The fertile “Green Country” of Tulsa, on the banks of the Arkansas River, is saddled between the rolling Osage Hills and the Ozark Mountains in the northeast quadrant of Oklahoma. This second largest city in the state was originally established by Creek peoples, but was heralded as the “Oil Capital of the World” in the 20th century. The energy industry remains strong in Tulsa, but the city is also known for its diverse aerospace, finance, and technology sectors, as well as a flourishing arts scene and an abundance of Art Deco architecture.
Running in Tulsa is defined by the city’s “River Parks” system, an extensive network of parks and multi-use paths along both banks of the Arkansas River. Just off these central paths, runners can find trail running at the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area and connections to the Creek Turnpike Trails. For a reliable 5k route, head to the loop around LaFortune Park or find more park running at Mohawk Park. Fun neighborhood running can be found in the Riverview and Midtown neighborhoods, easily accessible from downtown. The Midland Valley Trail is a great connector from the Central Business District to Riverview & Midtown and then the river paths. In addition to these favorite spots, there’s an extensive system of multi-use paths throughout Tulsa — not always the most scenic, but good to know about! See the Tulsa trails map below for an overview. And a shout out to the Tulsa Running Club for their help with this guide!
Tulsa is a supremely walkable (read: runnable) city, but if you need to give your legs a rest, the Tulsa Transit provides affordable and reliable busses throughout all major neighborhoods and to/from the airport. There is also a free downtown trolley that circulates downtown on Friday and Saturday evenings. Also note: Tulsa can be hot in summer!
