Red Bud Valley Oxley Nature Trail is a 1.2 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Catoosa, Oklahoma that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round.
kid friendly
hiking
nature trips
walking
bird watching
cave
river
views
wild flowers
wildlife
bugs
rocky
no dogs
The park is only open Friday - Sunday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM The trail begins at the parking lot and goes west up the steep slope. From the top of the rock outcrop, the trail winds through a stunted woodland of Post Oak, Blackjack Oak and scattered Texas Hickory. Soon you will notice scattered Prickly Pear Cactus in the clearings. There is Fragrant Sumac throughout this area, and a few small trees of Chittamwood, or Gum Bumelia. The trail forks at which point you may decide whether you want to choose the Prairie Fork or the Woodland Fork. Either trail will lead you to the same spot. The Woodland Fork winds through a forested area, while the Prairie Fork will take you through a section where the soil is so thin that few trees grow. Here you will find much more cactus and many grasses and flowers typical of a dry prairie habitat. Eventually the two forks rejoin at the top of The Ravine. This break in the cliff allows the trail to drop down to the base of the cliff face. The environment here is radically different from the uplands, being cooler and much more moist. Notice that several types of fern grow on the limestone rocks. In spring you may find Columbine growing here. Turn right at the base of the Ravine. Not far is a good size cave, and after that, an active spring emerges from the base of the cliff and feeds the ponds below. If the weather has been dry, the spring may produce barely a trickle, but after a good rain, the spring will run with surprising force. Look for Sugar maples which are common in this area. You will pass several more small caves before the trail begins to drop down the hillside to the bottom of the slope. Just past the bottom of the hill the Bluff Trail begins, an alternate and rugged route back to near the parking lot, following the limestone ridge. Climbing up above the bluff and taking "shortcuts" down the hillside kills rare plants and causes erosion. From the bottom of the hill, the main trail wanders through the flood-plain of Bird Creek, in a habitat much more typical of northeastern Oklahoma. Still, the hillside to the south has unusual plants, especially Dutchman's Breeches, which can proliferate in early spring. The trail winds around large limestone blocks which have slipped to the bottom of the hill. One of these is now surrounded by trees and large grape vines. (This section can be very muddy in wet weather.) The trail continues around the hill and returns to the parking lot.
Really liked this trail! Great views and streams.
I can’t understand why people rate this beautiful trail 1 star because no dogs are allowed. People this is the Redbud Nature preserve..... operative wording is “Nature preserve”. Meaning it’s a refuge for local animals. Dogs aren’t allowed because they defecate on the trail which scares away white tail deer and other woodland creatures. This park is meant to immerse yourself in nature not to tromp through with your dog.
No dogs allowed. Trash everywhere. Not safe for kids.
super easy trail, taken kids multiple times, great small place, also enjoy it, stopped going because no dogs allowed
LOVE this park! We have lived here 20 years and the first time we've visited was today because I usually go Oxley at Mohawk Park. This can be a challenging trail if you are used to the flat ones that Oklahoma typically has. In some areas this is more like Beavers Bend State Park or Robbers Cave State Park in terms of elevation and terrain. Some very interesting bluffs with caves, a small meadow area and another strip that is most likely boggy during rainy times. We were there at mid afternoon and only heard birds and saw some deer tracks. If you went early or later you might have a better chance of seeing wildlife but be aware gates close at 5 p.m. Signage does need to be updated but we found our way around with no problem. Just look for where the path is man made (steps is a big tip off). Water runoff and storms has taken down a big tree down at the bluff area but you can easily squeeze through and get back onto the trail. The area is very quiet and w.o a lot of foot traffic (we arrived at noon on a Sunday in August) - unlike Oxley at MP and Ray Harral Nature Center where you will be constantly bumping into people and their dogs. BTW love that there is NO DOGS because I'm tired of dog people bringing their animals, not cleaning up their poop, and letting them off leash.
Beautiful scenery, did it with my 3 year old son and I’m pregnant. Took the wrong trail at times so I had to backtrack, they need to update the signs because 90% of them are broken. But such a fun and beautiful hike with birds singing, my son saw lots of bright lizards as well.
No dogs allowed is an automatic one star.
Took the family last month. Great short hike. Good for younger kids. Well maintained trail.
I went with my 12 year old daughter and really enjoyed ourselves. Everything is pretty bare this time of year but it was beautiful, the out cropping were really interesting and the few critters we saw was educational. Being 15 minutes from home I see us frequenting here for afternoon jaunts.
FYI- after driving out there on a Tuesday afternoon, discovered this Trail is only open Wednesday through Saturday. Disappointed.
Super easy trail. I’m a male and went by myself so I got kinda bored real quick. If you have kids or just want to stroll around it great! I would suggest starting backwards because that’s where all the fun is.
My first visit and I think I'll be back very soon. Did the trail twice as there is a ridge cut through. It was very crowded with a lot of waiting in tight areas. The kids out numbered adults about 5 to 1. Some were yelling but most parents were trying to keep them respectful. Glad they're getting out doors. When I left there were about 20 cars for a 1.3 mile trail.
Awesome! Kid friendly! Tons of climbing with the rocks. It says no dogs and that is for good reason. No fun carrying a dog over and around boulders. Clean bathrooms available. Nature preserve building/ welcome center. Picnic area. Perfect afternoon!
Very beautiful area. Very quiet. A nice escape from the city... It's a shame I can't bring my dogs, but I understand the reasoning.
Took our young son for a hike here to get him used to trails and his pack. I LOVED this little trail! It has gorgeous scenery, a small stream, boulders and a little bit of "rugged" terrain. Perfect way to spend an afternoon close to the house! Only disappointment is no dogs :-/
this Trail is outside hiking in the woods and they do not allow dogs that is ridiculous I give this place a one-star is my dog my PTSD dog goes everywhere with me and they do not allow dogs I went there today for the first time and I turn around and left whenever I seen no dogs I will never go back to this place and I give it a one-star this is ridiculous and maybe they need to be sued for not allowing dogs outside.
This is a great trail for a young child! I would say 4+! We had a wonderful time.
Fun trail with great rocks however wish it went for a few more miles.
We brought the kids to Red Bud today and everyone absolutely loved it! It's a great mix of terrain but nothing too difficult. We are not the most experienced hikers but this trail provided a "real" hiking experience without being to intense for the kids!
This is a great hike to see different rock outcropping and bluffs. Really unique to the area. Be aware that it closes at 5:00 pm. No dogs allowed. We enjoy taking visitors to see this lovely place and there is a picnic table at the entrance to bring lunch.
Nice evening hike.
Nice trail.
Beautiful area! The only downfall is that the gates close at 5:00pm.
Such a good trail!!!! And there's no car sounds since it's so hard to fine
awesome hike!! my little ones loved it
