Robbers Cave State Park is one of Oklahoma's crown jewels, a rugged, forested park in the Sans Bois Mountains of the southeast corner of the state, five miles north of Wilburton on State Highway 2. Established in 1935 and developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, it's built around the notorious cave that gives it its name, a hideout that legend links to outlaws including Jesse James and Belle Starr. Between the history, the hills, three lakes and a proper disc golf course, it's a genuine destination rather than a roadside stop.

Let's set expectations on the cave itself, since the name promises a lot: it's not really a cave so much as a dramatic spot with a large rock overhang tucked into the cliffs. That's not a knock. The setting is genuinely striking, the outlaw history is real enough to be fun, and the rock formations and cliffs around it are the best part of the park. Trails wind through the caves and cliffs, including a newer moderate route and the original CCC trail from the 1930s, which is pretty strenuous and worth doing for the craftsmanship alone.

The disc golf course is a solid nine holes running 2,162 feet, with seven holes under 300 feet and two in the 300-to-400-foot range, designed by Kenny Morton and Charlie Tefft. It's an approachable, well-built layout, and the park backs it up with restrooms, drinking water, cart-friendly paths, and pet- and stroller-friendly access, which is more than most courses offer.

The wider park is remarkably complete. There are three lakes for fishing, a wilderness area full of trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horses, a swimming beach and a swimming pool with a bathhouse, boat ramps, picnic tables, comfort stations with showers, playgrounds, miniature golf, horseback riding stables, paddle boat rentals, a small grocery store, an on-site restaurant, and a nature center with naturalist programs and exhibits. You can genuinely spend a week here.

Spring and fall are the sweet spot in southeast Oklahoma, with comfortable temperatures and good colour in the hills; summer brings heat and humidity, though the lakes and pool answer that nicely. The CCC trail is genuinely strenuous and the cliff areas around the cave involve real drop-offs, so footwear with grip and an eye on kids near the edges both matter.

Bring water, sun protection, insect repellent, and a couple of discs. Between an outlaw hideout, Depression-era stonework, three lakes and a course to throw, Robbers Cave is one of the best value days out in Oklahoma.