LWA Trails Named One of Oklahoma's Top Trails by Rails to Trails Conservancy
- LWA Trails
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
We have some exciting news to share. Old Frisco Trail has been featured by the Rails to Trails Conservancy as one of the Top 10 Trails in Oklahoma, and we could not be more proud of this recognition. For our community, this is more than just a nod from a national organization. It is a reflection of nearly 30 years of hard work, community support, and a shared love for this trail.
Who Is Rails to Trails Conservancy?
Rails to Trails Conservancy is a national nonprofit organization that has been at the forefront of transforming abandoned railroad corridors into public recreational trails since 1986. In fact, the Rails to Trails Conservancy program is the very reason LWA's trails exist today. It was through their program that the Lake Wister Association was gifted the retired railroad corridors throughout Leflore County that would eventually become Old Frisco Trail and the foundation for our growing trail network. Their TrailLink platform is one of the most widely used trail-finding resources in the country, and their Top 10 Trail lists highlight the very best that each state has to offer. Being named to Oklahoma's list puts Old Frisco Trail in genuinely great company.
What They Said About Old Frisco Trail
According to the Rails to Trails Conservancy feature, Old Frisco Trail follows an abandoned St. Louis–San Francisco Railway line more than 6 miles from the town of Poteau, past the lovely Cavanal Lake, ending just north of Lake Wister State Park, where users can continue on surface roads to access additional trails and a campground in the park.
The feature also highlights the trail's crushed stone surface, its connection to the beautiful natural landscape of eastern Oklahoma, and the fact that horseback riding is permitted on the trail, making it one of the more versatile rail-trails in the state. Old Frisco Trail was the only trail in Leflore County and one of just a handful of trails outside of the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas to make the list, which speaks to just how special this place really is.
A Trail Built by and for This Community
This recognition did not happen overnight. It is the result of decades of dedication from the Lake Wister Association, countless volunteers, generous grant funding, and a community that has consistently shown up to support and celebrate this trail. From the early days of clearing overgrowth and placing mile marker rocks, to the installation of bridges, lighting, water fountains, and a bike repair station, every improvement has been a labor of love.
The original grant funding that helped transform Old Frisco Trail into what it is today, combined with ongoing community investment, made it the kind of trail that earns national recognition. That work continues with the PBR Trail project currently under construction, which will further expand outdoor recreation opportunities in Leflore County.
Come See What the Buzz Is About
If you have not visited Old Frisco Trail lately, now is a great time to come out and see it for yourself. Whether you are a walker, runner, cyclist, or equestrian, the trail has something for you. And if you are already a regular, share this news with a friend who has not made it out yet.
You can read the full Rails to Trails Conservancy feature at railstotrails.org.
We are incredibly grateful for this recognition and even more grateful for every single person who has helped make Old Frisco Trail the community treasure it is today. Thank you for being part of it.
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