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Monday 5am - 11pm Tuesday 5am - 11pm Wednesday 5am - 11pm Thursday 5am - 11pm Friday 5am - 11pm Saturday 5am - 11pm Sunday 5am - 11pm

Turkey Mountain - Tulsa

A Brief History
Turkey Mountain, a landmark on Tulsa’s riverfront, describes an area north of 71st Street and west of the Arkansas River within Tulsa’s city limits. Turkey Mountain is a public park encompassing hundreds of rugged, wooded acres located between I-44 and 71st Street and the Arkansas River and U.S. 75. The park is owned and managed by River Parks Authority, a public trust authority cr

eated by the City of Tulsa and Tulsa County to oversee Tulsa’s riverfront development. The highest point on the mountain rises approximately 300 feet above the river channel and is located within the park’s boundaries. Land acquisition for a public park on Turkey Mountain began in 1978 with 147 acres purchased with funds from Tulsa County, a federal grant, and a contribution from the landowner, J.L. Jatras donated an additional 80 acres of land at the corner of 71st and Elwood. In subsequent years, additional tracts were acquired with City of Tulsa 3rd Penny Sales Tax funds. Those parcels and others owned by the City of Tulsa were leased to the Authority and included in the Wilderness boundaries. The extension of the VisionTulsa program in 2016 includes $7.6MM for Turkey Mountain: $5.6MM for the acquisition of additional land for the park and $2MM for amenities. A loan to River Parks Authority from the George Kaiser Family Foundation and QuikTrip Corporation allowed the Vision land purchases to begin soon after the vote so that acquisition opportunities would not be lost. Bynum announced that the City of Tulsa had agreed to transfer title to River Parks Authority for its leased Turkey Mountain properties, assuring that it will remain public park property in perpetuity. In support of this action by the City, the George Kaiser Family Foundation, which has been land banking properties on Turkey Mountain for over a decade, announced that it will deed its properties to the River Parks Authority for inclusion in Turkey Mountain. It is expected that a master plan encompassing the entire Wilderness will be undertaken in the next year or two. Turkey Mountain’s forest is an example of a cross timber area that represents the transition between the Great Plains and the Ozark Plateau. Native species common to this part of the River Parks system include Post and Blackjack Oak, Hickory, Redbud and many others. The park’s ecosystem also supports a variety of wildlife, with occasional sightings of deer, coyotes and bobcats. The origin of the name Turkey Mountain remains an unsolved mystery, as does local lore of Viking visits. But the land figured into Tulsa’s early history as the site of oil well drilling and is still traversed by a section of the 1904 Midland Valley Railroad line now owned by the Union Pacific Railroad and operated by the Tulsa-Sapulpa Union Railway. It is believed that the name Turkey Mountain stems from the likelihood that the area was once a popular spot for hunting wild turkeys. The Wilderness Area features two large ponds and miles of winding dirt trails. A 2015 Turkey Mountain User Survey conducted by the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition found that most recreational usage is hiking/walking/running, with additional usage for mountain biking. The survey also showed that Turkey Mountain is both a regional and national attraction, with documented evidence of numerous out-of-state visitors to the park. Turkey Mountain is intentionally maintained in a wilderness state to offer a challenging recreational experience in contrast to the miles of mostly flat trails and manicured park areas elsewhere along the riverfront. Improvements at the main entrance to the Wilderness Area were completed in 2009 with a grant from the George Kaiser Family Foundation. That gift financed expanded parking, a restroom building, climbing boulders and improved trailhead access. The entrance is further enhanced by two bronze wildlife sculptures donated to the citizens of Tulsa by NatureWorks, Inc., “Rio Grande Turkeys” and “Rocky Mountain Bighorn.” Three pavilions located near the entrance were financed by proceeds from “Wild Turkey,” a biennial fund-raising event that benefits River Parks’ projects and programs. Supporters of River Parks Friends also contributed to the pavilions. In response to demand, a second parking lot to serve park visitors was opened and later expanded on 61st Street, west of Elwood Avenue. About River Parks
Spread along miles of the Arkansas River as it flows through Tulsa, River Parks provides some of the metropolitan area's finest outdoor recreation. More than 26 miles of asphalt-surfaced recreation trails weave past picnic areas, playgrounds, fountains and sculptures. The park's landscape ranges from manicured lawns to the rugged terrain of the Turkey Mountain with its miles of dirt trails. Recreation in River Parks includes fishing, rowing, rollerblading, kayaking, disc golf, hiking, running, cycling. River Parks Authority is a City-County public trust authority which oversees the management and operation of the River Parks system. Since the Authority’s founding in 1974, approximately $100MM has been invested in Tulsa’s riverfront, almost half of it from private philanthropic gifts and grants. For more information visit www.riverparks.org.

