For most of the year, Yukon feels like a peaceful little town, resting quietly on the western edge of the Oklahoma City metro. But when November rolls around, something magical happens.
The usually serene 100-acre park complex comes alive with a burst of color, drawing people from all over the state to see a holiday spectacle that gives even the biggest displays in the Southwest a run for their money.
While the dazzling lights steal the show, the grounds themselves offer a unique mix of local history and outdoor fun that keeps the community coming back all year long. Whether you’re looking for a place to fish, go for a run, or simply soak in the legacy of the Chisholm Trail, this park offers an experience that feels both grand and surprisingly intimate.
Important Notes
- A Holiday Wonderland: Get lost in one of Oklahoma’s biggest Christmas light displays, with over 5 million twinkling lights that run from late November all the way through New Year’s Eve.
- Room to Roam: This isn’t just one park, it’s a connected system spreading across 100 acres, which is about the size of 75 football fields combined.
- Fun Beyond the Holidays: Even after the lights go down, you can enjoy 3.1 miles of paved walking and biking trails, try your luck at the stocked fishing ponds, or let the kids run wild at the Freedom Trail Playground.
- A Walk Through History: You’re literally walking on the original Chisholm Trail, where cattle drives thundered through between 1867 and 1884.
- Open to Everyone: The best part? It’s free to enter, the trails are wheelchair-friendly, and you can even bring your furry friends along for the adventure.
Experience Oklahoma's Most Dazzling Holiday Event
When the City of Yukon says it has one of Oklahoma’s largest holiday light displays, they aren’t kidding. The numbers really do speak for themselves. More than 5 million twinkling lights blanket the landscape, creating a magical glow that’s hard to find anywhere else.
The event, famously known as “Christmas in the Park,” cleverly weaves together three separate parks: Chisholm Trail Park, Yukon City Park, and the Municipal Complex.
This creates a seamless river of light that flows across an impressive 100 acres. The magic begins the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and the lights shine brightly every night from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM until New Year’s Eve.
Be prepared for some slow-moving traffic during prime time, because the whole thing is designed as a 3-mile drive-thru experience. This setup lets you and your family soak in over 500 different light displays without ever leaving the cozy comfort of your car.
But if you’re the type who likes to get up close and personal, you can easily park and explore the various walking areas. Walking is the best way to get that perfect holiday photo and lets you take your time admiring the most detailed displays.
A can’t-miss attraction is the Santa Express Train. This festive ride takes you on a special tour right through the heart of the glowing light tunnels, giving you a view you just can’t get from behind a windshield.
Keep an eye out for fun extras like pop-up ice skating rinks and a chance to meet Santa himself, which are often part of the seasonal fun. With an event this huge, it pays to plan ahead.
If you can, try visiting on a weeknight early in the season to avoid the bigger weekend crowds. And while getting in won’t cost you a dime, you’ll see friendly donation stations on your way out. Every little bit helps keep this amazing tradition alive and sparkling for years to come.
What To Do at Chisholm Trail Park Year-Round
Once the holiday season fades, the park doesn’t go into hibernation. It stays a lively hub for the community, all year long. It’s designed for everyone, whether you’re looking to get your heart rate up or just unwind and relax.
You’ll find wide-open fields perfect for flying a kite, while peaceful ponds offer a quiet escape from the bustle of suburbia. Shaded walking paths crisscross the grounds, welcoming everyone from casual strollers to dedicated runners.
Walk, Jog, or Bike the Paved Trail System
This park was built for moving. A whole network of smooth, paved trails links Chisholm Trail Park with its neighbors, Yukon City Park and Freedom Trail Playground.
All told, you’ve got about 3.1 miles to explore. That’s long enough to get in a solid 5K training run, but it’s also broken up perfectly for a leisurely evening walk.
The trails wind gently around the ponds and slice through open green spaces, so the scenery is always changing and keeping your workout from feeling stale.
And the fact that the trails are paved is a huge plus. It means they’re perfectly accessible for parents pushing strollers and for folks using wheelchairs, making sure everyone can enjoy the park.
