Altus
Around Altus
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Town and around · Oklahoma · 24k people
Altus
“Wheat Capital”
Wide skies, warm hearts, and wheat fields as far as you can see.
Red DirtWheat Gold
Welcome to Altus, where the wheat fields meet the sky and the lakes are full of bass. Whether you're here for the rattlesnake derby or just passing through, you'll find friendly folks and wide-open spaces.
Clubs for Altus
No clubs for Altus yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Altus. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Altus. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Museum of the Western Prairie Local history museum in Altus covering pioneer and military heritage.
- Old Greer County Museum In Mangum, tells the story of Old Greer County and early settlers.
- Quartz Mountain Resort and State Park Granite peaks and Lake Altus-Lugert offer hiking, boating, and camping.
- Great Plains State Park On Lake Tom Steed, great for camping, fishing, and birdwatching.
- Altus Air Force Base Home of the 97th Air Mobility Wing, a key local landmark.
- Lake Altus-Lugert Reservoir popular for fishing, boating, and lakeside recreation.
- Outdoors Fishing at Lake Altus-Lugert
- Outdoors Hiking trails at Quartz Mountain
- With kids Visit the Museum of the Western Prairie
- With kids Swim at the Altus City Pool
- Evenings Local sports bars
- Evenings Country dance halls
- Locals love small-town diners
- Locals love lakeside campsites
Through the year
- Jackson County Free Fair summer County fair with livestock shows, carnival rides, and local food.
- Mangum Rattlesnake Derby April Rattlesnake hunting competition and festival in Mangum.
Semi-arid with hot summers, mild winters, and a spring storm season. Best to be out in spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are the most comfortable, with mild temps and lower humidity.
Getaways
- Lawton Visit the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and Fort Sill.
- Wichita Falls See the falls and explore the River Bend Nature Center.
- Oklahoma City Big-city attractions like the OKC Zoo and Bricktown.
- Elk City Check out the National Route 66 Museum.
Local flavour
Rooting for Oklahoma Sooners football, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Dallas Cowboys, Oklahoma City Thunder
Eat and drink
- Chicken Fried Steak A Southern staple, often served with cream gravy and mashed potatoes.
- Pecan Pie A classic dessert in Oklahoma, especially during holidays.
- Fried Okra A common side dish in the region, often served with barbecue or as a snack.
Where people go
- Wheat Fields Endless golden fields that dominate the landscape and define the region's identity.
- Cattle Ranches
- Small-Town Diners Family-owned diners serving homestyle meals, a gathering place for locals.
- Veterans Memorials Honoring the strong military presence from Altus Air Force Base and the community's service members.
- Lakes Reservoirs like Lake Altus-Lugert offer recreation and a break from the plains.
Heritage and traditions
Altus and the surrounding towns take pride in their deep agricultural roots, especially wheat farming, and the rugged beauty of the Wichita Mountains and Quartz Mountain, along with a strong military community centered on Altus Air Force Base.
This time of year in Altus
- Foliage Fall Quartz Mountain offers scenic fall colors and hiking.
Say it like a local: “creek” — creek (pronounced 'crick')
Festivals
- Mangum Rattlesnake Derby April One of the largest rattlesnake roundups in the nation, with snake handling, food, and carnival rides.
- Jackson County Free Fair September A traditional county fair with livestock shows, carnival rides, and local exhibits.
- Altus Wheat Festival June Celebrating the wheat harvest with parades, live music, and community events.
Landmarks with a story
- Museum of the Western Prairie Showcases the pioneer and agricultural history of the region.
- Old Greer County Museum Located in Mangum, tells the story of the disputed Old Greer County.
- Quartz Mountain State Park Features the historic WPA-built lodge and scenic granite peaks.
- Great Plains State Park Offers camping, fishing, and hiking on the plains.
- Altus Air Force Base A major training base for C-17 and KC-135 aircrews since WWII.
- Historic Downtown Altus Retains early 20th-century architecture and small-town charm.
Food traditions
- Chicken Fried Steak A classic Oklahoma dish, often served with cream gravy and mashed potatoes.
- Pecan Pie A Southern favorite, using local pecans from the region.
- Fried Okra A summer staple, often from home gardens, served as a side.
- Rattlesnake Meat Served at the Mangum Rattlesnake Derby, a local delicacy for the adventurous.
- Homemade Bread A tradition from wheat farming communities, often baked fresh.
Music and arts
- Country music Deep roots with local venues hosting live acts.
- Quartz Mountain Arts and Conference Center Offers workshops and performances in a scenic setting.
- Community theater Productions at the Altus Community Theatre.
- Native American art Appreciated and celebrated in the region.
A little history
- 1886 1886
- 1896 1896
- 1930s 1930s
- 1942 1942
- 1950s 1950s
Rivalries
- Oklahoma vs. Texas (Red River Showdown) Annual college football rivalry that splits the state.
- Oklahoma Sooners vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys In-state college football rivalry.
- Altus High vs. Frederick High Local high school football and basketball games get heated.
- Game day High school football
- Game day Deer hunting
- Outdoors Fishing at Lake Altus-Lugert
- Outdoors Hiking at Quartz Mountain
- With kids Visit the Museum of the Western Prairie
- With kids Swim at the Altus City Pool
People in Altus speak with a Southern-Oklahoma accent, often using 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. Some Spanish words are heard due to the Hispanic community.
Only here
- The Mangum Rattlesnake Derby, one of the largest rattlesnake roundups in the nation.
- Vast wheat fields that stretch to the horizon, earning Altus the title 'Wheat Capital of Oklahoma'.
- The unique granite formations at Quartz Mountain, a favorite for rock climbing.
- The presence of Altus Air Force Base, a major military training hub.
New here? A few tips
- Expect hot, dry summers and occasional tornadoes in spring; always have a weather radio.
- Try the chicken fried steak at a local diner—it's a regional staple.
- Learn to pronounce 'Altus' as 'AL-tus'.
- Get outdoors—hiking at Quartz Mountain and fishing at the lakes are local favorites.
- Be friendly; Oklahomans are known for their hospitality.
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Altus, OK. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.