[GlobalistPotato]

I'm BAAAAAAACK!

Are there any quality rest stops along US 69 between the Indian Nation Turnpike and Muskogee that have good bathrooms and picnic seating for up to 31 people?

This summer, my church group is driving up to Tahlequah OK for a church retreat, and we're driving from Austin Texas. The drive time puts us between Atoka and Muskogee for lunch time.

Because of time issues, we're planning on packing our lunch and eating it at a rest stop. This would shave at least 30 minutes off of our travel time compared to eating at a restaurant.

On the return journey, we'll stop in Krebs for lunch, as we don't have to be anywhere at a certain time.

For some background, we plan to leave Austin Texas at around 6am and arrive in Tahlequah at 4pm.

I've tried looking up information about rest stops in Oklahoma, but I haven't found anything useful and the information I have found says that there's only proper rest stops along the Interstates.

[stillkit]

No, there's nothing between the IT and Muskogee, but there is one at the Texas state line at Colbert, OK.

However, you should be able to find plenty of campgrounds with privy's around Lake Eufaula.

If your church is Southern Baptist, the Oklahoma Baptist's have a campground and facilities at Lake McAlester, north of McAlester, OK which I'm sure they wouldn't mind you using. Heck, they wouldn't mind if your NOT SBC!

Somebody at this website will be able to put you on to whatever we might have available along your route: http://www.bgco.org

[GlobalistPotato]

Originally Posted by stillkit

No, there's nothing between the IT and Muskogee, but there is one at the Texas state line at Colbert, OK.

However, you should be able to find plenty of campgrounds with privy's around Lake Eufaula.

If your church is Southern Baptist, the Oklahoma Baptist's have a campground and facilities at Lake McAlester, north of McAlester, OK which I'm sure they wouldn't mind you using. Heck, they wouldn't mind if your NOT SBC!

Somebody at this website will be able to put you on to whatever we might have available along your route: Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma

Well I would choose the rest area at the border, but we're going to be passing through that area at around 11 am or so, which is a bit too early for lunch (depending on when we eat breakfast).

Do the campgrounds around Lake Eufaula have restrooms?

We're not Southern Baptist (we're Unity), but I guess if we contact them ahead of time, they'll be okay with us using their facilities.

[okpondlady]

You could pull into Eufaula Cove Marina and eat there. They have restrooms and tables that should seat that many and they are covered too!!!

[okie1962]

The last time I was in Eufaula Cove Marina I found the rest rooms in disrepair. Maybe something has been done this winter to fix them up but I doubt it.

Oklahoma is one of the few states I have ever been too that doesn't provide rest areas. In Kansas and Texas they have them not only on their 4 lane roads but also on their busy two land highways. A few years ago I was at the overlook above Ft Gibson Dam and was talking with a family from Wisconsin. They were passing through on there way to Texas. They were surprised on how nice the area look, but they were shocked about having to use a trench Toilet on the Will Rogers Turnpike. They had there 82 year old mother with them and said it was disgusting having to use such a restroom. But we pay less taxes here so I guess that makes it OK. I wonder if you can get arrested if you get caught going in the bushes?

[okpondlady]

In Muskogee there is a very nice park also... Honor Heights Park is about 2 miles west of 69 highway and there are signs posted to show the way. There are picnic tables and restrooms there too.