Life in Northwest Oklahoma

If you’re seeking wide open spaces, northwest Oklahoma is where they’re hiding. Savor a slower pace of life among some of Mother Nature’s most rugged natural beauty.

Best for: a pioneer spirit seeking some peace and quiet.

Popular Places to Move

How does life in Northwest Oklahoma compare?

Moving From
Moving To
Current Salary

Activities & Attractions

Little Sahara

State Parks

Seven state parks dot northwest Oklahoma, from the rugged hills of Gloss Mountain State Park to the lush forest of Boiling Springs State Park. Spend your days off dune-buggying through Little Sahara State Park, touring one of the world’s largest gypsum caves at Alabaster Caverns State Park, or hiking Oklahoma’s highest peak at Black Mesa State Park. Roman Nose State Park’s golf course is a regional favorite, and kids of all ages love digging for selenite crystals at Great Salt Plains State Park.

History & Museums

Northwest Oklahoma is a history buff’s dream come true, packed with fascinating stops like the Cimarron Heritage Center and the E.W. Marland Mansion. Dive into the past at Fort Supply and the Plains Indians & Pioneers Museum, and get up to speed on Oklahoma’s rich cultural heritage at Standing Bear Park and the Conoco Museum in Ponca City.

Arts & Culture

The Enid Region is home to a vibrant arts and culture scene fueled by local talent. Catch a Broadway musical at the Gaslight Theater and the Poncan Theatre, or enjoy the Enid Symphony Orchestra’s classical masterpieces. For sports fans, you’ll soon be a fan of the Enid Outlaws professional basketball team and look forward to the NJCAA Division II World Series — played at Enid’s David Allen Memorial Ballpark — all year.

Leonardo's Children's Museum

Enid

Bradt's Menagerie

Alva

Family Fun

Fun for the whole family is around every turn in Oklahoma’s Enid Region. Leonardo’s Children’s Museum and the Optimaze Family Fun Center offer hands-on fun that’s perfect for kids and adults. Bradt’s Menagerie could be your new family tradition, boasting Oklahoma’s largest hay maze and tons of furry friends to pet. Plus, nearby towns are filled with parks, community centers, and splash pads to keep everyone entertained.

Cooper Wildlife Management Area

Woodward

Lake Carl Ealing

Black Mesa State Park
Photo by Darrin Hill

Outdoor Recreation

Northwest Oklahoma’s golden prairies and rolling hills make it a haven for nature lovers. Outdoorsmen can catch catfish and largemouth bass at Lake Carl Etling or Kaw Lake, and hunt for quail, deer, and wild turkey at Cooper Wildlife Management Area. Plus, the area’s seven state parks are great for hiking, off-roading, and camping. Don’t miss the stargazing — with some of the clearest night skies in the country, northwest Oklahoma puts on quite a show.

Festivals

Community is king in Oklahoma’s panhandle, so it’s no surprise festivals are a way of life. Get a taste of local flavors at the Laverne Sand Plum Festival, Ringwood Watermelon Festival, and Watonga Cheese Festival. Celebrate Guymon’s Hispanic culture at the Guymon Fiesta, and toast to Okeene’s German heritage at Okeene Germanfest. Northwest Oklahoma’s agricultural heritage also means rodeos are a must, so Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo and the Woodward Elks Rodeo are local staples.

Pioneer Days Rodeo

Guymon

Fiesta

Guymon
Photo by Arlene Winfrey

Pioneer Days Rodeo

Guymon

Food & Drink

The Panhandle’s food scene is a real treat, offering something for every taste bud. Dive into craft brews and hearty dishes at Enid Brewing Company, get a taste of Ireland at Callahan’s Pub & Grille, or savor a fine steak at the Rusty Barrel Supper Club. Mo’s Place in Waukomis, Enrique’s Mexican Restaurant in Ponca City, and Katy’s Pantry in Enid are other local favorites.

Enid Brewing Company

Enid

Rusty Barrel Supper Club

Ponca City

Katy's Pantry

Enid

How does your life compare in Oklahoma?

Moving From
Moving To
Current Salary

News & Stuff