09/02/2024

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

09/01/2024

🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️Race Monday morning! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️Please leave flagging and signage alone and thank you.

08/30/2024

Yall, we’re pretty excited about this!

08/30/2024

Fleet Feet Tulsa presents one of Tulsa's oldest Trail races - dating way back to 2004! It's a Labor Day tradition. Two race distances to choose from - a challenging 5-mile course or the shorter and less technical 2-mile course. Both races start and finish at the lower parking lot of Turkey Mountain. All entrants will receive a race t-shirt and a finisher medal for each race. Post-race, the tradition of this event is a cookout with hamburgers and hotdogs as well as beer for those 21 and over. One of northeastern Oklahoma’s unique recreational treasures, the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness encompasses over 300 acres of rugged park land and is only a few miles from Tulsa’s vibrant downtown. Participants will be surrounded by a thick canopy of trees, including native Post and Blackjack Oak, Hickory, Redbud, and other species. This area of River Parks stretches north-south from I-44 to 71st Street and from Elwood Avenue east to the Arkansas River. The highest point on Turkey Mountain lies within the park’s boundaries, rising 300 feet above the river. Escape is the THIRD (and final) race in our annual year-long series of trail races at Turkey Mountain - called the "Turkey Triple." Other races in the series include Trail Madness (March) and the Trail Nut 5k and 1-mile races (June). Those in the series receive a 5% discount on each individual race entry fee, as well as a special medal for each race. Registration for the series will close prior to the first race in March. Sign up for the series and keep yourself motivated to train and trail race all year long! To sign up for the series, select "bundle" when you begin the registration process for this race. https://loom.ly/vjnvaVQ

08/29/2024

Hmmmm... might need this sign at Turkey......
(we understand if this post makes some people radioactive but we hope it welcomes them to a new age of not playing your speakers full blast in the woods).

08/27/2024

Trail updates! Coming soon!
Turkey’s AllUp trail is getting a second AllUp trail. That trail gets extremely congested on busy weekends. So, we will make a second AllUp and make that Hiking Only. The current AllUp from the midway point will then become a bikes only Trail that will be by directional. So then hikers will have three different options to get to the top from the lower lot and bikes will have Zingo and BikeUp (former upper AllUp) as well as other DH trails.

08/26/2024

🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♂️RACE LABOR DAY 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃One of Tulsa's oldest Trail races with Fleet Feet Tulsa - dating way back to 2004! A Labor Day tradition. Two race distances to choose from - a challenging 5-mile course or the shorter and less technical 2-mile course. Both races start and finish at the lower parking lot of Turkey Mountain.

08/25/2024

Have you found the many mini bridges of Turkey Mtn yet?

08/19/2024

Find all the trails on a convenient app that has a ton of trails in this region. TRAILFORKS is the official recommended app of Turkey Mtn. Download it today!

08/17/2024

Did you know in this heat it’s recommended to drink 16 to 24 oz of water for every 30 minutes you plan to be outside exercising? Due to extreme heat we also recommend leaving the pups at home unless you go extremely early.

08/13/2024

Art in nature, history and a good dose of fun are in store for your next visit. We’re thrilled to be one of the sites for the latest installation from Gilcrease in Your Neighborhood. Family activity guides – in both English and Spanish – are ready to help you explore while learning more about Black history in Oklahoma. We want to see your pictures! Tag on social media to share with us!

