Best outdoor summer activities near Bartlesville
Daisy Creager | The Wiley Post
July 7, 2024
Do not let the dog days of summer take the fun out of enjoying the outdoors. You can enjoy the long daylight hours and a little sunshine without spending much money or taking a big trip. Here are some unique ways to get outdoors and shake up the summer fun near Bartlesville:
Go fishing!
Each year, hundreds of channel catfish are stocked in Lee Lake for anglers to target. In 2025, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife stocked 1,235 catfish in the lake, according to its annual stocking report. Bass and sunfish can be found in the lake at Jo Allyn Lowe Park.
At Copan Lake, anglers can target catfish, crappie and largemouth bass. A weekly report of the water level and which lures are working best can be found on ODWC’s Copan Lake page.
Hudson Lake also provides good fishing opportunities, including for crappie, bass, sunfish and catfish.
Those under the age of 17 do not need a fishing license.
Target practice at the public Copan WMA shooting range
It is never too early to prepare for hunting season. Whether you are sighting in a rifle or perfecting your aim with a bow, the public shooting range at Copan Wildlife Management Area provides an opportunity to practice. It features a 100-yard rifle range and 50-yard pistol range, each with six covered shooting benches, and an archery tower and range.
A hunting license is required to access the shooting range, as the ODWC uses funds from license fees to maintain the area. Check regulations and get more information on the Copan WMA website.
Stargaze with a telescope from the Bartlesville Library
The Bartlesville Library’s Library of Things collection allows patrons to check out one of three telescopes for free with a library card! Jo Allyn Lowe Park and Osage Hills State Park are great places to stargaze for a clear view of the night sky. With Betelgeuse, the star on the right shoulder of the constellation Orion, expected to enter a supernova phase soon, it is the perfect time to check it out.
Go kayaking at Osage Hills State Park
Osage Hills has so much to offer from hiking trails and bird-watching to camping and swimming! For more fun on the water, kayaks can be rented from the park office every day between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The rentals are $12 for one hour and $30 for three hours.