Lake Hefner Park

Choose a destination before routing: Stars and Stripes Park for south-side recreation and views, Lions Children's Park for the playground, East Wharf for restaurants, the north lot off Hefner Road for north trail access, or a named marina, fishing dock, or golf facility.

Official trail parking is available at Stars and Stripes Park, Lions Children's Park, East Wharf off Britton Road, and the north lot off Hefner Road. Use only lake roads and designated lots; do not park on grass, trail shoulders, or service roads.

The Bert Cooper Trail loop is about 9.8 miles of asphalt and concrete for walking, running, and cycling. A portion crosses the dam road shared with vehicles, and the route connects toward the Hefner-Overholser Trail.

Yes. The lake has restrooms, and portable toilets and water fountains are distributed around the trail near developed recreation areas. They are not present at every mile or informal viewpoint, so plan around a named park or trailhead.

Lions Children's Park and Stars and Stripes Park are the primary family destinations along the lake, and the City lists multiple playgrounds among Lake Hefner amenities. Route to the named park rather than the lake center.

Yes. Picnic areas, grills, and group shelters are available around the lake. Open picnic areas are generally first come, while group shelters and organized events may require reservations or permits.

General park entry, designated parking, the paved loop, playgrounds, picnic areas, and shoreline viewing are free. Fishing, boating, storage, golf, shelter reservations, organized sports, and food require permits or separate payment.

The paved multi-use loop and developed parks provide step-free recreation options, with parking and restrooms at major areas. Conditions vary around the full 9.8-mile route, especially where it shares the dam road, so select a shorter named segment when needed.

Trail resurfacing, severe weather, high wind, ice, maintenance, water operations, races, and permitted events can affect individual segments or lots. The City directs trail-closure questions to OKC Parks, and all posted gates or barriers should be followed.

The Bob Hope Pavilion at Stars and Stripes Park is the main covered gathering space, with seating for more than 100, lights, picnic tables, nearby restrooms, and lake views. Smaller trees provide intermittent shade elsewhere, but the shoreline, trails, docks, fields, and open water are highly exposed to Oklahoma sun and wind. Leave the lake during lightning or dangerous wind and use a substantial building or vehicle rather than the pavilion or a tree.

Pets are welcome in Lake Hefner's public lake areas, including paths and picnic areas, but they must remain on a leash at all times. Dogs may not swim or wade in the reservoir, and Lake Hefner does not function as an off-leash dog park. Keep pets away from the waterline where necessary and remove their waste.

EMBARK's NW Rapid connects downtown Oklahoma City with the Lake Hefner area along Northwest Expressway, but it does not circle the reservoir or deliver visitors to every trailhead, marina, golf course, restaurant, or Stars and Stripes Park. Enter the exact destination in the live planner and inspect the final walking route before leaving; several lake edges are separated from transit by wide roads and long distances.

No. Oklahoma City prohibits swimming in Lake Hefner, and the lake district does not list a splash pad. The reservoir supports permitted boating and fishing, but people and pets may not swim or wade. For family water play, choose a separately listed Oklahoma City aquatic center or sprayground rather than entering the reservoir from a trail, picnic area, dock, or boat ramp.

Lake Hefner has no single central arrival point. Stars and Stripes Park on the south side is a strong family landmark with the Bob Hope Pavilion, Eisenhower Plaza, a patriotic flag-and-five-star design, and a modern rocket slide. The recognizable lighthouse is on the east shore but is not managed by Oklahoma City. The 9.8-mile Bert Cooper Trail links these areas with marinas, docks, restaurants, golf, and north-side trail access, so route to the exact landmark rather than the lake center.