Love County is halfway between Oklahoma City and Dallas and is easy to reach via I-35. The Thackerville Tourism Information Center is three miles north of the Oklahoma–Texas border, at mile marker 3.5 on I-35. The region offers different ways to plan a trip, with a choice of scenery and water, history, golf or events.
Nature along the Red River and at Lake Texoma
The Love Valley Wildlife Management Area covers 7,746 acres in south-central and eastern Love County. It lies along the Red River on the Oklahoma–Texas border. The landscape is predominantly made up of post oak and blackjack oak forests, along with floodplain forests. There are several undesignated primitive camping sites in the area. Conditions at the sites may change, so it is a good idea to check before your stay.
The Lake Texoma shoreline and border area also include part of Love County along the Texas–Oklahoma border. Lake Texoma has 91,200 acres of water, with opportunities for fishing, camping and water sports. This offers a choice of nature-focused experiences: the wooded area along the Red River or activities on the water.
Trade history and museums
The early history of Love County is connected with trade, numerous ferry crossings and some of the first trading posts in Indian Territory. The Love County Courthouse was built in 1910 and was Oklahoma’s first county courthouse constructed after statehood. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places under number 84003148.
In Marietta, the Love County Historical Society Pioneer Museum houses artifacts depicting pioneer life. Also in Marietta, Norton's Indian Territory Museum is a private collection inside Norton’s Jewelry. Items in the collection include old bottles, arrowheads, antiques and historical documents from the region. The two museums offer different perspectives: one focuses on pioneer life, while the other presents a broader collection of regional objects and documents.
Golf and attractions around WinStar
WinStar Golf Club is located in Thackerville. The club’s Redbud Golf Course is an 18-hole championship course. Course details may change during renovations, so check before your trip. Cascades at WinStar is a five-acre pool complex with lounges and cabanas. The three-level facility includes a shallow splash pool, several pools and three outdoor bars. It operates seasonally, so check in advance whether Cascades will be open during your stay.
WinStar World Casino & Resort is divided into nine areas designed around world cities. The gaming floor covers more than 600,000 square feet, and there are also more than 10,500 electronic games. These operating figures may change. Golf, the pool complex and the casino each offer a different focus, so you can choose based on your interests.
Events throughout the year
Love County Frontier Days is a weekend event in downtown Marietta. The program includes vendors, live music, entertainment and food trucks. Friday features an off-road show and rodeo events such as Mutton Busting and Team Goat Roping. Saturday includes a car show and the Git A Long Little Doggie race with a costume contest. The program may vary from year to year; check the dates and schedule when planning your trip.
The Love Run is held annually and includes a 5K run and a one-mile fun run. Event details may change. If you’d like to include the run in your travel plans, check the date in advance.
Explore more destinations: Thackerville, Grady County, Rogers County, Seminole County, Stephens, Muskogee, Beckham County, Jefferson County.
For the statewide travel overview: Oklahoma.
