Hefner Lake

About Hefner Lake

Lake Hefner, located northwest of Oklahoma City, was built to improve Oklahoma City's water supply. It is named after Robert A. HeFner, who was mayor of the city from 1939 to 1947 and was named in honor of his father Robert H. Hefner. The Hehner Dam was completed in 1947 and is the largest dam in the United States and the second largest in North America after the Hoover Dam.
Lake Hefner has become an important recreational paradise, known for its fishing, boating and weekend sailing regattas.

Recreation is the main feature of this beautiful water for tourists in the border region. The lake is also known as the home of an incredible jogging and cycling trail that surrounds the entire lake.

The Lake Hefner Trails lead cyclists, hikers and runners on a scenic nine-kilometer loop around the lake. The path is designated for pedestrians only and is one of the most scenic in the state of Oklahoma and one of the - of - a - kind.

While there are no residential developments around Lake Hefner, there are residential areas to the north, west and east. The eastern side of the lake is bordered by Lake Hefner Parkway, and the Hehner reservoir extends to the south, while the west side is bordered by a number of residential and commercial buildings and a small number of commercial properties.

The south side is the least developed, as it preserves the original forest and habitat along much of the coast. The deepest point of the lake is about 94 feet, with an average depth of 29 feet; the deepest part of Lake Hefner is at the north end.

Water skiing, jet skiing and swimming are prohibited, kitesurfing and windsurfing are allowed, and the lake has dry storage moorings. The Oklahoma City Boat Club organizes weekend regattas from April to October and weekend boat rides in summer.
As Hefner Lake is a reservoir, it may be that the water level is too low for recreational boats, and marinas on the lake will put up signs in this case. There are no playgrounds or picnic areas at or near Lake Shelfner, but there is a playground and picnic area nearby.

Fishing is a popular sport and you must have a fishing permit from the city, but it is not illegal. You can fish for many species, many of which are covered by the Oklahoma Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (OWC) and the Oklahoma Department of Natural Resources.

Among the fish found in Lake Hefner are perches, bees, bluefish, redfish, yellowfin tuna, perch and whitefish. The lake is filled with perch from Valais all year round, so fishermen should look out for these fish. There is a closed, heated fishing pier, which is a popular place for anglers, especially in the winter months.

Access to Lake Hefner is somewhat restricted on the east side, but the lake has several fish attractions that attract large sport fishing enthusiasts to their immediate vicinity and shore. Access to the shores of the southern part of the lake is a good place to catch bluefin bass and perch, and under the rapeseed and rock near the dam you can fish for perch.

The park offers hiking trails, playgrounds and of course fishing, but the strips of the treads are on the southeast side of Lake Hefner.
Of particular interest to birdwatchers is Prairie Dog Point, located in the southwest corner of Lake Hefner. Bird lovers from all over Oklahoma visit the site during the fall and winter months, when rare bird sightings are often reported. The lake is also a place for seagulls, grebes and ducks to gather in autumn and winter. In spring, the lake shore is hiked back and forth and the picnic area at the lake for bird watching and fishing. In the summer months, seabirds fly in and out of the park, as do birds of prey such as seagulls and geese.

Lake Hefner Golf Course is located on the north side of the lake, south of Prairie Dog Point and acts as both a north and south course. The north course is almost 7,000 yards long, while the south course is slightly smaller at 6,300 yards.

The course is littered with bunkers on the fairways and greens, and there are putts on each hole as well as a number of holes in the middle of the course, such as the par-4 18th hole.

On the south side of Lake Hefner is the YMCA Sailing Center, which offers sailing courses for all ages. South of the golf course are the Oklahoma City docks, commonly known as City Side Docks. In the 1990s, Oklahoma City partnered with local developers to turn a portion of eastern Lake Hehner into an upscale business and recreation area.

Today, this area is home to a number of restaurants, bars, hotels and other shops, as well as a golf course. The most famous landmark on Lake Hefner is the East Wharf Lighthouse; the lighthouse is 40 feet high and has a red lamp with a pattern of two seconds. It is turned on at dusk and dawn, was the setting for many weddings and is shown in a number of magazines.

Oklahoma City, the capital, is home to one of the most popular dog parks in the United States. This two hectare site is equipped with a fenced playground where dogs can run, play, swim and swim. If you are a dog owner, please check your leash. It is fine that your dog is swimming in a designated area called Duck Pond, but if not, you must be on a leash.

The area is also home to shops, good restaurants and plenty of entertainment, including the Oklahoma City Museum of Natural History, Oklahoma Museum and OKC Art Museum.

You can get on a boat in either direction in 10-15 minutes and even take a water taxi on the Bricktown Canal. Water taxis operate like regular taxis and stop at shops and restaurants along the canal, but the most popular stops are the Oklahoma City Museum of Natural History, Oklahoma Museum and OKC Art Museum.

Lake Hefner near Oklahoma City is a well-maintained trail with a refreshing breeze from the water and a great place for the whole family, including Fido, so you can spend an afternoon or weekend of fun and relaxation. In 2004, the Oklahoma River, which used to flow through Oklahoma City, was renamed the Oklahoma River. One part has several locks that allow cruises that take passengers back and forth along the entire length of the river, and a part has a small lake where rowing, kayaking, canoeing and regattas take place.