08/06/2024

🎶Dusty trails, take me home
To the place I belong
Turkey Mountain, mountain mama
Take me home, those dusty trails🎶 ITS TURKEY Tuesday and TOTs -Training on Turkey meets at 6:15 at the main lower lot for group runs and hikes. All skill levels welcome.

08/04/2024

‼️UPDATES ‼️and the story of the murder of The Tulsa Queen of the Bootleggers all on our latest Urban Wilderness podcast. Get it wherever you listen or at RSU Radio 91.3 FM

08/03/2024

Start your Labor Day with a rugged trail race through the twisting trails of Turkey Mountain - Tulsa - fun for the whole family! Sign up today to make sure you get a spot at the starting line! 🏃
https://runsignup.com/Race/OK/Tulsa/EscapefromTurkeyMountain

07/29/2024

Join us for Turkey Tuesday! Ride/Hike/Run with Fabulous Folks! All skill levels are welcome every Tuesday (weather permitting).
Bikes meet at 5:45 for 6pm sharp roll out.
Runners/Hikers Meet at 6:15 for 6:30 run out.
Lower Parking Lot by the BIG TURKEY sign. Hang out for hanging out afterwards!

07/27/2024

Exciting! A new bench installed at Pepsi Lake. Twas a bit difficult to hike all the way down there with it on our backs but look at those smiles. Worth it!

07/26/2024

Hiking and incredible plant life? Go check out Tulsa Botanic Garden!

07/23/2024

This Wednesday Through Friday (and possibly Saturday) all trails that cross the north end of the pipeline by Mooser Creek and Pepsi Lake will be hard closed and traffic will not be permitted to cross. You will have to turn back if you're on the AMCE and Old Pink, Please avoid this area later this week and thanks! The pipeline construction is wrapping up and they should be done in a few weeks!

Photos from Turkey Mountain - Tulsa's post

07/21/2024

Turkey Trail Team members went birding this morning and counted 24 species on the mountain including 2 Painted Buntings! Next time you go, register the birds you see at eBird! Here’s our list!

24 total - Species Observed
Indigo Bunting: 2
Number observed: 2
Painted Bunting: 2
Eastern Phoebe: 1
White-eyed Vireo: 2
Carolina Chickadee: 4
Tufted Titmouse: 2
Chimney Swift: 1
Great Egret: 1
Great Blue Heron: 1
Turkey Vulture: 3
Mississippi Kite: 1
Downy Woodpecker: 1
Purple Martin: 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: 2
Carolina Wren: 1
American Robin: 1
House Sparrow: 5
House Finch: 1
American Goldfinch: 1
Common Grackle: 6
Northern Parula: 1
Summer Tanager: 2
Northern Cardinal: 3

07/21/2024

Some much needed rain this morning! Reminder to check trail conditions BEFORE ya head out. You can do that on the app or on our website at River Parks dot org under the turkey tab.

07/19/2024

Catching the sunrise on 65 degree morning in July! Saturday is supposed to be pretty nice too with rain Sunday AM so check those trail conditions before you head out! On the Trailbot app or on our website.

07/17/2024

Saturday July 20th from 8am to 2 pm come try out Transition Bikes with City Cycles for free! Demo days are a great way to check out new rides before you buy! At the main lower lot and bring a form id. Free to demo.

07/10/2024

🥾🥾Those short early morning hikes with the kiddos will cause smiles! 🥾🥾

07/07/2024

💦💦You know who absolutely LOVES water? 💦💦 It’s your dog. 🐕‍🦺 Please bring your dog only in cooler temps and remember to bring water for them as well!

07/05/2024

Happy 5th of July everybody! We did get a good rain last night so make sure to check trail conditions on the or on our website before heading to Turkey Mountain.

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Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area

A Brief History

Turkey Mountain, a landmark on Tulsa’s riverfront, describes an area north of 71st Street and west of the Arkansas River within Tulsa’s city limits. The Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area is a public park encompassing hundreds of rugged, wooded acres located between I-44 and 71st Street and the Arkansas River and U.S. 75. The park is owned and managed by River Parks Authority, a public trust authority created by the City of Tulsa and Tulsa County to oversee Tulsa’s riverfront development. The highest point on the mountain rises approximately 300 feet above the river channel and is located within the park’s boundaries.

