The Cherokee Nation Parks and Recreation Department oversees the operations, development, and long-term stewardship of parks and trails across the Cherokee Nation Reservation. The department’s mission is to celebrate and protect Cherokee natural landscapes while expanding opportunities for community wellness, cultural connection, recreation, and environmental education. These efforts ensure that public spaces reflect Cherokee values, support citizen well-being, and foster community gathering throughout the reservation.
Parks
The Wilma P. Mankiller Cherokee Capitol Park serves as the flagship park for the Cherokee Nation, located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Once an industrial site producing septic tanks and concrete structures, the land has been transformed into a vibrant 15‑acre public gathering space. The park honors Principal Chief Wilma P. Mankiller, the first woman elected chief of a major American Indian tribe, whose leadership embodies Gadugi—the Cherokee principle of working together for the good of the community.
The park is organized along an intentional east–west spine that guides visitors toward the formal lawn while symbolizing both traditional and contemporary Cherokee culture. Cultural interpretation is woven throughout the landscape. The water feature includes seven fountains and seven lights, representing the seven Cherokee clans, the seven directions, and other core teachings.
The Heirloom Garden incorporates rock arrangements honoring the Cherokee Water Spider, Turtle, Water, the Four Directions, and the Wind or Water Symbol. It features plants and flowers historically used by Cherokee people for medicine, ceremony, foodways, dyes, and daily living.
Key amenities within the park include:
Hours of Operation:
Park: Dawn to Dusk Building: Monday-Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Trails
The Cherokee National Trail System Strategic Plan is currently underway and will act as the guiding framework for future trail development, expansion, and connectivity across the Cherokee Nation Reservation. This work is authorized under the Cherokee Nation Parks, Wildlands, Hunting and Fishing Preserve Act of 2021 and the Cherokee National Trail System Act of 2025, which affirms the Nation’s commitment to access, conservation, and recreation planning.
The strategic plan will expand access to public lands, support active and healthy lifestyles, enhance cultural and historical interpretation, and increase the economic impact of trail-based recreation. Its goal is to build an interconnected, culturally grounded network of walking, biking, and multi-use trails that improve mobility, encourage stewardship, and elevate quality of life for Cherokee citizens.
Key elements of the plan include:
For more information please contact:
Phone: (918) 453-5099 Email: parks@cherokee.org
