By Marise Boehs
History and Nature Walks
This state park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s as part of Rosevelt’s “New Deal”. The CCC enrollees were unmarried men who were between the ages of 18 and 25. Each CCC worker received a monthly wage of $30, which $25 was sent home to help their family.
The park includes five hiking and mountain bike trails of various lengths that are perfect for beginners. The Whitetail Trail and Spring Hill Trails are a quarter mile long, while the River Nature Trail is three quarters mile long. The Scout Interpretive Trail and Burma Road Hiking Trail are one and a half miles long and are the two trails available to mountain bikers.
The Whitetail and Spring Hill Trails are located just off their respective campgrounds, which are centrally located within the park. The River Nature Trail, about a mile out and back, runs from the main park road alongside the banks of the North Canadian River and up to the Boiling Springs Well, the park’s namesake.
All RV, cabins and tent campsites can be reserved online. Some RV sites are available with 30 and or 50-amp electric service and water hookups. Cabins offer a sleeper sofa, kitchenette with microwave, oven, refrigerator and sink. Linens are provided, and each cabin comes with heat, air and a fireplace. Pets are allowed in all the cabins for a small fee.
Picnic tables and grills are located throughout the park and guests can access one of three pavilions with electrical outlets, a cookout grill and water. Enjoy swimming in the pool, fishing in the 7-acre spring-fed Shaul Lake and hiking the trails. And a privately owned golf course in adjacent.
For more information check out Boiling Springs State Park at www.travelok.com.
