Bidders hoping to operate restaurants in five of Oklahoma’s state parks will begin mandatory site visits this week, starting with Lake Murray State Park in Ardmore on Wednesday, as the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department works to restart food service in the parks as early as this summer.
The department is seeking proposals for restaurant operations that could range from traditional sit-down service to counter service or grab-and-go options, depending on what a winning bidder proposes. OTRD Executive Director Amy Blackburn said the agency has reworked its approach after previous efforts.
“I think that there were a variety of challenges that we encountered, and we have an obligation to get it right for our visitors and Oklahoma taxpayers,” Blackburn said.
The first of five mandatory pre-bid conference site tours is on Wednesday at Lake Murray.
Additional tours are scheduled for Beaver’s Bend on Feb. 20, Robbers Cave on Feb. 23, Roman Nose on Feb. 25, and Quartz Mountain on Feb. 27.
Proposals must be submitted by March 23.
The contract term runs from the time of signing through Oct. 31, 2027, with four one-year renewal options.
Blackburn said the department made changes to its request for proposals after working with industry representatives.
“We realize that margins are very thin in the industry overall. That’s why we collaborated with the restaurant association to make these meaningful changes to the RFP so that everyone can be successful,” Blackburn said.
OTRD data shows the Roman Nose State Park location had the lowest number of park visitors at 227,433 in 2025 and grossed $6,594 in January 2025, the lowest-grossing month cited in the data.
“I don’t think any of our locations are necessarily set up to fail,” Blackburn said. “Others have more challenging locations than others. They’re further away from more metropolitan areas, but we’ve made these changes very intentionally, and we’re taking a high level of discernment in evaluating each of these bidders’ responses. We have an obligation to get this right.”
Blackburn said the department is open to “any and all types of operators.”
She also said she is speaking publicly about the process to encourage participation. “I’m committed to being transparent in our operations, and I also want as many bidders as possible,” Blackburn said.
When asked why the last state park restaurant, the Lookout Kitchen, failed, Blackburn said the department cannot comment on pending litigation.
The department is suing the past owner for negligence in the Sequoyah Lodge and Restaurant fire.
Dining and Cooking