The trail system is a local favorite for a few great reasons:
- Seamless Connections: You can easily wander between three different parks without ever stepping off the path.
- Safe and Sound: The paths are nice and wide, keeping you safely away from any car traffic.
- Clear Views: With wide-open sightlines, the trails feel safe and comfortable, even if you’re out for a run by yourself.
- Easy on the Knees: The ground is almost entirely flat, which is great for beginners or anyone recovering from an injury.
Go Fishing in the City at the Stocked Ponds
Those pretty ponds aren’t just for looking at, they’re for fishing! Several large ponds are central to the park’s landscape, and they’re carefully managed to be a great spot for anglers.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) has made these waters part of its “Close to Home” fishing program. This program is all about bringing great fishing opportunities right into the city, so you don’t have to drive for hours to find a good spot.
They stock the ponds throughout the year, usually with channel catfish in the warmer months and trout when it gets chilly. This smart rotation means you can have a great day of fishing no matter the season.
Just be sure to check the ODWC website for the latest rules and licensing requirements before you cast a line. Even though it’s a convenient city spot, all the state regulations on catch limits and licenses are strictly enforced.
But there’s more to this park than just trails and water. You can’t miss the tall, wooden observation tower that stands like a sentinel over the grounds. Climb to the top, and you’ll be treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire park and the city of Yukon.
It’s the absolute best way to appreciate just how big this green space really is. Down below, the Freedom Trail Playground is a magnet for families.
This is way more than your average swing-set, it’s a huge, thoughtfully designed play area with different zones for kids of all ages, complete with cool climbing structures and soft ground to cushion any tumbles.
You’ll also find covered gazebos and picnic pavilions dotted around the park. They’re free for anyone to use, but if you’re planning a big get-together or a birthday party, it’s a good idea to call the City of Yukon to reserve a spot.
Uncovering the Scale of Yukon's Premier Green Space
To really get a feel for this place, you have to zoom out a bit. Chisholm Trail Park is located right in Yukon, a friendly suburb just west of Oklahoma City. It’s the heart of a huge, connected system of green space.
When you add in the adjacent Yukon City Park and Freedom Trail Playground, you’re looking at over 100 acres of land. If you’re having trouble picturing that, imagine more than 75 football fields all stitched together. That incredible size means there’s room for everyone to do their own thing without getting in each other’s way.
You could have a concert happening in one corner of the park while fishermen enjoy the peaceful silence hundreds of yards away. This amazing capacity for both community events and quiet moments makes it a favorite gathering spot not just for Yukon locals, but for people from all over the OKC metro looking for a little room to breathe.
Tracing History Along the Legendary Chisholm Trail
They didn’t just pick the name “Chisholm Trail” out of a hat. This park is built on the actual, historic Chisholm Trail. From 1867 to 1884, this route was a bustling highway for moving millions of longhorn cattle from Texas all the way to the railways in Kansas.
So when you’re walking the path, remember that the very ground beneath your feet was once shaken by thousands of thundering hooves. You’ll see nods to this incredible heritage everywhere you look. Historical markers are placed around the park to share the stories of the cattle drive era, explaining the incredible logistics and daily challenges of life on the trail.
The story really comes to life through the stunning statues created by Oklahoma’s own Paul Moore. His sculptures, like the one called “The Chisholm Kid,” perfectly capture the determined spirit of the young cowboys who made this journey.
These sculptures do more than just look pretty, they turn a simple stroll through the park into a fascinating history lesson about the American West.
Your Guide to Visiting Chisholm Trail Park
Getting to the park is a breeze. Just plug this address into your GPS: 500 W Vandament Ave, Yukon, OK 73099. It’s free to enter the park all year long.
Even during the massive “Christmas in the Park” celebration, you can drive or walk through the lights without paying a fee, though you’ll see donation buckets on your way out if you feel like contributing. Some special holiday activities, like the train ride, do have a separate ticket cost.
For most of the year, the park is open from dawn until dusk. During the Christmas season, the lights are on from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Planning on bringing your four-legged friend? They’re totally welcome, just be sure to keep them on a leash and clean up after them so the park stays beautiful for everyone.
