Seeking relief from summer heat? Check out Alabaster Caverns, other cool Oklahoma sites
A few years ago I wrote about a different kind of “cool” destination to visit during the summer — Alabaster Caverns State Park near Freedom, Oklahoma.
We recently shot the on-camera segments for an upcoming "Discover Oklahoma" episode with the theme of “Okie Cool” from inside the caverns. My guest co-host for that show, which will air on Saturday, July 15, will be Shelley Zumwalt, the executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation.
Revisiting Alabaster Caverns after several years, I was thrilled to explore this extraordinary destination once more. And while seeking some relief from the heat and humidity, I was also happy as we descended into the cool embrace of the cavern. With a year-round average temperature ranging from 58 to 62 F, the natural airflow within the cavern provides a fluctuation of six to eight degrees.
This massive cavern was formed of alabaster, a rare form of gypsum. And the mesmerizing rock formations captivated my attention more on this visit, leaving me inspired and in awe of the power of nature. Adding to the fun of our visit, nearly 40 students from Woodward joined us on the same day we were shooting the show. And their faces brimming with amazement and wonder enhanced our experience with an extra layer of fun.
One question always comes up when people ask me about visiting Alabaster Caverns is about bats. The simple answer is during a winter tour, you might see a decent number of bats, but they won’t bother you. But during the summer, the female bats are having and raising their babies and the male bats are moving to other caves in the areas to avoid the crowds of people. We saw two as we made our way to exit the caverns. And I will go ahead and let you know there are no vampire bats in Oklahoma. So don’t let the idea of bats keep you from visiting this very “cool” destination in Oklahoma.
More: 'It's a jaw-dropper': Why summer bat watches at Selman Bat Cave are must-see viewing
Other cool places
I also have written often how handy and convenient the tourism website is, Travelok.com.
And if you go in search of other “cool” places to visit, here are a few to consider starting in Ponca City. The Wentz Camp and Pool located there is also the perfect place to host an event such as class and family reunions.
The splash pad at Greenleaf State Park is a wonderful place to relax and cool off while at this very picturesque park.
For something a little different, go by the Stokely Event Center in Tulsa. This, too, is another venue perfect for any celebration from weddings, birthdays or a corporate gathering. The “cool” thing is they have over 300 vintage Tulsa signs, Route 66 artifacts and other signs adorning its 3500 square feet.
The Riversport Adventure Park at the Boathouse District, Lake Hefner and Lake Overholser are destinations that are not only fun, but very cool indeed.
And don’t forget the Water-Zoo Indoor Water Park in Clinton is a year-round destination so you don’t have to wait until summer to have an exciting water park experience.
More: Discover Oklahoma: Looking for a new outdoor adventure? Let the state be your guide
For a more comprehensive list of “cool” places to visit in Oklahoma, just go to the official website of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, Travelok.com.
Dino Lalli is the co-host and one of the feature reporters for the weekly television travel show "Discover Oklahoma."
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Discover Oklahoma: Alabaster Caverns is a cool place to beat the heat
