OKLAHOMA CITY — OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark officially opened on March 6, bringing new entertainment, dining, and relaxation options to Oklahoma City.
The $400 million development by the Chickasaw Nation, located along the Oklahoma River in the Horizon’s District, aims to be a major destination for visitors from Oklahoma and beyond.
The 11-story resort features 404 rooms and boasts Oklahoma’s largest indoor waterpark with a 4.5-acre outdoor lagoon on the property is set to open soon. In addition to the waterpark, OKANA includes multiple dining options and an entertainment center, making it one of the state’s largest tourism developments in recent years.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 21, the Grand Opening on March 6 saw families arriving with suitcases in tow and a lively celebration including stilt walkers, a wave pool dance party, chair massages, cookie decorating, and a drone show with synchronized fireworks.
“There’s a lot of fun things people are going to be excited to experience for the first time,” Laura Rudicel, OKANA’s director of marketing, told Free Press in an interview. “We’ve truly got a little bit of everything.”
The resort’s development involved more than 450 employees and over 500 construction workers, and locals have highly anticipated its arrival.
“People are just excited that OKANA is finally here,” Rudicel said. “A lot of locals, myself included, have watched this area take shape over the last couple of years and really transform.”
Spring break approaching
With spring break approaching, the resort is expected to become a popular destination for families. Local visitors, like five-year-old Olivia Girard and her mom, Gina, were already exploring the amenities.
“We live ten minutes away, and we’ll definitely be looking into packages. We just can’t wait to have fun and spend all day playing in the water,” Gina Girard told Free Press.
The resort is part of a larger effort to boost Oklahoma City’s tourism industry, which currently draws 24 million visitors and $4.5 billion annually. Located near the First Americans Museum and the Boathouse District, OKANA is aiming to attract even more visitors and become a key venue for visitors coming in for major events such as the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in April.
“We’ve been saying that we’re really a destination within a larger destination,” Rudicel told Free Press. “We hope people stay not just for a day, but a couple of days, exploring OKANA and the rest of Oklahoma City. There’s so much happening here, and we’re excited to be part of it.”
Plenty of ways to stay and play at OKANA
OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark offers more than just a place to stay—it’s designed to be an experience. The resort features a variety of accommodations, ranging from cozy Junior Suites to spacious multi-room suites, with sizes ranging from 420 to 720 square feet. For families, the OKA’ Suite offers two queen beds and a bunk bed, with rooms blending modern comfort with elements of Chickasaw culture, including Native American art. Some rooms also offer scenic views of the Oklahoma River.
Beyond the accommodations, OKANA boasts 27,000 square feet of meeting space, including a grand ballroom, a junior ballroom, and a conference center. The resort also features a landscaped outdoor amphitheater, which can accommodate up to 1,500 guests and is suitable for a range of events.
One of OKANA’s main attractions is its indoor waterpark, which spans 100,000 square feet and maintains a comfortable 82 degrees year-round. The waterpark features a wave pool, lazy river, surfing simulator, and 15 water slides, including a water coaster.
There’s also a dedicated adult-only area offering premium cocktails and a relaxed atmosphere. For younger guests, there are splash pads, storytime zones, and a baby-friendly water swing. Private cabanas are available for those looking for a more relaxed experience. Opening weekend passes for the waterpark sold out quickly, indicating strong interest in this new attraction.
“I think a lot of people were just thrilled to have another option to enjoy when it’s fairly cold outside,” Rudicel told Free Press.
For visitors like Caleb Watson, who was staying at the resort with his family, the water slides stood out as a highlight.
“The slides are kid-friendly, but they’ll get your heart beating,” Watson told Free Press in an interview on opening day. “The first one we rode was pretty exhilarating.”
Melissa Roberts, the resort’s Director of Fun, oversees much of the entertainment, from face painters and balloon artists on opening day to consistent live events like craft parties, dance parties, and local music performances by artists such as Stephen Salewon. As outdoor spaces open, guests can enjoy a variety of activities, trivia, Singo, and even fire shows.
“What we’re trying to do is enhance the overall experience here, have fun, and create lasting memories so that everyone wants to come back,” Roberts shared with Free Press.
For even more entertainment, OKANA features a 20,000-square-foot family center, OKANARAMA!, complete with laser tag, an escape room, and an arcade with 80 games.
For those seeking relaxation, the Day Spa & Wellness Retreat offers massages, skincare treatments, and a peaceful escape from the resort’s hustle. Guests can unwind with fruit-infused water, pedicures, manicures, facials, and relax in the tranquility room or sauna. With seven treatment rooms, the spa provides a serene balance of excitement and relaxation for the whole family.
Dining at OKANA is as diverse and exciting as its attractions with 13 different dining options. At Jack Rabbit, a gastropub inspired by Oklahoma’s black-tailed jackrabbit, guests can enjoy crafted cocktails and elevated comfort food, like the fan-favorite Dump Truck Chicken Strips served in a toy truck.
“What we’re doing here is fun food. It’s serious and good, but it’s fun. It’s comforting, but elevated,” said Director of Culinary Jason Jonilonis in an interview.
Other dining options include Chido, offering bold Mexican street food, Pie Lab with pizzas and calzones, Market 56, serving fresh sandwiches, salads, and Starbucks coffee, and Kaya, which serves Japanese street food inside the waterpark. For sweet treats, OKANA Candy Co. offers handcrafted candies and ice creams, while the Frosty Flamingo serves tropical shaved ice.
Coming soon, Smokehouse Social will bring slow-smoked barbecue, and Curveball Kitchen will provide comfort food in a baseball-themed setting. With something for everyone, OKANA’s dining scene is as vibrant as its entertainment offerings.
But that’s not all—OKANA’s highly anticipated 4.5-acre outdoor adventure lagoon is set to open in May, making it the fourth-largest pool in the country.
It will feature body slides, an inflatable obstacle course, an adult-only swim-up bar called Okasis, and a “fly” pool with a zipline into the water. Outdoor cabanas and lounge chairs will offer plenty of relaxation space. In the winter months, the lagoon will transform into an ice tubing and ice-skating rink.
“We’re creating a slice of paradise right in your backyard,” said Rudicel about the new outdoor space.
Planning your visit
OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark offers group and military discounts, along with flexible Day Passes for full-day access to both indoor and outdoor waterparks. Since passes can sell out quickly, booking in advance is recommended for the best rates and availability.
The resort’s name, inspired by the Chickasaw words oka’ (water) and inkana (friend), reflects its commitment to hospitality and connection, drawing from the Chickasaw people’s historic relationship with waterways and their communities. This spirit is woven into the guest experience, with every design detail carefully considered to create a welcoming environment.
“We want guests to feel the thought and care behind every aspect of their stay and to come back and enjoy even more,” Rudical told Free Press.OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark is located at 639 First Americans Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73129. For reservations and more information, visit the OKANA website or call 800-547-3928.
Zoe Elrod covers events and happenings around Oklahoma City for Free Press bringing her skill as a reporter and photographer. Zoe has spent her career covering local musicians, artists, politicians, and everyday folks.
