Grand Lake, also known as the Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees & “Crappie Capitol of the World”, is found in the foothills of the Ozark Mountain Range. The lake is managed by the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA). This lake in Oklahoma covers part of the following counties: Delaware, Ottawa, Mayes, and Craig County. The water volume of Grand Lake is nearly 1.5 million acres with a surface area of 46.5 thousand acres. The lake holds roughly thirteen hundred miles of shoreline for visitors to enjoy.
Nearby cities to Grand Lake include Grove, Miami, Vinita, Afton, Wyandotte, Eucha, Disney, and Spavinaw, Oklahoma. Tulsa, Oklahoma is approximately one and one-half hours from the lake.
Oklahoma City is approximately three hours from the lake. Fort Smith, Arkansas is also approximately two and one-half hours away. Joplin, Missouri is one hour from Grand Lake.
Grand Lake offers yearly fishing tournaments and fun events including the Big Meat Run, Harbor Village yearly events, garden events, and more. The lake is the perfect place to get away from the noise of life and enjoy the quiet, gorgeous views of the surrounding area.
Grand Lake History
The history books credit Henry Holderman for having the first vision of the Grand River as a source of power for the Cherokee Nation. In 1935, the GRDA did a study on the impact of creating the lake. Construction then began in 1938 on the Pensacola Dam and the Grand River.
The dam was completed in 1940 with Grand Lake behind it. The construction now provides water supplies, a large number of recreational opportunities, flood control for the community area, and is a power source to the nearby communities. Grand Lake currently attracts thousands and thousands of visitors annually.
The Pensacola Dam is noted as the longest multi-arch dam located in the world. The main span of the dam includes fifty-one arches across over five thousand feet on a very narrow two-lane highway. One mile away are two sister dams in Disney, Oklahoma.
A variety of highways cross different areas of Grand Lake. I-44 offers at least four exits to drive to the lake. Highway 85A enters the lake area in Bernice, Oklahoma. Highway 125 brings visitors in through Monkey Island. Highway 59 brings lake visitors through Grove, Oklahoma.
Grand Lake Fishing
Grand Lake fishing is a delightful experience. Anglers enjoy catching a variety of species including crappie, bass, catfish, paddlefish, bluegill, and sunfish. Grand Lake bass fishing includes angling for largemouth bass, white bass, spotted bass, and striped bass. Catfish varieties include blue catfish, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. Hybrid striped bass are regularly stocked in the lake.
Fishing on the lake is great for beginners as well as highly skilled anglers. Nearby boat slips are vast in the area. Grand Lake marinas offer the ability to resupply your fishing spinners, baits, tackle needs, fishing gear, snack supplies, and more.
Grand Lake Fishing Guides offer guided tours and instruction for fishing the area lake. The guides know the lake in-depth and offer the best fishing experience imaginable. For more information on fishing guides, be sure to take a look at the Grand Lake Fishing Guides page.
Grand Lake Boating
Head to Grand Lake for many fun and enjoyable boating activities with your friends and family. Grand Lake is an absolutely beautiful lake for boating. Visitors and vacationers enjoy watching the lake fishing tournaments, water skiing, viewing jet ski activities, fishing in the grand waters, and enjoy the vacations of boating on the lake. Boat dinner cruises are popular as well as local boat clubs events. Nearby marinas offer boating rentals as needed to the public.
Grand Lake Marinas
Grand Lake marinas offer covered and uncovered boat slip rentals, boating supplies, fishing gear, fuel, and beach plus boating apparel. There are twelve marinas for the lake including Four Seasons Marina, Clearwater Bay Marina, Martin Landing Marina, Cedar Point Marina, Hi-Lift Marina, Indian Hills Marina, Thunder Bay Marina, Elk River Landing Marina, Tera Miranda Marina, Willow Park Marina, Harbors View Marina, and Serenity Point Marina.
Boat rentals are available through some of the local marinas. And, you will find H2O Sports Rental offers jet skis, ski boats, wakeboard boats, pontoon boats, tri-toon boats, paddle boats, tubes, skis, and wakeboards for your enjoyment.
Sail Grand Waterfront offers rentals of Wave Runners, Jet/Ski Boats, Pontoons, Sailboats, Tritoon Boats, Fishing Boats to rent hourly, half-day, or a full day. Their experienced captain will show you the best view of Grand Lake from their Parasail at 500 feet in the air. The business also offers yacht charters on their 54 foot Bluewater.
Additional lake services include repair services, full-service shops, fuel, docking, boat slips, and boating apparel options. Vacationers can rent houseboats, pontoons, fishing boats, cabins, and more. To see your full selection of options, please visit the Grand Lake Marinas page.
Vacation Homes and Rental Cabins
Take some extended time off with the family members and plan your getaway to Grand Lake. Lakeside views at vacation homes provide an exciting yet relaxing experience for you and your family. Rental homes and cabins are found in various areas on or near Grand Lake. Some Grand Lake cabin rentals have private docks, swimming pools, and other news-worthy amenities. For more information, please visit the Grand Lake Ok Rentals, Cabins & Lodging page.