Land acquisition for a public park on Turkey Mountain began in 1978 with 147 acres purchased with funds from Tulsa County, a federal grant, and a contribution from the landowner, J.L. Reynolds. In 1996, Stephen J. Jatras donated an additional 80 acres of land at the corner of 71st and Elwood. In subsequent years, additional tracts were acquired with City of Tulsa 3rd Penny Sales Tax funds. Those parcels and others owned by the City of Tulsa were leased to the Authority and included in the Wilderness boundaries. The extension of the VisionTulsa program in 2016 includes $7.6MM for Turkey Mountain: $5.6MM for the acquisition of additional land for the park and $2MM for amenities. A loan to River Parks Authority from the George Kaiser Family Foundation and QuikTrip Corporation allowed the Vision land purchases to begin soon after the vote so that acquisition opportunities would not be lost.

In late 2017, Tulsa Mayor G. T. Bynum announced that the City of Tulsa had agreed to transfer title to River Parks Authority for its leased Turkey Mountain properties, assuring that it will remain public park property in perpetuity. In support of this action by the City, the George Kaiser Family Foundation, which has been land banking properties on Turkey Mountain for over a decade, announced that it will deed its properties to the River Parks Authority for inclusion in the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness. It is expected that a master plan encompassing the entire Wilderness will be undertaken in the next year or two.

Turkey Mountain’s forest is an example of a cross timber area that represents the transition between the Great Plains and the Ozark Plateau. Native species common to this part of the River Parks system include Post and Blackjack Oak, Hickory, Redbud and many others. The park’s ecosystem also supports a variety of wildlife, with occasional sightings of deer, coyotes and bobcats. The origin of the name Turkey Mountain remains an unsolved mystery, as does local lore of Viking visits. But the land figured into Tulsa’s early history as the site of oil well drilling and is still traversed by a section of the 1904 Midland Valley Railroad line now owned by the Union Pacific Railroad and operated by the Tulsa-Sapulpa Union Railway. It is believed that the name Turkey Mountain stems from the likelihood that the area was once a popular spot for hunting wild turkeys.

The Wilderness Area features two large ponds and miles of winding dirt trails. A 2015 Turkey Mountain User Survey conducted by the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition found that most recreational usage is hiking/walking/running, with additional usage for mountain biking and horseback riding. The survey also showed that Turkey Mountain is both a regional and national attraction, with documented evidence of numerous out-of-state visitors to the park. Turkey Mountain is intentionally maintained in a wilderness state to offer a challenging recreational experience in contrast to the miles of mostly flat trails and manicured park areas elsewhere along the riverfront.

Improvements at the main entrance to the Wilderness Area were completed in 2009 with a grant from the George Kaiser Family Foundation. That gift financed expanded parking, a restroom building, climbing boulders and improved trailhead access. The entrance is further enhanced by two bronze wildlife sculptures donated to the citizens of Tulsa by NatureWorks, Inc., “Rio Grande Turkeys” and “Rocky Mountain Bighorn.” Three pavilions located near the entrance were financed by proceeds from “Wild Turkey,” a biennial fund-raising event that benefits River Parks’ projects and programs. Supporters of River Parks Friends also contributed to the pavilions. In response to demand, a second parking lot to serve park visitors was opened and later expanded on 61st Street, west of Elwood Avenue.

About River Parks

Spread along miles of the Arkansas River as it flows through Tulsa, River Parks provides some of the metropolitan area's finest outdoor recreation. More than 26 miles of asphalt-surfaced recreation trails weave past picnic areas, playgrounds, fountains and sculptures. The park's landscape ranges from manicured lawns to the rugged terrain of the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area with its miles of dirt trails. Recreation in River Parks includes fishing, rowing, rollerblading, kayaking, disc golf, hiking, running, cycling and horseback riding.

River Parks Authority is a City-County public trust authority which oversees the management and operation of the River Parks system. Since the Authority’s founding in 1974, approximately $100MM has been invested in Tulsa’s riverfront, almost half of it from private philanthropic gifts and grants. For more information visit www.riverparks.org.

Updated 1/4/2018