Here in Gore, the trout capital of Oklahoma, the fishing is good all year round. Nestled along the Lower Illinois River and not far from Lake Tenkiller, our tiny town offers huge fun for the avid angler. But there’s more to life in the winter than catching that big one.
Marval’s 1st Annual Christmas Festival
We love to toot our own horn, and this year we’re proud to announce our First Annual Christmas Festival! For the first three weekends in December, we’ve got a lot of festive holiday activities planned right here at the resort. Tour the lights, go on a train ride, view some classic Christmas movies, visit our tree farm, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, and yes, get some photos with Santa! Bring the kids!
U-Pick Your Own Christmas Tree
At Cal2Homa Farm, December is the perfect time to choose that fragrant tree. They have premium pre-cut trees, or choose-and-cut Christmas trees available starting after Thanksgiving. The farm grows Virginia pine, white pine, blue and green Leyland cypress trees. Their pre-cut trees include premium-grade Fraser fir and Grand fir. Bring the family to help pick your tree while nibbling on complimentary candy canes and sipping hot chocolate. The farm also has tree stands and preservatives to keep your tree looking perfect throughout the season. Vibrantly colored chrysanthemums in every color are also available. And the kids will love the petting zoo!
Shop Gore’s Charming Main Street
If you’re not quite finished with your Christmas shopping, downtown Gore is the place to round out your list. Browse fun finds at the Garden Gate Shop & Emily’s Tea Room and Anne-Paige Gift shop, for starters. Then fuel up after a successful day of shopping at one of several restaurants. Paradise Family Restaurant, Nannie’s at the Fin, Gambino’s Pizza, and the Tiki Cabana, just to name a few.
Tenkiller State Park
The park sign that greets you says “Heaven in the Hills,” and it doesn’t lie. Located just a few miles east of Gore, Lake Tenkiller has a superb Driftwood Nature Center. The park naturalist can usually be found there and is super friendly. See some wonderful exhibits, including the Barred Owl exhibit. They’ve always got something going on, from guided nature hikes, to eagle watches, and more. The bald eagle viewing is exceptional during the winter months, as they tend to hang out here during this time of year.
A pond for kids 16 years and under is available and is stocked with trout in the winter months. They can catch up to three fish per day with no permit. This state park is also a SCUBA diving park, where divers from all over the area come to explore the underwater sights such as the sunken bus, boat, and other cool underwater features of the lake. The Pine Cove Marina has full services, including the Clear Water Café.
You can easily spend an entire day here, as there is also a volleyball and basketball court, horseshoe pit, amphitheater, playground, group picnic shelters, swim beaches, and a paved hiking trail. Entrance fees to the park are $10 per vehicle, per day.