Grand Lake Tent & RV Camping
Enjoy camping with the family and close friends? Then, be sure to pack up your camping gear and head down to Grand Lake for some of the best camping locations near the lake. Spring Valley Ranch offers a unique experience in the beautiful countryside near the lake. The ranch holds a lot of nice features for those who stay including plenty of hillsides, pastures, creeks, animals, and wildlife. Guests are provided a place to sit and relax enjoying vacation life.
The Cherokee Spur Ranch is located in Afton, Oklahoma near Grand Lake. The ranch offers a variety of options for those staying. A number of guided hunts are available including duck hunts, pheasant hunts, as well as quail shoots. There are a good variety of animals and birds which call this ranch home.
A number of resorts exist near Grand Lake including King Point Resort, Lee’s Grand Lake Resort, Monkey Island RV Resort, Honey Creek Resort, Bears Den Resort, Pine Island Resort, Tera Miranda Resort, Shangri La Resort, and Indian Hills Resort. The establishments offer boat ramp options, living spaces, cabins, swimming options, fishing access, and plenty of amenities.
Camping is also available at the Horseshoe Campground, Spring River Canoe Trails, Snider’s Camp, Cherokee State Park, Twin Bridges State Park, Sycamore Valley Campgrounds, Grand Lake State Park, and Blue Hole Park. Other camping locations include Bernice State Park, Hogan’s Off-Road Park, Ballerina Pier 59, as well as Little Blue and Disney State Park.
RV campsites are available along the shores of Grand Lake and in the local communities. Many locations offer full water and electricity hookups for daily as well as weekly stays. Shady spots offer a break from the heat on warmer days at the lake. Picnic areas and playgrounds provide a place to create family fun memories.
Grand Lake RV parks are offered for those desiring to travel via recreational vehicles. RV parking locations on or near the lake include Cherokee Spirit RV Park, Lake Hudson Inn, Hickory Inn Motel & RV Park, Green Country RV as well as Park Hills Motel & RV Park. Additional places include Elk River Landing, Lakewood RV Village, Blue Hole Park, Cedar Oaks RV, and Cabin RV Park. For more information, please take a few moments to browse our Grand Lake Camping, Resorts, and RV Parks page.
Hiking Near Grand Lake
While hiking near Grand Lake is minimally available, visitors do enjoy walking the trails at the Bernice Nature Center as well as around the lake area. The natural beauty and inviting surroundings offer tranquility to the soul. There are plenty of views to capture on your favorite camera. And, there are plenty of lovely days to take the children for a walk in various locations around Grand Lake.
Abundant wildlife species found near Grand Lake include quail, dove, white-tailed deer, turkey, rabbits, raccoons, waterfowl, and squirrels. During the winter season, Bald Eagles nest around Grand Lake. They can be seen sometimes year-round depending on the nesting location.
Oklahoma birds that may be seen in the Grand Lake area include Pileated Woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, Northern Cardinals, House Finch, Harris’s Sparrows, Great Tailed Grackle, Field Sparrows, Eastern Towhee, Eastern Bluebirds, and Common Grackles. There are numerous opportunities to view, learn about, and enjoy a variety of bird species while walking along the shores of Grand Lake.
Grand Lake Things to Do
Grand Lake offers a host of things to do with close family members and friends. The lake area includes plenty of golfing opportunities for the novice player as well as the skillful golfer. Golfing facilities are available in Miami, Langley, Monkey Island, Afton, and Grove, Oklahoma. Golfers enjoy playing at The Coves, Cherokee Grove Golf, Shangrila, and Peoria Ridge.
Shopping excursions include visiting flea markets, antique shops, apparel stores, resale shops, and unique gift shops. No matter the type of shopping you are seeking, you will find many unique places to visit during your shopping day at Grand.
Are you ready to be pampered at the spa, or get your nails done? Or, maybe you are ready for a new haircut? There are plenty of full-service salons, spas, and nail studios to provide you wonderful services in the Grand Lake Ok area.
Grand Lake Restaurants provide a diversity of taste encounters. Options include BBQ smokehouses, cafe favorites, breakfast possibilities, deliciously grilled foods, and down-home comfort food plates. Near the lake, you will also find plenty of options for tasty pizzas, Mexican foods, and Chinese-based cuisines with friendly service.
Relish in the family entertainment options available in the Grand Lake Ok area year-round. Visit nearby museums, local art galleries, historical destinations, and nearby landmarks. Learn about the Native American culture, the history of the area, and conservation measures taken to preserve a rich history of the land. For additional Grand Lake Things to Do, please visit our listings page.
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Grand Lake, Oklahoma Zip Codes
Delaware County Zip Codes
Colcord: 74338, Eucha: 74342, Grove: 74344, Jay: 74346, Kansas: 74347, Oaks: 74359, Twin Oaks: 74368
Ottawa County Zip Codes
Afton: 74331, Cardin: 74335, Commerce: 74339, Fairland: 74343, Miami: 74354, Wyandotte: 74370
Craig County Zip Codes
Vinita: 74301, Big Cabin: 74332, Bluejacket: 74333, Welch: 74369
Mayes County Zip Codes
Adiar: 74330, Chouteau: 74337, Disney: 74340, Ketchum: 74349, Langley: 74350, Locust Grove: 74352, Pryor: 74361, Rose: 74364, Salina: 74365, Spavinaw: 74366, Strang: 74367
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