With its smooth, paved trails and mostly flat ground, this is one of the easiest and most accessible outdoor spots in the entire metro area. Life happens, and sometimes that means car trouble. If you ever find yourself stuck near the park, it’s good to know that help is nearby. Five Star Towing offers reliable support to get you and your car safely on your way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nope, getting into Chisholm Trail Park for a normal visit is absolutely free. That means you can use the walking trails, playgrounds, and fishing ponds without spending a dime.
During the "Christmas in the Park" event, it’s still free to drive or walk through to see the lights, but you’ll find voluntary donation buckets at the exits to help keep the tradition going.
The City of Yukon keeps the park free for everyone by using city funds and getting help from sponsors. The only things you might pay for are special attractions run by other groups, like the Santa Express Train or an ice rink.
Because it’s so affordable, the park is a go-to spot for families across the OKC metro, especially during the holidays. Expect it to be bustling!
The big event kicks off every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and runs right through New Year's Eve (December 31st). You can see the lights sparkle every night from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
These dates are pretty consistent from year to year, making it a beloved holiday tradition in Oklahoma. With more than a month to see everything, it helps spread out the crowds.
If you want to avoid the biggest crowds and traffic jams, your best bet is to plan a visit on a weeknight, especially earlier in the season. Weekends in December can get very busy.
Yes, you definitely need a valid Oklahoma fishing license if you plan to fish in the park's ponds. These ponds are part of the "Close to Home" fishing program managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), so all the state laws on licensing and how many fish you can keep are in full effect.
The "Close to Home" program is designed to make fishing easy and accessible for people in cities by stocking ponds with channel catfish and trout. State game wardens do patrol these areas, just like they would at a big lake.
Before you go, hop on the ODWC website to see what they’ve recently stocked and make sure you have your license with you (either printed or on your phone) to avoid any fines.
Absolutely! Leashed dogs are more than welcome throughout the park, including on all the walking trails and in the grassy fields. Just be sure to be a good neighbor and clean up after your pet.
The paved trails are a very popular spot for local dog walkers. Leash rules are enforced to make sure everyone, especially the many kids playing at the Freedom Trail Playground, feels safe and comfortable.
It's a great place for a walk with your pup, but remember it's not an off-leash dog park. If you want to let your dog run free, you’ll need to find a designated dog park in the area.
The official address you’ll want to put in your GPS is 500 W Vandament Ave, Yukon, OK 73099.
The park is located right near the corner of Vandament Avenue and Holly Avenue. It connects directly to Yukon City Park, which can be a little confusing, but all the parking lots lead to the same central trail system, so you can’t really go wrong.
Using this exact address is the best way to make sure you end up in the right place, especially if you're meeting up with friends or need roadside assistance, since the park is so spread out.
The festive drive-thru route winds its way for about 3 miles through Chisholm Trail Park, Yukon City Park, and the Municipal Complex grounds.
The route is set up for a slow, steady stream of cars. Even though it's 3 miles long, the time it takes to drive can change a lot depending on how busy it is. On a peak holiday night, plan for it to take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes.
Before you get in line, make sure your car is in good shape and has plenty of gas. Once you're in the flow of traffic, there aren't many places to pull over or exit.
Driving Directions From Chisholm Trail Park, 500 W Vandament Ave, Yukon, OK 73099 to 5-Star Towing OKC, 2800 SW 25th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73108 - 19 min (13.5 miles) via I-40 E
Chisholm Trail Park, 500 W Vandament Ave, Yukon, OK 73099
Get on I-40 E in Oklahoma City from W Vandament Ave and Cornwell Dr - 6 min (2.0 mi)
Follow I-40 E to SW 15th St in Oklahoma County. Take exit 119 from I-44/OK-3 E - 10 min (10.4 mi)
Continue on SW 15th St to your destination - 4 min (1.2 mi)
5-Star Towing OKC, 2800 SW 25th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73108
We are a towing and roadside assistance company near Chisholm Trail Park. Learn more about our next location Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden.
