Elk City
Around Elk City
Illustration made for Popchat
Town and around · Oklahoma · 22k people
Elk City
Locals say Great Plains Country
Where the prairie winds sing
Oklahoma State orangeOklahoma crimson
Welcome to Great Plains Country, where the sky is big and the people are friendly. Whether you're here for the Route 66 history or the wide-open spaces, you'll find a home in Elk City and the surrounding towns. Come for a visit, stay for the sunsets.
Clubs for Elk City
No clubs for Elk City yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Elk City. 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 Elk City. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- National Route 66 Museum Showcases the Mother Road's history.
- Old Town Museum Recreated pioneer village with historic buildings.
- Washita Battlefield National Historic Site Site of the 1868 attack, with visitor center and trails.
- Black Kettle National Grassland Prairie grassland with wildlife viewing and hiking.
- Foss Lake Popular for fishing, boating, and camping.
- Elk City Lake Small reservoir with swimming beach and picnic areas.
- Outdoors Fish and boat at Foss Lake
- Outdoors Birdwatch at Black Kettle National Grassland
- With kids Explore the National Route 66 Museum
- With kids Tour the Old Town Museum's pioneer village
- Evenings Listen to country music at a local dance hall
- Evenings Watch Friday night high school football
- Locals love Route 66 roadside stops
- Locals love Cattle ranches
Through the year
Semi-arid with big skies, hot summers, cold winters, and wind year-round. Best: Spring and fall are ideal – mild temps and clear skies.
Getaways
- Weatherford Visit the Stafford Air & Space Museum.
- Lawton Explore the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and Medicine Park.
- Oklahoma City Catch a Thunder game or tour the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
- Woodward Relax at Boiling Springs State Park.
Local flavour
Rooting for Oklahoma Sooners (NCAA), Oklahoma State Cowboys (NCAA), Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA)
Eat and drink
- Chicken fried steak A staple of Oklahoma diners.
- Barbecue Slow-smoked brisket and ribs are common.
- Indian tacos Frybread topped with seasoned beef, beans, and cheese.
- Braum's An Oklahoma-based chain for burgers and ice cream, a local favourite.
Where people go
- Route 66 roadside stops The historic highway runs through town, with vintage motels, diners, and gas stations.
- Cattle ranches Working ranches dot the plains, a defining feature of the landscape.
- Oil fields Pumpjacks and derricks are common, reflecting the area's energy industry.
Heritage and traditions
Elk City and its neighbors are proud of their Route 66 heritage, cowboy and oil history, and the musical legacy of Roger Miller and Sheb Wooley.
This time of year in Elk City
- Hunting season (deer, quail) and harvest Fall Fall is for hunters and farmers.
Say it like a local: “Cattywampus” — Askew or disorganized
Festivals
- Roger Miller Music Festival June Honors the Erick-born singer with tribute performances.
- Washita Battlefield Commemoration November Remembers the 1868 battle with ceremonies and reenactments.
- Elk City Christmas Parade December Holiday parade with lights, floats, and local marching bands.
Landmarks with a story
- Roger Miller Museum Dedicated to the singer and songwriter, located in Erick.
- 100th Meridian Museum Marks the historic boundary and features local history exhibits.
- Beckham County Courthouse Built in 1912, a landmark in Sayre.
Food traditions
- Chuckwagon stew Hearty beef stew served at trail rides and ranch gatherings, a nod to cowboy heritage.
- Route 66 diner breakfast Biscuits and gravy, eggs, and coffee at old roadside diners, a classic stop for travelers.
- Fried pies Handmade peach or apple pies at local bakeries and cafes, a sweet Southern treat.
- Chili cook-offs Community chili competitions at fairs and festivals, often with secret family recipes.
Music and arts
- Country and Western music heritage Strong songwriting tradition, exemplified by Roger Miller and Sheb Wooley.
- Route 66 roadside art Neon signs and vintage motel architecture along the highway.
- Western swing and honky-tonk Influences heard at local dance halls and festivals.
A little history
- 1868 Washita Battle
- 1892 Cheyenne-Arapaho land opening
- 1926 Route 66 established
- 1920s-30s Oil boom
Rivalries
- Oklahoma Sooners vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys College football rivalry that splits households.
- Elk City vs. Sayre high school football Local bragging rights on the line.
- Elk City vs. Weatherford high school football Cross-county matchup.
- Dallas Cowboys vs. Oklahoma City Thunder NFL vs. NBA fan debates.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Elk City Rodeo
- Outdoors Hike the trails at Black Kettle National Grassland
- Outdoors Rent a kayak at Elk City Lake
- With kids Visit the Roger Miller Museum
- With kids Go on a hayride at a local farm
People speak with a Southern-influenced Oklahoma accent, using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. They often pronounce 'Route 66' as 'Root 66'.
Only here
- The 100th Meridian marker in Erick.
- The Roger Miller Museum.
- The Washita Battlefield site.
- The Black Kettle National Grassland.
New here? A few tips
- Prepare for tornado season (spring) and have a weather radio.
- Summer heat is intense; stay hydrated.
- Distances are large; drive a reliable car.
- Try the local diners for chicken fried steak.
- Learn about Route 66 history at the museums.
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Part of Weatherford area
Nearby
Every areaWeatherfordOklahomaBig skies, warm hearts, and the spirit of the prairie.AltusOklahomaWide skies, warm hearts, and wheat fields as far as you can see.ShamrockTexasBig skies, open roads, and a little bit of Irish luck.AnadarkoOklahomaLand of red earth and the powwow drum.WoodwardOklahomaWhere the wheat meets the windHobartOklahomaWhere the plains meet the skyLawtonOklahomaWhere the plains meet the granite hills.VernonTexasWhere the plains meet the Red River.
Elk City, 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.