Lake Hefner

On our Oklahoma City New Year's Eve route it is stop 2 of 2 in a 3-day trip. Split evenly, that is about 2 days here, an estimate rather than a rule. The listed visit times for our 6 places add up to roughly 6 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

The city's big reservoir for a windy shoreline walk and a lakeside lunch on Jan 1. Standouts on our list: Lake Hefner Lighthouse (The small lighthouse at the end of the East Wharf jetty, the lake's landmark and its sunset spot); Lake Hefner Trail (A paved path around much of the 2,500-acre reservoir, popular for first-day walks, runs and bike rides); Stars and Stripes Park (Lakeside park on Hefner's south shore with open lawns, picnic shelters and a stretch of the shoreline trail).

Our Oklahoma City New Year's Eve route is best Dec 30 – Jan 1. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (35°C / 94°F), the coolest in January (9°C / 47°F) and the most rain in May (about 129 mm).

Start with Lake Hefner Trail, Lake Hefner Lighthouse, Stars and Stripes Park and Martin Park Nature Center. Our guide lists 6 places in all, from 1 sight, 3 outdoor spots and 2 places to eat.

Our picks: Redrock Canyon Grill (East Wharf); Louie's Grill & Bar (East Wharf). Call ahead for Jan 1 hours (Redrock Canyon Grill).

The closest destinations in our guides are Oklahoma City (about 13 km / 8 mi), Downtown OKC & Bricktown (about 14 km / 9 mi) and Wichita Mountains (about 137 km / 85 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.