Enid Lake hosts over 40,000 visitors Memorial Holiday weekend

By Rob Hoff

Enid Lake Park Ranger

Even though summer is not officially here, summer time activities began at Enid Lake this past weekend, and over 40,000 visitors enjoyed a relaxing weekend of outdoor excitement.

The Memorial Day Holiday weekend at Enid Lake was full of bright, sunny skies and very warm temperatures as campers and visitors arrived for the weekend opening of the vacation season.  

Campgrounds along with boat ramps and day use areas were filled to capacity with visitors enjoying the many recreational opportunities Enid Lake provides.

Enid Park Rangers provided many safety programs for our visitors throughout the holiday weekend including: courtesy boat inspections, beach demonstrations, a campground safety program and safety talks to individual groups located throughout Enid’s Recreation Area’s.

Boat Patrol Rangers provided courtesy boat inspections to boaters checking for life jackets, fire extinguishers, boater operator cards, as well as other required safety equipment.

Rangers performed beach demonstrations at the designated swimming area, instructing visitors on the proper techniques for using the reach pole and throw bag, which are required safety equipment, found on Corps of Engineers designated swimming beaches.

A campground safety program was held at Persimmon Hill Campground Friday, May 25 and included topics such as boating safety, swimming safety, and bicycle safety.

Rangers handed out frisbees, water bottles and flotation citations to children who were practicing water safety, and exchanged inflatable toys for Coast Guard approved Personal Floatation Devices to children found utilizing inflatable toys to help them stay above water.

Throughout the holiday weekend rangers made over 1,387 water safety contacts. Through water safety programs such as these, rangers hope to instill safety values into all Enid Lake visitors.

Persimmon Hill Campground

Persimmon Hill Campground received “America’s Top 100 Family Campground”  award from Reserve America (NRRS).  

Persimmon Hill campground was chosen out of more than 3,000 campgrounds based on criteria requested by family campers including park amenities, stunning outdoor scenery, and educational facilities.  

The quality and availability of hot showers, hiking trails, family beaches, radio-free zones, visitor centers, educational programs, children’s events and location were also considered.

Persimmon Hill Campground, which is located on the south end of Enid Dam offers numerous amenities to include: seventy-two (72) newly renovated RV sites with electrical and water hook ups, a dump station, two (2) newly renovated shower houses, a basketball court, a 3,200 foot lighted and paved multi-purpose trail with interpretive stops, a beautiful landscaped man-made waterfall, and a play ground.

Future plans are to construct an amphitheater along the multi-purpose trail for interpretive and educational programs. Persimmon Hill also offers a Day Use Area with a swimming beach, picnic shelters, and boat ramp, which are located adjacent to the campground.

Low Water Conditions

Due to the lack of rainfall Enid Lake is experiencing extremely low water conditions, causing many day use facilities to be closed.

Areas closed include: swimming beaches at Persimmon Hill, Chickasaw Hill, Plum Point and Long Branch. Bynum and Prophet Bridge Boat Ramps are also closed. Visitors to Enid Lake should take extra precautions while participating in water related activities and follow these safety tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing.

Boaters should pay extra attention while motoring on the lake and keep a close look out for snags, stumps, and sandbars. Skiers and tubers should check the area of water for hazards they will be utilizing before skiing and tubing, and swimmers should always swim in a designated swimming area.

Hickory Ridge Beach located at the dam is currently the only designated swimming area open to the public.  REMEMBER, always wear a life jacket when participating in water related activities.

For more information on Enid Lake’s recreational opportunities or low water conditions please contact the Enid Lake Field Office at 662-563-4571.