Skiatook sits on the border of Tulsa and Osage counties, earning it the title “Gateway to the Osage.” Surrounded by rolling hills, prairie grass and Oklahoma ranch land, the city merges the intimacy of small-town living with access to greater Tulsa, 20 miles south. But the primary draw is Skiatook Lake, a 10,000-acre marvel boasting 160 miles of shoreline. “The lake is the big thing in Skiatook,” says Sharie Moore, Realtor with Keller Williams Premier. “And it’s a small town—just the one street.” That may not be the case for long, as town officials actively promote economic development. Proximity to two major highways and steady population growth combine to make Skiatook an appealing destination.
Skiatook Lake life
Ten miles west of Skiatook's town center, the sapphire sheen of Skiatook Lake invites boaters and anglers to chart its waters. Several marinas shelter the meandering shoreline, which angles into steep crags and bluffs. There are numerous trails for hikers, along with 8,000 acres of designated hunting land. Recreational opportunities beckon closer to home at the Skiatook City Pool in Osage Park. More wet and wild fun awaits at the splash pad at Skiatook Central Park, which also offers a walking trail, playground and picnic pavilion. Joggers, cyclists and dog walkers can hop on the Osage Prairie Trail from the nearby trailhead on Rogers Boulevard.
The marina provides shelter to the boats on Lake Skiatook.
Central park in Skiatook has a long walking path through the middle.
The hiking trail at the marina in Skiatook are open to the public.
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School days at Skiatook High
Skiatook students move on to a new school every two to three years. The good news for parents is that they’re all in the city, and several are in the same complex. First up is Marrs Elementary, then Skiatook Elementary for grades 2 and 3. Skiatook Intermediate Elementary is next, followed by Newman Middle School for grades 6 through 8. Then it’s on to Skiatook High School, where students can participate in extracurricular activities like photography, community volunteering and Future Farmers of America. Each school earns a Niche grade of B or higher.
Skiatook students can attend Skiatook Elementary School.
Newman Middle School serves the children after elementary in Skiatook.
The school mascot at Skiatook High School is the Bulldogs.
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A hodgepodge of brick ranch homes and modern builds
Skiatook is an architectural hodgepodge, offering everything from small brick ranch homes to two-story contemporary builds with gabled roofs. Toward town center, an abundance of older homes date to the 1920s, but the city is growing to the west, where new development has erupted in the past year or two. The established residential streets have plenty of tree cover for privacy and shade, while the western lots have a more open layout, owing to the sudden wellspring of construction. Lot sizes and pricing vary greatly depending on location. Close to town, three-bedroom ranch houses sit on lots measuring a third of an acre, costing between $275,000 and $400,000. Meanwhile, a six-bedroom, five-bath Cape Cod-style home on several acres near the lake can fetch between $600,000 and $1 million.
There are many homes available for a variety of buyers in Skiatook.
Many homes in Skiatook have ranches on their land.
The cabins at Lake Skiatook are known by all the residents.
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From Bull Dog 100 to the Boar’s Nest
WC Rogers Boulevard, part of Route 20, crosses Skiatook’s center and serves as its primary thoroughfare. Locals dine their way along the boulevard, sampling brunch specials at Brown Cow Diner, wood-fired pizza at Bull Dog 100, succulent smoked meats at Mac’s BBQ and chicken cacciatore at Luigi’s Italian Restaurant. Auction House Coffee is tucked along a side street for morning and afternoon pick-me-ups. The boulevard is also home to a Walmart Supercenter, so there’s no need to travel far for groceries and household items. The Boar's Nest, a self-described “little bar in the woods,” is a convivial place to stop on the way to and from the lake. Featuring Taco & Tequila Tuesdays, karaoke nights and live music on weekends, the bar has the lived-in feel of a real local’s hangout.
Luigi's Italian Restaurant is known for their pizza by all the residents of Skiatook.
Downtown Skiatook celebrates their patriotism within the city.
Many businesses have a table to relax and congregate in Skiatook.
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Rodeos and Pioneer Days
Pioneer Days arrive in Skiatook every September to honor the city's founding in 1872. Festivities kick off with a fitness walk and 5K run on the Osage Prairie trail and continue with carnival rides, live music and rodeo events. From May through September, the community gathers in Skiatook Central Park on Third Thursdays, enjoying food trucks, vendors and the sounds of local musicians. “They have everyone from real estate agents to people who make their own soap,” says Laryssa Sousa, property manager at Skiatook Village, a local apartment complex. “And we have rodeos at the fairgrounds, farmers’ markets every Saturday in the summer. It’s a very neat little community to join.” Year-round nightlife is within reach at Osage Casino Hotel-Skiatook, just outside town toward the lake.
Skydiving from Skiatook Municipal Airport
In addition to Oklahoma State Highway 20, travelers can access US Route 75, just 5 miles away. Though the town is well-appointed, downtown Tulsa is within 20 miles, as is Tulsa International Airport. Skiatook Municipal Airport has a significant community presence. Most traffic comes from privately owned planes, but the airport also serves as a fuel stop, and Skydive Airtight offers pulse-pounding skydiving adventures over Skiatook Lake.
Oklahoma’s tornado risk
On average, Oklahoma gets about 50 tornadoes per year. Local lore has it that these severe weather events gave the town its name—“sky-took.” Though "Skiatook" is generally accepted as a Cherokee term meaning “of large size,” the risk is worth considering. A major tornado recently devastated the town of Barnsdall, 20 miles north.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
