PARK MISSION STATEMENT

 Chickasaw National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park System established in 1906, to provide for the protection of its unique recreational, cultural and natural resources, including springs, streams, lakes, hiking trails and historic structures. Our goal is to provide each visitor with an educational, enjoyable, safe, and memorable experience.

PARK HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

"Peaceful Valley of Rippling Waters".

Early American Indian visitors used this statement to describe this area’s significance.  These beautiful words can still be used today to describe Chickasaw National Recreation Area and its many resources.

From prehistoric times to the present, access to the combination of cool water, mineral springs, cool breezes, shade, and wildlife has created at Chickasaw National Recreation Area an experience that sets it apart from the surrounding environment.

The springs and streams of Chickasaw come from one of the most complex geological and hydrological features in the United States.  These resources have been economically and environmentally significant throughout the history of the region, and are valuable for scientific research.

Dating from the public works era of the 1930's, classic examples of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) architectural craftsmanship and ingenuity--included in one of the largest and most intact designed cultural landscapes of that period--blend harmoniously with the natural environment.  A trail system was designed and constructed during this period that meets the needs of the casual walker as well as the avid exerciser.

The park holds within its boundaries a vast diversity of natural resources.  These unique flora, fauna, waters, and geological formations have withstood the external pressures of man made and natural changes.  The combination of these resources has created an area unlike any in the surrounding territory.

Chickasaw lies in a transition zone where the Eastern deciduous forest and the Western prairies meet.  It has flora and fauna from both environments, and other flora and fauna specific to such transition areas.  The view over Veterans Lake, especially beautiful at sunset, illustrates this transition.

The park provides opportunities to experience a wide range of outdoor experiences--swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, observing nature, hunting, camping, and picnicking--reminding us of the rural character in the history of the American people.  It adds measurably to the quality of life for visitors and area residents.

Chickasaw has been the setting for generations of traditional family activity that represents part of our American heritage.

The park offers three different levels of water-based recreation: In the protected zone upstream from the nature center, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the natural springs and streams as a visual resource.  Veteran's Lake offers a park-like atmosphere, where use is restricted to a slower pace and relatively quiet activities.  At the Lake of the Arbuckles, visitors can engage in a full range of activities, including boating and fishing.