Blue Hole Park - Salina, Oklahoma
Blue Hole Park, summer 2010.
Some 2500 years before I was born, the Greek philosopher Heraclitus surmised that no man could ever step in the same river twice, for neither the man nor the river remains the same.
So I guess I’ve never been to Blue Hole, but I sure do have a lot of memories there.
Stretching some 15 miles from Kenwood to Lake Hudson flows the pristine, beautiful waters of Saline Creek. About 10 miles from downtown Salina, where Kenwood Road meets S 447, is where Wanda and Norman Chancellor found their little slice of heaven in 1975. And while many folks who had discovered such a treasure would have hoarded it away, the Chancellors decided to open their land to the public and ensure decades of memories for kids like me.
The original Chancellors are gone now. The park has been passed down to Danny and Opal Chancellor, and they are continuing the family tradition of providing hot Oklahomans with a beautiful, ice cold, affordable swim hole that’s perfect for escaping these endless 100-degree days, even in the midst of a drought.
Oklahoma’s Coldest Swimming Hole
My first visit to Blue Hole Park came in the summer of 2010, between my sophomore and junior years. My dad took me and a handful of friends to the frigid spring-fed waters in the peak of summer and thankfully he did his research.
If there’s one thing you absolutely must bring to Blue Hole Park, it’s water shoes. It’s all sharp, hard rock that will shred your feet if you try to go barefoot.
You should also expect to spend most of your time walking around in shallow water - not actually swimming. The main big swimming hole when you first enter the park is absolutely deep enough to swim in. Divers have reportedly measured some spots as deep as 20 feet.
But it’s so freezing cold, between 50-60 degrees in the midst of summer, that you won’t want to stay shoulder-deep for long.
Fortunately there’s much more to do than just swim. It’s a great place to explore. Nobody owns the waters, only the shore. One can follow the creek as far as it goes, and some of my fondest memories are down past the popular areas where it’s more private and serene.
I visited Blue Hole Park a couple of times as a teenager. Back then it was far less crowded than it is these days. I seem to remember the water being deeper in a few places where we used to jump off the top of the steep embankments. Perhaps we were just young and brave and willing to bust ourselves up on the creek bed below.
A decade later and I finally returned, this time with my then-fiancée, Charity. The waters are as cold as I remember them and it’s still an exciting and fun place to visit as an adult.
Charity and I went all up and down the park a couple of times. We spent time in the main swimming hole but I definitely enjoyed exploring more than anything.
The creek goers under S 447 right at the entrance to the park, then flows over a low-water crossing near the concessions building before reaching the main swimming hole that Blue Hole draws its name from.
After leaving the main swimming hole, the creek flows at various widths and depths usually less than waist-high until it gets past the Chancellors’ land. There are some much deeper spots downstream where it flows through private property, but if you go that far it’s best to respect the property owner and not set up on his shoreline.
Charity and I ventured much further south than I had as a youth and there are some beautiful, semi-private areas that are much more peaceful and natural than the park. It’s a wonder that more people haven’t capitalized on the stream to create their own swim parks.
I don’t know how soon I’ll return to Blue Hole Park. It’s still as wonderful as I remember and definitely recommend visiting, but there are a lot of other incredible places I still have yet to discover. By the time I return to Blue Hole, perhaps with my own kids, I suspect both the river and I will be quite different once again.
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Blue Hole
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Admission is only $10 per car (cash only) and hasn’t changed since I was a kid. The Chancellors are definitely not greedy. I would actually support them in raising the prices if it meant improved amenities, like cabins, a gift shop, and activities.
Pets are allowed but must remain on a leash, cannot swim in the main hole, and will be asked to leave if they’re aggressive or disruptive to other guests.
No alcohol of any kind is allowed in the park. It’s a very family-friendly environment.
Camping is $20/car or $25 for a spot with electricity, and $30 for an RV spot. They don’t take reservations, however, so plan to get there early if you want to camp.
The physical address is 158 S 447, Salina, OK 74365, approximately 7.2 miles east of Salina on the south side of Kenwood road.
The park concession stand has food, drinks, firewood, and shaved ice. I didn’t try any of it though, so I couldn’t tell you how good it is.
Blue Hole Park is open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. beginning the Saturday before Memorial Day. The season ends on Labor Day.
There are no lifeguards. The park has one men’s restroom and one for women, with flushable toilets. There are also porta-potties, grills, and fire rings throughout the park.
