogs or me.

Love the trails! It’s such a challenge to hike when it’s 90+ degrees but it’s worth the sweat! With four different kinds of trails, that means 4 levels of difficulty. Good place to hike when looking to rid stuff off your mind or exercise. Do bring lots and lots of water to hydrate yourself to get through it all!

Been here a few times and even brought the puppy out, very beautiful and good area for hiking and getting in whatever amount of exercise you want. They have everything from just simple walking trails to rigorous ones that make you work.
I love coming out here, it’s very peaceful. I’ve always felt safe throughout the trails and the people I’ve come in contact with while on them have always been super friendly passerby’s.

A little bit of nature in Tulsa!
Turkey Mountain has cool hiking trails with different levels of difficulty. They say the trails are marked with color-​coded ribbon… but I don’t think they’re very well marked (so good luck to you!). Go with an experienced hiker. There’s also a paved trail for runners and bikers that go through and around the «mountain.» It makes for some good views, but KILLER hills.
There’s plenty of parking and a nice pavilion (with bathrooms!) at the beginning of the trail.

Turkey Mountain wilderness Park is a great place to take your dog. This time of year the leaves are changing and it’s beautiful. Just be prepared to walk up and down hills! They didn’t name if Turkey Mountain for nothing. We walked ½ mile downhill, then ½ mile back up! But it was SO FUN! I love this place.

Excellent place to run or bike. The trails were great. You can either run through the woods or take a paved trail or both!

I first came here with friends when I told them I wanted to find something to do outside that would be equivalent to a workout. A lot of people who live here and went to school here know about this place since it has a great view of Tulsa and also close to the college– ORU.
When i first went here I was shocked at where it was located since it was so hidden and there was so much you would not know about. Going on the weekend when a lot of people would probably be there is not a great idea. The paring lot is pretty large, but it can be hard to find a spot to park. I have had to park across the park in a paring lot before and when I got out I was basically stuck and had to drive through grass to get home. Kind of annoying, but i guess just make an effort to go at an odd hour.
The trails here are great and even though it is packed you will never find people instantly around you. I like that the trails are pretty spaced out as well and easy to follow so if you get lost it is not hard to find your way out. Even though it is pretty easy I think we all run into the feeling where we think we may never get out, but isn’t that the fun part of hiking?! haha.
Good place to take your dog or a date and even friends. I will say that make sure your dog is small because these trails are intense! I always leave here feeling like I got a great workout and it want as dreadful as it could have been.

As someone who is not from Tulsa, I have a place to officially recommend for those who do go to Tulsa! With an extensive trail system, there was something for a variety of hikers. Easy and clear paths for a leisurely stroll and more dense paths for the adventurous. You can have a different experience every time. My only complaint was that it was hard to navigate, but we found our way back eventually.

Love turkey mountain! Go here a lot for mountain biking and occasionally for trail running. Trails are well marked and maintained. Signs and maps also welcome new additions encase you get turned around

They are building 3 multi purpose pavilions. The grades are steep and terrains rough but Oklahoma beautiful!

I’ve hiked several different trails here and enjoyed them all. Coming from a large metropolitan city, I find it so nice to drive a short distance and be able to enjoy the outdoors. I’ve only been on weekends, so have had to share paths with other people. They’re usually really friendly. Even during peak times, there’s always plenty of parking. The mountain bikers stop for no one; get out of the way or get run over.

Turkey mountain is a must for exercise and outdoor enthusiasts. I have been here many times in several capacities: as a boy scout practicing for long out-​of-​state hikes, as a hiker looking to get lost in the woods in Tulsa county, and as a mountain biker looking for a thrill. The mountain satisfies all of these situations and more.
Many people have suggested that this part of River Parks is not safe, especially at night. I have never felt unsafe here and have been at all times of day and evening, alone and with groups. Be smart and use common sense and you should not fear this wonderful resource we have.
I especially love to hike up to the top of the first hill and cross to the new «Pink» trails which are the Western most trails. Here there are lots of options for each turn you take and you can get «lost» pretty easily, which I like. There is never any fear of actually losing your way as there are good landmarks and the occasional map, and you can always take comfort in knowing that you cannot go very far as the trail is bordered by several roads, the West YMCA, and the pepsi plant.
Almost all trails (save a few choice parts at the immediate uphill of the area) are simple enough for the beginner mountain biker, and all are hike-​able by almost anyone.
I highly recommend you take a hike sometime just for fun or to stay in shape. I like to bike out there using the west side river trail.
4 stars because of the new updates to parking, safety, and facilities. I would add one more star if there were more maintenance on some of the back trails, and better marking on the back trails as well.

I sure did feel like a turkey while on a run with Mr. Olof, my friend, and her dog.
There is plenty of parking before you hit the trails right before Tulsa Hills center on the right side entrance. A little cabin shed is available for you to use the restrooms and view a map. (Which I most highly recommend you do before starting your adventure!)
We hit the beautiful trails blindly only planning on being out for 10 – 15 minutes before turning around because it was quite hot. Welp, we did turn around after 15 and it took us an hour to find our way back to the car. Ruh Roh.
Obviously, the fault was ours not to look at the map. However, the signage on the trail was lacking. We ran into 3 different people who were also lost.
There are a few different trails with varied skill levels and a paved bike path you can choose to ride on as well.
I will conquer you, you beautiful Turkey Mountain, you. But, next time, I’ll bring bread crumbs to trace my steps.