Green Country Oklahoma Adventure Tour
- OTG Crew
- Oct 1, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 9, 2024
Sitting on the western edge of the Ozark Plateau, the Green Country Oklahoma Adventure Tour traverses some of eastern Oklahoma's must beautiful and lush landscapes. With its numerous creek crossings and verdant rolling hills, the Green Country will have you coming back for me.
Route Overview
Trip Length & Season
Adventure Rating: Epic Trip Length: 490 miles, 3-6 days Season: While this route can generally be driven year round, in the summer month's temps typically reach 100F with high humidity. Some creeks and rivers may be impassable after periods of heavy rain (wet season is from April thru mid-September). The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are typicaly the best time to visit.
Digital Maps & GPX Files
Download Digital Mapping Files
Green Country Oklahoma Adventure Tour w/ waypoints (for Subscribers)
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Technical Ratings & Terrain
Avg Technical Rating: 1-2
Peak Technical Rating: 3
Typical Terrain: The terrain is a mixture of country paved roads and about 2/3 dirt. Terrain consists of loose gravel, decent sized rocks, a steep hills, and mud is common. You'll cross over 50 water crossings along the track as well.
Recommended Vehicle / Moto / Adventure Vans
Recommended Vehicle: Stock 4x4
Recommended Moto: There are a few short rougher sections, because of this we recommend a mid-sized bike, although big bikes can easily detour around most roads/trails if needed.
Adventure Vans: Sprinter 4x4s are good to go! Just be prepared for encroaching brush and low hanging branches on various sections of this trail.
Fuel, Provisions, and Recommended Gear
Fuel: Fuel is plentiful throughout the route, typically never more than 30-40 miles away. Provisions: Provisions can be obtained in the same general vicinity as fuel. Gear: no specialized gear is recommended for this adventure.
Alternative Routes
n/a
Camping Recommendations
Because much of the surrounding land is private, dispersed camping opportunities are limited. You'll most likely need to stay at a developed campground. GRDA public access areas (like Carnes Ford) allow camping for a fee. Some of our favorite campgrounds along the track include:
Carnes Ford Public Access Area
Edmondson Public Access Area
Gruber ORV Park
All state parks in Oklahoma require that camping reservations are made online.
Discovery Points
DP1 - Illinois River
DP2 - Spavinaw Creek
DP3 - Grand Lake of the Cherokees
DP4 - Grand River
DP5 - Conner Bridge
DP6 - Neasho River
DP7 - Cabin Creek Battlefield historic site
DP8 - Pensecola Dam
DP9 - Little Blue State Park
DP10 - Eucha Dam
DP11 - Fort Gibson Lake
DP12 - Yonkers ghost town
DP13 - Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey Monastery
DP14 - Tenkiller Ferry Lake
DP15 - Lake Tenkiller Overlook
DP16 - Sequoyah's Cabin
DP17 - Old Stagecoach Road
DP18 - Nicut Slab Bridge
DP19 - Evansville Creek Bridge
DP20 - Baron Fork
DP21 - JT Nickle Family Nature & Wildlife Preserve
Permits & Papers
n/a
Route Details
The Green Country Oklahoma Adventure Tour, commonly referred to as the G.O.A.T., was developed specifically with adventure bikes in mind. And while it may have over 50 water crossings, these can typically be easily managed as long as it’s not following a deluge of rain. The track passes through the western foothills of the Ozark Plateau, where rivers, creeks, lakes, and hardwood forests are plentiful. The lushness of eastern Oklahoma is a far cry from the desert and southwest vibes one gets from the far western side of the state.
The Green Country Oklahoma Adventure Tour makes a nearly 500-mile loop through some of eastern Oklahoma's most scenic lands. The verdant rolling hills are also home to numerous Native American tribes like the Cherokee Nation, Quapaw, Peoria, Miami, and Ottawa tribes. While the route can be easily managed by a stock 4x4 or AWD crossover, there are a few bumpier sections that will keep you on your toes. And like many other places in the Ozarks, expect tight trails with plenty of encroaching brush and low-hanging limbs (limb risers certainly don't hurt!).
The G.O.A.T. traverses nearly 500 miles while hugging the Ozark foothills along the Arkansas border. And while there may not be any official alternative routes for the track, there are numerous opportunities to get off the main track and explore dozens of dirt roads and trails that branch off. As expected, dispersed camping opportunities are limited, but they do exist. Some of our favorite places to camp are the various public access and recreation areas along the Illinois River. There are other locations where dispersed camping may be permitted, but you'll definitely want to check to ensure that you're not camping on private property.
With its numerous streams and rivers, the shoulder seasons are the perfect time to visit when the temps are warm but not overbearing. The numerous swimming holes along the track provide the perfect opportunity to cool off from the heat and offer a welcome respite from long days in the saddle or behind the wheel. The G.O.A.T. also features numerous historical sites along the way, such as the opportunity to visit the abandoned town of Yonkers (discovery point), the Cabin Creek Civil War battlefield site (discovery point), and the Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey Monastery (discovery point).
Folks who enjoy exploring on foot will want to check out the many state parks and preserves in the area, such as Sequoyah State Park, Little Blue Lake State Park, and the JT Nickel Family Nature & Wildlife Preserve. Many of these parks and preserves include hiking trails, some of which lead to scenic views like Inspiration Point in Sequoyah State Park.
The G.O.A.T. quickly gained a cult following among the adventure bike crowd, and more and more folks are exploring the track by way of vehicles. With its lush forest and numerous waterways, it's easy to see why folks from as far away as Texas are driving to experience the beauty of the Ozark Plateau.
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