Hefner Lake and Park are great for running, riding bikes, just taking a walk, playing at park, flying kites and for animal lovers they have a great dog park.
This was a wonderful place to get outside and run or walk. Nice trails and great views. Would definitely recommend!
It's the site of the Redman Full Triathlon (140.6 miles) and the Half (70.3 miles), a wonderful race.
The Lake Hefner Trails and Park areas are a very nice addition and quality of life to Oklahoma City. There are trails around the lake for both bike riding, walking, skateboarding. Usually you can see quite a few people taking advantage of the area. There is Stars and Stripes Park, which is a full public park with a pavilion, grills for cooking, basketball and volleyball courts with plenty of parking. Softball fields nearby.Kid's park. Usually on weekends, you will see kite vendors and lots of kids and families playing and flying kits. As Hefner is actually an elevated lake, it tends to be one of the windiest areas in the city, so there are lots of sailboats (and there are two main areas....a private boat club and a public doc, along with some rentals available) and wind surfers/kiteboarders on the NE side of the lake. (They are the only ones allowed to actually swim/fall into the lake as it's a city reservoir.) No swimming allowed otherwise. Usually it's a haven for relaxing fishing but with water levels a little low, you will not see as much shore fishing as normal.There is also a dog park on the SE side of the lake off Grand Boulevard where the "pooches" have their own pond to frolic in. Sectioned off for large and smaller breed dogs. If weather is good, these areas are usually crowded but a good place to enjoy and watch your pet, along with the antics of others, as they play.Finally, there is a restaurant area called the East Wharf area. Home to Lakeside Grill (formerly Pearl's), Redrock Canyon Grill, Mama Rojas (Mexican fare) and Louie's on the Lake, which has casual dining but a full bar, too. All in all, something for everyone who lives in the area!
This is where your locals eat and exercise. Not really so much a tourist destination. It's nicer than White Rock Lake in Dallas. I don't recommend going on the trails after dark on the south side. Lots of feral cat sightseeing!
I grew up closer to Overholser Lake but in recent years, I've spent lot of time around Lake Hefner. We eat on East Wharf from time to time and love watching the sunset from that side of the lake. Stars and Stripes park needs some work. Either remove the brick wall or repair it. Just looks bad. Our family is part of the Torks club and we spend time at the field on south side. I am hoping someday the city will pave the Hobie point road. My guess is this will never happen, as some of the road is right next to the lake edge. My big dislike is the water level at both the lakes. Water for the Oklahoma River comes thru this area and it always seems full, where both lakes look sad. Amazing enough when the movie was filmed, the lake was full. It was low before and after the filming was done. Cedars were taken out but the contractors did a horrible job as they took out way more than cedars and left a mess. I hope other trees or bushes can be planted. Thankful the city water trust heard the public opinion and did not allow oil well at Lake Hefner.
The water was too low and the lake was just depressing Don't really see what the attraction is. just a man-made suburban lake.
Hefner lake is a great place to go to escape the city for a bit. It is about 9 miles around the circumference, and is very flat. It is a nice place to go for a walk after dinner, or to jog or bike. Sometimes when we are in a drought (often) the water level is low, which is kind of depressing.
It was okay and a nice place to have a picnic.....pretty average....nothing outstanding but maybe better in the summer.....
Nice drive around the like to see Oklahoma City and the lake it was a very beautiful place to see. The day we were there the weather was very cold and the lake was down.