Best Places to go Swimming in Lawton – Clay’s Top Five

Ah the Dog Days of Summer. Well not yet. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac this period of time does not even start until July 3rd. But if you have been hanging around SW Oklahoma as of late, you know that this heat is here to stay!

There are only a few things that can quench the heat that we have around here. Air conditioning, a big old glass of Sweet Tea or a dip in a swimming pool. Problem is that most people do not have one right at their beck and call.

That is where I am stepping in. I have searched the area to find the most desirable places to go and cool off and escape this Oklahoma Inferno. I now present to you the top 5 places in SW Oklahoma to go swimming.

Comanche Nation Water Park

located at 501 NE Lawrie Tatum Rd, Lawton, OK

has 12 acres of family fun. Weather it is taking a stroll down the Lazy River or catching some waves in the Breakers Beach wave pool to going down one of 6 slides, the water park has it all.

Bath Lake Swimming Area

Medicine Park is just a short drive from Lawton. This quiet town founded in 1908 is nestled in the foothills of the Wichita Mountains and holds a gem of a secret for swimmers. Bath Lake Swimming Area started out as just a simple getaway for people from the area and also from North Texas. Soon the word got out on how great the town of Medicine Park was and the tourist boom was on.

The entire Bath Lake Park was landscaped with beautiful gardens, large trees, foot bridges and grassy areas for visitors to lounge around, sunbathe and enjoy the natural beauty. The area flourished during the late teens to the 1930’s as the “Jewel of the Southwest.”

And to this day people of all ages still enjoy taking a dip in Bath Lake making it one of our Top 5 Swimming places.

Lawton City Pool

Lawton Parks and Recreation pool located on 11th street north of Lee Blvd. is going to be closed for the season due to the cost of repairing a filter and pumping system. The $83, 000 and the length of time would not leave the youth of our community any time to enjoy the pool before school resumes in August.

35th Division Park

If you are on the younger side though, you can go to the 35th Division Park located at 6th & Columbia. The hours of operation are 1 - 4pm. This wading pool is one of 3 located in the greater Lawton area and can be rented out for private parties.

Lake Fuqua

Lake Fuqua in Duncan has 1500 acres of water to enjoy not only for swimming but boating as well. Take a boat out to any location of this beautiful lake located and let your mind and body relax. Lake Fuqua is just a 30 minute drive east of Lawton in Stephens County.

A Couple More For Good Measure!

I have also included two additional areas of interest, both located in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. the first is Crater Lake

and the second is Quannah Parker Lake.

Unfortunately, neither one can be used for swimming, but, you can walk the shore and dangle your feet in the water as you take in the beauty of the refuge.

There are many other lakes and swimming facilities that are a short drive from Lawton. But the fact remains that when it is hot as it is here in the summer, you want to be as close as you can be to the nearest swimming hole that you can get to to "cool off" in the shortest amount of time.