Tahlequah Tracks: Sparrow Hawk Wildlife Management Area

Photo by Alex McBride

Sparrow Hawk Primitive Area is one of the iconic hikes in the Tahlequah, Oklahoma area boasting huge views of the Illinois River valley and the surrounding hills. There are many off-shoot trails off of the main trail that are more accessible during the fall and winter months. ​

Enjoy a rigorous walk through pine and oak timber along rocky and dirt trails. Warm up and stretch before setting off as you will climb 500 feet almost immediately. Once to the top of the bluff you will descend and ascend in small increments. The views from the top of Sparrow Hawk are immense and beautiful in all seasons. There are steep rock outcroppings that are loose and dangerous, please exercise caution when hiking.

Photo by Zach Elseman

During the summer, pack plenty of water as temperatures in the area can reach over 100°F. In the winter, bundle up and bring plenty of water and snacks. The optimum time to hike this trail is in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and bugs are minimal. Consult the Wildlife Department of Oklahoma website for hunting season information and wear the appropriate protective clothing during hunting seasons.

Trailhead Location:
22581 E 730 Rd, Tahlequah, OK 74464 ⎮ GPS: 35.958818, -94.902502

Time to Complete: 1-2 hours

Distance: 2 miles round trip from the TH to the viewpoint ⎮ 3.8 miles round trip to Sparrow Hawk Village and back to the TH

Surface: Loose rock and dirt single-track

Difficulty: Moderate

GPX:https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oklahoma/sparrow-hawk-primitive-area-trail 

State Wildlife Information: https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/wma/northeast/sparrow-hawk 

Notes: Hiking on any Oklahoma Department of Wildlife property requires the purchase of a Wildlife Conservation Passport or an Oklahoma Fishing or Hunting license.

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Written by Zach Elseman ⎮ Follow Zach at www.okienomads.com