Sunset Beach Lake Murray
Ardmore, Oklahoma · Lake Murray State Resort Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Free
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Sunset Beach Lake Murray
Sunset Beach is the designated swim beach on the east shore of Lake Murray, a 5,700-acre man-made reservoir within Lake Murray State Park near Ardmore, Oklahoma. It is an official, drive-up swimming hole with a sandy shoreline, free entry, and no hike required, which makes it about the easiest lake to swim in around Ardmore.
The beach sits on the east side of Lake Murray, a large Depression-era reservoir (dammed 1933-1938) within Oklahoma's oldest and largest state park, a 12,500-acre property that also includes cabins, campgrounds, a golf course, a lodge, and the limestone Tucker Tower nature center overlooking the lake.
Swimming at Sunset Beach Lake Murray
A sandy, gently shelving lake beach designated for swimming, described by sources as stretching roughly a quarter-mile to over half a mile along the shoreline (sources vary), suited to families and casual lake swimming rather than deep-water or current-driven swimming.
How to get to this swimming hole
Sunset Beach is located on the east side of Lake Murray within Lake Murray State Park, a few miles from Ardmore, Oklahoma; it is a drive-up day-use area rather than a hike-in spot.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Sunset Beach is a drive-up day-use area on the east shore of Lake Murray within Lake Murray State Park; visitors park at or near the beach lot and walk directly onto the sand, no trail hike required.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sunset Beach is a sandy, gently-sloping lake beach (not a river/current spot), which favors families, and it's described as less crowded than the park's other swim areas since it's day-use only. However, no source documents lifeguards on duty, so parents should supervise children directly rather than assume staffed supervision.
Parking
Lot
Sources conflict on cost: americasstateparks.org describes free entry to the beach with dawn-to-dusk hours, while the park's official ReserveAmerica reservation page references a park-wide 'Parking Pass' system priced $10-$56 depending on season/type (one pass is included free with lodging/camping reservations). It's unclear whether that paid pass applies to day-use beach visitors or mainly to campground/RV guests, so cost is left unconfirmed rather than guessed.
Restrooms
Yes
Metro Family Magazine reports restrooms and picnic tables directly at Sunset Beach. The park overall also lists 'comfort stations' and bath/shower houses at its campgrounds (per the official ReserveAmerica park listing), though those are not beach-specific.
Hours
Park entry is open daily 7am-11pm per the official Oklahoma tourism site (travelok.com); a separate aggregator (americasstateparks.org) states the beach itself is open dawn to dusk. Both likely apply (general park gate hours vs. practical daylight swimming hours), but this wasn't reconciled in one authoritative source.
On the water
Lake Murray State Park's official tourism listing (travelok.com) advertises canoe, kayak, paddleboard, pontoon, jet ski, sailboat, ski-boat, and fishing-boat rentals on the lake, indicating a broad range of motorized and non-motorized watercraft are permitted lake-wide. No source specifies a no-wake zone or watercraft exclusion specifically around the Sunset Beach swim area itself, so beach-specific restrictions are left null.
Rentals nearby
Non-motorized rentals (kayaks, canoes, paddleboards), motorized watercraft, 'Island Cruisers,' and the 'Big Kahuna' water attraction; also runs lake cruises and an on-site mini golf course. Life jackets are furnished on all watercraft and required at all times.
Located within Lake Murray State Park, Ardmore, OK (roughly halfway between Oklahoma City and Dallas); dock phone (580) 223-7185. · Seasonal: open 7 days a week, April 15 - September 15, 10:00am to 'late evening.' Reservations/questions via the dock phone.
Backstory
Lake Murray was created by damming creeks starting in 1933 as a Great Depression-era public works project and opened in 1938; the surrounding park became the first Oklahoma state park listed on the National Register of Historic Places (2001) and includes the historic Tucker Tower, which displays the Lake Murray Meteorite.
Sunset Beach Lake Murray: FAQ
Does Sunset Beach Lake Murray charge a fee?
No day-use fee reported; one source states entry to the beach/park is free with hours from dawn to dusk year-round.
Is Sunset Beach Lake Murray kid friendly?
Sunset Beach is a sandy, gently-sloping lake beach (not a river/current spot), which favors families, and it's described as less crowded than the park's other swim areas since it's day-use only. However, no source documents lifeguards on duty, so parents should supervise children directly rather than assume staffed supervision.
Do I need to hike to reach Sunset Beach Lake Murray?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Sunset Beach Lake Murray?
Sources conflict on cost: americasstateparks.org describes free entry to the beach with dawn-to-dusk hours, while the park's official ReserveAmerica reservation page references a park-wide 'Parking Pass' system priced $10-$56 depending on season/type (one pass is included free with lodging/camping reservations). It's unclear whether that paid pass applies to day-use beach visitors or mainly to campground/RV guests, so cost is left unconfirmed rather than guessed.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Sunset Beach Lake Murray?
Lake Murray State Park's official tourism listing (travelok.com) advertises canoe, kayak, paddleboard, pontoon, jet ski, sailboat, ski-boat, and fishing-boat rentals on the lake, indicating a broad range of motorized and non-motorized watercraft are permitted lake-wide. No source specifies a no-wake zone or watercraft exclusion specifically around the Sunset Beach swim area itself, so beach-specific restrictions are left null.
What are the rules at Sunset Beach Lake Murray?
Designated as a day-use area (not for overnight camping at the beach itself).
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